Today people talk a lot about man's impact on the environment and conservation of the earth's natural resources. However, these aren't new effects. People have affected the natural environment throughout all of history. Now we will explore how the creation of both American colonies and your community have impacted the natural world.
To see how this trend existed in colonial America and your early community, you'll have to do some historical detective work. Follow these steps to reveal the answers:
Just about a hundred years after colonization began--
look at all the house that have been built. Lycos Image Gallery
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Step A: Colonial Impact
  1. To uncover the clues about Colonization's impact on America's environment, read these letters and stories from colonists:
  2. Use Worksheet 8.2 to piece together the clues you collected from your reading.
  3. Discuss with your fellow investigators (your class) the three articles and how they relate to one another.
Step B: Your Community's Impact
  1. Examine these photos of Houston Heights' development:
  2. Search for answers to these questions using the above photos:
    • What noticeable changes are there in the area's physical environment?
    • What are people in the photos doing that likely impacted the environment?
    • What are some specific effects of these actions?
  3. Write a short essay comparing and contrasting the environmental impact of Colonization and your community's development.

An image from the development of the
Houston Heights. Click on the picture for a closer look.
Participation in class discussion and activities is very important to this assignment. Your essay will be much better (and easier to write) if you pay attention in class. Don't forget to check for grammar, punctuation, and spelling mistakes!

Savannah, Georgia in 1734.
Click on the picture to get a closer look at the environmental damage.
Now that your investigation is through, you should be able to answer these questions. (Hint, hint: they may show up on your next test!)
  • How did Colonization impact the environment? Your community's own development?
  • How did Europeans respond to and describe the new things they encountered in North America?
  • What plants and animals did Europeans bring to North America? What plants and animals were native to North America?
Visit Quia! to play some games about Conservation/Environmental Issues