July is National Bison Month

Who knew? National Bison Month takes place every July, dedicating an entire month to celebrating the majestic American bison. This observance highlights their historical significance, ecological importance, and ongoing conservation efforts.

It's probably not something we will celebrate here in Australia, despite the fact that there are bison in Australia, as we are on school holidays. Bison are not native to Australia, but there are estimated to be around 350 to 500 American Bison in total here. They exist exclusively in captivity on specialised private farms (raised for meat, dairy, and hides) and in a few select zoos.

In the last order of books, we received The Bison and the Butterfly by Alice Hemming.

This lovely book is a  touching ecosystem story about friends in nature and the nature of friendship. Produced in collaboration with Kent Wildlife Trust's bison rewilding project, this is the heartwarming story of Bison and her forest friends. Bison feels very sad and lonely. She's big and hairy, and sometimes a bit clumsy... and she doesn't know why anybody would want to be her friend. But wise woodpecker knows that everybody likes different things, and that the other animals probably feel a lot differently than she imagines. Soon enough, as Bison eats her breakfast, has her bath and does her - ahem - business, she meets many different creatures who love her exactly because of her big, shaggy ways. As well as celebrating these differences, this enchantingly illustrated book explains to children, in terms that they can relate to, how the different animals within an ecosystem work in harmony and benefit one another, and the power of rewilding to shape these relationships. The book includes a section explaining the science behind rewilding, and shows that, no matter who we are and what we like, we are all worthy of friendship and have a part to play... whether that's in our ecosystem or personal community!

While you're at the library look for Blue Bison Needs a Haircut  by Scott Rothman & Pete Oswald. It will make you smile. Blue Bison prides himself on always looking clean and neat. But he has a growing problem--his hair. With the barber shops and just about everywhere else closed, all Blue Bison can do is ram his ramming rock in frustration. Meanwhile, his hair keeps growing. His dad, Brown Bison, encourages him to be patient and wait, and his mom, Burgundy Bison, tries to explain that sometimes you want something that you really don't need. But all Blue Bison can do is whine and wallow. Could little sister Bubblegum Bison have the solution?

And coming later in the year, this poetry book,  Bison Rule, OK! by Sarah Ziman & Nia Havilliard

They might not really twinkle, 

They might not be on trend,

But you'll never be in trouble

With a bison as your friend!

  

27th August World Lake Day

 World Lake Day is an observance celebrated by the United  Nations to raise awareness of the importance of lakes and their ecosystems. Lakes are one of the most vital natural resources on our planet.They serve as a crucial source of fresh water, supporting drinking water supplies, agriculture, and industry.

Lakes also play a key role in maintaining biodiversity, offering a habitat for countless species of fish, plants, and wildlife.

Beyond their ecological significance, lakes contribute to climate regulation by keeping the planet cool, absorbing the floodwater and storing carbon.

Additionally, they provide recreational and economic opportunities, attracting tourism, fishing, and other activities that support local communities.

But, lakes are affected by a combination of overuse, pollution and climate change.

Did you know? Natural and artificial lakes contain more than 90% of the fresh water on the surface of the Earth.

What is a lake? A lake is a body of water, typically fresh water, that is surrounded by land.  Lakes are generally larger and deeper than ponds, and they are a vital part of the Earth's water cycle. Lakes can be natural formations, or they can be man-made, such as reservoirs. 

So is a pond a lake? From a regulatory viewpoint, there is no distinction between a lake and a pond. Both are surface waters. From a naming convention, there is no precise difference between a lake and pond, although waterbodies named 'lakes' are generally larger and/or deeper than waterbodies named 'ponds'.

Canada has the most lakes, holding roughly 62% of the world's lakes. 

Australia has fewer naturally formed freshwater lakes compared to continents with more glacial activity and tectonic uplift. However, it does have some, including coastal lagoons and lakes in ancient volcanic craters like lake Gambier and Lake Eacham.  It also has vast salt lakes like Lake Eyre which is often dry and glacial lakes like Lake St Clair in Tasmania.

There are so many books featuring lakes and ponds that you certainly won't have any trouble finding some for a display. You could even add your books about Swan Lake to get the students wondering.