Celebrating Our Natural Resources
WATER: Where does it come from?
Water is always moving through a cycle. Water outside is changed by the sun and slowly turns from a liquid into water vapor. This is called evaporation. You can see this easily: pour some water on the sidewalk on a warm, sunny day and in a few hours the water will have dried up. The water hasn't disappeared, it has turned into water vapor. The water vapor rises up due to the sun's heat.
Once it rises high enough, the vapor turns back into water droplets. This is called condensation. Once enough water droplets form, the water begins to fall to the earth as rain, snow, or hail. This is called precipitation. The cycle then repeats itself, which is why this is called the water cycle. Even when water is in solid form (like ice), it can sometimes turn straight into water vapor without ever melting; this is called sublimation.
Water Cycle
SOIL: Why is it important?
Farms need soil to grow plants. Soil holds roots in the ground so plants don't fall over or blow away. Soil helps plants absorb moisture, as well as provide nutrients the plants use for food. Farms and forests make up two-thirds of our state's landscape. Farmers and foresters play a big role in caring for the soil, but we also must help. Here are things we all can do:
- Cover bare soil with new plants so soil won't blow or wash away.
- Stay on sidewalks and trails. Your feet and bicycle tires can disturb and damage the soil.
AIR: How do we keep it fresh?
We all do better when the air is clean. Many people are working hard to clean the air. Car makers build engines that pollute less. Laws require companies to dispose of waste in a way that won't cause as much air pollution. Many people, including farmers, are making electricity from cleaner sources so the air doesn't get as dirty. Using solar power, wind, and field crops as energy sources for our cars, homes, and factories all help make our air cleaner!