Birds on the Brink

This program focuses specifically on threatened and endangered species and their captive management.

​Using waterfowl as a model, we discuss:

• Conservation Status: Endangered, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Extinct -- what do these terms mean, what factors lead to different conservation statuses, and who decides? 
• Risks: What are some of the many causes that lead to a species being classified as endangered and what risks are especially potent for waterfowl? 
• Endangered Waterfowl: Students will meet species at the Conservancy whose conservation statuses in the wild are of the most concern, learn what risks have led to them becoming endangered, and discuss what we can do to help.

The program includes an introduction to Ripley and an overview of our mission to protect waterfowl worldwide. Students will be able meet several of our avian ambassadors and, through the use of photos, videos, and a tour around our aviaries, will be introduced to members of our flock that are endangered in the wild.

​This program fulfills the following Next Generation Science Standards: 

• K-LS1-1, K-ESS3-1
• 1-LS1-1
• 2-LS4-1
• 3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-2
• 4-LS1-1
• MS-LS2-1, MS-LS2-4, MS-LS2-2, MS-ESS3-4

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