Users can search this site for information on environmental pollution in the areas where they live. The materials presented here include a pollution ranking that shows regions and companies with the worst environmental records, environmental justice analyses that identify which ethnic or income groups bear more than their share of environmental burdens, and a searchable listing of toxic chemicals. Full description.

This USGS Fact sheet provides an overview of water quality considerations. Each brief section contains definitions and descriptions. The topics include how to measure water quality, why there are standards and guidelines, the effect of natural processes, the effect of human activities, pathogens found in water, and links to sites in USGS with additional information. Full description.

This site presents two lessons that work together to help students understand who and what pollutes our water systems, as well as what may be done to try to clean it up. The activities are interdisciplinary in nature and involve the use of critical thinking and analysis to solve a problem. Full description.

This distance learning course is a 28-session videotape series that explores wildlife conservation and management in the United States and throughout the world. The videotapes include lectures by professors from Oregon State University, Eastern Oregon University, and by specialists from state and federal natural resource agencies. The course is divided into four parts: 1) social and political aspects ... Full description.

In this lesson, students create a community service advertising campaign that raises awareness about the importance of keeping trash out of the marine ecosystem. Students work in teams to create different ad campaigns geared toward particular target audiences and produce posters promoting their messages. Links to additional information and resources are also provided. Full description.

This site explores the plant and animal communities that exist within an estuary. Specifically, it examines the planktonic, pelagic, benthic and intertidal communities, and focuses on organisms that are characteristic of the community, how scientists investigate these organisms, and why such organisms are important to the biological community of estuaries. Additionally, the site provides specific ... Full description.

These three lessons focus on the effect of fluctuations of temperature on aquatic life. Topics include effects on the growth and survival rate of aquatic plants, how the metabolic rate of clams is affected by a change in temperature, and the optimal temperature for the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs. Full description.

Water quality is more than meets the eye. Some of its properties are invisible. Teachers using this module will focus on measurable properties of water: mass, volume, and concentration; temperature; dissolved oxygen; pH; and nitrates; and their effects on water quality. Each of these properties is the subject of a lesson plan. The lesson plans include an introduction, lesson objectives, a pre-test, ... Full description.

This guide to organisms and environmental issues of the Chesapeake Bay and Mid-Atlantic Coast addresses restoration and protection of bay habitats, bay grasses, harmful algae, bay monitoring efforts, and organisms that live in the bay. There is also education section that features materials for teachers, students and volunteers, frequently asked questions about the bay, and a set of links to related ... Full description.

This resource focuses on environmental education for kids, particularly younger childeren and their teachers (K-3). Topics include the water cycle, groundwater and water facts, and conservation tips. There are also word searches and quizzes, which provide excellent vocabulary exercises. Full description.