Mohave Fringed-Toed Lizard

Mohave Fringed-Toed Lizard by Rebecca C, Daniel F, David F, and Liam H, Ms Harada's 6th grade class 2014, Thomas Starr King Middle School. Painted vinyl and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps
Mohave Fringed-Toed Lizard by Rebecca C, Daniel F, David F, and Liam H.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Painted vinyl and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps

The Mohave Fringed-Toed Lizard (Uma scoparia) is indigenous to the desert regions of Southern California, specifically areas of fine, wind blown sand. Scales along the edges of their feet (fringes) help them to run at high speeds. To escape predators they run on their hind legs and then dive into the sand, burying themselves about 2 1/2″ below ground.  Unfortunately this doesn’t protect them from off road vehicles which can run them over and also destroy the vegetation which they rely upon.

To learn more about the Mohave Fringe-Toed Lizard go to:

http://www.californiaherps.com/lizards/pages/u.scoparia.html

http://www.basinandrangewatch.org/SandLizards.html

For information on the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition for endangered species status go to:

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/reptiles/Mojave_fringe-toed_lizard/

For the response from the NFWS to the Center for Biological Diversity’s petition for endangered species status go to:

http://www.fws.gov/cno/press/release.cfm?rid=276

Peregrin Falcon

Peregrin Falcon by Marc C, Daniella M, James M, Marshall S, Ms Harada's 6th grade class 2014, Thomas Starr King Middle School. Painted falcon appliquéd onto fabric with rubber stamps.
Peregrin Falcon by Marc C, Daniella M, James M, and Marshall S.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Painted falcon appliquéd onto fabric with rubber stamps.

The Peregrin Falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a great example of an endangered species success story. The Peregrin Falcon came close to becoming extinct due to the use of DDT and other  pesticides from the 1950s through the 1970s. It was one of the first species named to the Endangered Species Act. The banning of DDT in the 1970s and captive breading programs helped the Peregrin Falcon population rebound, and it was removed from the Endangered Species act in 1999.

To learn more about the Peregrin Falcon go to:

http://www.defenders.org/peregrine-falcon/basic-facts

 http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/peregrine-falcon/

http://www.peregrinefund.org/explore-raptors-species/Peregrine_Falcon#sthash.4VNDk64g.dpbs

http://articles.latimes.com/1987-03-18/sports/sp-7751_1_peregrine-falcon

For video of a Peregrin Falcon at top speed go to:

http://www.wimp.com/peregrinefalcon/

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark by John D, Bharath J, Jason L, and Diego R. Ms Harad's 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Painted and embroidered fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.
Scalloped Hammerhead Shark by John D, Bharath J, Jason L, and Diego R.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Painted and embroidered fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.

The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini) is classified as endangered by the IUCN Red list. Populations of Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks have dropped as much as 95% in the last 30 years, primarily because Scalloped Hammerheads are the shark most commonly caught for shark fin soup.  Increasingly, there is a call to ban ‘shark finning’; a practice where the fins of live sharks are cut off and the sharks are thrown back into the ocean to die.

To learn more about Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks go to:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/hammerhead-shark/

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/scalloped-hammerheads-become-first-shark-species-on-the-u-s-endangered-species-list/

 

Orangutan

Orangutan by Julian, Susan, Helen and Britney, Ms Harada's 6th grade class 2014, Thomas Starr King Middle School. Paint, faux fur, and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.
Orangutan by  Britney B, Helen B, Julian M,  and Susan Z.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Paint, faux fur, and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.

The name Orangutan (genus Pongo) means ‘person of the forest’ in Malay. Orangutans are great apes living in the rain forests of Borneo and Sumatra. They are among the most intelligent of primates with incredibly advanced use of tools. Orangutans spend as much as 90% of their lives in trees, and are therefore extremely susceptible to deforestation and habitat loss. Other threats to the Orangutan include poaching and the illegal pet trade.

To learn more about the Orangutan go to:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/orangutan/

http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/great_apes/orangutans/

http://www.orangutan.com

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2013/bbc-news-07-18-2013.html

http://orangutan.org/take-action/join-our-network/

 

Black Rhino

Black Rhino by Andrew, Jonathan, Juliana, Patricia, and Cynthia. Ms Harada's 6th grade class, 2014, Thomas Starr King Middle School. Fabric and faux fur appliqué, with embroidery and rubber stamps.
Black Rhino by Andrew A, Cynthia A,  Jonathan G, Juliana P,  and Patricia W.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Fabric and faux fur appliqué, with embroidery and rubber stamps.

The Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) is classified as critically endangered, with the Western subspecies of Black Rhino declared extinct in 2011. The greatest threat to Black Rhinos is the illegal market in rhinoceros horn. Under CITES appendix 1, the trade in rhino horn has been illegal since 1977. But the demand is still great, with China being the largest importer.

