Teaching Resources

Teaching Resources for Outdoor Educators

This page is growing fast – keep checking back as I add new links, and new
categories, and new ways to organize the information! Included are pages
with accurate and useful background information for educators as well as lesson
plans and curricula. If you have a resource you find useful, please
help me add links to this page: send
resource
links
you find to

Directory:

Subject areas – alphabetical

Air Quality/ Weather/Meteorology | Animals | Astronomy | Birds | Books |
Botany | Composting/ Decomposition |
Earth Science | Ecosystems | Fire
Ecology | Fungus | Gardening | General
EE | Geology | Humans: Sustainable
Living; Native Americans | Invertebrates |
Mammals | Math | Music | Natural
History | Night Hikes | Oceans | Plants |
Reptiles & Amphibians |
General Science | Service
Learning | Snow | Soil/ Decomposers/
Compost | Solar
Energy | Supplies | Team-building
games and initiatives | Water/ Watershed/ Water Quality/
Wetlands |
Wildlife | Winter/ Winter Ecology/ Snow

Other pages: Professional Development and other
Resources | California
EE/OE Providers | Special
Opportunities/Offers
for Educators

Books and Storytelling

Science/environmental education music – see our new music
resources page!

Lesson Plans, ideas, and training

Subject:

  • General Science/Environmental Education
    • Biodiversity
      Education Network       The
      Biodiversity Education Network (BEN) is a coalition of organizations
      dedicated to enhancing local, regional, and national efforts to educate
      people of all ages about biodiversity. BEN was created to promote networking
      among those organizations and individuals who are working in biodiversity
      education.
    • CERES Bookshelf for Environmental
      Educators       with lesson plans and background information on natural
      sciences and much more! This is an amazing resource!!
    • ClassroomEarth.org is
      a veritable "best of the best" collection
      of environmental education programs and resources for K-12 teachers,
      parents, and students. This new site will help educators, after-school
      providers and home-schooling parents to get started or improve their
      skills in environmental education. It provides up-to-date information
      on the most successful, well-tested and effective national environmental
      education programs available today. The site is in five major sections:
      Most Popular (for K-12 classrooms), Rising Stars, After School,
      Home School, and Earth Day. Each section has a
      top list of outstanding programs for that particular audience. The pages on each
      program contain a clear description, audience/grade level, overview of content
      and topics, materials, educator feedback, awards and recognition, and fast steps
      for obtaining and implementing the program.
    • Discovery.com – includes Discovery
      School      , with great links, such as the Curriculum
      Center      , Lesson
      Plans      , and Kathy
      Schrock’s Guide for Educators      , including this page on Environmental
      Sciences
    • New "Earth: A
      Graphic Look at the State of the World      " has just
      been published by the Global
      Education Project      , a non profit educational
      foundation in British Columbia. Viewable on line at: www.theglobaleducationproject.org,
      this comprehensive resource summarizes the conditions of the world’s
      ecology and humanity and how they effect each other. Visually and factually
      stunning, this publication is a valuable tool for anyone teaching about
      or striving to understand the world’s complex environmental and humanitarian
      challenges. The 27" x 36" full colour wall poster showcases
      an unparalleled collection of over 100 charts, 15 maps, and explanatory
      text, all rigorously referenced to reliable sources. It is an extraordinarily
      holistic and integrated overview, connecting a maze of apparently disparate
      issues such as wealth distribution and climate change, oil supply and
      food production, global warming and global fisheries, population and
      bio-diversity. Information, maps and graphics from the poster are also
      accessible on the accompanying website at www.theglobaleducationproject.org
    • Earth Life Web -
      The Earth Life Web is a web site dedicated to supplying you with all
      the information you want about life on this planet. In short it is an
      encyclopedia of life on earth.
    • The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse (ENC)
      Classroom Calendar-wow!
      What a great resource! Each calendar item is a page of great lessons
      and information and links to other resources on the topic. Recommended!
      Also see their Science Topics Lesson Plans page
    • NEW Environmental
      Inquiry       Authentic
      Scientific Research for High School Students – from Cornell University.
      Sections for teachers and students. Great lessons that could also be
      adaptable to younger students, or that you could do yourself. Areas of
      research include Toxicology, Ecology, Biodegradation (including composting),
      and Watersheds.
    • iScienceProject uses
      HOBO dataloggers for all kinds of great studies – lots of great free
      labs       available on their website – most easily adaptable (or directly
      applicable) to outdoor school settings. Check out how to get a free datalogger HERE
    • John Muir Study Guide: Learning
      about John Muir’s life can serve as a launching pad to science-based environmental
      studies through plant and animal habitats, ecosystems, earthquakes,
      avalanches, glaciers, geology, weather, biodiversity, and forests, as we discover
      that, as John Muir said, “When we try to pick out anything by itself,
      we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
    • Mad Scientist Network – questions
      and answers, virtual libraries, and lots of obscure information!
    • Meeting
      Standards Naturally       – A new FREE CD-ROM
      entitled "Meeting Standards
      Naturally" has been developed for K-12 educators to promote academic
      excellence and environmental literacy. This was developed by the Environmental
      Education and Training Partnership (EETAP)
      which is funded by the U.S.
      EPA’s Office of Environmental Education      . The CD-ROM explores how
      teaching about the environment can be used to achieve national education
      standards for core disciplines such as math, science and social studies.
      The CD-ROM also discusses what environmental literacy means and how
      it helps prepare students to effectively make environmental decisions
      that impact their daily lives.

      The ‘Meeting Standards Naturally CD discusses what "environmental literacy" means;
      shows how using the environment as a context for learning can promote academic
      achievement and help educators meet national and state education standards;
      and provides 43 sample K-12 curriculum activities that demonstrate how environmental
      lessons can support specific grade level education standards.

      The CD-ROM is packaged with "Advancing
      Education through Environmental Literacy      ," a new publication developed
      by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ACSD)
      in collaboration with EETAP. The new publication focuses on how education and
      the environment can be linked to advance student learning. Included are descriptions
      of schools successfully implementing environmental education programs and summaries
      of research documenting how schools have raised test scores of their students
      by using the environment to help teach content in subject areas such as social
      studies, science, reading, and math.

      Go to the
      EETAP website       to order or download the FREE CD ROM, or view
      the CD ROM online here      .

    • National Biological
      Information Infrastructure       has a truly amazing page of education
      links. Go there.
    • National Science Digital Library – NSDL is a digital library
      of exemplary resource collections and services , organized in support
      of science education at all levels.
    • Online
      Biology Book       Just what it says – quite an awesome resource! Chapters
      on Photosynthesis,
      Biological Diversity, Evolution, Plants, Animals, Population Ecology,
      Community and Ecosystem Dynamics, Paleobiology, and much more, just
      as you would expect in a college biology text.
      Includes
      a complete Glossary as well.
    • Science NetLinks Providing
      a wealth of resources for K-12 science educators, Science NetLinks is
      your guide to meaningful standards-based Internet experiences for students.
      As an outdoor educator, I would use the lessons for myself, as ways to
      increase my understanding and bring a broader background into my teaching.
      Some really neat stuff is here.
    • Smithsonian
      lesson plans       emphasize inquiry-based learning using primary
      sources and museum collections. Each plan is print-friendly and provides
      you with all the materials you need — photographs, reproductions, handouts,
      activities, suggested strategies, standards information and additional
      online resources. The searchable database allows you to browse lesson
      plans by subject area or search by grade levels and keywords. Check out
      Ocean Planet: Marine Science Activities.
    • Understanding Evolution – an evolution website for teachers, from UC
      Berkeley’s Museum of Paleontology
  • Math in Nature
  • General Natural History

