sAVING CARSON RIVER

FIFTH Grade Lessons

This unit was developed on behalf of NV Dream Tags, a charitable fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, that supports conservation and rehabilitation of Nevada’s Wildlife Habitat. There are two sets of comprehensive lessons included in this series.

Lesson 1 focuses on disturbing the riparian ecosystem and will aim to answer the question, “Why are animal populations (specifically deer and various bird species) declining in the Carson River Ecosystem?”

Lessons use Next Generation Science Standards and both units were designed for fifth grade and focuses on the NGSS standard 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect Earth’s resources and environment.

After identifying disturbances in the Carson River Ecosystem, Lesson 2, “What can we do?” will guide students on how they can restore the ecosystem.


Disturbing the Riparian Ecosystem

Students will learn why animal populations, specifically deer and various bird species, are declining in the Carson River Ecosystem. Download Lesson 1 and the accompanying support documents.

Download Lesson 1: Disturbing the Riparian Ecosystem

Supporting materials:

Deer Population Graph
Download Blank Ecosystem Picture
Download Cards of Ecosystem Parts

NGSS: 5-ESS3-1: Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect Earth’s resources and environment (Lesson 1 and 2).


what can we do?

After students have identified the disturbances in the Carson River Ecosystem, they will learn how they can restore the ecosystem with a hands-on activity. Download Lesson 2 and its supporting documents.

Download Lesson 2: What Can We Do?


River Fork Ranch “Before” Restoration

River Fork Ranch “After” Restoration


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