Ages 9 to 12 years. Children's knowledge of the Earth and its ecology will blossom with this engaging guide to understanding and enriching the environment. The first half of the handbook provides an overview of the natural world and encourages children to get their hands dirty and actively connect with the environment while the second half introduces key environmental issues -- wind and solar power, pollution, endangered species, global warming, and recycling -- and posits potential solutions. Trivia, fun facts, and over 20 captivating hands-on projects investigate ecology basics, such as the food chain, oxygen, and animal habitats, as well as ways to lessen the strain on Earth's resources by reducing human waste and consumption. Activities include building a worm composting castle, a wind-powered bubble machine, a Tullgren funnel, and a gardening project that illustrates the burden of overpopulation.