Resources for teaching about surface water issues

Curricula

Adopting a Stream: A Northwest Handbook (1991) ($15) and Adopting a Wetland: A Northwest Guide (1993) ($5). (The Streamkeeper's Catalog) Basic information about streams and wetlands, monitoring, educational activities and enhancement projects. Adopt-A- Stream Foundation, 600 - 128th St. SE, Everett, WA 98208. 425-316-8592 or email aasf@streamkeeper.org.

Discover Wetlands: Washington State Department of Ecology. (Second ed., 1995) Activities and resources on wetlands for grades K-12. 235 pages plus appendices. Send a check or money order for $18 to: Dept. of Ecology Cashiering Section, P.O. Box 5128, Lacey, WA 98509-5128. 360-407-7472.

Hands On Save Our Streams:The Save Our Streams Teacher's Manual (Second ed., 1994). 215 page curriculum with primary, middle and high school sections provides background, lesson plans and activities to illustrate stream health issues. Covers watershed dynamics, water monitoring and land use planning. To order, go online at Izaak Walton League of America, email sos@iwla.org for a catalog or call (800) 284-4952 Extenstion 5.

Salmon Stewards: Bringing salmon & watersheds into your classroom. This curriculum for grades 4-6 is available from Pacific Science Center. Includes a comprehensive resource section. Call 206-443-2870 or write PSC, 200 Second Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109.

The Stream Scene: Watersheds, Wildlife and People (1990) Curriculum for grades 6-12 on the water cycle, watersheds, riparian areas, water quality, aquatic organisms, sampling techniques and "make and take" field equipment. Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, P.O. Box 59, Portland, OR 97207 503-872-5264 x5366 or email annette.l.aylett@state.or.us.

Water You Doing? (1992) ) A CD-ROM that teaches students about Puget Sound's natural water resources with a video, interactive activities and career profiles. Covers rainfall, watersheds, stormwater management, point and non- point pollution. Contact Billie Fisher at Seattle Public Utilities, 710 Second Ave., #505, Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 615-1282 or billie.fisher@ci.seattle.wa.us. Free to teachers in the SPU service area; nominal fee to others.

WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands: An Educator's Guide (1995) : Seventy pages of background information and 40 activities for grades K-12 on wetlands: identification, plants, animals, soils and issues. $17 from The Watercourse, 201 Culbertson Hall, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717-0057 or call 406-994-5392.

Other resources

Clearing: Environmental Education in the Pacific Northwest.A magazine for environmental educators. Provides information about programs, workshops, conferences and teaching activities; reviews resource material. Larry Beutler, John Inskeep Environmental Learning Center, 19600 S. Molalla Avenue, Oregon City, OR 97045 or email clearing@teleport.com.

Puget Soundbook. A colorful, easy-to-read "game plan" for keeping the Puget Sound region healthy. Covers recycling, hazardous waste, wastewater, and environmentally sound practices for home, lawn and boat. An excellent teaching resource for $3 plus tax and shipping. Marine Science Center, P.O. Box 2079, Poulsbo, WA 98370. (360) 779-5549 or email info@PoulsboMSC.org. Check out this and other marine education resources at Poulsbo Marine Science Center.

Agencies

Seattle Aquarium. Exhibits and classes at the Aquarium, mobile field lab and other traveling presentations, teacher workshops and K-12 classroom materials on marine animals, the marine environment and how to preserve it. 1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101 (206) 386-4353 or email aquarium.programs@ci.seattle.wa.us.

King County Wastewater Treatment Division .
201 South Jackson Street, Suite 503 Seattle, WA 98104.

King County Water and Land Resources Division . Water and Land Resources has a variety of materials and programs on watersheds, water quality, wetlands, streams and salmon. In addition to written materials and displays, WLR offers classroom visits, grants, storm drain stenciling, carwash kits, native plant salvaging, streamside plantings and workshops. 201 S.Jackson St., # 600, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-296-6519.

Washington State Department of Ecology. Many free publications and resources: curriculm guides, teacher workshops. Volunteer opportunities, research aids, grants and more. Other resources include Wetland Walks, a guide to Washington's public access wetlands, and the short and funny Fabulous Wetlands video. P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600. (360) 407-6147 or email Rhonda Hunter at rhhu461@ecy.wa.gov.

Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. School programs and publications about salmon, fisheries and other wildlife. Offers Salmon in Your Classroom, salmon education trunks and many links to other useful sites. Bonnie Long, WDFW, 600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091, (360) 902-8308 or email longbkl@dfw.wa.gov.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Check out the environmental education clearinghouse for training opportunities, grants, curricula, speakers, technical assistance, publications and teaching kits at EPA: Environmental Education Clearinghouse or 1(800) 424-4EPA (4372). Written materials and environmental programs are available locally as well, including a manual and teachers guide to Streamwalk, a program to involve citizens in monitoring stream health. 1200 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 553-1200.