Explore our favorite teaching tools.
Like our service projects, this list is continuously evolving. If you don't see your favorite books or websites, we welcome your suggestions in the comment section below.
Books - Preschool and Early Elementary
Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Susan Jeffers (Puffin, 2002). Ages 4-8. Adapted from a speech supposedly made by the American Indian Chief Seattle, Brother Eagle, Sister Sky encourages respect for the land and environment.
Everglades by Jean Craighead George, paintings by Wendell Minor (HarperCollins, 1999). Ages 4-8. A storyteller describes the Florida Everglades as he guides children though this one-of-a-kind ecosystem. Minor’s paintings depict the beauty of this home to alligators and egrets.
The Forest Has Eyes by Elise Maclay, illustrated by Bev Doolittle (Greenwich Workshop Press, 1998) Have fun with this lushly drawn “camouflage art,” with pictures hidden within. Learn about Native American culture, their reverence for the land and the animals that inhabit the forests.
Books - Late Elementary
The Complete Backyard Nature Activity Book: Fun Projects for Kids to Learn About the Wonders of Wildlife and Nature by Robin Michal Koontz (Learning Triangle Press, 1998). Ages 8 and up. Kids can learn about creating habitats in their own backyards for butterflies, frogs, hummingbirds and more.
Ancient Ones: The World of Old-Growth Douglas Fir by Barbara Bash (Sierra Club Books for Children, 2002). Ages 6-10. The majesty of the forest is captured in the text and watercolor paintings.
How Monkeys Make Chocolate: Foods and Medicines from the Rainforest by Adrian Forsyth (Owl Communications, 1995). Ages 9 and up. Get lots of information about the plants, animals and people of the rainforest and their intricate web of interdependence.
National Geographic Kids National Park Guide U.S.A. Maps, checklists of activities, pictures, and fun facts are all featured in this publication.
Kids’ Planet ESPECIES Fact Sheets
http://www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html
Learn all about endangered species around the world.
National Wildlife Federation Kids
http://www.nwf.org/kids.aspx
Aimed at kids, this website allows them to learn all about wildlife and what is being done to protect it. It also has crafts and family activities.
National Geographic Kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/
Website that teaches children about the world around them through games, stories, videos, and activities.
Marine Missions app by National Geographic: Jacques the hermit teaches users about the importance of taking care of the ocean.
WWF Together app: Learn all about rhinos, elephants, whales and other species.
Books - Young Adult
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen (Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers, 1999 2006). The award-winning story of 13-year-old Brian Robeson’s struggle to survive after a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. A classic.
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George (HarperCollins, 2003). A young Eskimo girl gets lost in the Alaska tundra after running away to find her San Francisco pen pal and is taken in by a pack of Arctic wolves. This Newberry Medal winner is a tale of survival and much more.
Books - Adult
Legacy: The Preservation of Wilderness in New York City Parks by Philip Lopate, photography by Joel Meyerowitz (Aperture, 2009). Known for being one of the busiest cities in the United States, New York City is also home to parks. This book documents these green spaces and the efforts by the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation to keep these parks vibrant.
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to all 58 National Parksby Michael Joseph Oswald (Stone Road Press, 2012). Packed full of activities for kids and picture, this guide is a perfect way to learn about national parks, whether you can visit them in person or not.
Organizations
Forest Ethics
http://forestethics.org/
Organization that works to protect endangered forests and wild places, with a focus on climate change.
Greenpeace
http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/
Organization that works to expose environmental problems and promote solutions.
The Great Sunflower Project
http://www.greatsunflower.org/
Help save the dwindling bee population by signing up to plant sunflowers and then watching and recording bee activities.
HSUS Urban Sanctuary Program
http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_and_habitat_protection_programs/urban_wildlife_sanctuary_program.html
Help make urban areas more hospitable to wildlife by creating your own wildlife sanctuary.
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
http://www.wildflower.org/
Organization dedicated to the beautification of our country through the planting of wildflowers and native plants.
National Audubon Society
http://www.audubon.org/
Organization that works to protect birds, wildlife, and their habitats. The website includes a kids’ section (http://www.audubon.org/educate/kids/) and ideas for family activities (http://www.audubon.org/educate/family/)
National Park Foundation
http://www.nationalparks.org/
Find the nearest national park in your area and discover how you can help preserve these national treasures.
National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/
Find a national park in your area.
National Wildlife Federation
http://www.nwf.org/
Conservation organization that works to protect endangered species and habitats.
Natural Resources Defense Council
http://www.nrdc.org/
Environmental action organization that works to protect wildlife through a series of campaigns on issues like global warming, protecting the oceans, and clean energy. NRDC’s Action Center allows individuals to respond to “action alerts” by sending emails to their congressperson with one click.
NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat
http://www.nwf.org/backyard/
Create a certified wildlife habitat in your backyard, complete with an official sign. All you need to create a habitat is food, water, cover, and places for animals to raise young.
Oceana
http://www.oceana.org/
Organization dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans.
Rainforest Alliance
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
Organization that works to protect the world’s rainforests and promote responsible use of the land.
Sierra Club
http://www.sierraclub.org/
Organization that fights for the preservation of the wilderness, promotes respect for nature, and encourages outdoor activities.
World Wildlife Fund
http://www.worldwildlife.org/home.html
Organization that protects endangered wildlife and threatened habitats.
