• Soil and water conservationists work to preserve natural habitats.Sunset lake landscape. Chany lake, Novosibirsk area, June 2007 image by Igor Zhorov from Fotolia.com
  
  Soil and water are vitally important to preserving land and the environment. By teaching children the practices that conserve both, they learn important environmentally friendly methods. In time, these lessons could lead to habitat restoration and preservation, and fertile land for natural growth.
  
  

Make Artificial Soil

• The best soil and water conservation activities get children excited about the science behind the efforts. The child can take a couple of soft rocks, such as limestone, and grind them together to produce fine particles. Have them note how long it takes even to produce a small amount of particles. Heat one of the rocks over a flame or on a hot plate and then drop it into some ice water. The rock should break when contracting so quickly. This exercise can teach children how the elements of weather can create soil erosion and make natural rocks and canyons over time.
  
  

Fix a Leaking Faucet

• With the help of an adult, have a child fix a leaky faucet in the house. Even though it may not seem as though a leaky faucet wastes much water, a leak can waste up to 20 gallons of water a day. Have the child fill a gallon milk jug with water to impress upon them how much water is a single gallon. Not only will this activity save the household money, but it will also teach the child about proportion and give him the skills to perform such repairs when he is older.
  
  

The Importance of Grass

• This activity will show children the difference that ground cover makes to soil runoff and erosion. Take two boxes about 16 inches long, 12 inches wide and 4 inches deep. Cut a V-shaped notch in the ends of each box. Fill the first box with a piece of sod. Fill the second with only unprotected soil. Have the child pour water into each box. Watch and compare how much soil is lost from each box.