    • General
      • BLM’s Learning Landscapes -
        there are so many resources on these pages it is amazing! From specific
        lesson plans for activities to resources about various ecosystems
        from the Mojave Desert to the Northwest Forests and
        much more.
      • NEW The
        California Chaparral Field Institute         – publishers of Fire,
        Chaparral and Survival in Southern California         Of all the
        distinct, natural communities in California, only one is found
        throughout and only one can be said to represent the state’s
        most characteristic wilderness: chaparral, a semi-arid, shrub dominated
        association of plants shaped by summer drought, winter rain and
        intense, unforgiving wildfire.  It is within the chaparral
        where California will find its best and perhaps last chance to
        reclaim its wildness and preserve the quality of life made possible
        by the region’s natural, open spaces.
      • The Electronic Naturalist is
        an on-line education program providing a weekly environmental
        education unit. Each free
        weekly unit includes information on animals, plants, and environmental
        issues, has 2 reading levels, Spanish versions, interdisciplinary
        activities, and email access to professional naturalists. Please
        take a look at our site at www.enaturalist.org and
        see how it can be a valuable free resource for both teachers and
        students.
      • EPA
        Environmental Websites for California         – loads of links!
      • Information Center for the Environment (ICE)
        The Information Center for the Environment is a cooperative effort
        of environmental scientists at the University of California, Davis
        and collaborators at over thirty private, state, federal, and international
        organizations interested in environmental protection. A large collection
        of links!
      • John Muir Study Guide:
        Learning about John Muir’s life can serve as a launching pad to science-based
        environmental studies through plant and animal habitats, ecosystems,
        earthquakes, avalanches, glaciers, geology, weather, biodiversity,
        and forests, as we discover that, as John Muir said, “When
        we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything
        else in the universe.”
      • LUPIN
        Natural Environments of California         – listed by county. A
        great deal of information!
      • Learning about Mountains – an online guide to resources for teachers
        and kids
      • The
        National Biological Information Infrastructure         (NBII) <http://www.nbii.gov> is
        a broad, collaborative program to provide increased access to data
        and information on the nation’s biological resources. The NBII links
        diverse, high-quality biological databases, information products,
        and analytical tools maintained by NBII partners and other contributors
        in government agencies, academic institutions, non-government organizations,
        and private industry. NBII partners and collaborators also work on
        new standards, tools, and technologies that make it easier to find,
        integrate, and apply biological resources information. Resource managers,
        scientists, educators, and the general public use the NBII to answer
        a wide range of questions related to the management, use, or conservation
        of this nation’s biological resources. California
        Information Node         (CAIN) has specific California information.
        WOW! Whata great resource this is! TONS of teaching resources, curricula,
        field trips, activities, lesson plans and resources organized by grade
        level and by subject.
      • Natural
        History of California         The natural landscape of California is
        incredibly diverse, from the deserts of  southwestern California,
        to the chaparral-covered hills of the coast, to the redwood forests
        of the north and the pine and fir forests of the Sierra Nevada, just
        to mention a few. This
        great website from Palomar College has links to a variety of resources
        about California Natural History, including General Natural History,
        Plants, Animals, Marine Life, Geology, and Books
      • Natural History Museums in California
      • Nature Serve
        Welcome to NatureServe, a source for authoritative conservation
        information on more than 50,000 plants, animals, and ecological
        communities of the United States and Canada. NatureServe provides
        in-depth information on rare and endangered species, but includes
        common plants and animals too.
      • Nearctica – Nearctica
        brings you the best of the natural world on the web combining links
        to other sites with
        original material.
      • Wayne’s Word
        Online Textbook of Natural History         – great articles on ALL
        sorts of natural history topics!
    • Southern California – Coast, Mountains and Deserts
    • Central California – Coast / Valley / Sierra
      • New The
        Bay Classroom         is
        a great tool for anyone interested in learning about San Francisco
        Bay and includes activities, actions and free downloadable curriculum
        for teachers. From Save
        the Bay        .
      • Cornflower Farms Cornflower
        specializes in California Natives, water wise plants, perennials,
        restoration and revegetation plant materials (trees, shrubs, grasses,
        wetland species, etc.) for most of the major plant communities in
        California, specialty
        plant applications including beneficial insect plants for agriculture
        and butterfly and hummingbird plants; 2nd Saturday sales–monthly
        educational days for the general public.
      • Elkhorn Slough harbors
        the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San
        Francisco Bay. This ecological treasure at the center of the Monterey
        Bay coastline provides habitat for plants and animals, including
        more than 340 species of birds, and is a major fish nursery for the
        region. Great articles about local natural history and scientific study
        such as Monitoring earth’s
        crust         at ESNERR, Lichen Lore,
        Insects of Elkhorn Slough, Threatened
        amphibians         in local ponds,
        Life below the mudflats: invertebrates, Elkhorn Slough as fish
        nursery        ,
        Sharks
        and rays         of Elkhorn Slough, Getting to know our local wasps,
        The life cycle of the Oak
        Moth        , The slough’s fascinating human
        history        ,
        Fungus Foray, Resources for the desalination debate,
        Creating habitat with a Mud Stomp, and Stewardship on ESF lands.
      • The Marine Mammal
        Center         is a non-profit organization that rescues, rehabilitates
        and releases injured, sick and orphaned marine mammals (seals,
        sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, whales and sea otters) along a
        six hundred mile stretch of the California coast, from Mendocino
        through San Luis Obispo counties. The Marine Mammal Center works
        toward this end: Through rescue and humane treatment of ill, injured,
        or orphaned marine mammals, to return healthy animals to the wild;
        Through scientific inquiry, to increase knowledge of marine mammals,
        their health and their environment and assure their long-term survival;
        Through education and communication, to increase appreciation of
        marine mammals, foster informed decision-making affecting them,
        and inspire action to protect
        the marine environment.
      • Mono Lake Committee – Eastern
        Sierra natural history, outings, preservation, education
      • The Monterey Bay
        Aquarium        : The mission of the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium
        is to inspire conservation of the oceans. We envision a world in
        which the oceans are healthy, and people are committed to protecting
        the integrity of Earth’s natural systems, which sustain us all.
        To help make this vision a reality, we create exhibits, programs
        and publications that introduce people from all walks of life to
        the wonders of the marine world—from Monterey Bay to the
        vast oceans beyond. Stewardship begins with inspiration, and we
        offer enjoyable and enlightening experiences to inspire a love
        and understanding of nature. Effective conservation efforts have
        their roots in science, and we work to advance conservation through
        education and research. We help people discover their connection
        with natural systems and take their next steps in becoming active
        ocean stewards.
      • The Santa Cruz Predatory
        Bird Research Group         (SCPBRG) was formed in 1975 to restore
        an endangered peregrine falcon population in California. The
        peregrine falcon was removed from the federal endangered species
        List in 1999 and we are proud to have played a leading role
        in that success.  It is doubtful that SCPBRG founders
        Drs. Roush and Norris could ever have imagined the tiny group
        they formed in response to the near extinction of the peregrine
        falcon in California would last so long and accomplish so much.  Today,
        we are a problem-solving resource to government, corporation,
        and university researchers who require our unique expertise
        with birds of prey management.
      • Sierra
        Nature Notes         – online journal of Natural History News in
        the Sierra Nevada. With current articles, archives, bookshelf
        with reviews, "Naturalist’s Notebook" where you can
        write in your own nature experiences, Sierra links and news,
        and information on the Sierra Nevada Bird Project.
      • Sierra Wild Bear website
        – great biological, conservation and safety information about Sierra
        Black Bears. From the Sierra Inter-agency Black Bear Group.
      • Valley Wild – Kern
        River Valley – great info about ecosystems, wildlife, plants of
        the region
      • Ventana Wilderness Society Perpetuating
        plant and animal species native to the central California coast,
        through wildlife and habitat reintroduction, restoration, research
        and education. Information on Condors and Eagles and
        other restoration projects.
    • Northern California – Coast / Redwoods / Klamath / Valley
      / Cascades

