Have you ever hiked up a mountain trail and stumbled on an old wooden or steel tower looming above the treetops? Those structures, known as fire towers, overlook the Adirondack terrain for a very special reason. Learn about how communities a century ago used these towers as lookouts to prevent the spread of forest fires and why there’s an effort today to preserve and restore them.
Ignite your students’ curiosity with this fantastic classroom resource on PBS LearningMedia!
The Legacy of Fire Towers in Forest Protection and Preservation | Mountain Lake Journal
Grades 6-12
Follow along to learn about the crucial role that fire towers and lookouts have played in the history of natural resource preservation, particularly in the prevention of forest fires. Learn about why the usage of fire towers has decreased over time with the advent of recent technologies, and why many still feel that they have an important role to play in preservation and education.
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