Success of the Osprey: A Formerly Endangered Species

Ospreys, also known as sea hawks, faced a sharp decline starting in the 1950s due to the pesticide DDT, which contaminated fish and caused their eggshells to thin. By 1974, they were nearly gone from New Jersey. After DDT was banned and conservation groups built nesting platforms, the osprey population began to recover. Today, with over 800 platforms across the state, ospreys are a success story of conservation. They remain a priority species, and students can connect with them through nest cameras and hands-on learning activities that highlight how humans can help bring species back from the brink.
Resources

Lesson Plan

 

Partners

 

Grade Levels: 3-8

Duration: (3) 45 minute classes

Concepts/Skills: Endangered Species, Birds of prey, Animal habitat, Animal physical characteristics, Planning and Carrying Out Investigations, Patterns, Cause and Effect, Stability and Change

Objectives:

  • Investigate the osprey species by learning about their natural history, physical characteristics, and bird call.
  • Discuss an age-appropriate definition of an endangered species.
  • Explore the cause of why ospreys were a declining bird species.
  • Draw and label a picture of an osprey.
  • Create their own osprey nest guided by an instructional video.
  • Interact with ospreys through the osprey nesting cam and complete a visual activity.
  • Complete a guided assessment about ospreys.