  • Fire Ecology - see the Fire Information Page
  • Astronomy
    / Earth Science

  • Night Hikes

  • Solar Energy / Sustainable Energy / Energy
  • General EE

    • California
      Department of Fish and Game Office of Natural Resource Education       GREAT
      resource for curriculum, calendar of regional events, opportunities
      and more. See their newsletter for
      new ideas!
    • The Electronic Naturalist is
      an online education program providing a weekly environmental education
      unit. Each free
      weekly unit includes information on animals, plants, and environmental
      issues, has 2 reading levels, Spanish versions, interdisciplinary
      activities, and email access to professional naturalists. Please
      take a look at our site at www.enaturalist.org and
      see how it can be a valuable free resource for both teachers and
      students.
    • The Environmental
      Literacy Council       – includes natural history information,
      current articles,
      resources
      for teachers       and much more.
    • Institute for Earth Education -
      Steve Van Matre – Acclimatization, Acclimatizing, Sunship Earth,
      Earthkeepers, Earth Education, a New Beginning       - Earth Education
      Foundation (Every environmental educator should read Earth Education,
      A New Beginning      , even if you disagree with it. It gives a different
      perspective on how EE should be done.) Many useful ways to teach concepts,
      and entire well-designed curricula.
    • "Keeping
      the Magic Alive"       – outline for Steve van Zandt’s excellent
      workshop on OE Techniques, given at Jones Gulch, Malibu, and Westminster
      Woods – don’t miss this great workshop at future AEOE conferences! The
      Banana Slug String Band Educators Page       has this and also PDF files
      of some of the Slugs’ workshops – check it out!
    • Leopold Education Project – lessons
      in a land ethic
    • Project Learning Tree – Go to a free
      training and get this free resource – a great collection of activities
      and lessons for teaching EE concepts
    • Project WET -
      Go to a free training and get this free resource – a great collection
      of activities
      and lessons for teaching EE concepts
    • Project Wild – Go to a free
      training and get this free resource – a great collection of activities
      and lessons for teaching EE concepts
    • Project
      Wild Aquatic       "Aquatic WILD, revised in 2000, is an award winning
      K-12, interdisciplinary, conservation and environmental education program
      emphasizing aquatic wildlife." Good collection of activities to
      incorporate into your curriculum. Get
      a free curriculum guide through an online workshop!
    • Rainforest
      Alliance Learning Site: Connecting Kids to Conservation       The site
      not only provides complete and FREE lesson plans for kindergarten
      through eighth       grade which adhere to national learning standards
      for teachers and administrators who want to incorporate conservation
      in the classroom, but also many supplemental materials such as presentations,
      stories, activities and more. All of the curriculum on the Learning
      Site is based on the on-the-ground conservation work of our partners
      groups in Latin America. The site’s monthly newsletter, already with
      over 580 subscribers, allows teachers and all those interested in tackling
      environmental issues by educating our youth — to read classroom success
      stories, teachers’ suggestions and new resources available on the Learning
      Site. The Rainforest Alliance curriculum is unique in that it teaches
      science, math, language arts and social studies essentials while addressing
      the National Standards for Learning. The multidisciplinary curriculum
      presents information on forests, wildlife and local communities, and
      provides a global perspective on the importance of protecting the world’s
      natural resources, while giving students opportunities for direct action. All
      information is provided free of charge      .

      Through this education program, students explore six of the Rainforest Alliance’s
      ongoing conservation initiatives in Latin America. For example, kindergarteners
      come to understand more about the connection between rainforests and their supermarket
      as they learn about Colombia’s Cachalú Biological Reserve. The jaguars,
      manatees, howler monkeys and loggerhead turtles that inhabit the mystical Maya
      forests of Belize are sure to intrigue first graders. In second grade, children
      compare the rich culture of the indigenous Yanomami with settlers seeking a better
      life in the Amazon. Third and fourth grade students learn how chocolate is helping
      to protect forests in Ecuador. Fifth and sixth graders study the connection between
      coffee and the migratory songbirds that visit their own backyards each spring.
      And, seventh and eighth graders learn about Honduran banana communities and the
      fascinating wildlife they protect by farming more sustainably.

    • Sharing Nature Foundation,
      Joseph Cornell’s books and Dawn Publications,
      other books from the Sharing Nature Foundation
  • Animals / Wildlife

    • General
    • Birds
      • All
        About Birds         – Great information about how and where to bird, and
        Cornell’s Online
        Bird Guide         with detailed species information, photos, and songs!
      • American Bird Conservancy on
        here I found a pdf on Songbirds
        and Global Warming in California        !
      • Audubon – Birds and Science
      • Audubon California – Our developing
        network of nature centers focuses on connecting people with nature
        where they live – in their own backyards.  bringing nature
        to children’s everyday lives. 
      • Birding California
      • Birding Links
      • The Bird Site of
        the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Contains a wealth
        of information about bird evolution & diversity, anatomy & physiology,
        adaptations & behavior, flight mechanics, and conservation. The
        material is appropriate for educators and students of all ages.
      • BirdSource "Birding with
        a Purpose" partnership between ordinary birders and scientists for
        data collection and study. Be part of nationwide bird studies!
      • California Bird Checklists
      • Educator’s
        Guide to Bird Study         from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology
      • New! Flying WILD,
        a new program of the Council
        for Environmental Education         (who also
        bring you Project WILD, and WET in the City), introduces students
        to bird conservation through standards-based classroom activities
        and environmental stewardship projects.  Flying
        WILD encourages schools to work closely with conservation organizations,
        community groups, and businesses involved with birds to implement
        school bird festivals and bird conservation projects.
      • Golden Gate Raptor Observatory The
        mission of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory is to study migrating
        birds of prey along the Pacific coast and to promote public awareness
        of the state of raptor populations. The GGRO is dedicated to the
        conservation of raptors and to community involvement in wildlife
        research.
      • Kestrels Across America: http://www.kestrelsacrossamerica.org/
      • Neighborhood Nest Watch,
        from the Smithsonian Environmental
        Research Center         (SERC)
      • The Owl Pages
      • Percevia
        – where nature meets technology         The Ultimate Guide to the Birds
        of North America – great bird identification search, and good information
        on species.
      • The
        Peregrine Fund         – Great organization, great site,
        great information
        on raptors        , biodiversity and more.
      • Project Feeder Watch -
        Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders
        at backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales
        in North America. FeederWatchers periodically count the highest numbers
        of each species they see at their feeders from November through early
        April. FeederWatch helps scientists track broadscale movements of
        winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution
        and abundance. From the Cornell
        Lab of Ornithology        . Some great Teaching
        Resources         are linked.
      • The Santa Cruz Predatory
        Bird Research Group         (SCPBRG) was formed
        in 1975 to restore an endangered peregrine falcon population in California.
        The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal endangered species
        List in 1999 and we are proud to have played a leading role in that
        success.  It is doubtful that SCPBRG founders Drs. Roush and
        Norris could ever have imagined the tiny group they formed in response
        to the near extinction of the peregrine falcon in California would
        last so long and accomplish so much.  Today, we are a problem-solving
        resource to government, corporation, and university researchers who
        require our unique expertise with birds of prey management.
      • The Turkey Vulture Society -
        the only TV worth watching!
      • Ventana Wildlife Society Perpetuating
        plant and animal species native to the central California coast,
        through wildlife and habitat reintroduction, restoration, research
        and education. Information on Condors and Eagles and
        other restoration projects.
    • Fish – also see Water /
      Watersheds, etc, below

      • The Classroom
        Aquarium Education Project         is offered statewide in partnership
        with regionally-based community organizations. While the program
        has several names around the state, the essential learning elements
        and student experiences are similar. Instructors and their students
        set up an aquarium in the classroom, receive fish eggs under
        a special Department of Fish and Game permit, and observe the
        fish as they hatch and develop. The experience may culminate
        in a field trip to a local stream or river where the fish are
        released. This is a hands-on, interdisciplinary project for grades
        K – 12. The prerequisite training workshops are held at locations
        throughout the state. Completion of a training workshop is required
        to receive eggs. Teacher training workshops are offered at least
        once a year in each region. This program has also been know as
        Salmonids in the Classroom, Trout in the Classroom, Steelhead
        in the Classroom, Salmon and Trout Education Program.
      • Project
        WILD Aquatic:         Aquatic WILD, revised in 2000, is an award
        winning K-12, interdisciplinary, conservation and environmental
        education program emphasizing aquatic wildlife. Aquatic WILD
        workshops provide the Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Activity Guide
        free to workshop participants. The Aquatic WILD program focuses
        on the world of water, the habitat and the wildlife it supports.
        Water-related issues are and will continue to grow more critical
        as we move through the 21st century. The resolution of these
        and other wildlife habitat issues will require knowledge of water
        and the life that depends upon it. The influences of the aquatic
        environment, both fresh and salt, extend to include the total
        watershed. In fact, almost everything that influences a stream’s
        ecological health occurs on the land.
      • The Urban
        Fishing Program        , which was started in 1993, serves
        Californians living in the Sacramento, San Francisco and Los Angeles
        metropolitan areas. The program’s Fishing in the City Clinics gives
        city dwellers an opportunity to learn how to fish, and to fish
        close to home.  It
        also gives participants an opportunity to borrow rods, bait and
        tackle through the Tackle Loaner Program.  
    • Insects, Arachnids, and other Invertebrates
      (also see section on Soils and Decomposers)

