Ecology, Wildlife, Plants & Animals
General
See also:
EDUCATION: Environmental Studies
Wordpress posts: NATURE
WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Covers a wide range of topics, including Biomes, Plants, and Animals (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
FACTS ON FILE: SCIENCE ONLINE - A comprehensive, curriculum-oriented overview of a broad range of scientific disciplines, with extensive definitions, essays, diagrams, biographies, and experiments, as well as links and suggested searches to related topics. If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
GREENFILE - A collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles covering all aspects of human impact on the environment. Includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more. For high school and up. If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Air Quality - Learn about clean air & dirty air, the Air Quality Index (AQI), and air pollution & health; for ages 4 - 7, ages 7 - 10, and ages 11 & up (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
Better Planet Education VIDEO [Email address required to access some resources] - Factsheets, home learning packs, activities, videos and more, on a wide range of environmental topics, such as wildlife, energy, climate change, water, rainforests, and sustainability. Separate sections for kids and teens. (Better Planet Education, formerly Young People's Trust for the Environment, a UK charity)
BioGraphic VIDEO - 'A multimedia magazine created to showcase both the wonder of nature and the most promising approaches to sustaining life on Earth.' Videos, articles, photos, infographics and opinion pieces on wildlife, places, systems, people, discoveries, and solutions (California Academy of Sciences, a museum and scientific institution). Mongabay Conservation and Environmental Science News has news stories about Rainforests, Oceans, Animals & Environment, and Conservation Solutions; high school and up. Mongabay Education offers a collection of articles, lessons, & readers on ecology and conservation, for grades K-5. (Non-profit organization)
Climate Change Links - Selected links on global warming / climate change. (South Plainfield Public Library)
Earth & Environment Classroom Resources - A selection of high quality websites on earth science and environmental science, for teachers and students, K-12; grade level varies for individual resources (National Science Foundation). Wild Classroom Daily Activity Plans VIDEO INTERACTIVE [Email address, name, and zip code required to access some resources] offers articles, videos, games, and activities to help kids explore and understand the world around them (World Wildlife Fund). NJ Environmental Education links & downloads VIDEO INTERACTIVE includes coloring & activity Books, videos, fields guides, NJ Environmental lessons by grade level, and more (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection).
Environmental Health Science Kids Page - Science resources, games, stories, and other fun stuff to help kids in grades K-8 learn about the environment & your health, pollution, recycling, and the world around you (National Institutes of Health). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control website offers several useful Environmental Health Infographics on air pollution, developmental disabilities, children's environmental health, lead poisoning, and more.
EPA Student Center VIDEO - Links to resources on a wide range of environmental issues mostly for middle school. Homework help section covers air, climate change, ecosystems, energy, health, water, and recycling. Also includes games & quizzes, community service project ideas, awards & contests, teacher resources and more. See also Environmental Topics for high school and up. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
Extinction [Archived page] - This site reviews five past eras in world history when mass extinctions took place, and explains why it's so important to protect biodiversity and save endangered species. High school and up (2011, Endangered Species International, non-profit organization). For recent updates on extinction see Science Daily: Extinction News (Science Daily; site includes advertisements), The Scientist: Extinction (The Scientist is a print & online magazine, 'written by prominent scientists and professional journalists;' site includes advertisements), and Phys.org: Extinction New (part of Science X; site includes advertisements). National Geographic offers classroom resources on extinction VIDEO, including articles, lesson plans, and videos, for grades 3 - 12 (site includes advertisements).
Global Warming - See Climate Change Links.
Garbage - See Recycle City, below.
Highland Avenue Woods Environmental Education Reserve and Friends of the Woods - See South Plainfield Environmental Commission and related links.
National Park Service: Junior Ranger Online INTERACTIVE - Interactive & printable activities that you can do at home, plus online tours, videos, and live web cams. For elementary school through high school (National Park Service).
