Helpful Links

Butterflies

• Journey North Record your monarch sightings on this website. This site tracks migration and life cycle events of monarchs across North America and aims to raise awareness about monarch butterflies, share their migration to Mexico, and educate others on their population decline through social media and guest education. 
• Monarch Watch Information about the Monarch Tagging Program, Monarch biology, milkweed and more can be found on this comprehensive site about monarchs and conservation efforts.

Climate Change

• Data Science for the Environment How data science can help fight climate change.
• En-ROADS Climate Model An online climate simulator allowing users to manipulate numerous variables and see their effects on the global climate. 
• Florida Climate Educators Network (FCEN):  This is a network for educators working on climate issues and sharing research and education methods through webinars, group chats and more. Currently, there is no website for this group.
• MIT Climate Portal learn about climate change from MIT experts.
• NASA Climate Change NASA website on climate change.
• Project Drawdown A network of scientists and researchers dedicated to climate change solutions based on three key strategies. 
• This is Cooler This Is Planet Ed teamed up with the production company, Encantos, to support the creation of a new climate education series for pre-teens. The first episode is featured on YouTube Kids for Earth Month and is intended for 7 through 12-year-olds. This site provides a link to the YouTube video and an Educator/Parent Conversation Guide.
• TILClimate (Today I Learned: Climate) is an award-winning MIT podcast that breaks down the science, technologies, and policies behind climate change, how it’s impacting us, and what we can do about it. Each quick episode gives you the what, why, and how on climate change — from real scientists and experts — to help us make informed decisions for our future.

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Education

• League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) state association for formal and non-formal environmental educators
• National Association of Conservation Districts  Information on conservation districts nationwide and their resource management projects. 
• Forest School and Outdoor Learning Benefits A guide on the benefits of outdoor learning and exploration for children's education. 
• Project Learning Tree Activities and resources to engage children's learning about the environment by focusing on trees and forests
• Acorn Naturalists Supplies A wide variety of tools, kits, items, and more useful for teaching environmental education topics in formal and informal settings.
• Arbordale Publishing Source of Florida-related environmental/science children's books
• Importance of Animals as Part of the Learning Environment A fluffy bunny. A clucky chicken. Even a squishy silkworm. You’d have to be blindfolded to miss the delight in a child’s face when they interact with other living things (that aren’t human of course) but there’s much more to children and animal interactions than meets the eye. Animals have long been embraced by educators as a valuable resource in supporting and enriching children’s learning and many schools and childcare centers have resident pets which provide invaluable animal experiences for children – and adults too!
• Footprint Calculator This interactive tool guides students through questions about their daily activities and living conditions to provide an estimate of their carbon emissions. Students can see how their activities affect their footprint by changing their answers to gain insight into actions they can take.

Government Agencies

• Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Contains information, resources, and regulations pertaining to Florida wildlife. 
• Lake County Water Authority  Agency dedicated to protecting and promoting local water resources and recreation. 
• St. Johns River Water Management District Regulatory agency dedicated to the protection and restoration of local waterways to ensure Sustainable water access and use.

Conservation Organizations

• The Nature Conservancy A worldwide organization dedicated to tackling climate change through a variety of initiatives. 
• Florida Conservation Coalition A group of organizations dedicated to protecting Florida's resources for the wellbeing of its citizens.
• Avian Reconditioning Center Located in Apopka, FL dedicated to increased awareness, rehabilitation, and research of raptors. 
• Friends of Lake Apopka Citizen group focused on restoring Lake Apopka's waters.
• Gopher Tortoise Council Dedicated to the education and conservation of Gopher Tortoises and their habitats. 
• Oakland Nature Preserve Nature preserve in Oakland, FL located on the south shore of Lake Apopka. 

Recreation and Other Resources

• AI and Animals:  How Technology is Helping Wildlife You might think that saving animals is the work of scientists out in the wilderness, but computers and other technology actually play a big role, too. From cameras that track animals in the wild to computers that can think like a human brain, technology is making a big difference. One of the coolest types of technology people are using is called artificial intelligence, or AI. AI gives computers a human-like ability to think and make decisions. Learn how it can be used to help our wildlife thrive.
• Consumer's Guide to Reducing Pollution Tips on reducing pollution in your everyday life at home. 
• Virtual Field Trips for Nature Lovers  A listing of virtual trips to various parks, gardens, and other natural areas around the world. Also includes readings on the importance of outdoor education.
• How to Volunteer as a Senior An article on the benefits of volunteering later in life.
• How to Enjoy National Parks A site promoting the importance of National Parks and the mental and physical benefits of being outdoors. 
• Florida Trail Association An organization that develops, maintains, and promotes hiking trails throughout Florida. 
• Carr Family Cabin A historical cabin located in Ocala Nation Forest.
• Orlando Wetlands Park Man-made wetland designed for advanced water reclamation located in Christmas, FL. Also includes trails and recreation facilities.