ECO-PROS Great Links

Biological Engine
of our
Living Planet

Almost every living thing is made of carbon - it is the root of all life on Earth.
But, how is it cycled through the biosphere?

"The oceans regulate the planet's biological wellbeing, but water alone is not enough. Life in its most common forms demands a ready supply of a particular element if it is to thrive - and that element is carbon."
View the Global Carbon Cycle (NASA-Visible Earth)

Global Carbon Cycle (Oak Ridge National Laboratory graphic)

"...the same atoms can be recycled for millennia!"
What is the Carbon Cycle (ThinkQuest)

The Colors of Life (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Daily global observations of the atmosphere, oceans and continents are being conducted by spacecraft for in-depth and long-term studies of the biological engine that drives life on Earth in order to learn how our living planet functions.

Water Science
for Schools
(USGS)

Water Science for Schools
Water is essential to all life on Earth. What is water? Where does it all come from? How much water is there on Earth? Where is it located? Do you know where there are "rivers" of ice? Follow a drop of water in the ocean and see how it gets recycled. Maps and pictures help to explain everything there is to know about this precious resource. The U.S. Geological Survey Dept. collects tons of data about how our nation uses water. Each one of us is a part of that data, and we can all make a difference by helping to preserve and protect our water resources. (Lots more information and resources on water may be found on WaterWebs, Wetlands, Oceans, Coral Communities, and our Mega Resource Directories pages.)

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis (Univ. of Illinois)
Photosynthesis: it brings good things to life (Museum of Paleontology, UC)
Photosynthesis: How do plants make food? (Newton's Apple)
Photosynthesis (Encyclopedia.com)
Also see link on our Mega Directories page

Soil Communities

Soil is incredibly complex and filled with life. Some organisms you can see and some are microscopic in size. Just a pinch of soil can contain millions of organisms. The decay and decomposition processes that take place in soil are critical in the removal of wastes, recyling of nutrients, renewing soil fertility and carbon sequestration.
The Dirt on Soil (Discovery School) - "Each shovel of soil holds more living things than all the human beings ever born" !!
Get down and get dirty - Explore the many layers of soil.
Identify soil wildlife with the Field Guide.
Go underground to find a solution to clean up a toxic spill.
Soil Biological Communities - The Dirt on Dirt - "Without healthy soil the landscape would be barren." Soil Biological Communities, Biological Crusts, Fungi, Bacteria, Protozoa, Nematodes, Arthropods, Soil Food Web, Burrowing Mammals, and a list of associated links. (The U.S. Bureau of Land Management)
Microbe Zoo-Dirtland - The mighty munchers. There are as many microbes in a single gram of soil as there are people in all of China! (Michigan State University)
The Soil Biology Primer (click on The Soil Food Web in Table of Contents)
Tremendous numbers of organisms live in the dark underground habitats of soil - one teaspoon of soil can contain a billion organisms! Learn about the important functions bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, and earthworms perform, such as shredding, burrowing, scavenging, recycling, fertilizing, converting and decomposing. These tiny organisms make it possible to have clean water, clean air, healthy plants, and functioning ecosystems. Click on images to enlarge them. Make a trap to find out what is in your soil.
Underground Adventure (Field Museum)
Find out what life would be like if you lived underground. Take a virtual tour of the Underground Adventure exhibition, explore the underground world in the Kid Zone, take a Critter Quiz, and learn ways you can help improve soil quality.

Ecosystems
Ecozones
Ecoregions

What is an ecosystem? (click on various definitions)

Establishing universally-accepted definitions and boundaries of ecosystems/ecozones/ecoregions has been a subject of contention and review for many years. They are complex interactive systems (or interactive communities) that exist within many different levels, ranging all the way from the digestive system of an insect to the total ecosphere (the whole-planet ecosystem).

Ecoregions are subject to such variables as climate changes, natural disturbances, animal migrations and movements, and human alterations.
Climate changes (drought, global warming)
Natural disturbances (volcanic eruptions, forest fires)
Animal movements (animals move due to loss of vegetation or food sources)
Human alterations (pollution of waters, deforestation, development)
Therefore, ecoregions can change over time (long-term and short-term). With this in mind, you may find that maps and definitions differ according to who established them, the date of the information, and what they were based on (such as hydrological, soils, climate, or a general base incorporating all components).

The Value of Ecosystems (Ecological Society of America)

Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World (National Geographic)
867 land-based ecoregions around the world defined by shared ecological features, climate, plant and animal communities. Click on interactive maps, see photos, search for specific ecoregions. (more information on ecoregions forthcoming)

Ecoregions of the United States of America (The Nature Conservancy)
Click on numbered map to enlarge with corresponding list of 81 ecoregions.

Ecosystems of Canada (EcoMAP site)
Ecosystems, ecozones, ecoprovinces, and ecoregions. Scroll through pages and click on a wide variety of maps and links to further information

Dr. E's Energy Lab

Dr. E's Energy Lab
Don't be an Energy Hog. Click into Dr. E's tips and find out how to be an official Energy Hog Buster! Facts, quizzes, games and Funergy. Read about energy sources from solar, geothermal, wind, alternative fuels, and other renewable energy sources - and then test your knowledge. Booklet you can show your parents.

Virtual Wildlife

Virtual Wildlife
Click on Wild Places for illustrations and information on various ecosystems (polar regions, coniferous forests, temperate forests, grasslands, deserts, mountains, tropical forests, oceanic islands, freshwater wetlands, and oceans). Learn about some very remarkable animals and their strange behaviors (actually we're all quite remarkable, aren't we?). Then look at the Animal List section to see if the animals are carnivore, omnivore, insectivore or herbivore (Is your dictionary handy?). Tip: Since this site opens a new window when you enter it, you may close it after you have navigated through the site and return to your main window.

