Below Zero Activities

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Snowmobile Savvy

Age: Grades 8 - 12
Subjects: Biology, Environmental Studies, Social Studies.
Skills: problem solving, public speaking, listening, analysis, communication
Duration: minimum of two, 40 minute periods (requires some homework or preparation time)
Group Size: any Setting: classroom or auditorium
Conceptual Framework References: 2a, 2c, 3d, 3e, 4a, 5a, 5c, 5d, 5e
Key Vocabulary: subnivean, compaction, hydrocarbon and noise pollution, town forum, predator, carbon dioxide

Objectives

Students should be able to:

1. Discuss the effect of snowmobiles on plants and animals in winter;
   
   
2. Discuss how the snowmobile improves the quality of life for people in the north; and
   
   
3. List alternatives for snowmobile use.

Method

Through roleplay, students will discover the considerable impact that snowmobiles have on plants, animals, and people during winter.

Background

Since the first snowmobiles were sold in the early 1960s, their sales have boomed in Canada. Besides being extremely popular for recreation, snowmobiles are also the main transportation in some northern communities, especially for trappers and hunters. Though snowmobiles are a big help to humans, they can also harm wildlife and the environment.

Snowmobiles are smelly and noisy, and so ruin the wilderness experience for many people. These machines can interfere with plant growth, disturb wildlife, and contribute to the thinning of the ozone layer by polluting the air with hydrocarbons.

Snowmobiles and ski trails pack down snow and make barriers for the small mammals that travel through tunnels in the subnivean (under the snow) space. These compacted areas may also restrict oxygen flow and allow deadly levels of carbon dioxide to build up in the subnivean space. This imbalance could actually kill plants or animals living beneath the snow. The packed tracks can also dilute the important sunlight "cues" that filter down to subnivean plants and stimulate them to grow or reproduce.

On the other hand, snowmobile trails allow easy travelling for cross-country skiers, dog mushers, moose, caribou, wolves, and many others. These snowpacked highways can become crowded at times. In 1993, a moose in Alaska refused to yield the trail to a dogsled race competitor, and attacked the musher and his dogs!

When the subnivean trails are cut off by compacted snow, small animals are forced up into the open where hungry predators are prowling. The weight of machines or skiers can break branches, twigs, and brush, and also crush grasses and other vegetation. Unfortunately, a few thoughtless snowmobilers chase animals. Although they are seldom run to death, the animals' precious fat reserves can be so depleted that they won't survive the winter.

Surprisingly, the sight of cross-country skiers or someone on foot may alarm animals more than snowmobilers. Perhaps the smell of a person on a snowmobile is masked by the noise and smell of the machine, or possibly the combined shape of the person and snowmobile is unrecognizable as human.

Snowmobiles allow trappers to check their lines more frequently and hunters to reach remote wilderness.

People in many northern villages depend on snowmobiles to go grocery shopping, visiting, to the post office, and even to school. Snowmobile racing is a popular North American winter sport that involves drivers, fans and organizers who spend thousands of dollars on equipment, travel, gas, and clothing.

Materials

Photocopies of background information.

Procedure

1. Hand out the background information and ask students to research snowmobile use in their area. Explain that they will role play in a town forum to develop a plan restricting the negative impact of snowmobiles in their area.
   
   
2. Choose a forum leader, then assign one student to represent each of the following special interest groups: recreation snowmobile users; trappers; hunters; snowmobile racers; daily users; cross-country skiers; wolves; fox; moose; voles; mice; vegetation; etc. Give each a description of his or her role. Students can make up characters or use the descriptions provided at the end of this activity. Explain that they must give a five minute presentation on their group's position, and also defend their demands at the forum. Assign roles as news reporters, outside experts, concerned citizens, and so on, to remaining students. They are to ask questions of people testifying at the hearing. Their responsibilities may also include writing letters to the editor or local municipal councillors in support of a particular point of view; writing news articles about the meeting; technical research papers on behalf of some of the special interest groups; or personal impact stories describing the potential consequences for local workers, residents, school children, etc.
   
   
3. Discuss the meeting's agenda. This should include an introduction by the forum leader; presentations by special interest group representatives (each followed by a question and answer session); questions from the media; statements by researchers and concerned citizens; and finally, a discussion and vote by local residents on the best plan of action.
   
   
4. Give students enough time to review their roles and to do any advance preparation. Encourage them to improvise in developing their presentations and questions.
   
   
5. Hold the town forum.
   
   
6. Afterwards, discuss questions such as:
   
   
   1. What are some points we have learned about snowmobile use and abuse?
      
   2. What factors influence the development of a snowmobile use policy?
      
   3. What responsibilities do we as citizens have in developing land use policies?
      
   4. Why are land use planning and decisions important for people, wildlife, and the environment?

Variations

1. Students make posters, advertisements, or use other visual materials to present their results.
   
   
2. Examine other human impacts on the environment such as roads, buildings, camping, and mining.

Aquatic Extension

Research the impact of boating and other recreations on aquatic environments.

Evaluation

List the effect of snowmobiles on the environment, wildlife and the quality of human life.

ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

Forum Leader
It is your responsibility to chair the meeting. You maintain order and ensure that the meeting is run according to proper etiquette. This includes introducing yourself and all participants; making sure that everyone has a fair chance to speak and only speaks during their turn; making sure that the agenda is followed and that speakers stay within the five-minute time limit, etc. Do some research on chairing meetings first.

Mac or Matti Olsen
You are an avid, 55 year-old who has spent every winter weekend for the last 20 years snowmobiling in the wilderness. You represent the Recreational Snowmobile Club.

John or Joan Trapper
For the last 25 years, you have made a living as a trapper. You depend heavily on your snowmobile to put out and monitor your traps.

Veronica or Vern Vole
You are a vole living in the subnivean space in an area popular with both recreational and racing snowmobilers. You have a large family. Mini or Mike Mouse You live in subnivean space along a trapper's line.

Marvin or Mary Moose or Fannie or Fred Fox
Your territory is close to a community. You are often chased by snowmobilers and feel threatened by hunters. However, you do appreciate the packed trails when the snow is deep.

Hattie or Harold Hunter
As a subsistence hunter, you have been using snowmobiles for years. Without your machine, you would have to snowshoe long distances to continue hunting.

Silken or Sven Pace
You are a middle-aged, European immigrant who moved from "the old country" to purchase a nearby inn. You also run an adventure travel business and your skiing clients pay a lot of money to experience pristine wilderness areas.

Willie or Wilma Willow
You are a willow bush that keeps getting run over by snowmobiles and believe that the growth of your teenage sons and daughters is being stunted.

Sabre or Sky Amayah
You are a keen, young snowmobile racer, sponsored by a major manufacturing company. You want to organize a national race series in the area.

Wally or Wilma Wolffe
You represent a wolf pack living nearby. Your pack depends on the caribou herd hunted by members of the community. The pack is also bothered by hunters on snowmobiles, but appreciates the packed trails when the snow is deep.

Kim or Ken Skeer
You are a nationally competitive cross-country skier. You need an area to train and race. You would like the community to develop ski trails and sponsor races for the public.

Copyright 1998 by the Canadian Wildlife Federation.
All rights reserved.