Human Heritage: A World History

"Saving the Rain Forest"

Introduction
In this chapter you learned that natural resources have influenced the location and growth of settlements throughout history. In recent decades, people in search of natural resources and farmland have destroyed vast tracts of the Brazilian landscape. About 20 percent of the Amazon rain forest is already gone, and each year it loses a chunk of land the size of Connecticut to deforestation. Environmental groups warn that if people continue mining and logging in the Amazon, the entire rain forest will be gone in 80 years. Some organizations are working to make the quest for natural resources and the preservation of the pristine lands of Brazil a cooperative effort. To learn more about the people and animals of the rain forest and what you can do to help them, visit the Rainforest Action Network's Web site.

Destination Title: Rainforest Action Network

Note: Clicking on the link above will launch a new browser window.
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Directions
Start at the Rainforest Action Network Web site's home page.

• Click on Protect-an-Acre and then click on Rainforest People. Read the information that appears.
• Click back to the main screen. Click on About Rainforests and then click on and read Animals of the Rainforest Q&A.
• Return once more to the main screen. Click on Kid's Action and then click 7 Steps for Kids to Take.

1			How do children who live in the rain forest attend school?
2			Why is there such great diversity of animals in rain forests?
3			What factors, besides the cutting down of trees, harm rain forest life?
4			Describe some steps that you and your classmates can take to help protect the rain forest.
5			Using a poster board, create a poster to display in your classroom or in the hallway to encourage others to help save the rain forest. Include pictures or drawings, reasons why the rain forest is important, and ways that kids can help to protect it. You may use information from the Web site or conduct additional research if needed.