*The Wild Ones

*The Wild Ones
Read about birds, herptiles, invertebrates, and mammals; their habits, habitats, threats to survival, and the working being done to help them survive. Meet people who work to protect endangered animals and their habitats. Information provided by The Children's Education Program of Wildlife Trust, including curriculum and activities for students and teachers in English, Espa�ol and Portuguese.

*The Wild Ones
Animal Sounds

*The Wild Ones Animal Sounds
If you didn't find this page when you were in the Wild Ones website, this link will take you to photos, sounds, stories and information on wild animals. Read about them and then close your eyes while you listen to them communicating.

Missouri
Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden
Plants are the basis of all life, and provide oxygen, food, medicine, industrial products and shelter. The Missouri Botanical Garden is home to the only national organization dedicated exclusively to preventing the extinction of the rare plants of the U.S. One out of every 10 plants native to the U.S. is in danger of extinction. On home page, click on (either in left frame or bottom of page):

Horticulture	Photographic Tour of the Seasons Thumbnails (extraordinary pictures)
Arboretum	Natural History Highlights
Arboretum	Plant and Animal Communities
Center for Plant Conservation	Frequently Asked Questions Seed Storage Quiz on Plants in Peril
Just for Kids Evergreen Project What's It Like Where You Live?	Biomes
	Rainforests, tundra, tiaga, grasslands, desert
	Marine Ecosystems
	Oceans, estuaries, marshes, mangroves, shorelines, fresh water
	Marine plants and algae
	The water cycle
	Kids' Spot

The Poles

The Poles
Scientific studies conducted in the Arctic and the Antarctic help in understanding past events and in predicting future natural events that will affect the rest of the world. Changes are often first seen happening in the Arctic region (such as climate warming, glaciers melting).

What was the Antarctic like 80 million years ago? Could there be an animal that spends the whole year in the air, never resting on land? Evidence of life on Mars? Questions answered by researchers and scientists at the Arctic and the Antarctic.

Audubon Online

Audubon Online
The mission of the National Audubon Society is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife, for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Audubon takes you to the wildest places on earth, with spectacular photography, where you will learn about the complexity of ecosystems, and conservation and preservation of the natural world and biodiversity of species.
Audubon Magazine on the World Wide Web
(visit both links provided here, and also their links page)

Bird Songs

U.S. and Canadian Bird Songs

Central American Bird Songs

-Click on desired bird name to hear its song. You may wish to hear the sound repeated. Many playback programs have a graphic with a small arrow that you can click on to hear a sound repeated after it has played through.

Birdwatching Dot Com

Birdwatching Dot Com
Facts, tips, stories, and how to set up a bird feeding station. They recommend not buying bags of mixed seed - find out what foods/seeds/plants the birds in your area want and need to keep them healthy. If you start feeding birds in the winter, keep providing food for them throughout the cold months. And a little bird bath would be nice filled with clean water all year long.

Genetic Marking of
Migratory Birds

Genetic Marking of Migratory Birds
EPA grant will fund a new method for studying and assessing the migratory bird populations to define more targeted, effective conservation programs. This new technique may provide more accurate assessments than bird-banding surveys.

North American Bird Banding Program

North American Bird Banding Program
U.S. and Canada - Find out why birds are banded, and what to do if you find a banded bird.

Wildbird's Top 50
Birding Hotspots

Wildbird's Top 50 Birding Hotspots
Millions of birds migrate each year and have their favorite flyways (migratory paths) and places where they stop over to rest and feed.

Birdcast

Birdcast
See radar tracking of migrating birds through the mid-Atlantic states.
Important information regarding pesticides and which ones to avoid using.
Garden tips to help your neighborhood wildlife and migrating birds.

Backyard Birds
from the MiningCo

Backyard Birds from the MiningCo
How to attract birds to your yard, build birdhouses and feeders, and what to feed birds to help keep them healthy. Important tips: Remember to keep your feeder clean and well-stocked with bird food, avoid attaching a perch to outside of birdhouse, and don't place a birdhouse above a branch (meow - I tawt I taw a puddy tat!).

Birds are very beneficial in the balance of nature. They are pollinators and seed spreaders. Birds also help get rid of many pesty and harmful insects, reducing the need for toxic pesticides which pollute our environment. So, let's all build some birdhouses and feeders. What a wonderful way to wake up in the morning - to the cheerful chirps and twitterings of your backyard birds. Hint: Invite some Purple Martins to your yard and you won't need mosquito repellant. We need our helpful insects, but nature needs to keep things in balance.
SAFETY: For your safety and for the health of your feathered friends, read this important information about keeping bird feeders clean. Have an adult help with cleaning and using diluted bleach disinfectant. BE SURE and wash your hands thoroughly after handling feeders!
Bird Feeder Cleaning
Bird Deaths from Infected Feeders

Backyard
Conservation

Backyard Conservation
Your yard can provide many important functions and resources.

Gulf of Mexico
Program

Gulf of Mexico Program
The Gulf of Mexico watershed covers almost 2 million square miles! 33 major river systems drain into the Gulf from 31 states, draining approximately 2/3 of the U.S. mainland.

What on Earth is Soil?
What on Earth Do You Know About Water?
The Gulf of Mexico - A Resource at Risk
The Gulf of Mexico Watershed
Marine Debris Timeline
Chemicals in the Household
Become a Gulf Guardian
Get the Facts on Recycling

*Dragonfly

*Dragonfly
Over 30 fun and exciting science subjects to explore, with experiments and projects children can do right on their web pages. Subject areas are: Houses, Navigation, Space, Time, Water, Small and Tall, Earth Sounds, Using Tools, Hide and Seek, Webs of Life, Animal Talk, Ice and Snow, Skeletons, Take Flight, and Trees and Seeds. This is an academic site supported by the National Science Foundation.

*Animal Sounds
on the Net

*Animal Sounds on the Net
This is an exciting find! The equivalent of 40 pages of animal sounds from all over the world and in all kinds of different ecosystems. What a sad thing it would be to lose even one single sound of our natural environment. This collection has taken the creator of this website a very long time to accumulate and categorize.

