FIRST CLASS SCOUT

As you learn to identify trees and other native plants, you can gather evidence of them to help you remember their characteristics Two forms of evidence are pressed leaves and leaf ink prints:

Pressing Leaves

When vou have leaves vou would like to oreserve, out each one between two sheets of paper, lay the sheets on a board or other flat surface, and then place heavy books or some other flat weight on top Give the leaves several davs to flatten and drv. Mount them in a scranbook along with the details of where and when you found them, their identities, and any other information you have learned about their individual natural histories.

Making Leaf Ink Prints

Use a rubber roller to spread a dab of printer's ink on a glass plate Place a leaf on the glass with the veined side against the ink. Run the roller over the leaf several times, then lay the leaf, nked side down, on a clean sheet of paper. Cover the leaf with a piece of newspaper and run the roller ovei it to make a print. After the ink dries, arrange the pages in a scrapbook

WHY CARE ABOUT PLANTS?

The world around us is a complicated web of relationships among thou- sands of types of plants and animals. That diversity helps all species survive Strong forests, prairies, and other plant communities increase the stability of the environment.

Our actions affect the water, air, vegetation, and wildlife all around us Recycling, using no trace methods of hiking and camping, and being thrifty in the use of natural resources are a few of the ways you can help. Learning ail you can about the environment will allow you to make choices that aie good for the long-term health of the Earth

Cherish the Earth Use it in such a way that it sustains life today and makes it possible for future generations to continue to sustain life.