Habitats Web Links
Our writers recommended these independent web sites as background information and content supplements for the Habitats lessons.
Stewardship Project
The Nature Conservancy- Adopt An Acre
This web site outlines information about the Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program and gives background information on the two or three critical sights they focus on each year.
The Nature Conservancy- Coral Reefs of the Tropics
Use this web site to find information about the Nature Conservancy’s Rescue the Reef program. The site offers background information on the specific area they are targeting and how successful their preservation attempts have been.
This web site provides information about fundraising programs to support the preservation of rainforests and related ecosystems. Instead of making a straight donation, children can sell environmental t-shirts and other products to support the environment. Every 10 items purchased will save one acre/meter in the school’s name.
National Association of Conservation Districts-Stewardship
This web site offered by the National Association of Conservation Districts provides information about how children can incorporate conservation in their schoolyards, community gardens, public places, or their own backyard.
The Center for Ecosystem Survival
This web site offers a list of projects children can participate in to help preserve their habitats. The nice thing about this site is that it includes a wide range of projects.
Use this web site to gather information about how to create a backyard habitat and/or establish bird feeders and nesting boxes to attract local birds.
The National Arbor Day Foundation web site provides information about how to join the Arbor Day Society and receive ten free trees to plant in your area.
Atlas of Student Action for the Planet
This web site, developed by the United Nations Cyberschoolbus, lists what other schools around the nation are doing to protect their environment. It is a great place to search stewardship ideas.
National Wildlife Federation- Garden for Wildlife
This web site lists a variety of habitat projects that children can do to help the environment.
National Wildlife Federation- Community Wildlife Habitat
This web site offers information on how to start a Community Wildlife Habitat. Volunteers receive training that enables them to help others develop wildlife habitats in backyards and schoolyards.
Georgia Endangered Plant Stewardship Network
The Georgia Endangered Plant Stewardship Network started a school site endangered plant propagation project 1996. The information gathered on this web site can be used to generate class ideas of possible stewardship activities in other geographic locations.
Environmental Protection Agency- Adopt Your Watershed
Use this web site to locate local watershed organizations. The links provide contact information for watershed organizations that conduct activities such as monitoring, cleanup and restoration projects.
Animals’ Characteristics
This web site offers a multitude of resources on animals from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.
This web site on the Family Education Network links five “electronic safaris” to other web sites suitable for children in grades 2-5. It provides an introduction, “think first” questions, and then “wrap up” questions for each e-safari.
Utah Education Network- Animal Adaptations- Animal Defense
Use this web site to learn about unique physical and behavioral characteristics that organisms have that help them to survive. Be certain to scroll down the page to see links to a wide variety of organisms.
Desert Characteristics
The Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is a zoo, natural history museum, and botanical garden. The web site includes information about desert animals and plants, including a “Kids Connection” section written especially for children.
Plant Walk, Plant Talk
Use this web site to find volunteer Master Gardeners who serve as educators in their communities. The site lists the state partners of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service through which Master Gardeners are trained.
New England Flower Society- Native Plant Societies
This web page provides updated contact information for state Native Plant Societies.
Use this website to find contact information on chapters of the Audubon Society both inside and outside of the United States.
American Public Gardens Association
This web site can be used to locate Botanical Gardens, Arboreta, Nature centers, Zoos and youth programs in the United States.
The National Garden Clubs web site includes a variety of links including one link geared specifically towards youths and how they can be involved in gardening and learning about horticulture.
Researching a Biome
Missouri Botanical Garden- What’s It Like Where You Live?
This web site is a grade appropriate site children can use to research the major terrestrial and aquatic biomes of the world. The drop down menus on the left hand side of the screen lead children to more in depth answers regarding certain topics about a particular biome.
Children can use this kid-friendly web site to find information about Earth’s major terrestrial biomes. The site is set up like a natural museum for the children to explore. The prompts on the right hand side of the screed lead the children to specific biomes and topics.
Use this web site to find links to information on the major terrestrial and aquatic biomes on the Earth. All links are geared towards elementary aged children and provide good research information. There are generally three different links for each biome.
NASA Earth Observatory- Mission: Biomes
This fun web site not only has information about the major terrestrial biomes, but once the children have investigated each of the biomes, they can test their knowledge by playing some educational games based on the biomes.
This web site can be used for higher level readers to research the major terrestrial biomes on Earth. This web site also provides an excellent map depicting where all of Earth’s major biomes are located.
Use this web site to research both the terrestrial and aquatic biomes on Earth. The reading level may be advanced, but there are pieces the children should be able to extract from the text.