RESOURCES
General
www.discovertheforest.org/ - New Ad Campaign from the Ad Council and the US Forest Service -- PSA campaign is aimed at tweens, kids aged 8-12 and their parents to help them re-connect with nature.
You may have noticed the TV, Radio and billboard ads. The website features a "Book of Stuff to Do Outside", simple activities for kids and families to do together outdoors, resource links, safety tips and ideas for parents, suggestions and links for kids on how to take care of the outdoors. The site also features an interactive map where parents and kids can find an outdoor location near them to explore.
www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ - Celebrating Wildflowers -- Dedicated to the enjoyment of the thousands of wildflowers growing on our national forests and grasslands, and to educating the public about the many values of native plants. Kid and Teacher resources -- color pages and complete wildflower coloring book that you can download and print. "Watch your Classroom Bloom" with ideas page. Plant of the week feature and native gardening tips.
www.fws.gov/letsgooutside/ - Let's Go Outside - Helping Children and Families Connect to Nature -- US Fish and Wildlife Service initiative. Sections for parents, kids, teachers and educators.
www.naturerocks.org/ - Nature and Children Network and Nature Conservancy and USFWS is partner
Neat site -- can plug in time you have, age of kid and location (backyard, community, regional) and pulls up list of suggested fun activities
www.fs.fed.us/outdoors/naturewatch/ - US Forest Service Program that provides children and adults the opportunity to safely view and participate in activities and programs that raise awareness and understanding of fish, wildlife and plants and their connections to ecosystems, landscapes and people.
Live wildlife video cams - resources for teachers and kids, list of on-going festivals, events and photo library.
www.childrenandnature.org – The Children and Nature Network (C&NN)
www.hookedonnature.org – Children, Nature, and You
www.childreninnature.org – Children in Nature
www.sharingnature.com – Sharing Nature Foundation
www.forumonchildrenandnature.org/ – National Forum on Children and Nature
www.childrennatureandyou.org/adultreading.html
www.getoutdoorsusa.org
www.geeksinthewoods.org
www.nclicoalition.org – No Child Left Inside
www.cbf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=act_sub_actioncenter_federal_nclb_day – “No Child Left Inside Days”
www.greenhour.org – GreenHour
www.nwf.org/outside/ – National Wildlife Federation: Outside in Nature
www.takeachildoutside.org/activities
www.neefusa.org/ - National Environmental Education Foundation
www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/children_and_nature/children_and_families.html – BLM for families; “Take it Outside: Connect with your Public Lands”
www.kidsoutside.info/do.htm – Chicago Wilderness Initiative
www.coyotesguide.com – Coyote’s Guide to Connecting Kids with Nature
www.wildernessawareness.org – Wilderness Awareness School
richardlouv.com/ – Richard Louv’s website
www.orionsociety.org – Orion Society Publications
www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/schoolyd.htm - School Yard Habitat Program
www.arborday.org/explore/ – Arbor Day Foundation: Nature Explore
www.handsontheland.org/index.cfm – Hands on the Land
www.nationalgetoutdoorsday.org/ - National Get Outdoors Day
www.earthcache.org – Earth Cache
www.geocaching.com – Official Geocaching Site
Birds
www.audubon.org/bird/at_home/Healthy_Yard.html – Audubon at Home
www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw – Project Feeder Watch
www.birdpost.com
www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ – Great Backyard Bird Count
www.mtaudubon.org/index.html – Montana Audubon
www.flatheadaudubon.org – Flathead Audubon
Environmental Education and Interpretation
www.naaee.org/ – North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
www.montanaeea.org/ – Montana Environmental Education Association (MEEA)
www.interpnet.com – National Association for Interpretation (NAI)
www.plt.org – Project Learning Tree
www.ProjectWild.org – Project Wild
www.ProjectWet.org – Project Wet (Water Education for Teachers)
www.greenteacher.com – Green Teacher magazine
www.classroomearth.org/ – Classroom Earth
Local Organizations, Parks, and Recreation Areas
www.flatheadcore.org – Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE)
www.montananaturalist.org – Montana Natural History Center
www.beartoothnaturecenter.org/index.asp – Beartooth Nature Center
www.cfwep.org – Clark Fork Watershed Education Program