*Zoo in the Wild

*Zoo in the Wild
Wonderful animal pictures/facts/sounds of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. (Use left frame to choose an animal. A new window will open for each choice. Close when finished to return to main list of animals for your next choice. After reading the information about the animal, look at the comparison of man's footprint to the animal's print. Click on space to the right of the speaker.) We are fortunate that this website has been translated into English. Translation is a difficult task - so please overlook the differences in spelling and grammar.

Redwood Ecology

Redwood Ecology
One of the world's oldest and most beautiful ecosystems - California/Oregon coast redwoods, the tallest trees in the world. Read about redwood adaptation and find out how these trees form "family circles." The coast redwoods have been able to survive millions of years of glaciers, climatic changes, volcanoes, earthquakes and fires - today, less than 10 percent of the original redwood tree population survives because of decades of logging!!
Within the same family of conifers, the giant sequoias are the largest life form on earth and can live up to 3,500 years. That is - if humans will let them!

Silvics of
North America
(forests)

Silvics of North America
Reference and teaching tool containing silvical characteristics of about 200 conifers and hardwood trees. (Silvics: Manipulation of forest and woodland vegetation to meet the diverse needs and values of landowners and society on a sustainable basis. In other words, the care and cultivation/harvesting of forests.) Site contains: tree range maps; botanical, bird and mammal lists; insects, mites and organisms causing diseases; soils; shade tolerance classes; tree and flowering characteristics; seed germination; glossary. Information compiled from research of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, universities and cooperating scientists.

Tree Book

Tree Book
Learn to recognize and identify trees. Photographs of trees, parts of trees (such as leaves, cones, etc.), location maps, habitat information, plant and animal communities in forests, insects, fungi, tree uses and cautions, naturalists' notes and ecosystem information. Read through information provided in the Table of Contents. This site pertains to the trees of British Columbia; however many of these trees can be found throughout the world in similar environments.

Smithsonian's
Kids' Castle

Smithsonian's Kids' Castle
Roam through this castle of informational links to Science, Animals, Personalities, Sports, The Arts, Worldwide, History, and Air and Space. Read what other kids say on the message boards. Maybe you would like to join the Castle Club (but remember our rule - ask your parents first!)

Frog Web

Frog Web
Captain Ribbit says "Save the Frogs." Amphibians are good indicators of environmental changes we sometimes can't detect. Their bodies are much more susceptible and sensitive to ecosystem imbalances (just as the Lichen plants are). Just jump right in and learn all about frogs and toads, newts and salamanders, where they live, their life cycles, see photos, listen to frog calls, learn about native species, and "adopt a frog pond."

EPA -
Environmental
Protection
Agency

EPA - Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mission is "to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment." Click into main site (column to the left) or browse through the links to environmental information on EPA's website, listed by subject (see below).
EPA's topics index - Air, Cleanup, Compliance and Enforcement, Economics, Ecosystems, Emergencies, Environmental Management, Human Health, Industry, Pesticides, Pollutants/Toxics, Pollution Prevention, Research, Treatment and Control, Wastes, and Water. Click on any of the main topics or the link to the Alphabetical List of all Topics.
Student Center - Environmental Basics, Ecosystems, Water, Air, Waste and Recycling, Conservation, Human Health, In Your Neighborhood, Fun Activities, Club Projects, Youth Awards, Internships, Scholarships and Careers.
Kids Explorers' Club Explore the environment with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Click Plants and Animals, Air, Water, You and Your Environment, Garbage and Recycling and other areas. Go on the Trail of the Missing Ozone, learn how water is cleaned, read about Globby Glue, Inc., that created a stink, and turned a healthy clean town a sick murky brown. Read about the President's Environmental Youth Award in the Trophy Case section. Find out what kids have done and how you can be part of it.

Attention, Jr.
Fish and Wildlife
Biologists!

Attention, Jr. Fish and Wildlife Biologists!
Biological diversity - what is it? Look in the Where Can I Find It section. Read the How Can Kids Help conserve rare, threatened, and endangered species and their habitats. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Division of Endangered Species says "It's Cool to Care."

Energy Quest
California Energy
Commission

Energy Quest California Energy Commission
Where does all the energy we use in our daily lives come from? Would you believe even a piece of buttered toast contains energy? This site will explain geothermal energy, fossil fuels, hydro power, ocean energy, nuclear energy, solar energy, wind energy and much more. And there are some fun activities that will require some brain power (energy)!

Energy Information
Administration
(Dept. of Energy)

Energy Information Administration
Sources of energy, the energy industry, how energy is used
(scroll down to icons and click on various sources and users)
Geothermal, natural gas, coal, wind, oil, solar, nuclear, electricity, biomass, and water.

"Sea-sick"

When the sea is polluted, we stop people from swimming in it. What about the whales, dolphins, fishes, seals, turtles, coral and other sea life? What choice do they have? Plastic strapping bands, plastic bags, floating pieces of fishing lines, entanglement in fishing gear, miles and miles of gill nets, balloons, collisions with ships, dumping of wastes, loss of habitat, oil spills, coastal development, seismic testing, increasing noise pollution from human activity, ships, planes and other watercraft, trawling, depletion of food sources, poisonous chemicals, pesticides, and industrial and municipal pollutants - are disabling and killing species of the oceans and waterways every day.

HUMAN IMPACT ON OCEANS - OUR GLOBAL GARBAGE DUMP!
Pictures and video of harm caused by humans.
Information on trawling, pollution, oil spills, debris, overfishing, looting of marine life, and the deterioration of the ocean's ecosystems.

OCEAN HOME
Information and links to online resources about the worlds oceans and seas.

*Botanic
Diversity Pages

*Botanic Diversity Pages
The photographs in this website are supremely beautiful - as if you are looking through eyes with perfect vision at these exquisite living creations in the most perfect lighting. You can almost smell the flowers' fragrance!

