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.
• Driving Climate Change in Business:  Welcome to the Business Climate Finance Resource Guide! This guide will help Certified B Corporations and all businesses address climate and justice through the financial institutions they choose to work with. With both educational resources and actionable guidance, all businesses have an opportunity to better align their banking, retirement, and
  insurance choices with their organizational values.
• 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.

• ---

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

• Avian Reconditioning Center (ARC): Located in Apopka, FL dedicated to increased awareness, rehabilitation, and research of raptors. 
• Florida Conservation Coalition: A group of organizations dedicated to protecting Florida's resources for the wellbeing of its citizens.
• 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.
• The Nature Conservancy: A worldwide organization dedicated to tackling climate change through a variety of initiatives.

• Ocean Rescue Alliance International:  The Ocean Rescue Alliance International is a marine conservation and restoration nonprofit organization that implements innovative techniques to restore marine environments. We use artificial structure to enhance marine environments, build marine habitat, conduct restoration, protect coast lines, and connect communities through art.

  ---

  Plants and Vegetation

• How to Identify Oak Trees using Acorns:  The Mississippi State University's Extension Service has developed a guide to identifying oaks using their acorns. Over 34 species are found in Mississippi and 19 oak species are native to Florida.

  ---

  Mushrooms and Fungi

• Real Mushrooms.com: Fungi are a kingdom of their own. They are neither plants nor animals, although evidence suggests they share more characteristics with animals. Out of the estimated millions of fungi species to be in existence, mushrooms stand out the most. Mushrooms carry out important functions in their ecosystem inherent to their nature as fungi. Learn about how mushrooms support ecosystems on this web page.
• Mushrooms the Forgotten Environmentalist:  Walking through a forest, enjoying the whistling of wind, birds and crickets chirping amid the towering trees, lush canopies, and conspicuous wildflowers, mushrooms emerge as unsung heroes. Susan Kabacia, a Research Scientist specializing in fungi taxonomy at the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), highlights the indispensable role mushrooms play in many intertwined ecosystems on this site.

Recreation and Other Resources

• AI and Animals:  How Technology is Helping Wildlife Conservation: 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.
• Carr Family Cabin: A historical cabin located in Ocala Nation Forest.
• Consumer's Guide to Reducing Pollution: Tips on reducing pollution in your everyday life at home. 
• Florida Trail Association: An organization that develops, maintains, and promotes hiking trails throughout Florida. 
• Firefly Watch: Community science project focused on fireflies.
• 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. 
• Orlando Wetlands Park: Man-made wetland designed for advanced water reclamation located in Christmas, FL. Also includes trails and recreation facilities.
• 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.

Recycling

• Sustainabilty: Just a Business Trend?: The challenge of plastic pollution is immense and growing, as highlighted by recent data and analyses. This website and infographic gives a snapshot of the current state of global plastic production and waste, along with the stark realities of its management and environmental impact.