Regenerating a Rainforest Through the Power of Poop | Overview

This video highlights a nature-based, rainforest regeneration solution in Ecuador that uses “tree islands.” This reforestation experiment plants patches of trees in deforested areas to attract animals, nature’s own seed dispersers, back into barren areas. If this experiment works, then tree islands could be a cost-effective solution to restoring lost rainforests and help them naturally regain their biodiversity. 

Students will develop an understanding of rainforest dynamics and conservation challenges through a case study that applies the practice of designing and testing solutions.

Three-dimensional engagement and reflection activities then give students a chance to flex their problem-solving abilities and personal agency to design a solution for a biodiversity loss issue in their community.

About the Author
Kathy Biernat is an award-winning educator with over 20 years of teaching middle school students, believing “hands on=minds on.” She has a BS from Marquette and an MS from University of North Texas. While she left full time teaching to pursue curriculum design work, she couldn’t stay away from the classroom entirely and can still be found running science labs at Saint Alphonsus in Greendale, WI.