What's It Worth To You?

Objective: The purpose of this activity is to examine values associated with wetlands.
Students will learn six different value categories and recognize why each is important to
different groups of people.

Materials: One set of Value Cards (18 cards per set), copy of Wetlands Category worksheet,
pencils

Background: What is a wetland worth? Each of us values an environmental area for different
reasons. It's a matter of perspective. Some recognize the money to be made, while others enjoy
its beauty. Individuals may value an area from a recreation, education, egocentric, ecologic,
economic, and/or aesthetic point of view. While many of these are linked, others are
diametrically opposed and are therefore the source of conflict.

Procedure:
This activity can be completed in small groups or single students.

Introduce the definition of values. Discuss with the students the six different value
categories, giving an example of each. Encourage class discussion of each example.

Hand out one set of value cards per group or per student. If the class is divided into small
groups, you will need to handout one copy of the Wetlands Category Worksheet per group.
Otherwise, make a copy for each student.

Have student (or group) begin by placing the value cards on the worksheet, explaining that
some cards may belong under more than one category.

After each student (or group) has placed their cards on the categories that they feel are
important to each value, discuss why they made the choices in each category and encourage
students to discuss why their choices may not be the ONLY choice possible.

Extensions:
Contact the US Fish and Wildlife Service or your state's Game, Fish and Parks Department and
invite a representative to your classroom to visit with students about the US Clean Water Act
and how it affects wetlands both in your area and nationwide.

Have your class research whether your location is in a flyway to any of the many waterfowl
that migrate annually. Schedule a field trip to your nearest wetland in conjunction with the
migration and have students observe, count and classify what types of waterfowl are
migrating and whether they use your wetland as a resting place.

Reserve your school's cooking area for a fun day of making wetlands munchies. Recipes for
wetland food can be found in Wading Into Wetlands, Ranger Rick's Nature Scope published by
the National Wildlife Federation and in WOW! Wonders of Wetlands, an educator's guide
produced by the Environmental Concern Inc. and the Watercourse. While students are
preparing and eating the snacks, lead them in a discussion of ways that wetlands are valuable
to humans both now and in the past.

Vocabulary Glossary:
Aesthetic: Worth in terms of appreciation of the beauty of the natural surroundings. Example:
This wetland is a sea of color and sound
Ecologic: Worth in terms of maintaining the integrity of natural systems. Example: This wetland
is a place where 300 Canada geese nest every spring, and 20,000 stop at on their migration
south for winter
Economic: Worth in terms of dollars and cents. Example: This wetland is valued at one-million
dollars for development purposes or tourism potential.
Education: Worth in terms of learning/instructional benefit. Example: This wetland is a place
where my fourth grade class goes to learn about adaptations.
Egocentric: Worth in terms of what it offers an individual. Example: This wetland is my favorite
place to sit and read.
Recreation: Worth in terms of leisure time uses. Example: This wetland is the best place to
hunt ducks in the county.
Value: The relative worth placed on an object or area

Activity adapted from: Project WULP