Free Resources

Teachers in Marin can request multiple free copies of MCSTOPPP publications that include coloring books, activity guides, Kid's Guide to Backyard Bugs and more. For a list of publications that can be used in the classroom, click here.

Plant Cards - Available (on loan) through MCSTOPPP, 46 different full-color life-size plant cards that may be used by teachers for classroom and field use. Native American uses given for many plants. To borrow plant cards, call 499-6528.

Composting Across the Curriculum – Because of ongoing interest in this publication that was originally published in 1993, we have scanned the first 90 pages for your use.  The Appendices were left out since they have not been updated.  If you have questions or need more information, contact Gina Purin at 415-499-3202.

Growing Gardens from Garbage - A guide to composting, mulching and grasscycling. You may also call Marin Master Gardeners at 415-499-4204 for more composting information.

Diorama - A 3x4 foot model of a community, complete with working stormdrains and a wastewater-treatment plant. Good tool for teaching about how pollutants get into local creeks and the Bay. Available (on loan) through MCSTOPPP. To borrow diorama, call 499-6528.

Puppet Show: for grades K-2 - Follow Froggy on his adventure to discover the cause of the "black gooey stuff" in the Creek and Bay. If you would like a presentation at your school (preferably around 40 students or more), call 499-6528.

Teacher/Educator Workshops - Click here to send an e-mail to MCSTOPPP to be notified about our teacher trainings.

Web Sites

Projects by Teachers and Classes 1996-1998, 1998-1999 - MCSTOPPP's Clean-Water Stewardship Program funds a number of watershed-related activities conducted by schools and community groups.

Save Our Streams (Izaak Walton League of America) - Start a stream monitoring and restoration project. Offers hands-on approach and simple techniques for volunteers of all ages. Be guided through the process of monitoring aquatic insects and crustaceans (clues to the water's health), identifying potential pollution problems and plotting potential causes on a map. Visit their website at www.iwla.org or call 1-800-BUG-IWLA.

North Bay Riparian Station - A collaboration between nonprofit organizations, community volunteers, local schools and government agencies to improve the health of local watersheds and riparian habitats by coordinating various monitoring and restoration projects in the North San Francisco Bay Area.

USGS Educational Resources - Learn how biology, geology, hydrology, and geography can help us understand our changing world. Activities packets for K-12 students about our changing world, maps and earth hazards.

Association of Bay Area Governments Earthquake Information - Earthquake Maps and information, including a quiz to test your earthquake sense.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Find out about todays weather, including up-to-date satellite imagery. Visit their educational resources section to find information about all kinds of hazardous weather, climate change, satellites and space.

Web Directory - Environmental organization web directory and search engine.

Weather.com - All about weather including up to date local weather conditions and forecasts.

Butterflies of North America - See photos, distribution lists, checklists and learn more about the world of beautiful butterflies.

US EPA - Visit EPA's Environmental Education Center to find out about conferences, grants, awards, curriculum resources, activities and more! U.S. EPA IRIS Database is an electronic database containing information on the human health effects from exposure to various chemicals in the environment.

National Geographic - Go exploring on interactive expeditions, on-line adventures, and get up close and personal with wildlife using the wild-cam.

Junior Botanist Program - Register your class with the Junior Botanist Program through WildCare in Marin.

Ecoed.Net - A collaborative effort by local organizations to bring online environmental information to educators in a concise format, including educational resources, 'Ask an Expert', calendar of events, local field trips, and the Environmental Equipment Loan Program.

Score Science - Schools of California On-line Resources for Education (SCORE) connects on-line resources to California's standards. Visit the teacher's place, the kid's corner, perform a science search, 'Ask a Scientist', or discover lessons, resources and standards and framework information.

The Center for Ecoliteracy - The Center for Ecoliteracy is dedicated to fostering the experience and understanding of the natural world. Discover their vision, learn about action, projects and programs, keep up to date with news and publications, and find out about grants and donations.

EPA's Surf Your Watershed - A service to help you locate, use, and share information about your place. At this site you can find your watershed, learn about the index of watershed indicators, and adopt your watershed! Or go right to information about Marin County's watersheds!

For the Sake of Salmon - The site includes an extensive library of resources on monitoring, assessment, restoration techniques, working with volunteers and other topics related to restoring and protecting salmon habitat.

The Water Cycle (Available in 36 languages) - Offered by The U.S. Geological Survey, this is the most comprehensive web site about "The Water Cycle" anywhere. It features a wonderful diagram of the water cycle and an in-depth discussion of each of the 15 topics on the diagram.

Water Science - This new module is part of the existing Water Science for Schools web site offered through the U.S. Geological Survey.

 

Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program: P. O. Box 4186 San Rafael, CA 94913-4186 Phone (415) 499-6528, Fax (415) 499-7221, e-mail: mcstoppp@co.marin.ca.us