Life cycles of organisms

Have you ever considered the importance of saving seeds? A seed represents the promise of life -- a new plant in a ready to grow package. It also contains that species’ genetic code including the traits the plant hopes will ensure its survival over the long haul. 

There are many stories explaining the discovery of the sugary-syrup made from the sap of maple trees.  One of the most well-known is the Legend of Chief Woksis whose wife reportedly discovered maple syrup while preparing venison (deer meat) during the “Season of the Melting Snow.” The legend recounts:

Seeds are the beginning and the end — miniscule miracles that contain all that's needed to produce a sunflower, cabbage, or great oak. Watching these seemingly lifeless objects burst forth with growth is enough to capture the imaginations of most kids, but there are lots of ways to explore the wonder of seeds in addition to planting them. In the Family Resource Room this month you'll find ideas for ways to make seeds come to life for your kids, literally and figuratively.

Trees are essential workhorses in our environment, providing us with oxygen to breathe; foods such as apples, hazelnuts, and maple syrup to eat; and wood for our houses, paper products, and furniture. In nature, trees provide housing for birds, insects, and other animals. They filter water and absorb carbon. For more on all that trees do in our ecosystems, check out the article “Digging Deeper with Trees." Their importance is evident, but how do trees actually work?