Click on Systematics
Left frame: Click any of these "family" name links and then click on any of the species links to see pictures.
(Note: All lime green buttons with a star take you out of the website to other sites - so don't get lost in the Plant Kingdom of cyberspace)

For people with tired clicking fingers, click once on Slide Show on the bottom Navigation bar. Then sit back and enjoy the show while your finger rests.

Click on Rainforest (from main Home page)
Tour the South American Suriname rainforest. Click on the links within this informative story to see pictures of plants, animals and people of the forest. Among the interesting and diverse vegetation in the forest are Epiphytes - plants that grow on trees, without contacting the ground or being parasitic. (draining nutrients from the trees).

Nat'l Wildlife
Federation's
Kid's Page

Nat'l Wildlife Federation's Kid's Page
Cool Tour - Water, Wetlands, Endangered Species, and Our Public Lands
Ranger Rick - Homework helps and links, activities, search past issues for information. Click on Ask Scarlett and read some interesting facts.
More Fun - Explore the Outdoors has lots of fun projects for you to help nature while you learn about it.
Games - Mix and match, riddles, Gee Whiz facts, quiz yourself
Earthsavers Club - Tips on how to start a club to improve and protect the environment in your community.

Sea and Sky

Sea and Sky
Explore "The Splendors of the Sea and the Wonders of the Universe," the last two great frontiers. Enter the Travelport for an undersea expedition on Seasub Cousteau, and an outerspace expedition on Starship Sagan. Also look into the links at the bottom of each of the expedition pages (News, Lab, Sea Life, Tour the Solar System, Resources, Links, Exploration, Gallery, Games)

Lichens

Lichen is a plant made up of an alga and a fungus that grows in undisturbed areas. Learn about the many important uses and functions of these unique plants. Lichens are a part of many food webs, and vital to animals in winter. They are ultra sensitive to air pollution so their disappearance can be an early warning sign of environmental problems. The destruction and fragmentation of forests have caused a decline in lichens and, therefore, a lost food source for species that relied upon them.
Fun with Lichens - Discover the World of Lichens (Oregon State University)
Lichens of North America - Brief introduction to lichen biology and how lichens interact with the greater environment. Learn about the use of lichen by wildlife, invertebrates, and people. Beautiful photos of lichen can be viewed throughout the site, with interesting and educational notes by each. Lichen Portrait Gallery contains list to find photographs by species name.
Lichens - Silent Witnesses of Air Quality (Natural History Museum, UK)
What are Lichens? What do they look like? Where do they grow? They are excellent "bioindicators" of the quality of the environment. How are they used to assess air quality?

The Ancient
Bristlecone Pine

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine
Believed to be Earth's oldest known living inhabitant, this species survived in extremely stressful conditions for 4,764 years! Learn about Dendrochronology (complex tree-ring analysis) and how this helps scientists calculate how old a tree is, what events took place during the life of the tree (such as climate changes, fires, earthquakes, migration of animals and groups of people), and how this study can help solve many environmental problems.

National Forests and
National Grasslands

National Forests and National Grasslands
The Great Outdoor Recreation Pages (GORP) has a clickable map for information about U.S. National Forests. Other Attractions includes:
Parks, Wildlife Areas, Wilderness, Monuments, Rivers, Scenic Drives,
National Trails, Beaches, Recreation Areas, Historic Sites, and Archaeology Sites.

Lepidoptera

Butterflies, Moths and Skippers
Lepidoptera.Net - Information, photos, links and glossary
Lepidopterist's Society Web Links List
Butterfly Zone - Create garden habitats for butterflies

What You Can Do
About the
Pollination Crisis

What You Can Do About the Pollination Crisis
This National Wildlife Federation website provides some great suggestions for how you can help feed the bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Some flowers may be attractive, but not all flowers provide the nutrients pollinators need. They can't survive on junk food! And remember, they can't survive pesticides either. The yummiest gardens will provide nectar, pollen, and a source of food for their eggs and larvae. Oh, and a nice shallow pool of water or birdbath would be nice too. Sounds like a 5-Star Hotel for pollinators, and you can be sure they will visit often!

*Earth and Sky
Radio Show for Kids

*Earth and Sky Radio Show for Kids
Do animals laugh? Do penguins shiver? You can read along, and listen over your speakers, to the answers to some very interesting and thought-provoking science questions sent in by kids. This is a great site for the visually impaired, and it's fun to listen to. Tip: Click on the "Listen RA 5.0" image to hear the voices. Click on their Help button if you need instructions.

* Earth and Sky
Radio Series

* Earth and Sky Radio Series
This is the main page, where you can link into the above-listed Kids site, hear and read the questions and answers from past shows way back to 1995, find out what radio station close to you carries their science program (Mon-Fri), send in your own question....this site could keep you busy for a long, long time. (See Tip above)

Tigers in Trouble

Tigers in Trouble
Tigers are the biggest cats in the world, but they are endangered. Find out why and see what is being done to save them. Go on Tiger Adventures right on your computer. Click on Kids link - Fun and Games has free Tiger screensavers - Tiger Talks Back will really roar at you. Lots of links with grrreat information.

Seaworld
Busch Gardens

Seaworld Busch Gardens
Learn about the work that Sea World and Busch Gardens do in animal rescue and rehabilitation, breeding, medical care, scientific studies, education, and the preservation of marine life (sea life) and the marine environment. Animal Resources provides information on fishes, birds, coral reefs, tropical forests, land and sea mammals, sea turtles, and how to prepare for a career in working with animals. Loggerhead Turtle Travels tracks two loggerhead sea turtles (via satellite transmitters) on their travels from San Diego to Japan! Why would these turtles want to swim so far? How many days do you think it will take them to swim half way around the world?

National Snow and Ice Data Center - Glaciers

National Snow and Ice Data Center - Glaciers
Glaciers are not just located in Antarctica. They can be found on almost all continents. Some very cold regions, like Siberia, have almost no glaciation. Explore this website to learn why glaciers are of major importance to life and our Earth's systems.

