Exploring Backyard Biodiversity

By: Allison Hands & Bethany Kempster, BEAN Co-Chairs
When you hear the word “biodiversity” does your mind conjure images of lush rainforests or tropical coral reefs? What about your own backyard?  Would you be surprised to learn that Ontario is home to 30,000 known species of plants and animals? Biodiversity supports the natural systems which we rely on - getting to know what lives in Ontario is the first step to understanding and protecting it. Getting outdoors and exploring biodiversity doesn’t have to be hard! Check out these easy to-do backyard activities

The Value of Being Different:
Biodiversity is the variety of life. It’s birds, bugs, plants and microorganisms – all living things! Biodiversity also exists at the genetic, species and ecosystem level. It’s a big concept! You can start your exploration of biodiversity by looking a little bit closer at one of nature’s more stationary (and stately) organisms – trees!

Who Grows There:
Take a moment and name as many tree species as you can. Were you able to name five, ten, or even twenty? If you want to list all the trees native to Canada, you will need to name over one hundred and forty species! We can start smaller though, let’s get to know a tree in your backyard.

1. If you have a tree in your backyard head out and use your senses to examine it closely without damaging it.  Don’t have access to a tree? Head online to the Ontario Tree Atlas to examine images of native tree species.
2. After getting to know your first tree move on to another. Is this tree the same or different from the previous one? How? Consider and list the differences and similarities between each tree’s bark, leaves, flowers and/or fruit.
3. You are now familiar with some tree’s characteristics, but can you identify the species? Check out treebee.ca to learn more!

My Favorite Tree:
Hopefully, you’ve had a chance to look at a lot of trees. Now it’s time to pick your favorite tree and really get to know it.

1. Take a piece of paper and fold it into quarters.
2. In the first quarter draw the shape of your tree.
3. In the second quarter draw the tree’s leaf.
4. In the third quarter describe the tree’s bark and, if possible, do a rubbing to capture its texture.
5. In the fourth quarter describe your tree in a few words.

Mini-Forest Exploration:
There is a world of biodiversity right at your feet! Check it out with a mini-forest exploration in your backyard.

1. Grab a hula-hoop or a large piece of string tied into a circle (approx. 50 cm across).  
2. Pick a “study area”, preferably with a few different plant species visible.
3. Lay out the hula hoop or string and take a closer look - hand-held magnifying glasses and popsicle sticks are great exploration tools!
4. Take note of what you see in your study area. Are there plants or animals? Are they alive? Is anything moving? If you are feeling artistic, try sketching objects and animals within the study area.
5. Choose a second study area and compare the results with your first study area. Are they the same or different? Why?

Want to learn more about trees? Visit the Education resources section of our website at and download a copy of our Let’s ID that Tree lesson plan!

---

Categories

All
Invasive Species