To learn more about the Black Rhino go to:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-rhino

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/black-rhinoceros/

http://www.savetherhino.org/rhino_info/species_of_rhino/black_rhinos

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/9525512/Rhinos-under-24-hour-armed-guard.html

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2012/03/rhino-wars/gwin-text

To help Black Rhinos in Africa go to:

http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

For WWF’S Hands Off My parts page go to:

http://www.worldwildlife.org/pages/hands-off-my-parts

Townsends Big-Eared Bat

Townsend's Big-Earred Bat by Lindsay, Kasey, Sebastian, and Daniel. Ms Harada's 6th grade class, 2014, Thomas Starr King Middle School. Faux fur and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.
Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat by Lindsay, Kasey P, Sebastian B, and Daniel. Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2014. Faux fur and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.

Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is a medium sized bat with large ears native to North America. Their population has been declining due to habitat loss, and disturbance of caves, roosts, etc. They have recently been named as a candidate for the California State Endangered Species Act.

To learn more about the Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat go to:

https://www.desertmuseum.org/kids/bats/townsends.php

http://www.nps.gov/chis/naturescience/townsends-bats.htm

http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2013/townsends-big-eared-bat-06-27-2013.html

http://batcon.org/index.php/media-and-info/bats-archives.html?task=viewArticle&magArticleID=378

Golden Lion Tamarin

Golden Lion Tamarin by Thomas, Tony, Duane, and Shani. Ms Harada's 6th grade class, 2014, Thomas Starr king Middle School. Faux fur, and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.
Golden Lion Tamarin by Thomas M, Tony P, Shani S, Duanne T. Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King, 2014. Faux fur, and fabric appliqué with rubber stamps.

The Golden Lion Tamarin  (Leontopithecus rosalia) is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list. There are around 1,000 living in the wild and close to 500 in zoos and captive breeding programs worldwide. Deforestation is the major threat, as their original habitat has been reduced to less than 10% of its original area.

To learn more about the Golden Lion Tamarin go to:

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/golden-lion-tamarin/

http://www.arkive.org/golden-lion-tamarin/leontopithecus-rosalia/

http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/best_place_species/back_from_the_brink/golden_lion_tamarin.cfm

 

 

Sea Turtle Restoration Project

This is the “extra” panel we made as part of our school quilt project at Thomas Starr King Middle School in the spring of 2013. This panel was not included in either quilt block, but was made specifically for Dr Chris Pincetich, the Outreach and Education Manager at Turtle Island Restoration Network. Students from both classes worked on this panel, and it was delivered to the TIRN offices in Northern California during the summer.

Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle Background made of old jeans sewn together on a 1906 Singer treadle machine. Sea turtle, jellyfish, and plastic bags made from remnant fabric donated by the Center Theater Group Costume Shop. Fabric paint and rubber stamps.
Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle
Background made of old jeans sewn together on a 1906 Singer treadle machine. Sea turtle, jellyfish, and plastic bags made from remnant fabric donated by the Center Theater Group Costume Shop. Fabric paint and rubber stamps.

To learn more about Turtle Island Restoration Network go to:

http://www.tirn.net

or

www.seaturtles.org

 

 

Blue Spotted Salamander

Blue Spotted Salamander by Asiful A, Charles, and Daniel, Ms Rabina's 6th grade class, 2013. Fabric and ribbon applique, with rubber stamps.
Blue Spotted Salamander by Asiful A, Charles W, and Daniel R.  Ms Rabina’s 6th grade class, 2013. Fabric and ribbon applique, with rubber stamps.

The Blue Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is a good example of a species labeled as endangered within its respective area. According to the IUCN Red list they are labeled ‘least concerned’, but are labeled endangered by many states within their habitat.  Amphibians in general are in danger. After being on earth for 300 million years, more than 120 species may have become extinct within the last several decades. At present, 1 out of every 3 species of amphibians is at risk of extinction

To learn more go to:

http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/downloads/cwnj_43.pdf

Sea Otter

Sea Otter by Natalie, Saul, Riccardo and Olinga. Ms Harada's 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2013. Fabric and faux fur applique with rubber stamps, and string.
Sea Otter by Natalie S, Saul R, Riccardo M and Olinga.  Ms Harada’s 6th grade class, Thomas Starr King Middle School, 2013.  Fabric and faux fur applique with rubber stamps and string.

Sea Otters (Enhydra lutris) are marine mammals and members of the weasel family. They are the only marine mammal to rely on their fur instead of fat for warmth. Their fur is the thickest of any mammal and the primary reason for their decline in numbers.  Starting in the the mid 1700’s to the early part of the 20th century, Sea Otters were hunted for their fur leading them to the brink of extinction.

For more on Sea Otters go to:
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/sea-otter/

For info on Sea Otter conservation go to: http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/exhibits/northern_pacific_gallery/otters/sea_otter_conservation