Author: Lisa Mungovan

Endangered species are getting a helping hand, from space. NASA is helping ecologists protect animals, by using satellites. They’ve identified suitable habitat for big animals, including 50% more area for tigers, and suitable corridors for elephants. They’re also working on expanding protective spaces for bighorn sheep, Mojave Desert tortoises, and greater sage grouses.

Hey kids, tell your parents it’s Children’s Day! They’ll probably tell you, every day is children’s day, but maybe you can convince them to give you a special treat anyway. How about some candy? June is National Candy Month, because there’s too many kinds of candy to try, in just one day.

It’s World Oceans Day, which means it’s time to show oceans some love. What can you do, to help protect or clean the ocean? Do some research and find out! Then go to an uncrowded beach to enjoy the water. Pick up any trash you find, so it doesn’t wash out to sea!

Upsy daisy, rise and shine! Wake up with a smile, because it’s Upsy Daisy Day! It’s also Best Friends Day. Celebrate by brainstorming with your best friend to concoct a special drink, for Name Your Poison Day. Be sure to give it a fun name. A pickle-pineapple juice drink could be a Pinnacle!

Did you know, not all black bears, are black? They can be shades of blue-grey, cinnamon, or even white! If you live near woods in North America, you might spot one raiding a bird feeder, rummaging through trash cans, or opening car doors to find a snack. Loud noises will usually scare them away.

Today is June Bug Day. June bugs are beetles in the Phyllophaga genus. There are lots of different varieties, so see how many types of beetles you can find. They’re emerging from the ground after up to 3 years, ready to eat a meal and find a mate. Happy hunting!

Do you like to play board games? Today is Tabletop Games Day, so gather your friends or family and play all your favorites! If you play a game like Candyland, Ticket to Ride, Catan, or Oregon Trail, you can also be celebrating Trails Day. Be sure to hike a real nature trail afterwards!

Prairies are large open areas of grassland, with few trees. They make up a huge part of the North American landscape, and are home to animals like prairie dogs and bison. Read Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and learn more about the prairie ecosystem, for Prairie Day.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Hooray, it’s Chocolate Ice Cream Day! While you enjoy your frozen dairy treat, watch a movie on videotape. It’s VCR Day, and you must know someone, who still has their video cassette recorder. Remember to please be kind and rewind!

Have you ever seen square waves? It’s a common sight in Isle of Rhe, an island in France. The ocean’s surface sometimes form the pattern of a chess board. The phenomenon is called a cross sea, and occurs when waves from one weather pattern intersect another wave system. But beware: they create dangerous riptides!