National Wildlife Foundation: Ranger Rick Activities [NOTE: Free registration required] - A collection of fun activities for kids of all ages, searchable by age, season, animal, type (craft, outdoor, recipe, song), or subject (camping & hiking, observing wildlife, musical instruments, costumes & masks, science, plants & flowers, etc.). See also Nature Detectives Activities (elementary and middle school; Woodland Trust, UK), Better Planet Education, above, and Kids & Nature links on our Parenting & Family page.
Nature VIDEO - Companion to the PBS TV series on natural history. You can view full episodes of NATURE programs and find related online features. (WNET Thirteen; site includes advertisements). High school and up.
NOAA Education Resources - Lesson plans & activities, articles, videos & other media, real world data, career profiles and other learning resources. Covers oceans & coasts, climate, weather & atmosphere, marine life, and freshwater; elementary through high school. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
New Jersey Environmental Digital Library VIDEO - An online library of environmental literature and multimedia related to New Jersey; includes documents and reports, scientific studies, photographs, videos, maps, and more. High school and up. (Rutgers)
Recycle City INTERACTIVE - An online game and other fun activities to help you find out about how people can recycle, reduce, and reuse waste; middle school and up (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).
South Plainfield Environmental Commission and related links - Links to the Commission's Facebook page with updates and news about upcoming events at Highland Woods, as well as other environmental news & events for South Plainfield, plus links to other local environment & nature resources.
Sustainability AUDIO - Radio news stories covering a wide range of current topics in environmental sustainability, including energy, water resources, food production, and climate change. High school and up. (American Public Media; site includes advertisements)
Waste Disposal - See Recycle City, above.
Biomes, Habitats & Ecosystems
World Almanac for Kids - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Includes Biomes (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Beaches - See Biomes and Ecosystems (shoreline or intertidal zone), Ocean links, and Tides and Water Levels, below.
Beyond Penguins & Polar Bears - Stories that explore the environment of the polar regions; for grades K-5 (Ohio State University et al.).
Biomes and Ecosystems - See WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS: Biomes, above.
Dirt - See Soil Basics, below.
Extinction - See Extinction links, above.
Ocean VIDEO - Explores 'everything ocean' - ocean life, planet ocean (tides, waves, ocean floor), the ocean through time (ancient seas, fossils, evolution), conservation issues & solutions, and more. Includes videos, articles, and resources for educators (Smithsonian Institution). Ocean Today VIDEO presents the beauty and mystery of the ocean realm captured on video around the globe; select a tab to choose Danger Zone, Exploration, Fix the Ocean, Go Fish, or Marine Life. See NOAA Education Resources for related resources on Oceans & Coasts and Marine Life (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Ocean Topics offers up-to-date articles on climate change, coastal science, ocean life, marine pollution, polar research, and other subjects, plus Ocean Science Multimedia INTERACTIVE VIDEO on related subjects (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution). National Ocean Service Tutorials cover subjects ranging from corals to tides to geodesy (high school and up), and the related kids' page VIDEO offers a variety of resources and activities for kids of all ages (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). See also Aquatic Animals, below.
Rainforests: Kids' Games & Activities - Articles, stories, coloring pages, and other resources on rainforest plants, animals, and people; age level varies (Rainforest Alliance).
Rivers - Learn all about the basics of rivers, how they are formed, and how they change over time. For elementary and middle school students. (University of Illinois Extension)
Soil Basics - A brief overview about soil; go to Soil by Subject to find out about soil formation, biology, chemistry, mineralogy, and more; or click on the menu icon to select other subjects. High school and up (Soil Science Society of America). See also Adventures of Herman the Worm, below, for younger kids.
Tides and Water Levels - Explains what tides are, what causes them, tidal frequencies, variations & cycles, measurements & monitoring, and more. High school and up. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Water Cycle for Kids INTERACTIVE - An interactive diagram showing how water is cycled through our environment; choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced version, and click on a label to explore any phase of the cycle. Part of Water Science School, which includes Water Basics and information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and activities; age level varies (2022, U.S. Geological Survey). What Is a Watershed? [Archived page] explains watershed basics, including the water cycle, groundwater, stormwater, conservation and more (Borough of South Plainfield and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection).
