January 2021
Green Kids Club has a new book out featuring lions, called A Tail of Three Lions. It was written with Blood Lions director, Ian Michler. The story focuses on a family of lions and the impact of wildlife tourism practices, such as petting lion cubs and captive hunting, when one brave lion cub resolves to save his brothers.
We've developed a new classroom challenge, with Love the Wild Foundation and Inspired Classroom, covering issues related to grizzly bears and featuring facts from our own Grizzly 399 book. Inspired Classroom Challenges are FREE, standards-based learning experiences. Students will learn about the natural history, habitat, and challenges faced by grizzly bears and then work through the process of creating a comic strip or graphic novel to build awareness about this endangered animal. Click here for more info.
Green Kids Club will be hosting a virtual fundraiser in February for our friends at Elephants Without Borders (EWB). We'll have lots of great items for sale, including books, t-shirts, and even a paw print from Molelo himself! Proceeds will go directly to the work that EWB is doing for elephant conservation in Botswana, so keep your eyes peeled for more information coming soon.
January Observances
January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month and also has these specific observations:
- Jan 5 - National Bird Day
- Jan 10 - Save the Eagles Day
- Jan 16-17 - Bald Eagle Appreciation Days
- Jan 20 - Penguin Awareness Day
- Jan 21 - Squirrel Appreciation Day
- Jan 31 - International Zebra Day
Zebra Facts
Zebras are closely related to horses. There are three main species of zebra: plains, mountain, and Grevy's (endangered). Zebras are social animals and can be found living together in herds, which are called dazzles. Sometimes multiple herds form a "superherd" of thousands of zebras, and even other grazing species like antelope and wildebeest, as they migrate in search of green grass. All zebras have unique stripe patterns that can be used for identification, as well as to confuse predators and pests.
Monthly Challenge
2020 is finally behind us! Though 2021 is not without its own challenges, it's a good time to look to the future and evaluate what we can do better. Maybe 2020 caused some major deviations for you, and it's time to get back on track. Maybe the interruptions of 2020 actually introduced some beneficial new habits to keep or made you rethink your priorities. Either way, let's rejoice in a new year and the opportunity to keep improving.
Partner Highlight
Coincidentally, the zebra (Jan 31) is the national animal of the country of Botswana. Green Kids Club is a proud supporter of the Association of Environmental Clubs of Botswana (AECB). AECB is a non-profit organization geared to conserving Botswana's natural heritage. They do this under the auspices of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks through grassroots environmental education and action.
Did you miss...?
GKC's Online Kids Club for trivia and prizes
Get to know GKC's Plush Designer, Susan Sofia-McIntire
About the author
Lorielle Peterson