From the very first days in kindergarten, children are introduced to the wonders of earth’s creatures and how to identify various species. From domesticated cats and dogs to larger animals in the wild, children learn to name lions, tigers, elephants and amphibians like frogs and salamanders. It’s fun, it’s interesting and children simply love to look at and talk about all those creatures in the animal kingdom.
However, for one naturalist, June Zwan, it is important to also teach children about just how vital those creatures are to the life of the world and the ecosystem of which everything that lives and breathes. Here are some of the reasons why kids should understand just how important animals are to the ecosystem.
Basic Ways Animals Impact on Planet Earth
When learning about the animal kingdom, June Zwan feels kids should understand how important each and every species is to the survival of life on the planet. As an avid conservationist, June wants kids to learn about how animals impact the earth on a basic level such as the way they affect topography.
The Interdependence Between All of Life
Zwan’s mission is to educate children on the interdependence between all animals on the planet. She stresses that each species is part of a chain and that each and every animal has a role to play in the survival of our planet.
Just like the animal sanctuary at the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center, June has a mission to save the ecosystem “one animal at a time”. June has an outreach that will educate the country and maybe even the world – one child, or one group of children, at a time.
The Children Are the Future
June Zwan understands that the children are our future. Unless they understand just how important each species of life is to the survival of the planet, the future is doomed. As they grow, children will become our leaders and will need to have the knowledge necessary to stop further destruction to the planet while having the tools to begin repairing the damage already done.
Once children learn that every animal, no matter how large or small, has a part to play in the survival of life on the planet, Zwan feels they will be better able to bring about any real changes needed to repair the damage that abuse and neglect has wrought on earth. Her outreach efforts – in her hometown near the Colorado River – is geared toward the education of children of all ages who visit and learn about just how important animals are to the ecosystem and the continuation of life on earth.