Endangered Species Day

Endangered Species Day Educational Materials

Endangered Species Day provides an opportunity for schools, libraries, museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, agencies, businesses, community groups and conservation organizations to educate the public about the importance of protecting endangered species and highlight the everyday actions that individuals and groups can take to help protect our nation’s wildlife, fish and plants. For teachers and other educators, we have developed Endangered Species Day educational materials.

Endangered Species Day Materials

Endangered Species Act factsheet

 Endangered Species Day brochure

Endangered Species Day flyer

Endangered Species Day stickers

Girl Scout Badges - Badges for Endangered Species Day

Endangered Species Day Curricula

Grades K-4

ABCs of Endangered Species
Students create an ABC Book of Endangered Animals that includes locator maps, "fast facts," and explanations about why those animals are endangered.  This lesson is best suited for grades K-8 and adheres to National Education Standards.

Grades 5-8

Postcards from the Edge
In this lesson, students will learn about endangered species in the United States, some of the reasons they are endangered (e.g. habitat destruction or the introduction of invasive species), and what is being done to protect them.  Students will choose one species to focus on and examine the reasons it is endangered and why it is important to make an effort to save it.  This lesson is best suited for grades 6-8 and adheres to National Geography Education Standards.

Grades 9-12

Focus on an Endangered Species
Students develop an integrated project through the comprehensive study of a species, a region, or both.  This long-term project requires students to explore fiction, history, cultural attitudes, and government.  The scientific data students can collect and analyze may include GIS information, climate and weather, satellite tracking/mapping, and observations from research scientists' journals.  This lesson is best suited for grades 5-9 and adheres to National Science Education Standards.

Endangered Symbols

In this lesson, students explore the importance of protecting endangered species, the historical and social significance of animals as cultural symbols in various countries around the world, as well as the impact that humans have made on the population and natural habitats of these animals.  It is appropriate for all ages and adheres to McRel Academic Content Standards. Academic Content Standards

More endangered species curricula can be found on the National Environmental Education Foundation's Endangered Species Curricula Library

Endangered Species Day Poster Contest

Schools and children across the country are invited to participate in the Endangered Species Day poster contest.