Glacier

Glacier
Do you remember what we said at the top of this list about the brave people who gather scientific information? Well, here is a place where you will find some of them.

It is one of the:
coldest	(-89�C or -129�F)
highest	(almost a mile higher than the global average)
windiest	(up to 185 mph winds)
driest	(less than one inch of water per year - in snow)
places on earth!

So, why would anyone want to go there?
Explore every link on this site (but be sure and dress warm)
How many separate oceans are there? (you might be surprised)
Also get some Facts About Antarctica that will chill you!

Earth Observatory

Earth Observatory
The Terra Satellite was launched into space December 18th as the beginning of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) program.

WHY EOS MATTERS - Find out why this program is so important.
TERRA - Find out how this satellite will gather information.
OBSERVATION DECK - View Earth from outer space, examine real-time data.
STUDY - Visit often to watch for the latest Earth science discoveries.
LABORATORY - Conduct experiments.
LIBRARY - Earth science information.
BOREAS - Canadian boreal forest study.

Mission: Biomes - Tundra, Coniferous Forest, Temperate Deciduous Forest, Desert, Grassland, Rainforest, and Shrubland. Turn on the glossary, investigate the biomes, and then test your knowledge.

Volcano World

Volcano World
"The Web's Premiere Source of Volcano Info." Over 20,000 pages of information on everything you want to know about volcanoes. Take a look at their VW Index to give you an idea of the magnitude of subjects covered in this site (or should we say "magmatude" - OK, sometimes our jokes aren't so hot).
Read Interviews with Volcanologists - research scientists who deal with danger on a daily basis.

Earthquake
Hazards Program

Earthquake Hazards Program
Worldwide current and recent earthquake activity, U.S. regional centers websites, learn how to be prepared, earthquake facts, report an earthquake.
(U.S. Geological Survey website)

Forest Puzzles

Forest Puzzles
Forest Cycles examines forest succession, ecology and cultivation;
Forest Management examines resources and values that must be measured and considered in the use of forests; and
Forest Products explores technology and use of wood, paper and other products.

*Crocodilian
Species List

*Crocodilian Species List
Information on all 23 species of crocodilians, with pictures and maps of where they live. Click on individual subfamily name and read about their habitats, diet, breeding, and conservation. Some of the interesting links on this site are:
On the lower left side of this page, click on:
Biology Database (and then Frequently Asked Questions or General Biology)
Communication - Learn how to speak crocodile! (Tip: Scroll down to hear sounds of different species. Recommend 8-bit as it loads faster. Little audio boxes open up to play sounds. You will need to close them).

ENN Quizzes

ENN Quizzes
Take the ENN (Environmental News Network) quizzes - Multiple choice questions on:

Native plants, socially responsible investing, birds of prey, winter energy conservation, recycling, wolf, healthy eating, hydropower, national parks, basic genetics, GM food, salmon, turtle, sun safety, atmospheric science, ecology terminology, astronomy, river, whale, fitness, alternative transportation, alternative energy, snake, herbal remedy, wetlands, tree, severe weather, food chain, endangered species, fire ecology, low-impact camping, biome, population, Earth Day, environmental history, animal, geography, space, ocean, global warming, and environmental knowledge (more to come).

Click on a subject first to read information before taking the test. After you answer each question in a quiz, you will see information on the right side of the quiz box. In some cases there also will be a link to a related website. You can click on the links during the quiz process, view info in a new window, and then return to the quiz window to continue answering the questions. After the quiz, close the quiz box and see links to related sites and stories on the right side of the subject quiz page.
By the end of the quizzes and reading all the link information, you will be an
environmental Quiz Whiz!

Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel
The Discovery Channel brings wonderful adventures and information to us through television. Now you are able to click on specific subjects of interest on their online website. How good can it get? Get information online about the Animal Planet, The Learning Channel, Discovery Health, the Travel Channel and Discovery School.
Click on Discovery School for students, teachers and parents
Science from A to Z - Click on letter of alphabet for quick reference
Click on Discovery Cams and you can see what different animals are doing at the same time you are looking at them through Discovery's cameras.
Get homework help in Social Studies, Science, English and Math.
And the Discovery Channel has new adventures in store for you each week that you will not want to miss. Check out their TV schedules weekly on this site.

PBS Online

PBS Online
You won't want to leave their Science section! Once you are in there, no one else is going to have a chance using your computer. Look into all the subject links under Science (and be sure to click on Previous Sites wherever you find the links).
The mission of PBS (Public Broadcasting System) is to advance education, culture and citizenship, and they do a wonderful job of it.

*NOVA/PBS Online
Adventure Series

*NOVA/PBS Online Adventure Series
Go on real-time online adventures with NOVA.
Experience, "as it happens" formidable journeys and survival challenges. Examine some of the great mysteries of life, like bizarre lifeforms on the seafloor. Take visual tours and listen to audio reports from explorers. Read about how mountains are formed and continents move, find your way using a compass. Learning resources are provided for each topic.

"We have found the kingdom of blizzards. We have come to an accursed land."
-- Sir Douglas Mawson, Australian Explorer

Penguins

Penguins
This website is incredible! If you never loved penguins before, you will after you read these 150 pages of information and look at over 200 photos. In fact, you may be asking your parents to take you to visit a penguin rookery!

Amazon Interactive

Amazon Interactive
Explore the Amazon through games and activities you participate in on your computer. How rainy is the rainforest? Click map where you live and find out how your precipitation (rain and snow) compares to the amount of precipitation in the rainforest. Learn about the people who live in the rainforest.

The Smithsonian Institution

The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is composed of sixteen museums and galleries, libraries and records, the National Zoo, and numerous research facilities in the United States and abroad. Collections preserved within these facilities total 268 million artifacts and specimens pertaining to our American heritage. The main link (in left box) takes you to the home page and an index of many subjects to choose from. Just so you don't get lost, here are a few quick links to help you get started counting all the artifacts up to 268 million!