    • Mammals
      • North American Mammals – Smithsonian Institution’s searchable database
        of all living mammals of North America.
      • Bat Conservation International great
        website with wonderful educational links and great photos.
      • The California Bat Conservation
        Fund         Excellent organization – northern California. For Southern
        California, try Bat Rescue of
        San Diego County. They have a Bats
        of San Diego County         page and links to other bat rehab organizations.
        Find one near you!
      • Hibernation resources
        from the Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
        (ENC)
      • North American Bear Center Our
        focus is to improve the understanding and appreciation of North American
        Bears, their role in the ecosystem, and their relationship to humans
        through education, research and rehabilitation.
      • Sierra Wild Bear website
        – great biological, conservation and safety information about
        Sierra Black Bears. From the Sierra Inter-agency Black Bear Group.
      • Marine Mammals
        • American
          Cetacean Society – Whale Education!           Whale Curriculum, Conferences,
          and Fact Packs, and more! Great resource.
        • The
          Bay Classroom           is
          a great tool for anyone interested in learning about San Francisco
          Bay and includes activities, actions and free downloadable curriculum
          for teachers. From Save the
          Bay          .
        • California
          Marine Life Identification           This marine biology DVD video
          for scuba divers is your ultimate guide to the marine life
          found off the California coast. In this fast moving video,
          you’ll learn how to identify many of the most  common
          marine creatures seen underwater off the California coast.
          More than 80 species of marine plants and animals are included
          in this program.
        • The Marine Mammal
          Center           is a non-profit
          organization that rescues, rehabilitates and releases injured,
          sick and orphaned marine mammals (seals, sea lions, dolphins,
          porpoises, whales and sea otters) along a six hundred mile
          stretch of the California coast, from Mendocino through San
          Luis Obispo counties. The Marine Mammal Center works toward
          this end: Through rescue and humane treatment of ill, injured,
          or orphaned marine mammals,
          to return healthy animals to the wild; Through scientific inquiry, to increase
          knowledge of marine mammals, their health and their environment
          and assure their long-term survival; Through education and communication,
          to increase appreciation of marine mammals, foster informed decision-making
          affecting them, and inspire action to protect
          the marine environment.
        • National Marine Mammal
          Lab           The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML) conducts
          RESEARCH on marine mammals worldwide, primarily coastal
          California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. See the California
          Current           section for most information about species we might
          see here. Their Education
          Web           is a good source of information.
        • Sea Otters from
          the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC) Research
          and links to other Sea Otter sites as well. You otter check it
          out. (sorry)
    • Reptiles and Amphibians ("Herps")
  • Plants / Botany
    / Gardening / Farming

    • CalFlora – great database
      of information and photos of California’s plants. Calflora provides information
      on wild California plants for conservation, education, and appreciation.
    • California Native Grass Association The
      Mission of the California Native Grass Association is to develop, promote,
      preserve and restore native grasses and grassland ecosystems of California.
      Includes a guide to California
      grasslands       and information on restoration, identification and a great
      educational
      video       about native grasses.
    • California Native Plant Society -
      includes an education section with links to K-12
      teaching resources       which has great links for photosynthesis, autumn
      biology, school gardens, general botany and much more!
    • Composting
      information       from Cornell University’s Cornell
      Waste Management Institute      . Includes Science
      and Engineering       of compost, teaching
      resources      , and a great list of composting
      links      .
    • "Eavesdropping
      Plants"       - very cool science lesson/study about how plants
      communicate through scent! From Science
      NetLinks
    • The
      Ecological Farming Association       (EFA) is a non-profit educational
      organization that advances ecologically sound and economically viable
      agriculture. EFA can be traced back to 1981, when a group of California
      farmers sought alternatives to fossil fuel and chemical intensive farming
      methods. What began as a single gathering of a few farmers has grown
      into a series of education programs spanning over two decades. EFA’s
      education programs have reached more than 40,000 participants during
      25 years. Through consistent quality of programs, EFA has developed a
      far reaching
      network of people and businesses committed to sustainable agriculture. Our programs
      bring together a diversity of stakeholders in California food production to promote
      grassroots leadership and regional solutions to decrease the negative impacts
      of industrial agriculture on environmental and community health.
    • Ethnobotany
    • Jepson
      Manual Online       from the Jepson
      Flora Project       of UC Berkeley
    • Long Beach Organic -
      list to dozens of great links on sustainable agriculture, school gardens,
      and much more – nice list of "Top
      Ten Reasons to Grow Your Own Organic Food"       and a great article
      by Wendell Berry
    • National Arbor Day Foundation -
      Our Mission: We help people plant and care for trees and encourage the
      celebration of Arbor Day to advance global environmental stewardship
      for the benefit of this and future generations. Our Vision: We envision
      a world where trees and forests are abundant, healthy, and sustainable,
      and highly valued by all people.
    • National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Botany page
    • Plants
      in Motion       – really cool time lapse photography of plants!
    • Project Learning Tree – good collection
      of lessons and activities
    • Rancho
      Santa Ana Botanic Gardens course list
    • What
      is Photosynthesis?       a GREAT collection of resources from Arizona
      State University
    • Wild By Nature -
      a nonprofit corporation devoted to environmental education for youth
      .Our mission is to teach suburban school children and their teachers
      about local neighborhood endangered species and threatened habitats.
      Our purpose is to give them the academic tools to select, adopt, and
      protect any local species, then to appreciate the global implications
      of its ecosystem. Our grand design is to encourage every school in the
      nation (approximately 125,000) to adopt a local endangered plant or animal
      species.
    • Gardening with Children / Native Plants
      / Sustainable Landscaping

