The
U.S. National Zoo and Aquarium Month is celebrated annually in June to recognize the role that zoos and aquariums play in the conservation and research of animal and fish species. We are encouraged to visit these locations to learn more about animals and marine
life, and to support the work that they do to protect our planet's biodiversity. Zoos and aquariums are actively involved in breeding programs for endangered species and habitat restoration projects, as well as educational opportunities to learn about the
importance of conservation. The eResources in the
Michigan eLibrary (MeL) can help inform us about the history that surrounds these programs and the work that continues to happen every day.
Endangered Species Act
The
Britannica School entry,
Endangered Species Act, a federal law passed in 1973, outlines the obligation of federal and state governments to protect all species threatened with extinction that fall within the borders of the United States and its territories. Additionally, in the
Related section, learners can link to even more
facts about the Act.
In 2023, Environmental Forum, a publication in
Science Reference Source, printed the article,
The Endangered Species Act at 50: Making the Statute More Effective. In it, environmentalists, lawyers, professors, and other interested parties revisited the Act and addressed concerns such as funding, clarification of conservation goals, and meeting new
challenges.
Change Agents
One example of conservation happening close to home is highlighted in a recent
article in Michigan Blue from
MasterFILE Complete. It explains the efforts of Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium and Belle Isle Conservancy to improve the 120-year-old aquarium for better habitat and house new species, including 3 endangered axolotls. Interestingly, aquariums have existed
fewer than 200 years. In
The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology from the
eBook High School Collection, we learn that the first known aquarium was created to study the argonaut (octopus) in1833 by a woman who had an intense curiosity of marine life.
Library Aquariums
If you’re housing a small tank in your school or public library, there are some great programming ideas around sustainability, science, and crafts shared in the article,
Under the Sea: The Joy and Responsibility of Library Aquariums, from School Library Journal in
Education Source.
For detailed articles on many of the species that appear on the current endangered list, reference the
Encyclopedia of Endangered Species in Science Reference Source.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact
melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Ann Kaskinen from the MeL Team.
Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
Want more information on MeL? Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library
listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library
of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues
and networks.
MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.
The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
Ann Kaskinen
MeL Engagement Specialist, K-12
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
517-325-5333
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