<p> Introduction to Mini-Unit: The Last Egret</p><p>Student’s Name: ______Date______</p><p>To understand the Everglades today, you must first understand what it was like in the past - before man’s harmful impact on it. As you learned from reading the adventures of young Charlie Pierce, all of South Florida was once a slow-moving river full of saw grass that flowed slowly toward the ocean and the gulf. It was a vast area with different habitats that included marshes, sloughs, hardwood hammocks, pinelands, and cypress that were inhabited by a wide variety of plants and animals. Charlie and his Seminole friend, Tiger traveled down along South Florida’s coastal mangroves to Shark River on their great plume bird expedition moving into what we today call the Everglades, but which they called a wild jungle. Here the water spread over the different elevations of limestone rock creating a variety of habitats filled with beautiful and fascinating wading birds, mammals, fishes, reptiles, amphibians, air plants and trees. Charlie and Tiger relied on many of these animals as a source of food just as many of the Seminole and Miccosukee people did who first lived in the Everglades. Through Charlie’s travels, friends he encountered, and animals he observed he learned firsthand that not only can plants and animals have an effect on the environments but humans can play an even greater role.</p><p>1. From the book, The Last Egret, what message did Charlie finally understand regarding his role in the environment? ______</p><p>2. What impact would Charlie and his friends have had if they continued their hunting of plumes?</p><p>______</p><p>3. How did the Audubon Society play a role in conserving the environment? ______</p><p>4. As you complete this unit of study, list ways you would protect your home, the South Florida Everglades. Also think of ways you take for granted the plants and animals in your environment. Think of ways you can spread the word for protection of the Everglades. Keep a page in your journal to keep track of your thoughts and actions.</p>