      • Be Water Wise – Native
        and "California Friendly" plants for gardens,
        other water saving tips
      • California Foundation for Agriculture
        in the Classroom         Increasing Awareness and Understanding of
        Agriculture Among California’s Educators and Students – lesson
        plans, workshops, other resources and links.
      • California
        Gardening web forum
      • California School Garden Network – www.csgn.org The CSGN Network’s mission to create and sustain California school gardens to enhance academic achievement, a healthy lifestyle, environmental stewardship and community and social development.
        The CSGN will be publishing Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining Your School Garden in Fall of 2006. It will be available online and in hard copy. Request your free packet of garden startup information for California schools: the California Department of Education School Garden Resource Packet. This resource contains over ten items, including Life Lab Science Program’s "Getting Started: A Guide for Creating School Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms." To receive your free copy, send your mailing address to Deborah Tamannaie.
      • Cornflower
        Farms         Cornflower specializes in California Natives, water
        wise plants, perennials, restoration and revegetation plant materials
        (trees, shrubs, grasses, wetland species, etc.) for most of the
        major plant communities in California, specialty plant applications
        including beneficial insect plants for agriculture and butterfly
        and hummingbird plants; 2nd Saturday sales–monthly educational
        days for the general public.
      • Growing Native
      • Howtodothings.com For Teachers: Get tips from our experts on how to create an engaging learning environment, and take a look at our new series on gardening projects for the classroom.
      • Kids Gardening with
        teacher resources, from the National
        Gardening Association         which administers grants and
        the award-winning Grow-Lab
        Curriculum        , and also has many excellent resources such as the
        "Plants, People, and Biodiversity Protection" program
      • Las Pilitas Native
        Plant Nurseries         (both Northern and Southern California locations)
        Lots of great articles, information, and links beyond gardening.
      • LifeLab -
        Life Lab Science Program is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization
        and has been working in the field of science and environmental
        education for over twenty years. With our award winning curricula
        and programs, the organization helps schools develop gardens where
        children can create "living laboratories" for the study
        of the natural world. Since we developed the first Life Lab school
        garden in Santa Cruz in 1978, we have worked with over 1000 schools
        across the United States.
      • The Old Farmer’s Almanac
      • Rodale
        Institute – Regenerative Education and Training         "Healthy
        soil, healthy food, healthy people"         Communicating
        that message is what The
        Rodale Institute         is all about! We are
        dedicated to working with people worldwide to achieve a regenerative
        food system that renews environmental and human health. Using
        education and training, we share information regionally, nationally,
        and internationally with everyone from farmers to the general
        public and children.
      • School
        Garden Wizard         – step by step guide, from getting approval
        and planning to growing to lesson plans
      • Sustainable Landscaping
        articles         (firescapes, xeriscapes, urban
        watershed, etc) from County Landscape and Design
      • Theodore Payne Foundation
        for California Native Flowers and Plants
        is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the understanding
        and preservation of California native flora. Offers classes
        and Garden Tours and has information on gardening with California
        Natives.
        Located in Sun Valley, California
    • Oaks and Oak Woodlands
      • California Oak Foundation -
        Founded in 1988, the California Oak Foundation (COF) is a
        501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization committed to
        preserving the state’s oak forest ecosystem and its rural
        landscapes. COF advocates for curbing urban sprawl and creating
        livable cities.
      • Galls
        – The Story Of Strange Growths On Plants        , from Wayne’s
        Word         – an awesome website with so many natural history
        links it boggles the mind… Great information, research, and
        photos of oak galls in this series.
      • Oak
        Woodlands – An Introduction and Overview         – from the Hastings
        Reserve, a Biological Field Station of the University of California,
        Museum of Vertebrate Zoology and Natural Reserve System. Includes
        Illustrated Guide to California’s Oaks and a key to oaks.
      • University of California Integrated
        Hardwood Range Management Program         - Developing alternative land
        use planning and range management strategies to ensure multiple use
        of hardwood rangelands while improving oak regeneration and maintaining
        diverse wildlife habitat. Links to research, books and other resources
        on oaks and oak woodlands, included the latest updates on Sudden Oak
        Death Syndrome.
      • Oaks and Fire – most oaks will
        sprout after fires and may take up to one year, so don’t hurry with
        hazard tree removal! More information
        on our Fire Information Page. Also
        see these back issues of "Oaks
        ‘N’ Folks        " on Oaks
        and Fire
      • Oaks ‘N’ Folks Newsletters
        of the Integrated Hardwood Range Management Program, UC Berkeley
        – lots of great articles on topics such as Oak
        Woodland Wildlife        , Oak
        Woodland Ecology and Monitoring        , Oak
        Regeneration/Restoration        , Oaks
        and Landscaping/Urban Forestry        , and much more.
      • White Paper on Fire in Oak Woodlands Available on Web

        Following the devastating fires in Southern California last fall, and the widespread
        demand for information from affected residents, the IHRMP decided it would
        be very useful to have consolidated information about fires in oak woodlands.
        As a result, a White Paper on this subject was prepared. This 6000-word document
        is targeted for landowners, resource managers, and policy makers, as well as
        the interested public. It provides a broad overview and addresses several limited,
        but important, subject areas including historical fire patterns, prescribed
        fire, the effects of fire on oaks and ecological processes in oak woodlands,
        what can be done to help prevent future fires, and what landowners can do following
        fire to help the land and associated resources recover. We hope this information
        will help a variety of people understand fire in oak woodlands and assist them
        in developing strategies to minimize its negative effects. We plan to print
        and distribute hard copies of this document in the near future but in the interim,
        you can view and download it on the IHRMP web site (http://danr.ucop.edu/ihrmp/).

    • Permaculture
      • Permaculture.net This
        is an amazing resource with articles, resources, courses and internships,
        and much more.
      • The Permaculture
        Institute of Northern California         The Permaculture Institute
        of Northern California (PINC) is an educational organization providing
        courses and workshops that enable people to develop the skills
        necessary to live a more sustainable life on the planet.
      • Permaculture:
        A Beginner’s Guide a powerpoint type slide show with illustrations.
        http://www.gburnett.unisonplus.net/Perma/ seems to be offline -
        try getting the book here: http://www.spiralseed.co.uk/page4.html
  • Fungus
    / Mushrooms / Lichen

  • Ecosystems / Stewardship/Conservation / Sustainability
    • Action for
      Nature       encourages young people to take personal action to make
      this world a better place for humans and nature. Publishers of the
      book "Acting For Nature"
    • Adopt-a-Watershed Adopt-A-Watershed
      is a K-12 school-community learning experience. Adopt-A-Watershed uses
      a local watershed as a living laboratory in which students engage in
      hands-on activities, making science applicable and relevant to their
      lives. It weaves education with the community developing collaborative
      partnerships and reinforcing learning through community service.
    • Biomes – "The
      World’s Biomes" site from UC Berkeley’s Museum of Paleontology
    • California Integrated Waste Management
      Board       – Classroom Curricula
      and Activities
    • California Wetlands Information
      System       including education
      and research       information
    • Communicating Ecosystem Services combines
      sound ecological expertise with outreach and communications tactics to
      develop a set of scientifically based "tool kits" about key
      ecosystem services. A joint effort of the Ecological
      Society of America       and the
      Union of Concerned Scientists. "The
      project goal is to increase the public’s awareness of the importance
      of ecosystem services. We have developed a series of Tool Kits for scientists
      and other professionals like you to do just that." Tool kits include
      Pollination and Water Purification, and Forest Carbon Storage and Flood
      Damage Control tool kits are coming soon.
    • Dr. Art’s Guide to Planet Earth excellent!
      See AEOE Newsletter Review
      of Dr. Art’s book       a
      great systems approach to teaching about and understanding the planet.
      Also see Dr. Art’s new Guide to Science!
    • Earth911.org – Information on
      recycling, including old computers and cell phones, hazardous waste disposal,
      composting and much more!
    • "Earth:
      A Graphic Look at the State of the World      " has just been published
      by the Global Education
      Project      , a non profit educational foundation in British Columbia.
      Viewable on line at: www.theglobaleducationproject.org,
      this comprehensive resource summarizes the conditions of the world’s
      ecology and humanity and how they effect each other. Visually and factually
      stunning, this publication is a valuable tool for anyone teaching about
      or striving to understand the world’s complex environmental and humanitarian
      challenges. The 27" x 36" full colour wall poster showcases
      an unparalleled collection of over 100 charts, 15 maps, and explanatory
      text, all rigorously referenced to reliable sources. It is an extraordinarily
      holistic and integrated overview, connecting a maze of apparently disparate
      issues such as wealth distribution and climate change, oil supply and
      food production, global warming and global fisheries, population and
      bio-diversity. Information, maps and graphics from the poster are also
      accessible on the accompanying website at www.theglobaleducationproject.org
    • The Ecological Society of America has
      an education page with information
      about the Ecology Education Network
      (EcoEdNet)      , Teaching Issues
      and Experiments in Ecology (TIEE)       , and Strategies
      for Ecology Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS)       plus
      great resources for educators including K-12,
      such as the "Curriculum
      Guide to Confronting Climate Change in California"
    • Ecology.info Welcome to ECOLOGY.INFO,
      the English language service of Ecology Online!  We publish high-quality,
      up-to-date reviews about ecology, natural history and the environment. Our
      reviews are revised and updated online as soon as results of new scientific
      research become available.  In this way, they are superior to paper-based
      publications, such as books and journals, which become out-of-date soon after
      publication.  
    • The Environmental
      Literacy Council’s Ecosystems page       with great information and links
    • Earth Charter The Earth
      Charter is an authoritative synthesis of values, principles, and aspirations
      that are widely shared by growing numbers of men and women in all regions
      of the world. The principles of the Earth Charter reflect extensive international
      consultations conducted over a period of many years. These principles
      are also based
      upon contemporary science, international law, and the insights of philosophy
      and religion. Successive drafts of the Earth Charter were circulated
      around the world for comments and debate by nongovernmental organizations,
      community groups, professional societies, and international experts in
      many fields.
    • Environment
      California       The New Home For CALPIRG’s Environmental Work
    • Extreme
      Ecosystem      : Bacterial interdependence found in the mud of Mono
      Lake! (NASA story, May 13, 2004)
    • Kids Do Ecology from
      UCSB’s National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS)
    • The Natural Step – The Natural
      Step provides a visionary blueprint for a sustainable world. Our upstream
      approach means we address problems at the source and turn them into opportunities
      for innovation. As an international advisory and research organization,
      we work with some of the largest resource users on the planet to create
      solutions, models and tools designed to accelerate global sustainability.
    • Rainforest
      Alliance Learning Site: Connecting Kids to Conservation       The
      site not only provides complete and FREE lesson plans for kindergarten
      through
      eighth       grade which adhere to national learning standards
      for teachers and administrators who want to incorporate conservation
      in the
      classroom, but also many supplemental materials such as presentations,
      stories,
      activities and more. All of the curriculum on the Learning Site
      is based on the on-the-ground conservation work of our partners
      groups
      in Latin America. The site’s monthly newsletter, already with
      over 580 subscribers, allows teachers and all those interested
      in tackling
      environmental issues by educating our youth — to read classroom
      success stories, teachers’ suggestions and new resources available
      on the Learning
      Site. The Rainforest Alliance curriculum is unique in that it teaches
      science,
      math, language arts and social studies essentials while addressing
      the National Standards for Learning. The multidisciplinary curriculum
      presents information on forests, wildlife and local communities, and
      provides a global perspective on the importance of protecting the world’s
      natural resources, while giving students opportunities for direct action.
      All information is provided free of charge.