Botany/Plant Life
Ecology/Environmental Studies
Gardens
National Museum of Natural History
Zoology
National Zoo
Museums and Research Centers
Smithsonian1 Migratory Bird Center
Smithsonian for Students - A Place for Kids to Explore, Discover and Learn

Smithsonian Websites A to Z - Searchable index of websites

Friends of the
National Zoo

Friends of the National Zoo
Visit the National Zoo in Washington, DC, or take this online tour to see animal videos, demonstrations, learn from lecture series, and read articles from Zoogoer wildlife magazine. Click into All About Animals and Animal Index and scroll through the list of animals for facts and articles.

American Museum
of Natural History

Center for Biodiversity and Conservation
More to come on their pages - check back later
Living with Biodiversity - What You Can Really Do for the Environment
Green guides for your food, water, energy use and purchasing decisions.
Site map

Monterey Bay
Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Explore the mysteries in the depths of Monterey Bay
Habitats Path
Special Exhibits
Ocean Conservation - Endangered Oceans
Seafood Watch - Seafood Watch Chart lists seafoods to avoid buying
(you might want to print the list out and ask your local fish markets and restaurants where their fish came from and how they were caught)
Feature Creature - Living Species List of habitats and inhabitants
3D Kelp Dive
Monterey Bay Aquarium's mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans.

The Ocean Project
Partner Institutions

The Ocean Project Partner Institutions
Links to aquariums, zoos, science, technology, and natural history museums that participate actively in achieving the The Ocean Project's mission of promoting Ocean Conservation through Education, Awareness, and Networking.

The Great
Plant Escape

The Great Plant Escape
Bud and Sprout are helping Detective LePlant solve the mysteries of green life. Can you help them find clues?
(University of Illinois Extension)

Jane Goodall
Institute

Jane Goodall Institute
Read about the life of this incredible field scientist who spent many years studying chimpanzees in Tanzania. Chimpanzees are an Endangered species. They can reason and solve problems; they have some idea of the future and can make plans; they have emotions very much like we do. Dr. Jane's research has brought us much knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants. Click on the tabs at the top of the website and also the links at the bottom of the various pages to learn of her untiring work on environmental issues.

Earth Dog

Earth Dog
Be an Earth Dog Reporter and help Earth Dog solve environmental problems. Earth Dog explains what facts you need to find out while investigating a problem, and gives suggestions for finding out information. Read Energy Facts to learn about renewable energy sources. Enter the Contest and write a report about an environmental problem - deadline is November 30, 1999. Be sure and read the contest rules.

*Virtual Field Trips

*Virtual Field Trips Get ready for some fantastic experiences -

Fly into the eye of a hurricane with the Hurricane Hunters!
Find out where Dolphins swim in a desert!
What animal regenerates (regrows) itself after it's cut into pieces?

Too much excitement?

Go into Natural Wonders of the World - Stop #2.

See Angel Falls, the highest waterfalls in the world
(2 times the height of the Empire State Building!)

Scroll down to Previous Inner Landscapes for incredibly beautiful photographs.
The photographer gives you some things to think about as you look at the pictures and make your journey through life.

This is a quiet place that will be here when you need to come back
and relax and let your thoughts drift and be peaceful.

Getting started: Click on "Go to Field Trips"
Suggestion: Once in a tour, click on the question mark in lower right Control Panel and print the Help page. We don't want you to miss one link on these trips. Keep coming back as more tours are being developed.

Charlotte Science Resource Pages

Charlotte Science Resource Pages
This site is sponsored by the Assn. for the Advancement of Science Education. Click on Kid's Corner for Some Amazing Energy Facts. Then go to the Charlotte Core Page and explore Energy and Forest Ecology.

The modules for Marine Biomes, Air Pollution and Fresh-water Systems have not been completed yet. We are looking forward to that information becoming available to us. If you read the Overviews for these pages, you will see what goes into the preparation of material for a scientific educational website. It is like preparing an outline for a comprehensive report, which is a very important phase in the process. So, the outline, the information itself, and the design of the website pages all take time and can involve a lot of people.

ASPCA

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Be prepared for the animals to talk to you as you move your mouse over the links on the left side of the page. They have a lot they want to tell you.

*Midcontinent
Ecological
Science Center

*Midcontinent Ecological Science Center
Boreal Toad Site - this species has been around longer than dinosaurs,
but now they are disappearing! Why?
Children's Butterfly Site - Butterflies are very important in the pollination of wildflowers. Find out how special butterflies are in the FAQ section.
Research Briefs tells about research and rehabilitation projects.
Glacier Electronic Field Trip - get on board a Red Jammer in Glacier National Park and listen to information from the park scientists.
The International Wolf Center has been a "howling success" in helping wolves.

Our Planet

Our Planet
United Nations Environment Programme magazine for environmentally sustainable development. Issues and articles from 1996 to the present available online.

World Book
Encyclopedia's
Cyber Camp for Kids

World Book Encyclopedia's Cyber Camp for Kids
Walk through forests and wetlands and learn about these special ecosystems. Then stop off at the Craft Cabin and have fun making crafts. There are brain teasing riddles in the Mind Bender Cave, and some easy recipes for you in the Dining Hall. New information is provided each week for cyber-campers.

The Forest Where We Live

The Forest Where We Live
The Forest Where We Live, produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, brings this website about urban forestry and microclimates of cities. Click into the links at the bottom of the website and read about the benefits of city trees and learn the proper way to plant and care for trees.

What's YOUR Carbon Debt?
Each of us is responsible for carbon dioxide being released into our atmosphere. Read how we can help clean up the air. Click on Calculate My Carbon Debt and have the whole family work on this project to see how much carbon your activities and needs generate each year. This site will give some suggestions for getting out of carbon debt! I owe, I owe, it's off to plant some trees I go!