Pets & Domestic Animals
See also:
Useful Websites: PARENTING & FAMILY - Pets
WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Covers a wide range of topics, including Dogs & Cats (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE: MAMMALS). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Is Your Dog Green? - Outlines how to ''scoop your pooch's poop.'' It's ''the healthy and environmentally sound thing to do - AND it's the law!'' (South Plainfield Stormwater Program and the South Plainfield Clean Communities Program,)
Pet Care: ASPCA - Advice on caring for common household pets, including dogs, cats, and horses (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals). PAWS Academy VIDEO offers videos on how to take care of pets (Pet Series), and how to help animals in your community (Wildlife Series); includes related youth project ideas, coloring pages, and 'Ask Riley' Q & A (2020, Progressive Animal Welfare Society [PAWS]). See also Pets links on our Parenting & Family page.
Working Dogs & FBI Working Dogs VIDEO [Archived pages] - Describes different kinds of working dogs, including chemical explosive dogs, narcotic detection dogs, search & rescue dogs, and service & therapy dogs (2009 - 2014, Federal Bureau of Investigation). See also 15 Unique Jobs Only Dogs Can Do (2021, American Kennel Club), Types of Service Dogs and How They Benefit People with Disabilities (2020, United Disabilities Services Foundation; non-profit organization), 8 Types of Service Dogs and What They Do (2022, The Spruce; site includes advertisements), and Service Animals links.
Plants
See also:
Biomes, Habitats & Ecosystems
WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Covers a wide range of topics, including Biomes, Plants, and Animals (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Autumn Colors [Link opens a PDF] - Explains the chemical reactions that cause leaves to turn colors in the fall. High school and up (2017, Chemistry Professor Bassam Z. Shakhashiri, University of Wisconsin). See also Why Do Leaves Change Color?, for middle school and up (2020, NOAA SciJinks) and Fall is a Time for Change (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIEHS]).
Biology of Plants [Archived page] - Step-by-step explanations of how plants grow, make food, reproduce, and adapt to the world around them. Well illustrated; middle school and up (2006, Missouri Botanical Garden).
Budburst APP - A national field campaign for 'citizen scientists' to help collect important climate change data, based on the timing of leafing and flowering of trees and flowers; for high school and up. (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, The Chicago Botanic Garden, University of Montana, et al.)
Endangered Plants - Searchable listing of rare, threatened & endangered plants in the U.S. and all other states, as well as a global list; with Fact Sheets & Plant Guides (U.S. Department of Agriculture). See also NJ List of State Endangered Plant Species and Plant Species of Concern (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection).
Extinction - See Extinction links, above.
Plants Database (U.S.) - Searchable database of basic facts and images for all kinds of plants found in the U.S., Canada, and a few other places; high school and up (U.S. Department of Agriculture). For plants around the world, see Plants of the World Online (Royal Botanic Gardens, UK).
Pollinators - 'Pollinators are responsible for assisting over 80% of the world's flowering plants. Without them, humans and wildlife wouldn't have much to eat or look at!' This site provides general background information on pollination, plus facts & photos for individual pollinators such as bats, butterflies, moths, flies, birds, beetles, ants, and bees. Also includes Celebrating Wildflowers News with news about pollinators; high school and up. Younger kids, check out the Just for Kids section. (U.S. Forest Service)
Science of Gardening [Archived page; videos & interactives do not work.] - 'Like all great endeavors, gardening is both a science and an art. Whether you're growing carnivorous plants, cash crops, or giant pumpkins - or even if you're just trying to keep a few houseplants alive - see how the plants we tend feed our bodies, our minds, and our senses. Middle school and up (2009 - 2020, Exploratorium Museum). See also Garden-Based Learning and related links.
Soils - See Soil Basics and related links, above.