      Through this education program, students explore six of the Rainforest
      Alliance’s ongoing conservation initiatives in Latin America. For example,
      kindergarteners come to understand more about the connection between
      rainforests and their supermarket as they learn about Colombia’s Cachalú Biological
      Reserve. The jaguars, manatees, howler monkeys and loggerhead turtles
      that inhabit the mystical Maya forests of Belize are sure to intrigue
      first graders. In second grade, children compare the rich culture of
      the indigenous Yanomami with settlers seeking a better life in the
      Amazon. Third and fourth grade students learn how chocolate is helping
      to protect forests in Ecuador. Fifth and sixth graders study the connection
      between coffee and the migratory songbirds that visit their own backyards
      each spring. And, seventh and eighth graders learn about Honduran banana
      communities and the fascinating wildlife they protect by farming more
      sustainably.

    • Schoolyard Habitat
      Project       of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, helps teachers and
      students create wildlife habitat on school grounds. "Stewardship
      Through Action." Be sure to read the excellent articles, "Where
      the Wild Things Are      " and "Creating
      a Tree Nursery"       on that
      page.
    • The Trust for
      Public Land       – California
      Local Programs       – Land conservation is central to TPL’s mission. Founded
      in 1972, the Trust for Public Land is the only national nonprofit working
      exclusively to protect land for human enjoyment and well-being. TPL helps
      conserve land for recreation and spiritual nourishment and to improve the
      health and quality of life of American communities.
  • Native American studies/ethnobotany

  • Geology / Plate
    Tectonics / Earthquakes / Rocks / Earth Science

    • California Geologic Survey the
      source for California geologic information, from recent news to geologic
      maps to CD-roms to educational resources, lesson plans, and the Kids
      Zone.
    • The
      California Geotour       is an interactive index of Web pages of geologic field
      trip guides and related Web sites compiled by the California
      Geological Survey       (CGS) for the benefit of all who have wondered about California’s
      geologic features. We have listed Web pages that contain geologic information,
      including photographs, maps, text and directions for local natural features
      throughout the state. The Web pages have been developed by government
      agencies, geological organizations, professors, students, commercial
      enterprises, park districts, environmental groups, and those with a keen
      interest in the earth sciences.
    • Cavern lesson plans from
      AEOE Institutional Member Sierra
      Nevada Recreation Corp      . Lesson plans on Cavern Geology, Cavern
      Life and People and Caverns. Do you know the difference
      between a cave and a cavern?
    • Earth Science World -
      Gateway to the GeoSciences
    • Earth
      Science Week       (October 9-15, 2005) information
      for teachers
    • Earthquakes for Teachers -
      from the USGS site: These webpages provide resources for teachers on
      the topics of earth structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics, and earthquake
      preparedness. They include basic information in the form of text, graphics
      and animations; lesson plans and activities; and online interactive activities
      for learning that were developed especially for students. Earthquake
      information for teacher education or for general earthquake education
      is also included.
    • Geology
      of California      , from the USGS
    • Musical
      Plates       A Study of Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics. Earthquakes,
      a scientific and physical phenomenon, affect our lives in many ways.
      In this project, students use Real-Time earthquake and
      volcano data from the Internet to explore the relationship between
      earthquakes, plate tectonics, and volcanoes. Students will: Use Real-Time
      data to solve a problem; Study the correlation between earthquakes
      and tectonic plates; Determine whether or not there is a relationship
      between volcanoes and plate boundaries.

      Musical Plates is recommended for upper elementary, middle school and
      high school students (ages 11-18).

    • Southern California Earthquake Center
  • Soil / Soil Organisms
    / Decomposers / Composting

  • Water / Water Cycle / Watershed / Water Quality
    / Wetlands / Fish

    • Adopt A Stream Adopt your own stream,
      learn how to study it, and determine that stream’s
      water quality. This website offers Teacher’s Guides for elementary, middle,
      and high schools.
    • Adopt-a-Watershed Adopt-A-Watershed
      is a K-12 school-community learning experience. Adopt-A-Watershed uses
      a local watershed as a living laboratory in which students engage in
      hands-on activities, making science applicable and relevant to their
      lives. It weaves education with the community developing collaborative
      partnerships and reinforcing learning through community service.
    • Agua
      Pura       – Agua
      Pura Leadership Institute Planning Manual for Latino Communities
    • Aquatic Outreach Institute -
      The Aquatic Outreach Institute creates and carries out involvement and
      outreach programs on creeks, wetlands, and watersheds for the general
      public and educators in the San Francisco Bay Area.
    • The
      Bay Classroom       is
      a great tool for anyone interested in learning about San Francisco Bay
      and includes activities, actions and free downloadable curriculum for
      teachers. From Save the Bay.
    • Be Water Wise, ways to save
      water, including gardening tips. Aimed at Southern California, but useful
      information for anywhere.
    • Briefing
      on California Water Issues       from the Water Education Foundation
    • California Aquatic Science Education
      Consortium       (CASEC) A Consortium of agencies, organizations, and citizen
      groups established for the purpose of encouraging, supporting, and enhancing
      aquatic (fresh and marine) education programs in the State of California.
      Initially formed and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
    • The Classroom Aquarium
      Education Project       is offered statewide in partnership
      with regionally-based community organizations. While the program has
      several names around the state, the essential learning elements and student
      experiences are similar. Instructors and their students set up an aquarium
      in the classroom, receive fish eggs under a special Department of Fish
      and Game permit, and observe the fish as they hatch and develop. The
      experience may culminate in a field trip to a local stream or river
      where the fish are released. This is a hands-on, interdisciplinary
      project for grades K – 12. The prerequisite training workshops are
      held at locations throughout the state. Completion of a training workshop
      is required to receive eggs. Teacher training workshops are offered at
      least once a year in each region. This program has also been know as Salmonids
      in the Classroom, Trout in the Classroom, Steelhead in the Classroom,
      Salmon and Trout Education Program.
    • Educating
      Young People About Water       – 163 curricula listed!
    • Environmental
      Literacy Council’s Water page       – with great information
      and links to many other sites – great Watershed
      page       with
      many links to lessons and more!
    • Global Rivers Environmental Education
      Network       (GREEN) Sponsors of World
      Water Monitoring Day      . See their resources
      page       for lesson plans and activities
    • The Groundwater Foundation is
      a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and motivating people
      to care for and about groundwater. See resources
      for teachers on the "Get
      Informed      " page of their website – lessons, activities and free
      sample activities.
    • Project WET Great
      collection of lessons and activities related to water! From the Water Education
      Fountation
    • Project
      WILD Aquatic:       Aquatic WILD,
      revised in 2000, is an award winning K-12, interdisciplinary, conservation
      and
      environmental education program emphasizing aquatic
      wildlife. Aquatic WILD workshops provide the Project WILD
      Aquatic K-12 Activity Guide free to workshop participants. The Aquatic
      WILD program
      focuses
      on the world of water, the habitat and the wildlife it supports. Water-related
      issues are and will continue to grow more critical as we move through
      the 21st century. The resolution of these and other wildlife habitat
      issues will require knowledge of water and the life that depends upon
      it. The influences of the aquatic environment, both fresh and salt, extend
      to include the total watershed. In fact, almost everything that influences
      a stream’s ecological health occurs on the land.
    • River of Words Connecting
      Kids to their Watersheds and Imaginations through Poetry & Art. River
      of Words has been conducting training workshops for teachers, park naturalists,
      grassroots groups, state resource agencies, librarians and others since
      1995, helping them to incorporate observation-based nature exploration
      and the arts into their work with young people. In addition to helping
      improve children’s literacy—and cognitive skills like investigation
      and critical thinking—River of Words’ multidisciplinary, hands-on
      approach to education nurtures students’ creative voices as well,
      through instruction and practice in art and poetry.
    • "Troubled
      Waters of the Sierra: California and Nevada’s Threatened Water Supply"       Sierra
      Climate Change & Growth Threaten California’s Water – New Report
      Documents Challenges to Future Water Supply. This report, authored by Kerri
      Timmer for the Sierra
      Nevada Alliance      , challenges California and Nevada
      to respond quickly and substantively to threats to
      future water supply from Sierra climate change and growth in the region.
    • Water Cycle -
      USGS information page – "The most comprehensive Web site about the water
      cycle anywhere, with a diagram available in over 50 languages." Also
      see "Follow
      a Drip through the Water Cycle"      !
    • Water Environment Federation -
      Education and Outreach – WEF understands that professional and public
      education are key to preserving and enhancing the global water environment.
      The
      resources on the Education and Outreach page are
      designed to help educators and students of all levels become more educated
      and involved in their water environment.
    • Water Science for
      Schools – All About Water from the USGS       The U.S. Geological Survey’s
      (USGS) Water Science for Schools web site offers information on
      many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive
      center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
    • New! WET in the City is a national
      urban environmental education program of CEE that focuses on water resources.
      The program provides an opportunity for young people to participate in
      engaging, hands-on activities that creatively explore the science of
      water, its cultural context, and the complex issues surrounding its management
      and stewardship.
    • Wetlands Information System from
      CERES
    • World Water Monitoring
      Day       program
  • Climate / Atmospheric Studies / Air Quality / Weather
    / Meteorology