www.outdoorscience.org – Montana Outdoor Science School
www.green-tara.com/Ravenwood – Ravenwood Natural Science Center
www.swanecosystemcenter.org – Swan Ecosystem Center
www.fcvb.org/justforkids.php – Flathead Convention and Visitor Bureau
www.montanakids.com
www.bmwf.org – Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation
www.kalispell.com/parks/ – Kalispell City Parks and Recreation
www.whitefish.govoffice.com/ – Whitefish City Parks and Recreation: click on Parks and Recreation Department”
flathead.mt.gov/parks_rec/ – Flathead Co. Parks and Recreation
fwp.mt.gov/default.html – Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/ – Flathead National Forest
Glacier National Park Partners
Glacier Associates – This all-volunteer, nonprofit organization assist with trail work, historic log structure preservation, and other projects. (PO Box 91, Kalispell, MT 59903, 406-752-8613)
Glacier Association – This organization sells a variety of educational publications and materials related to the park. (406-888-5756, www.glacierassociation.org)
Glacier Institute – This organization provides programs for adults, children, and school groups. (406-755-1211, www.glacierinstitute.org)
Glacier National Park Fund – This organization provides funding in support of wildlife research, education, volunteer projects, and programs - such as this workshop! (406-892-3250, www.glaciernationalparkfund.org)
Books
Arnosky, Jim (2002). Field Trips: bug-hunting, animal tracking, bird-watching, and shore walking with Jim Arnosky. Harper Collins Publishers, 2002.
Bennett, Steve and Ruth. 365 Outdoor Activities You Can Do With Your Child. Holbrook, MA: Bob Adams, Inc., 1993.
Blakey, Nancy. Go Outside! Over 130 Activities for Outdoor Adventures. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 2002.
Brunelle, Lynn. Camp Out! The Ultimate Kids’ Guide. New York: Workman Publishing Company, 2007.
Burnie, David. 101 Nature Experiments: A step-by-step guide. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1996.
Caduto, Micheal J. Keepers of Life: Discovering Plants through Native American stories and earth activities for children.
Carlson, Laurie & Judith Dammel. Kids Camp! Activities for the Backyard or Wilderness. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc., 1952.
Carson, Rachel. The Sense of Wonder. New York: Harper & Row, 1956.
Cary, Alice. Parents’ Guide to Hiking and Camping: A Trailside Guide.
Cornell, Joseph. Sharing the Joy of Nature: Nature Activities for all Ages.
Cornell, Joseph. Sharing Nature With Children, 20th Anniversary Edition; Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications, 1998.
Cornell, Joseph. Sharing Nature with Children, Volume 2. Nevada City, CA: Dawn Publications.
Danks, Fiona & Jo Schofield. Nature’s Playground: Activities, Crafts, and Games to Encourage Children to Get Outdoors. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, Inc., 2007.
Dannenmaier, Molly. A Child’s Garden: 60 ideas to make any garden come alive for children. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press, Inc., 1998.
Duensing, Edward. Talking to Fireflies, Shrinking the Moon: Nature Activities for All Ages. Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 1997.
Euser, Barbara J. Take ‘em Along: Sharing the Wilderness with your Children. Evergreen, CO: Cordillera Press, 1949.
Faber, Adele & Elaine Mazlish. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1980.
Lang, Susan. Nature in Your Backyard: Simple Activities for Children.
Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2008.
Loy, Jessica. Follow the Trail: A Young Person’s Guide to the Great Outdoors. New York: Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2003.
Nabhan, Gary Paul & Stephen Trimble. The Geography of Childhood: Why Children Need Wild Places. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1994.
Rhatigan, Joe. The Kids’ Guide to Nature Adventures: 80 Great Activities for Exploring the Outdoors.
Sobel, David. Beyond Ecophobia: Reclaiming the Heart in Nature Education. Great Barrington, MA: The Orion Society, Nature Literacy Series, 1996.
Walker, Richard. Nature ranger. New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 2006.
Ward, Jennifer. I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature. Boston, Massachusetts: Trumpeter Books, 2008.
Warshaw, Hallie. Get Out! Outdoor Activities Kids Can Enjoy Anywhere (except indoors). New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc., 2001.
Young, Jon, Ellen Haas, & Evan McGown. Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature: For Kids of all Ages and their Mentors. Shelton, WA: OWLink Media, 2008.