Learners Online

Learners Online
Weekly Online Lessons and Archive of previous lessons - lessons on a wide range of topics (The sciences, social studies and history, language arts, technology, government/politics, health/sports, math, art, multidisciplinary and business/marketing).

Environmental
Database for use in
Schools

Environmental Database for use in Schools
Waste management and recycling, transport, air pollution, global warming, noise pollution, free energy, ozone layer depletion, water resources, alternative and renewable energy sources, acid rain, light pollution, biodiversity, and aircraft pollution. Take a tour of an eco-friendly house in Leicester, England, and learn ways to reduce energy consumption in homes.
Interactive project of final year Master of Engineering students at University of Southampton, England

What Do You Call a Group Of.....?

What Do You Call a Group Of.....?
Groups of animals are referred to by group names such as: a gaggle, a gulp, a romp, a cackle, a tower, a clowder. Amaze your parents and impress your friends with your extensive vocabulary.
You will never say "a whole bunch of" again!

Travel with
Toppy
the Satellite

Travel with Toppy the Satellite
Find out how the oceans' temperatures are measured - from 800 miles above the surface of the Earth! (What? There aren't any thermometers that long!)

"Green" Guides

"Green" Guides
The Federal Trade Commission offers tips on how to sort out products and services claims about being "environmentally friendly."
Vague or general claims may sound warm and fuzzy, but generally offer little information of value. Claims that a product or service is "environmentally friendly," "environmentally safe," "environmentally preferable," or "eco-safe" or labels that contain environmental seals � say, a picture of the globe with the words "Earth Smart" around it � are unhelpful and don't offer specific information as to the merits of those claims.
Also see our Ways You Can Help section for "green" resources.

Forest Stewardship
Council - FSC

Forest Stewardship Council - FSC
When buying wood products, look for the FSC Trademark which identifies that the wood product originates from a forest or woodland which is managed according to internationally agreed social and environmental principles and criteria. Urge your local businesses (building contractors, lumberyards, furniture manufacturers, etc.), to only carry wood products with labels of certification from FSC, SCS or SmartWood.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) states:
"Not all certification programs are credible. Spurred by the success of the FSC and consumer demand for certified products, at least eight other forest certification programs have formed internationally. However, these programs are backed by timber interests and set weak standards for forest management that allow destructive and business-as-usual forestry practices. FSC certification remains the only credible seal of approval for good wood. Don't be confused by forest industry substitutes. Always ask for FSC-certified wood -- look for the FSC logo, which depicts a checkmark and the outline of a tree."

How Stuff Works

How Stuff Works
Did you ever wonder how solar power works? Or how many pieces of paper can be produced from one tree? This site was voted the Cool Site of the Year for 1998 - now that's pretty impressive that an educational website won! It just proves how many people really love to learn things (like us). 'How Stuff Works" answers the "why's" and the "how's" on a wide range of subjects like engines, tornados, food, computers, body cells, time, global positioning systems, sleep, lightning, VCR's, "Pop Rocks", and the list goes on and on. Adults will learn a lot on this site too, so have them pull up a chair and learn with you.

National Public Radio
* Living on Earth

National Public Radio * Living on Earth
NPR's weekly environmental news and information radio program.
Link takes you to "Where to Tune In" page (U.S. and overseas)
Click on "This Week's Show" in left frame
Listen to stories, reports, interviews (click on one of the symbols for RealAudio to hear a particular show or click on symbol to hear whole show)
You may also read the transcripts from this site

Guidelines for
Science Projects

Guidelines for Science Projects
Observe, gather information, find answers.

Educational
Science
Projects

Educational Science Projects
Helping children learn science (from U.S. Dept. of Ed). Always ask parents before trying any experiments. Do not experiment without an adult present, and never do anything that might be dangerous.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a program dedicated to building awareness, appreciation, and most of all, respect for our outdoor environment. This site offers important advice on safety, cautions, being prepared, minimizing your impact, skills, and rules to follow when involved in various activities in a list of different ecosystems. Enjoy the great outdoors - but Leave No Trace that you have been there.

*Accessible Outdoor Recreation

Accessible Outdoor Recreation
Pack up that wheelchair and let's get rolling. Great places to go that are accessible for athletic events, trails, climbing, sailing, fishing, camping, and enjoying our great outdoors.

Camping

Camping
Show these tips to your parents. Maybe they will take you camping!

Family Outings

Family Outings
Lots of places for families to go and enjoy being outdoors together.

Trees Need Their
Skin Too!

Trees Need Their Skin Too!
Whack, whack, rip, yank - Owch!

Green Generation

Green Generation
Association Green Hope provides "Young help for Planet Earth." Lots of links and information pertaining to Disappearing Wildlife, Waste and Recycling, Water, School Projects for the Planet, Creative Ideas for helping the Planet, Contests, and Keywords to finding environmental information on the Web. This website comes to us in English - from France.

National
Geographic's
Map Machine

National Geographic's Map Machine
Are you feeling lost? Here are nearly 600 maps for you to choose from! You can print maps in full page size to help you with your studies.

Xpeditions - Maps to your order. Choose an area, click on detailed or basic, and turn time zones on or off and see what happens. Click on an area within the map, then choose from the left frame to really zoom in on a country or an area.

Political Maps - Click an area on the map, read the facts and then click the image to enlarge it.

View from Above (satellite images from 520 Miles above the Earth) - Click on the spinning globe to enter. Select a map. Read About These Maps for an explanation of the color coding for vegetation, arid land, depth and temperature of water. Then click on image to enlarge it.

World Atlas - Click on the maps and get the facts. Move your mouse around the maps so you will know where you can click and get more information.

Star Chart - Go on a journey to the stars with the Hubble Space Telescope.
Click on the chart in different areas in the northern hemisphere or the southern hemisphere.
Click on Hubble Space Telescope and then on the different subjects in the image (use the small scroll bar to read more).
Click on Star Attractions and learn about Constellations, Milky Way, Other Galaxies, Star Clusters and Nebulae.