    • Air & Waste
      Management Association       (A&WMA):
      The Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is a nonprofit,
      nonpartisan professional organization that provides training, information,
      and networking opportunities to thousands of environmental professionals
      in 65 countries. A&WMA publishes award winning classroom lesson
      plans on Air Quality and Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention for grades
      K-12., as well as, the Understanding Air Quality outreach products,
      Information Booklets, Fact Sheets, and other materials.The EERG series
      is designed to help students develop critical thinking skills including
      observation, comparative analysis, and problem solving. Available NOW:
      Viewers can Download 4 Free lesson Plans.
    • Air Pollution:
      What’s the Solution?       an educational project for students, grades
      6 – 12, that uses online real time data to guide student discovery
      of the science behind the causes and effects of ground level ozone. 
    • Cloudman’s Gallery of Clouds -
      Cloud Education and Products       – great links to meteorology and
      weather lessons, cloud charts, and more.

    • Global Change Gateway
      – Environmental Education       US Global Change Research Information
      Office, resources on Climate Change
    • INVESTIGATING
      THE CLIMATE SYSTEM       GRADES 5-12 CLASSROOM MODULES NASA
      educational product series consists of five classroom problem-based
      modules for studying clouds, energy, precipitation, weather and wind.
      Learning activities, assessment rubrics and prerequisite knowledge
      are included in these downloadable booklets, correlated to national
      academic standards for grades 5-12. Each was designed to be used independently.
      NOTE: some of these activities are adaptable to outdoor learning, and
      all would be appropriate for pre or post outdoor experience lessons.       http://spacelink.nasa.gov/products/Investigating.the.Climate.System/
    • Weather
      Scope       An Investigative Study of Weather and Climate. From all
      the schools in your country, your school alone has been selected
      by the world famous meteorological institution Weather First
      International       to conduct an investigation and report on local
      and world weather and climate. To complete your assignment, you
      will have at your disposal detailed instructions that describe
      how to
      create weather instruments, how to access the Internet to locate
      real-time weather information from around the world, and this online
      educational project to guide you along. Specifically, students
      will: develop a basic understanding of how weather can be described
      in
      measurable quantities, such as temperature, wind and precipitation;
      use hands-on activities and real-time data investigations to study
      factors that affect weather and climate. Weather Scope: An Investigative
      Study of Weather and Climate is recommended for upper elementary,
      middle school and high school students (ages 11-18).
    • Why is the
      Sky Blue?       Children’s science projects, simple science experiments & kids
      science questions answered by Science
      Made Simple       Here is a more in depth discussion, including the
      types of scatter involved in blue sky, red sunsets, and alpenglow:
      Blue Sky and Raliegh Scattering
    • Wonderful
      World of Weather       This standards-based Real Time Data Module has
      been created for use by students in the elementary grades to allow
      them to investigate weather phenomena both locally as well as in
      other places around the world.  By using  hands-on activities
      and real-time data investigations, the students will develop a basic
      understanding of how weather can be described in measurable quantities,
      such as temperature, wind and precipitation. The lesson plans which
      make up this module have been designed to allow teachers to select
      the ones which fit into their curriculum to allow for flexibility
      in implementation.
  • Winter / Winter Ecology / Snow
  • Oceans / Oceanography / Marine Biology
    / Beach Habitats

