Help!!  A company called Limiting Factor is trying to close down one of the National Parks found in the United States to in order to build houses.  Your team of scientists has been hired by Habitat Incorporated to help promote visitation to one of the many national parks found in the United States.  If you can promote visitation to the park, Limiting Factor will have no choice but to look elsewhere for land to build on.  Ms. Niche, head of Habitat Incorporated is looking to collect information on parks and to evaluate your report on the park you select.

Your group will be expected to complete the following:

• choose a National Park located in the United States to investigate
• research the climate, specific features, plant and animal life found there
• design a food web found in a community within the habitat
• collect data and create a graph of climate data in the park for the past year
• collect photographs or images from the internet
• compile all your research into a brochure for distribution
• write a letter for Ms. Niche to send to Limiting Factors explaining why the company should or should not use the area you researched to build houses.

2.  Select a National Park to research.  Use the links located in the Resource section below.

3.  Show the name of your National Park to Ms. Niche.  Teams of scientists are needed at many parks to prevent Limiting Factor from closing any down.  Park approval will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

4.  Research your park.  Each scientist will focus his or her research on specific aspects of the park.

The role of the meteorologist is to:

• identify the location of the park
• identify the climate and specific features of the park
• collect climate data
• organize collected data into a graph, using a software program.

• identify different plants found in the park
• describe the role of the plants in maintaining a successful ecosystem
• describe plant adaptations that allow them to succeed in that biome
• work with the zoologist to design a food web.

• identify different animals found in the park
• describe the role of animals in maintaining a successful ecosystem
• describe adaptations of animals that allow them to succeed in that biome
• work with the botanist to design a food web.

Keep the following advice in mind as you research your park:

• check to make sure the site and information are valid
• don't just print all your websites, read and take notes on each site you visit
• many of the national park websites contain a lot of information, read them thoroughly
• document your notes in case you need to go back to the site
• document all photos and images you use
• support your thoughts with data and information found.

America's Best Parks Online - Information about national parks and some helpful links.
The American Southwest - Information about national parks located in the Southwestern part of the United States.
Area Parks Network - Lists information about national parks by state.
GORP US National Parks Guide – Information on many national parks, listed by state.
National Parks in the United States - Provides a list of and detailed information about national parks in the United States.
National Park Service Website - Provides a list of and detailed information about national parks in the United States.
National Park Conservation Association - NPCA website provides general information about national parks.
National Park Photos – Photos and Information about many national parks.
NPCA Magazine - Features current articles about national parks.
National Park Information - Features climate data for many national parks.
Online Library - Use an online library to search magazines, journals, newspapers and encyclopedias for current information.
Quick Facts – List of facts about national parks.
US National Parks - Information on national parks and biospheres in the United States.
More US National Parks – Lists and information about national parks, helpful links.

Big Bend Info Page - Information about Big Bend National Park.
Bryce Canyon Information Page - Information about Bryce Canyon National Park.
California's National Parks - Information about national parks in California.
National Parks.com - National parks are featured regularly.
National Parks of Texas – Information about national parks in Texas.
Rocky Mountain Information Page - Information about Rocky Mountain National Park.
Saguaro Information Page  - Information about Sagauro National Park.
Ten Most Endangered National Parks – Features 10 different national parks.
Utah National Parks - Information on Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.
The Total Yellowstone Page – Information about Yellowstone National Park.
Yellowstone.net – More information about Yellowstone National Park.

Biome Information - Features information about biomes.
More Biome Information - Information about land biomes, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
Biomes and Adaptations - Information about biomes and the plants and animals that live there.
Desert Information – Information about the desert biome.

Climate data - Enter the name of a city for current climate data.
National Climatic Data Center - Large archive of weather data.
Nature Net - National Park Service natural resource website.
Species Information - Flora and fauna in national parks.
US Interactive Climate Pages - Information on cities, climate maps, and helpful links.

Write a letter to Ms. Niche stating why Limiting Factor should or should not use this area to build houses.  Be sure to support your answer with specific information learned.  You will also need to complete a self assessment and a team assessment of your project.  See your teacher for the appropriate form.

At the end of this project, you should have a better understanding of why certain plants and animals live in certain environments.  You should be able to explain why destroying habitats is detrimental to all life found in the area.  Hopefully, you will have a better appreciation for the delicate balance that exists in nature.