We're Being Invaded Lesson

Background

A native species is one that naturally occurs in an area. A native plant, for example, is a plant that has lived and evolved in a certain place for a long time (i.e. thousands of years) and is part of the natural ecosystem. Native species have co-evolved with other competing species, predators, diseases, climate factors and other aspects of a region and an ecosystem. Native species are part of a natural balance and a natural system and provide important food and shelter for wildlife.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Recognize that some nonnative plants can invade and push out native plants.
2. Identify at least one invasive plant in their region.

• We’re Being Invaded Lesson [735 KB - PDF]
• We’re Being Invaded Cards [3.2 MB - PDF]
• Knapweed Cards for We’re Being Invaded [105 KB - PDF]