Law & Policy
This U.S. federal law, passed in 1970, created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regulates the pollution of air
Clean Air Act
This is the term for organisms that make their own food using sunlight, such as plants and algae.
Producer
This non-native mollusk species has been causing ecological harm in the Great Lakes, often outcompeting local fish like native perch.
Zebra Mussel
This American environmentalist and author wrote Silent Spring, a book that raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides and helped spark the environmental movement.
Rachel Carson
This U.S. national park, located in Wyoming/Montana, is known for its geothermal features like Old Faithful and is home to bison, elk, and wolves.
Yellowstone
This landmark 1973 law is designed to protect species that are at risk of extinction, regulating the trade and hunting of endangered species.
ESA
The organisms that eat producers, like herbivores, are called this. An example is a rabbit.
Primary consumer
Introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s for erosion control in wetlands, this plant has spread aggressively and outcompetes native plants.
Purple Loosestrife
This American environmental activist, also known for his work in the Sierra Club, helped lead efforts to preserve the Grand Canyon and advocate for national parks
John Muir
This national park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada, is famous for its giant trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree on Earth.
Sequoia NP
This U.S. law, passed in 1974, ensures safe drinking water and mandates public water systems to meet specific standards for contaminants.
the Safe Drinking Water Act?
These animals are at the top of the food chain, with no natural predators. Examples include lions and great white sharks.
Apex Predator
A type of carp, was introduced to North American rivers in the 1800s and now threatens native aquatic life by outcompeting other fish and damaging ecosystems.
Asian Carp
This person wrote the first modern wildlife management book and created the land ethic theory.
Aldo Leopold
This national park, located in Utah, features dramatic sandstone cliffs and the famous Angel's Landing hike
Zion NP
This international agreement, adopted in 1997, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change but has faced challenges with implementation.
Kyoto Protocol
This type of organism feeds on both plant and animal matter, placing it in more than one trophic level. An example is a raccoon.
Omnivore
Originally from Southeast Asia, this invasive tree species has spread across the U.S. and is known for its rapid growth and ability to crowd out native plants, especially in riparian areas.
Tree of Heaven
The father of modern ornithology whose illustrations of birds were the first of their kind.
Audubon
This U.S. national park is known for its towering red rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome, and is located in California’s Sierra Nevada.
Yosemite NP
The two methods of monitoring and controlling air pollution levels.
Netting and bubbling
In aquatic food chains, this microscopic organism is consumed by small fish and serves as the foundation of many marine food webs.
Phytoplankton
This predatory insect, native to Asia, was introduced to North America to control aphids but has since become a threat to native ladybug species and disrupted local ecosystems
This American environmental lawyer and activist was instrumental in the passage of the Clean Water Act and helped establish the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
John Adams
This U.S. national park is known for its wetlands, wildlife (like alligators), and diverse ecosystems, including mangroves and marshes.
Everglades NP