[Michlib-l] MeL Minute: Celebrating National Zoo and Aquarium Month

[Ann Kaskinen]

[cid:image002.png at 01DBD5F1.CD695AB0]The U.S. National Zoo and Aquarium Month is celebrated annually in June to recognize the role that zoos and aquariums play in the conservation and research of animal and fish species. We are encouraged to visit these locations to learn more about animals and marine life, and to support the work that they do to protect our planet's biodiversity. Zoos and aquariums are actively involved in breeding programs for endangered species and habitat restoration projects, as well as educational opportunities to learn about the importance of conservation. The eResources<https://mel.org/az.php> in the Michigan eLibrary<https://mel.org/welcome> (MeL) can help inform us about the history that surrounds these programs and the work that continues to happen every day.

Endangered Species Act
The Britannica School<http://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=eb> entry, Endangered Species Act<https://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/Endangered-Species-Act/474134>, a federal law passed in 1973, outlines the obligation of federal and state governments to protect all species threatened with extinction that fall within the borders of the United States and its territories. Additionally, in the Related section, learners can link to even more facts<https://www.livescience.com/54707-endangered-species-act.html> about the Act.
In 2023, Environmental Forum, a publication in Science Reference Source<https://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=ebscoprofile-scirc>, printed the article, The Endangered Species Act at 50: Making the Statute More Effective<https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=0ca16837-7bd6-37d0-9f01-a23a94540340>. In it, environmentalists, lawyers, professors, and other interested parties revisited the Act and addressed concerns such as funding, clarification of conservation goals, and meeting new challenges.

Change Agents
One example of conservation happening close to home is highlighted in a recent article<https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=84219690-cefc-3ed7-92b7-129381098a00> in Michigan Blue from MasterFILE Complete<https://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=ebsco-f6h>. It explains the efforts of Detroit’s Belle Isle Aquarium and Belle Isle Conservancy to improve the 120-year-old aquarium for better habitat and house new species, including 3 endangered axolotls. Interestingly, aquariums have existed fewer than 200 years. In The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology<https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=67ddbea6-8269-33e6-b683-f1b669594d44> from the eBook High School Collection<https://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=ebsco-e862xna>, we learn that the first known aquarium was created to study the argonaut (octopus) in1833 by a woman who had an intense curiosity of marine life.

Library Aquariums
If you’re housing a small tank in your school or public library, there are some great programming ideas around sustainability, science, and crafts shared in the article, Under the Sea: The Joy and Responsibility of Library Aquariums<https://research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=d608ea01-cbb3-34ab-98ea-d2adbb1a9f11>, from School Library Journal in Education Source<https://widgets.ebscohost.com/prod/customerspecific/mel/auth.php?database=ebsco-eue>.

For detailed articles on many of the species that appear on the current endangered list, reference the Encyclopedia of Endangered Species<https://research.ebsco.com/c/sbdrh4/search/results?q=encyclopedia%20of%20endangered%20species&autocorrect=n&db=sch%2Ce869sww%2Ct6o&expanders=concept&limiters=None&resetPageNumber=true&searchMode=all&searchSegment=reference> in Science Reference Source.

If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp at mcls.org<mailto:melerhelp at mcls.org> for help.

Brought to you by Ann Kaskinen from the MeL Team.

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MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.

The MeL project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.


Ann Kaskinen
MeL Engagement Specialist, K-12
Midwest Collaborative for Library Services
517-325-5333
kaskinena at mcls.org<mailto:kaskinena at mcls.org>
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