Focuses:
• The timber industry is consumer driven.
• Reforestation is the key to sustainability.
• Trees are a renewable resource.

Materials:
• The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
• Chalkboard or chart paper

Procedure:
Read the story.
Discussion:

• What is the moral or lesson of the story?
• What are your feelings about the story? Why?
• How do you feel about The Lorax and the Once-ler?
• Ask the kids how many of them think those trees should never be harvested. Why?
• Ask the kids to name some of the ways that people use trees (e.g. products, aesthetics, etc.). List these things on chalkboard or paper.
• Ask where these things would come from if people did not use trees.
• Mention the fact that if we never harvested trees, we would not have many of these everyday products.
• Ask why the Once-ler harvested the trees (example of supply and demand).
• Ask if there was some way the Once-ler could have made Thneeds and at the same time not harm the forest. (Proper forest management and reforestation.)
• Introduce the concept of renewable/non-renewable resources. Ask them if they think trees are a renewable resource. (Trees are a renewable resource because they can be replanted.)
• Give examples of other renewable resources (e.g., grass, wheat, and wildlife).
• Give examples of non-renewable resources (e.g. natural gas, rock, oil, and coal).
• Ask if choosing wood or wood products is a good choice or not a good choice?
• Are there alternatives to choosing wood or wood products? Are these alternatives renewable or non-renewable resources?
• What can a forest manager do to provide consumers with the wood they need and assure us that we will always have forests?
• What advice would you give to Once-ler?

(This activity was adapted from Ranger Rick’s Nature Scope: Trees are Terrific! Volume 2, Number 1, 1985.)