    • New The
      Bay Classroom       is
      a great tool for anyone interested in learning about San Francisco Bay
      and includes activities, actions and free downloadable curriculum for
      teachers. From Save the Bay.
    • BRIDGE Ocean Sciences Teacher
      Resource Center       part of the National Marine Educators Association
      (NMEA)
    • The California Center for Ocean Sciences
      Education Excellence       (COSEE)
      CA COSEE is dedicated to creating environments in which collaborations
      among ocean scientists and K-12 educators flourish. With the goal of
      enhancing the general public’s understanding and appreciation
      of the ocean, COSEE has launched a strategic campaign to integrate
      ocean education and research. CA COSEE is focused on the following strategies:
      1. Facilitating relationships that connect scientists with education
      outreach
      organizations; 2. Disseminating a model course, Communicating Ocean Science
      for undergraduate
      and graduate students; 3. Creating a groundbreaking interactive Ocean Science
      and Technical Careers
      web site; 4. Developing model K-12 Ocean Education sites for infusing ocean
      science into
      pre-college classrooms
    • California Coastal Commission -
      Our Public
      Education Program       works to increase public knowledge of coastal
      and marine resources and to engage the public in coastal protection and
      restoration activities. We offer a variety of conservation, education
      and community involvement programs. There is bound to be a program just
      right for you, so get involved! Programs include Adopt-a-Beach, California
      Coastal Cleanup Day      , and curriculum
      guides       such as Waves,
      Wetlands and Watersheds      , and Save
      Our Seas      . Site has a Marine,
      Coastal & Watershed
      Resource Directory       as well.
    • California
      Marine Life Identification       This marine biology DVD video for scuba
      divers is your ultimate guide to the marine life found off the California
      coast. In this fast moving video, you’ll learn how to identify many
      of the most  common marine creatures seen underwater off the California
      coast. More than 80 species of marine plants and animals are included
      in this program.
    • Cal OCEAN web from CERES:
      The California Ocean and Coastal Environmental Access Network (Cal OCEAN)
      is a web-based virtual library for the discovery of and access to ocean
      and coastal data and information from a wide variety of sources and in
      a range of types and formats. The goal of Cal OCEAN is to provide the
      information and tools to support ocean and coastal resource management,
      planning, research and education via the Internet. Cal OCEAN is a component
      of CERES and a project of the California Resources Agency’s Ocean Resources
      Management Program .
    • COAST – Consortium
      for Oceanographic Activities for Students and Teachers       Resource
      Guide. This material, intended for use by teachers to structuring classroom
      activities, is divided into two sections that reflect the different emphases
      and requirements of elementary and middle school programs, and high schools.
      The elementary and middle school section is developed from the award
      winning Operation Pathfinder, Best of the Best, and is an electronic
      version of the Resource Guide for Oceanography and Coastal Processes.
    • Coastal Ecosystems from
      the USGS Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)
    • Coastwalk is a non-profit organization
      that has been helping people to experience the California coast in an intimate
      and respectful way for 22 years. The Coastwalk vision is a completed California
      Coastal Trail that will stretch continuously from Oregon to the Mexican
      border, while preserving the fragile coastal environment. We partner with
      various groups – large and small – up and down the state to complete the
      Trail. We also offer dayhikes year-round, and hiking/camping trips – "Coastwalks" -
      in each coastal county during the summer months. Organized and led by experienced
      volunteers, these Coastwalks leave participants inspired, invigorated and
      with a profound appreciation for the California coast. Visit our page about
      the Trail for more information on the California Coastal Trail project;
      we also run, in collaboration with the California Coastal Conservancy,
      an interactive site devoted to the Coastal Trail – www.californiacoastaltrail.info
    • Estuaries:
      Did you know that estuaries are some of the most productive ecosystems
      in the world, harboring unique and vital plant and animal
      communities? It’s true, and now you and your students can learn all about
      these thriving areas in a new online educational product, the fourth
      in a series of Discovery Kits developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
      Administration’s National Ocean Service (NOS). This latest kit explains
      the science of estuaries — bodies of water and surrounding coastal habitats
      typically found where rivers meet the sea. The new Estuaries Discovery
      Kit, the fourth such resource produced by NOS, includes a 12-chapter
      tutorial, a comprehensive resource guide, and lesson plans for grades
      9-12. The Discovery Kits are part of the NOS Education Discovery Center,
      which includes a wide variety of other classroom resources. You’ll find
      it at oceanservice.noaa.gov/education.
    • Estuaries.gov This
      is the official Web site for National Estuaries Day and a resource for
      teachers, students and anyone interested in learning more about the magical
      places where rivers meet the sea National Estuaries Day is an interagency
      celebration that takes place the last Saturday in September.
      The featured event is EstuaryLive, a free, interactive field trip over
      the internet hosted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
      National Estuarine Research Reserves and the U.S. Environmental Protection
      Agency’s National Estuary Programs. From this Web site, you can view
      the 2004 EstuaryLive program, download classroom activities and find
      many resources for students of all ages.
    • Farallones Marine Sanctuary – excellent resources for teachers on rocky
      shores, sandy shores, shorebirds – monitoring projects for high school
      students, lots of free lesson plans.
    • LiMPETS – (Long-term Monitoring
      Program & Experiential
      Training for Students) is for middle school, high school, and other volunteer
      groups to monitor the rocky intertidal, sandy shore and offshore areas
      of the five west coast National Marine Sanctuaries (Olympic Coast, Cordell
      Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, Monterey Bay and Channel Islands). Monitoring
      Projects for teachers and classes of students, lots of lesson plans and
      resources
    • The Monterey Bay Aquarium:
      The mission of the non-profit Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation
      of the oceans. We envision a world
      in which the oceans are healthy, and people are committed to protecting
      the integrity of Earth’s natural systems,
      which sustain us all. To help make this vision a reality, we create exhibits,
      programs and publications that introduce people from all walks of life
      to the wonders of the marine world—from Monterey Bay to the vast
      oceans beyond. Stewardship begins with inspiration, and we offer enjoyable
      and enlightening
      experiences
      to inspire a love and understanding of nature. Effective conservation
      efforts have their roots in science, and we work to advance conservation
      through education and research. We help people discover their connection
      with natural
      systems and take their next steps in becoming active ocean stewards.
    • National
      Marine Sanctuaries Science and Education       Our national marine
      sanctuaries provide excellent opportunities for classroom and public
      education.
      In many cases, a sanctuary provides
      a "hands-on" laboratory where people can see, touch,
      and learn about the greater ocean ecosystem. In other cases, the
      sanctuary
      is figuratively brought to the classroom and into public education
      awareness. However, no matter where they are located, all of our
      sanctuaries can be considered living classrooms.
    • NOAA’s
      National Ocean Service (NOS)       is dedicated to creating
      innovative products that enlighten students and educators about the breadth
      of scientific research, technology, and activities conducted by NOS in
      the areas of oceans, coasts, and charting and navigation. Online
      Discovery Kits       (tides, corals, geodesy) describe the scientific principles
      underlying the applied science and activities of NOAA’s National
      Ocean Service. Discovery Kits contain interactive tutorials, roadmaps to
      data resources,
      and formal
      lesson plans. The tutorials, roadmaps, and lesson plans in each Discovery
      Kit are designed to work together, but are comprehensive enough to
      be used on their own.
    • The
      NOAA Central Library       web site features a variety of resources useful
      to marine educators. The NOAA Library Catalog is the gateway to the records
      of the NOAA Library Network’s comprehensive research collection covering
      hydrographic surveying (from 1820-); oceanography, meteorology and hydrology
      (from 1870-); living marine resources (from 1970 on with selected coverage
      from 1870); and meteorological satellite operations (from 1960-). The
      site’s WINDandSEA:
      Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Internet Locator       features
      links to science and policy sites in the oceanic and atmospheric sciences,
      as well as a Teachers’
      and Students’ Corner       link in the top-of-page
      menu row, which links to over 100 NOAA Web pages devoted to education,
      NOAA photo Web sites, science education organizations and organizations
      concerned with introducing new technologies to the teaching profession.
      Check it out at http://www.lib.noaa.gov/.
    • NEW Reefvid -
      Free videos of Coral Reefs! Whether you’re talking to scientists or school
      children, this full database of over 500 clips is provided here and is
      freely available for educational and research use. Simply select clips,
      download them to your hard disk, and insert them in PowerPoint or other
      presentation software.
    • Sand
      Crabs!       Living where the water meets the land are sand crabs
      (Emerita analoga). Sand crabs are important animals in this area where
      the waves uncover and cover the sand continually because they are food
      for fish and birds.
    • Wyland Ocean Challenge "Clean
      Water for the 21st Century … and Beyond," is an exciting new
      art and science program developed by the Wyland
      Foundation      , Scripps
      Institution of Oceanography       (UCSD) and the Birch
      Aquarium at Scripps      . The Ocean Challenge is designed
      to instruct and inspire young people everywhere about marine science
      and the conservation of water quality on our planet. The online curriculum
      and teachers’ guide meet all national science standards and are
      downloadable from any classroom around the world — all that’s
      needed is a computer. Through a unique range of continually updated activities,
      students, grades K-12, are offered a global view of our planet’s
      oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, and wetlands, and our relationship
      to one of our greatest natural resources. Information about the first
      stage of the program, which is now available for grades K-6, can be found
      at www.wylandoceanchallenge.org.

Team-building Games and Initiatives and Outdoor Recreation

Supplies

  • Acorn Naturalists Visit
    their online store,
    check out their table at our annual spring conference, or visit their fabulous
    store: The
    Acorn Naturalists’ Center For Science and Environmental Education,     which
    is a model of environmentally sustainable practices. Their store is also
    the home of The Acorn Group, which offers consulting services
    in interpretive planning, exhibit design, environmental education master
    planning
    and evaluation. They were heavily involved in the California EE Plan and
    in getting AEOE a voice as well.
  • Carolina Biological Supplies
  • Edmund Scientifics Logo 88x31Edmund Scientifics has
    been a leader in the science education market for over 50 years. Their product
    line includes telescopes and microscopes, compasses, magnifiers, testing
    kits, cool tech toys and awesome science accoutrements – over 2000 products
    in all. www.scientificsonline.com If
    you purchase science products through links to Edmund Scientifics online through
    AEOE, a percentage will come back to AEOE through our LinkShare program.
  • Forestry Suppliers
    Inc

    • Lesson Plans
    • FIELD
      Kits       – (Fundamental Investigation of the Environment Leading
      to Discovery™) We believe in making your job as a teacher easier.
      With this in mind, we have put together some kits complete with correlated
      Lesson Plans
      that combine some favorite products of teachers in a single economically
      priced package. Click on any kit you’re interested in to discover all
      the possibilities! Kits for teaching Tree Study, Orienteering, Geology,
      Entomology, Soil Analysis, Water Monitoring, and Meteorology
    • Links to Science Programs
  • HOBO Data
    Loggers     – free kits to loan to teachers! These are great!
  • Nature Watch
    Welcome to the world of Nature Watch. We have just added lots of new
    great products to our already inspiring line of nature science products.
    We believe that the best way for people to learn is through hands-on,
    minds-on experience.