Tree Planting: Plant a Tree Seedling [Link opens a PDF document] - Basic instructions for planting a tree seedling (New Jersey Forest Service). For much more detailed information, see Tree Planting Instructions & Tree Planting & Care (Arbor Day Foundation). See also How to Plant a Tree, How to grow a tree from seed, and more Tree planting and care advice VIDEO (Woodland Trust, UK).
Wildlife (including Endangered Species)
See also:
Biomes, Habitats & Ecosystems
WORLD ALMANAC FOR KIDS - Resources for homework, reports, and projects in a fun format from a trusted source; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. Covers a wide range of topics, including Animals & Animal Behavior (in TOPICS, under LIFE SCIENCE). If you're using this resource at home, you'll have to enter your library card barcode to begin.
Adventures of Herman the Worm - Learn all about the history, anatomy, habits, and importance of worms in our soil. For elementary and middle school students. (University of Illinois Extension)
Amphibian Q & A - Answers to frequently asked questions about amphibians (frogs, salamanders, caecilians), such as 'Will you get warts if you touch a toad?' and 'Why are frogs slimy?' (Burke Museum, University of Washington).
Animal Diversity Web AUDIO - Type the name of an animal in the 'Search ADW' box for detailed information on geographic range, physical characteristics, food, reproduction, habitat, behavior, economic importance, and conservation information for individual species. Excellent pictures for most species, and audio recordings for some. Click on a small picture for an enlarged image. High school and up (University of Michigan). BioKIDS: Critter Catalog is a related site for middle school students. See also Endangered Species: Wildlife, and Zoo Animals, below.
Aquatic Animals: Monterey Bay Aquarium VIDEO - Facts, photos, and live web cams of aquarium animals, as well as Learning at Home activities, crafts, printables and more. You'll find interesting information with good pictures on whales, sharks, sponges, mollusks, echinoderms (starfish), and other kinds of sea life at Wonders of the Seas VIDEO; see also Jonathan Bird's Blue World VIDEO series (2009 - 2024, Oceanic Research Group, non-profit organization and Jonathan Bird Productions). Marine Mammal Center has facts on marine mammals including seals, sea lions, sea otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and manatees. Choose Pinnipeds, Cetaceans, or Sea Otter from the lefthand menu (or the links in the article) to find out more about those groups and species. Middle school and up (non-profit organization). See also Ocean links, above.
Bats 101 VIDEO - An introduction to bats, including bat facts, profiles, games & activities, FAQ, and more. The site also offers news and a blog (Bat Conservation International; non-profit organization).
Bioluminescence: Educator Resources VIDEO - Animals that can produce light are called bioluminescent. This site offers some K - 12 learning resources exploring the world of amazing glow-in-the-dark animals like fireflies, jellyfish, flourescent corals, and others. Science Topic: Bioluminescence has additional articles, blog posts, videos, and games on the subject, but some of the video links are broken (2012 - 2021, American Museum of Natural History).
Bird Guide: All About Birds AUDIO VIDEO - Descriptions, facts, sounds, photos, and distribution maps for each bird, plus bird cams and other information about birds and birding. The related Bird Academy [Online courses are available only to paid subscribers] website features an interactive Wall of Birds INTERACTIVE to explore the diversity and evolution of birds, with free learning videos VIDEO, learning games INTERACTIVE, videos of past lectures VIDEO, and articles. For middle school and up (Cornell University). The Audubon Bird Guide App APP is a free field guide to over 800 species of North American birds that can help you 'identify the birds around you, keep track of the birds you've seen, and get outside to find new birds near you.' Available for iPhone and Android (National Audubon Society). See also Internet Bird Collection (IBC) AUDIO VIDEO & Merlin Bird ID app NEW! APP (non-profit collaborative project, hosted by Macaulay Library at Cornell University). See our Birds & Birding posts on Wordpress for related resources (South Plainfield Public Library).
Bugs - See Insects links, below.
