Websites
100 Mile Diet: Local Eating for Global Change
As
an experiment in 2005, Alissa Smith and J.B. McKinnon endeavored to eat
only foods grown or produced within 100 miles of their home in
Vancouver for an entire year. Their book Plenty, which chronicles their
experience, is full of anecdotes, recipes, thoughts about the current
food system, and ideas for "eating with the seasons." This website
features an informative interview with the couple, a list of resources
for local eating, and a section on creating local Thanksgiving meals,
complete with menu lists and recipes. You can even sign on to the 100
Mile Diet pledge. http://100milediet.org/
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A Guide to Fall Colors
This site offers a good explanation of what causes leaves to change color. It also provides many other resources, including Live Foliage Cams, and a guide to other websites that are informative in the Autumn months. http://usparks.about.com/od/fallfoliage/a/Fall-Colors.htm
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Cool Science
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute invites curious kids to explore biology. Featured investigations include plants, butterflies, dust, and how to focus on small details. http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/
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Cornell University - Plants Poisonous to Livestock and Other Animals
As you are out and about this summer exploring backyards and wild places, be sure you know which plants are poisonous to both humans and pets. This comprehensive guide from Cornell University is complete with color pictures and the ability to search by both common and scientific names. There is also a section about medicinal uses of plants. (Although the primary focus of this site is for livestock and pets, there is also information on the plants' toxicity to humans.) http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/
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Environmental Information Series: Why Leaves Change Color
There are few sights that can stir our love of nature like the changing colors of autumn leaves in New England and beyond. This site, hosted by the College of Environmental Science & Forestry, one of the oldest colleges dedicated to environmental science, provides simple, scientific explanations of life science topics, such as "Why Leaves Change Color" and more in ESF's Articles on Resources, Habitat, Wildlife and the Natural World.
Website:
http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/leaves/leaves.htm
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Howard Hughes Medical Institute: Cool Science
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute invites curious kids to explore biology. Featured investigations include plants, butterflies, dust, and how to focus on small details. http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/
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Local Harvest - Real Food, Real Farmers, Real Community
A site dedicated to farmers' markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), good food, and building community. Find a list of local farms and farmers' markets in your area just by typing in your zip code, look for recipes, read their monthly newsletter, and even support family farms by shopping on-line for items you can't find locally. There is a forum for discussion of relevant issues, and a page with links to Local Harvest in the news. This site is a great resource for those just beginning to think about eating local foods, as well as those who want to make greater strides in that direction. http://www.localharvest.org
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Maine Foliage
Maine Foliage offers a fabulous video explaining leaves' Autumn color transformations. The site also includes a guide to Maine's trees, and a glossary of Tree Terms. While this link directs you to the kids' page, there is also an in-depth page for adults. This is a great resource to have as we watch Maine's foliage change colors. http://www.maine.gov/doc/foliage/kids/index.html
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Migratory Pollinators Program - Center for Sonoran Desert Studies
The Migratory Pollinators Program link provides information about the ecological conditions of the migratory corridors used by pollinators travelling between southern Mexico and the Intermountain West of the U.S. and Canada. The research and specific pollinators of concern (monarchs, white-winged doves, rufous hummingbirds, and lesser long-nosed bats) are described. Be sure to check out the center's complete list of research projects and trips & tours. Kids will enjoy the downloadable Sonoran Desert Fact Sheets. http://www.desertmuseum.org/pollination/
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Organic Gardening
Organic Gardening refers to gardening that is done without using pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Not only are organic vegetables better tasting, they are also much better for the environment. This website explains composting and organic gardening, posts how-to guides, and offers a collection of useful articles about all aspects of organic gardening. It's a great guide for those who appreciate organically grown foods. http://www.organicgardening.com/
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Project Budburst
Join thousands of others in gathering valuable environmental and climate change information from across the country. Project BudBurst engages the public in making careful observations of the
phenophases such as first leafing, first flower, and first fruit ripening of a diversity of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses in their local area. Get outside and contribute your data! http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/
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Science of Spring
Winter's departure brings the seeds, buds, and flowers of Spring. This website is a fun site for kids to explore plants' growing processes. Through 'Science of Spring', one can find suggested readings, cool facts, guided explorations, and awesome experiments. Kids should check out this site for a fun and educational experience.
http://seeds.sciencenetlinks.com/
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Science.gov
This site provides links, arranged by topic, to science information provided by U.S. Government agencies. Topics include: Agriculture & Food; Applied Science & Technologies; Astronomy & Space; Biology & Nature; Computers & Communication; Earth & Ocean Sciences; Energy & Energy Conservation; Environment & Environmental Quality; Health & Medicine; Math, Physics, & Chemistry; Natural Resources & Conservation; and Science Education. http://www.science.gov/
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Signs of the Seasons - Maine Sea Grant
Signs of the Seasons: Maine Sea Grant (for all)
http://www.seagrant.umaine.edu/education/signs-of-the-seasons
Waiting for the first signs of spring? Use your keen observations to help do research.
Signs of the Seasons is a citizen science environmental monitoring program which began in 2010 at Maine Sea Grant. Participants help scientists document the local effects of global climate change by observing and recording the phenology (seasonal changes) of common plants and animals living in their own backyards and communities. Please visit the project website to learn more about Signs of the Seasons, or to sign up as a phenology observer.
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The Darwin Center
London's Natural History Museum opened the Darwin Centre in 2002 to showcase their collection of 60 million animal, plant, fossil and mineral specimens. This website allows a virtual experience of the Darwin Centre through its three portals: "Live", "In-site", & "Phase Two." Live features presentations by scientists on-site and live online broadcasts, plus an archive of over 200 events. In-site allows the on-line visitor to discover more about the Darwin Centre and the Museum's Life Science collections and research, available in 12 languages. Phase-Two describes expansion plans for both the collections and the Centre. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/galleries/orange-zone/darwin-centre/index.html
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USA National Phenology Network
Phenology is the study of recurring plant and animal life cycle events: leafing and flowering of plants, the emergence of insects, the migration of birds. The USA National Phenology Network brings together citizen scientists, government agencies, non-profit groups, educators and students of all ages to monitor the impacts of climate change on plants and animals in the United States. Learn about the natural world while you help the planet! http://www.usanpn.org/
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What Tree Is It?
This student-friendly site provides simple multiple choice keys and diagrams to guide tree identification by leaf or fruit. Or, select common or scientific name and you'll be guided to color photos and descriptions of not only the tree but also its flower, fruit and leaf. This site was created by the Ohio Public Library Information Network and the Ohio Historical Society. http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/tree/
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LEGEND:
= identifies a teaching resource. These websites often include lesson plans or items specifically to help teachers.
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