Resources in Your Community

• Home improvement stores & garden centers: National chains (ex. Lowes, Home Depot, Southern States) and local centers (ex. Behnke Nurseries, Patuxent Nursery) are often great resources for building and landscaping materials.

 
• Local Businesses can meet special needs for your projects (ex. Loiderman-Soltesz Landscape planning), provide funding (ex. Walmart, Target), refreshments (ex. local grocery stores and restaurants), and advertising, etc.

 
• Concerned Community Members: Parents, neighbors and politicians (ex. Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson) who are interested in the school's success are often willing and able to lend a hand.

Organizations & Agencies

• Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education: MAEOE's mission is to encourage, train, and support Maryland educators to build a citizenry that understands and is responsibly engaged in promoting sustainability, addressing human needs and conserving the Earth's natural resources.

  MAEOE's Website provides information and resources on the Maryland Green Schools Program, the annual MAEOE conference, and other environmental programs in the area.


 
• North American Association for Environmental Education: The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a network of professionals, students, and volunteers working in the field of environmental education throughout North America and in over 55 countries around the world.

  The NAAEE Website provides publications, conference information, EE resource reviews, guidelines and job information.


 
• National Audubon Society: Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity.

  With a national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, the National Audubon Society engages millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.


 
• Maryland Department of Planning: promotes growth that fosters vibrant, livable communities, preserves and protects the environment, and makes efficient use of State resources.

 
• ChesSie: Chesepeake Science on the Internet for Educators List of national, regional and state professional organizations for science educators.

Training

• Hard Bargain Farm's Summer Environmental Science Institute: Teacher professional development opportunity for Prince Georges County, Md, Charles County, MD and District of Columbia 4th-7th grade and elementary science teachers.

 
• Bridging the Watershed Summer Teacher/Ranger Institutes: Training for High School (grades 9-12) science teachers (Earth Science, Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Science) and National Park Service rangers

 
• ChesSie: Chesapeake Science on the Internet for Educators Information on courses and workshops for teachers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Ideas, Curricula & Resources: General

• Alice Ferguson Foundation, Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center: Onsite education program, resources for teachers, and interactive online education for students in elementary and middle school.

 
• Bridging the Watershed: is an outreach program of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, in partnership with the National Park Service and area schools, whose purpose is to provide personally meaningful, educational experiences that connect high school students to their place in the natural and cultural world.

  Science curriculum, teacher resources and interactive online lessons for students in high school.


 
• ChesSIE: Chesapeake Science on the Internet for Educators Clearinghouse for teaching resources, data, professional development and bay information.

 
• Project WET: A nonprofit water education program for educators and children.

 
• Project WILD: Wildlife focused conservation education program for k-12 educators and students.

 
• LaMotte: A leading company in water, soil and air quality testing equipment and services.

Ideas, Curricula & Resources: Watershed

• Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin: Superb reference site for facts, figures, maps, history, etc. for the Potomac Watershed and other regional sub-watersheds.

 
• MERLIN On-line: Map Maryland Your Way. Maryland’s Environmental Resources and Land Information Network.

  Interactive mapping tools allow you to select a specific area and type of map to view. This site includes aerial photography and topographical maps.


 
• United States Geological Survey: Online map services and ordering information for USGS maps

 
• National Geographic Society: on-line maps, atlas and ordering information at: www.nationalgeographic.com/maps

 
• Watershed Information Network: A great resource for in-depth information regarding the concept and functions of watersheds AND current news on what is happening in the field.

Ideas, Curricula & Resources: Recycling & Waste Management

• US Environmental Protection Agency: Website provides games and activities for kids that relate to waste management as well as links to teacher resources.

 
• Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: Provides a kid-friendly introduction to what waste management is and how we deal with waste.

 
• Environmental Leadership: Website provides a listing of teacher resources and curriculum relating to waste management issues.

 
• Montgomery County Public Schools: Caring For The Earth - A series of curriculum-based activities relating to waste management.

 
• News of the Odd: A strange tale of unwanted garbage and the lengthy trip it made before finally coming home again; a good example of how far we go to dispose of trash.

 
• Local Recycling Resources: Tips from Patuxent Elementary on starting a recycling program at schools in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area.

 
• How to Start a Recycling Program at School - www.recyclethis.org: Provides steps for successful recycling program planning.

 
• Earth 911: Website offering localized information for recycling and other environmental issues.

 
• Compost Guide: A complete guide to composting, information for the beginner or expert.

 
• Composters.com: Variety of composting products – compost bins, pet waste compost bins, red worms.

 
• Air & Waste Management Association: Website improves environmental knowledge and decisions by providing a neutral forum for exchanging information.

 
• Bureau of International Recycling: International trade federation representing the world’s recycling industry.

 
• Plastics Resource: Website provides information on plastics recycling and the environment.

 
• US Composting Council: Trade and professional organization promoting compost and providing a unified voice for the growing composting industry.

 
• Waste Management: The leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America.

 

Ideas, Curricula & Resources: Erosion & Runoff

• Real Trees 4 Kids: Provides good general information about soil on this kid-friendly tree farming website.

 
• International Erosion Control Association: Provides education, resource information and business opportunities for professionals in the erosion and sediment control industry.