Let's see now, I wonder how many stars there are. Our galaxy, The Milky Way, is made up of billions of stars - and our galaxy is one galaxy of billions of galaxies. That's like billions and billions and billions and billions and...maybe a gazillion billions!! Does anyone know how many stars there are? We need some help here. Helloooo - is anyone out there?

Mapathon

Mapathon
U.S. maps - roads/streets, time zones, lights seen from space, climate zones, prairies, forest/tree coverage, precipitation, soil moisture, vegetation, health/allergens, agriculture, weather, road conditions, airports, snow conditions, topographical, national parks, printable maps, other map sites.

Weather

JetStream - The National Weather Service Online Weather School.
The information contained in JetStream is arranged by subject; beginning with global and large scale weather patterns followed by lessons on air masses, wind patterns, cloud formations, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones and flooding. Interspersed in JetStream are "Learning Lessons" which can be used to enhance the educational experience. Includes some very helpful pictures and graphics. Click on "Topic Matrix" to see all the topics.

National Climatic Data Center
The "world's largest active archive of weather data."

World Weather Information Service (World Meteorological Organization)

Weather Databases and Weather Labs
World-wide weather - From the poles to the tropics. Specific subject links for weather: Aviation, marine, radiation, weather warnings, climate trends, storm centers, forecasts, satellite views, ski conditions, tropical weather, tide predictions, polar views. Clickable maps and searchable databases. Now you will be able to predict the weather before the 6:00 o'clock news reports it!

World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) lists 582 cultural and natural World Heritage Sites which are protected around the world. Click on Sites and then anywhere on the world map to read about treasures of the world protected for future generations. Sections are divided into Africa, Arab States, Europe and North America, Latin America, and Asia and the Pacific. Also look into Just for Kids, Sites in Danger, Virtual Tours, and read about conservation methods, travel diaries, success stories and sustainable tourism.

The White House

Visit the White House Kids pages. Find out some background information on President Bush, First Lady Laura Bush, Vice-President Cheney, and Mrs. Lynne Cheney (click on their names near the top of the page).
Pictures and stories about the President and his family.
Math Challenge
Kids News
Healthier US Initiative - Exercise, eat nutritious foods, and make healthy choices.
Quizzes and Games
Life in the White House Video Tour
Parents and Teachers Guide

Government Affairs

Government Affairs
Search for your Members of Congress, Governor, Delegates, and State Senators by entering your zip code in this search site provided by the Humane Society of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution
of the United States

The Bill of Rights

The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution of the United States
The Bill of Rights

The United States of America's Charters of Freedom
National Archives and Records Administration

Protecting the words that have protected us - for over two centuries the Constitution has been safeguarded - at times being hidden in linen bags and taken upriver to an old gristmill, riding in the back of a Model-T truck, and loaded onto mattresses in an armored Marine personnel carrier.

Supreme Court
of the United States

The Supreme Court of the United States (official website)
The Supreme Court is the highest court in the nation.
Supreme Court Briefing Guide (MSNBC)
Clickable interactive guide to information about the Supreme Court - various courts of the American judiciary system, how a case gets to the Supreme Court, and information about the Supreme Court justices.
U.S. Supreme Court Multimedia database - Northwestern University
Take a virtual tour of the Supreme Court building. Read the biographical sketches of the justices. Name some things you believe led them to become Supreme Court Justices (i.e., qualities they possess, life experiences, other issues). Think about the qualities you have or those you could develop to help you in reaching your goals in life, whatever they may be.
Hear the Marshall of the Supreme Court cry out "OYEZ, OYEZ, OYEZ" prior to a court session. What does this mean?
Historic decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court (Cornell Collection)
Conduct searches (such as: clean air, environment, toxic waste, endangered species)

Field Guides
Species Identification

Field Guides to Species Identification
Midwestern Wetland Flora
Patuxent North American Bird Identification Center
Waterfowl Identification in the Central Flyway

Ask an Expert

Ask an Expert -
It seems the more we learn, the more questions we have - and that is the way it should be. We hope your curiosity will lead you to many answers. If you have really "done your homework," yet can't seem to find the answer to a question, here are some websites where you might find assistance (in addition to ones we have listed which provide that service):
AskA+Locator - Index of links by subject (or conduct Search)
Ask A Geologist (USGS)
- Click on Environment and Hydrology and read previous questions and answers. More answers are provided under other subjects.
Ask An Energy Expert - Note: For higher level questions on energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Ask An Expert - Select a category to see a list of experts. Visit their websites and look for answers to your questions first.
Ask Jeeves for Kids
Be sure and read the guidelines on each of these sites before asking for info.

Conversion Calculators

You may want to convert measurements when you are reading some information in these websites. Well, don't panic! We have Conversion Calculator links for you. Different units of measurement are used around the world and that is where our website goes - or maybe it goes to the moon!
Let's see - earth to moon
According to our conversion calculator, that would be:
384,407,907.84 meters = 238,860 miles!
Convert It Conversion Calculator
Click here for an "enlightening" lesson on this website.
Then go into the website and click on Measurements - List and just browse through the alphabetical listings of units of measurement. Can you believe it? Albert Einstein, please call home!
IFP Measuring Units Conversion Tables
(metric to U.S. or U.S. to metric)
Click here to calculate how much a Rhino eats.
Is a Rhino a carnivore, omnivore, insectivore or herbivore?

Learn Spanish

Learn Spanish
Free online tutorial, with information for teachers and useful links.
Provides an online translator: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian,
and Portuguese.
(We will add more language tutorials as time permits - we all need to be able to communicate with each other - smiles work really well!)

Balance scales

Just like Earth and the environment, we need to be well-balanced too.
Knowledge is a wonderful tool that will help you throughout life.

Thank you for visiting these grreat websites.

The Animal Kingdom thanks you for caring

We hope you'll come back again and again
so you can keep learning more about our planet and its inhabitants.