By PLT Staff

USDA Forest Service’s Natural Inquirer
USDA Forest Service scientists share their research with middle school students in this scientific journal from the US Forest Service.   Students “meet the scientist” that conducted the research, read about the research project, and then “become the scientist” when they conduct a FACTivity associated with each article.  The goal of the Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about the scientific inquiry process and engage students in some scientific inquiry of their own while learning about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.  The two latest editions (“Invasive Species” and “Wilderness Benefits”) each highlight several PLT activities and can be used to supplement others.  You can order these and other editions of the Natural Inquirer for FREE by visiting the website at www.naturalinquirer.usda.gov.
Invasive Species edition, Volume 8, Number 1 (FS-837)
(support resource for PLT’s PreK-8 Activities #12 Invasive Species, #24 Nature’s Recyclers, #29 Rain Reasons, and #47 Are Vacant Lots Vacant? and for PLT’s secondary module The Changing Forest: Forest Ecology: Activities #1 Adopt-a-Forest, #2 Cast of Thousands, #4 Home Sweet Home, and #5 Saga of the Gypsy Moth.)
The “Invasive Species” edition introduces students to a variety of invasive species, such as the Asian Long-horned beetle and the fungus-like organism that causes Sudden Oak Death. PLT activities are referenced on pages 17, 25, 34, 43, and 67.
Wilderness Benefits edition, Volume 7, Number 1 (FS-836)
(support resource for PLT’s PreK-8 Activities #19 Viewpoints on the Line, #22 Trees as Habitats, #32 A Forest of Many Uses, #33 Forest Consequences, #50 400-Acre Wood, and #54 I’d Like To Visit a Place Where…and for PLT’s secondary module Exploring Environmental Issues: Focus on Forests: Activities #1 What’s a Forest to You? and #3 Tough Choices.)
The “Wilderness Benefits” edition focuses on several different wilderness areas in the National Wilderness Preservation System, including areas such as Gates of the Arctic and Frank Church-River of No Return, to help students better understand some of the benefits that wilderness areas provide to people, flora, and fauna. PLT activities are referenced on pages 15, 24, 35, 46, 56, and 65.

EPA’s Your Life, Your World, Your Choices
(support resource for PLT’s secondary module Exploring Environmental Issues: Municipal Solid Waste and PLT’s PreK-8 Activities #37 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle; #52 A Look at Aluminum; #82 Resource-Go-Round; and #83 A Peek at Packaging)
This packet contains a CD-ROM with a collection of solid waste resources, posters depicting the life cycles of various common objects, a waste reduction guide for schools and groups, information on green shopping, and more. Order at www.epa.gov/ncepihom/ordering.htm or call 1-800-490-9198 and reference publication number EPA530-E-05-001.

Our Changing Climate
(support resource for PLT’s PreK-8 Activities #84 The Global Climate and #86 Our Changing World)
Our Changing Climate is a full-color, 24-page booklet about climate change, with chapters about Earth's dynamic climate system, how and why climate changes, the greenhouse effect, how climate models work and what the future holds. Written by Dennis Hartmann from the University of Washington with the input of a panel of scientific advisors, Our Changing Climate is suitable for ages 13 up. For a free copy, send a request to John.Kermond@noaa.gov.

The Great Warming
(support resource for PLT’s PreK-8 Activity #84 The Global Climate)
“The Great Warming” is a three hour television series about climate change and its effects on people in a variety of places around the world. The website includes a trailer, links to books, and background information. Check it out at www.thegreatwarming.com

A Reason for the Season
(support resource for PLT’s PreK-8 Activities #65 Bursting Buds and #78 Signs of Fall)
This is a National Geographic site that has information and links for illustrating the reasons for seasons and the Earth’s position around the sun. Go to www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/activities/07/season.html for more information.

Environmental Education Online Courses offered in Fall 2006 through UWSP
There is still space available in the 11-week “Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation” and in the 10-week “Fundamentals of Environmental Education” online courses that will be offered this fall through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. To learn more, visit http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap/