Expert Ask the

from 'hood Magazine May/June 2023

Make the Most of your Memberships

Do you have a question for a Sioux Empire expert? ‘hood will be inviting area experts to weigh in and answer various questions from our readers.

Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium

Stephanie Arne Conservation Director

What’s conservation?

Preserving wildlife and wild places. I like to think of it as finding healthy, smart, kind ways to coexist with the natural world. I need clean water and air, food, and shelter to survive each day, and so do animals.

How can we participate in conservation? Don’t waste resources like water and electricity. Use correct trash, recycling, and compost bins. We can clean up our river, pick up littler, plant pollinator gardens, and bring reusable bags to reduce plastic in our environment.

How do GPZ and BHA participate in conservation?

We’re working with local partners to help native species like black-footed ferrets, Dakota skipper butterflies, and other prairie pollinators, in addition to supporting global partners helping rhinos, snow leopards, and sea turtles.

When I am treating a child, or adult for that matter, I’m looking at the whole picture. Dental hygiene is intimately linked to total wellness. If there is inflammation and bacteria (cavities) in the mouth, those inflammatory factors and bacteria are then swallowed and exposed to the rest of the body. If a child has poor dental hygiene, not only are they are risk of losing teeth prematurely but they are also at risk for other systemic issues.

When is a child old enough to brush their teeth on their own?

I encourage parents to help brush their child’s teeth until they are 8. This is when a child develops the dexterity to effectively brush on their own.

Most parents pay their kids to vacuum the house. However, I have a different idea for you to try. Pay your child to read books and discuss the book with you. Instead of your child just cleaning a toilet to make money they could be learning about leadership, communication, relationships, faith, business, money, and more.

Imagine...your child reading books written by John Maxwell, Darren Hardy, and Dale Carnegie. Imagine...your child learning about how to create healthy habits, save money and become a great communicator. Your child desires to learn. Sometimes they just need a little bit of an incentive.

20 recommended books girls should read: Go online to find and add them to the Chore Chart