Butterflies and Moths of North America - This searchable database of butterflies and moths in the United States and Mexico includes dynamic distribution maps, photographs, and species descriptions, plus links to information on butterflies around the world. For high school and up. There is a related website for younger students, the Children's Butterfly site (Butterfly and Moth Information Network; site includes advertisements). See Butterfly FAQ and related pages to find more information about butterfly anatomy, metamorphosis, defense mechanisms, and more (American Museum of Natural History).
Endangered Species: Wildlife - Facts, photos, and blog posts on dozens of threatened or endangered animals (Defenders of Wildlife). National Geographic's Photo Ark includes of thousands of species around the world living in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries; each photo provides info about threats to the species and current population estimates. You can explore the collection by animal class (birds, fish, mammals, etc.) and/or status (created by photographer Joel Sartore, and now hosted on his website). See also Animal Diversity Web, above, and Zoo Animals links, below.
Extinction - See Extinction links, above.
Insects: PestWorld for Kids VIDEO INTERACTIVE - A guide to bugs and other pests, plus videos & crafts for elementary & middle school students (National Pest Management Association). Pests (formerly Bug Review) provides basic facts & photos of many common insects (University of Illinois). 4H Youth and Entomology VIDEO explains how to identify, capture, and preserve insects for study (Purdue University). Featured Creatures provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms; mostly for high school and up, with an educational page for K-6 (University of Florida and Florida Department of Agriculture). See also Pollinators and Butterflies and Moths, above.
Journey North VIDEO - A sampling of stories, pictures, news, and video clips about nature, wildlife migration and seasonal change. Covers monarch butterflies, robins, hummingbirds, whooping cranes, gray whales, and more. For all ages. (University of Wisconsin)
Macauley Library AUDIO VIDEO - A large collection of recorded wildlife sounds and videos. You can search the site by species name, or browse by animal group; high school and up. (Cornell University)
Mammals [Archived page] - Explains how mammals differ from other animals, and also describes the different mammal groups, various mammal adaptations, and biomes & niches. For elementary and middle school students (2006, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County). Extreme Mammals [Archived page] VIDEO introduces you to an assortment of amazing and bizarre mammals; middle school and up (2009, American Museum of Natural History). The UCMP Hall of Mammals [Archived page] explores the fossil record, life history & ecology, systematics, and morphology of mammals; high school and up (2009, University of California).
Marine Life - See Aquatic Animals, above.
Respect Wildlife: Leave No Trace - General advice on enjoying the outdoors and observing wildlife responsibly (Boy Scouts of America). To get more detailed advice on animal tracking (for advanced trackers), see Princeton University Outdoor Action Program UPDATED LINK! [Archived page] [Links in Table of Contents are broken! Scroll down the page to see the relevant sections, or open the tracking.pdf and trackcard.pdf files linked below 'Guide to Animal Tracking'] (1996 - 2010, by Rick Curtis). See also Tracks & Signs (University of Michigan), and Ranger Rick Activities: Practice Tracking Skills [Subscription / registration required]; all ages (National Wildlife Foundation).
Sea Life - See Aquatic Animals, above.
Spider Myths [Archived page] - Explains all about 'Myths, Misconceptions, and Superstitions About Spiders', plus links to additional resources. (By Rod Crawford, Curator of Arachnids, Burke Museum, University of Washington; date unknown)
Zoo Animals: San Diego Zoo Animals A - Z - Wildlife descriptions, conservation info, fun facts, and photos. See San Diego Zoo Kids: Wildlife Explorers VIDEO INTERACTIVE for more info and fun features. National Zoo: Meet the Animals offers facts & photos on a wide variety of animals; you can search animals by name, type, and/or conservation status. Middle school and up (Smithsonian National Zoo). Sea World Animal Information AUDIO VIDEO has in-depth information on selected animals species and issues (not just sea animals); quick information and fun facts about animals; animal sounds & videos; Q & A about animal life, zoological careers, & conservation issues; and more! See also Animal Diversity Web, above.
