Environmental Organizations

• Catamount Institute

  Catamount Institute encourages others to consciously connect with the natural systems that sustain us and to choose actions that make a positive difference in our local communities. The Catamount Institute has partnered with Creek Connections to allow schools in Colorado to do the same watershed monitoring that western Pennsylvania schools are doing. Check out their data on this site!

• French Creek Outdoor Learning Center

  The French Creek Outdoor Learning Center provides an environment for classes to study hands-on scientific activities.  The Outdoor Learning Center is an interesting place because its location was once a very environmentally unfriendly, synthetic processing plant.  What makes the Outdoor Learning Center so special is that it exemplifies how nature can reclaim her land after harsh environmental stresses.  The Outdoor Learning Center site features a virtual tour that takes you through the center, explaining the significance behind  main points of interest.

• French Creek Watershed Research Program

  The French Creek Watershed Research Program is a collaborative research project
  synthesizing natural resource data pertaining to the French Creek Watershed. They are funded by Allegheny College and participate in similar water quality sampling as Creek Connections. They also give students in environmental classes at Allegheny assistance with projects and senior comps.

• Crawford County Conservation District

  Their mission statement is To protect, conserve, and restore the natural resources of the county for present and future generations by actively seeking resources and partnerships to achieve these goals through voluntary cooperation. The Conservation District works with area schools to obtain grants to fund riparian planting projects throughout the county. The students provide the necessary labor to get the job done. The District also offers numerous educational programs to the area schools and public.
  
  

• Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED)

  Housed at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, CEED's main goal is to increase community and regional leaders' understanding of how economic and environmental decisions can work hand in hand to bring a new vitality and improved quality of life to the region.  CEED projects address such sustainable development objectives as environmental education, environmental stewardship, and economic revitalization.

• Lake Erie - Allegheny Earth Force

  Earth Force engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. This project offers programming in Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and Eastern Ohio. Offices are located in Pittsburgh and Erie.
  

• RiverQuest

  This project offers river based educational adventures for students, teachers, and the community.  They provide opportunities for motivating students and developing critical thinking skills using hands-on approaches and technologies. Check out this website for a variety of features, including entering your own school to participate in the RiverQuest program.

• Water Resources Education Network - PA League of Women Voters

  WREN makes connection between citizens and water resources information.  They produce some great publications and are eager to create some networking between water-related groups.

• River Keeper

  Their mission is to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Hudson River, its tributaries and the watershed of New York City by tracking down and stopping polluters. River Keeper believes in the rights of every citizen to enjoy and defend our nation's water resources.

• River Network

  River Network is a national nonprofit organization working for clean and healthy waters. While rivers are their focal point, they are interested in the quality of all fresh waters and the health of all people and ecosystems dependent upon them. They support grassroot groups working for watershed protection.

• Izaak Walton League of America - Save Our Streams Program

  A grassroots river conservation program, SOS has been a leader in citizen education in water quality monitoring, watershed restoration, and the importance of wetland protection.

• Environmental Protection Agency: Office of Water

  The primary goal of the EPA is "...to protect human health and to safeguard the natural environment."  More specifically this site deals with the EPA's goals in the context of water resources.  It allows for a great deal of investigation of EPA based programs as well as information for kids, publications, laws and training.

  • EPA Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water

 

• U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Division - Pennsylvania

  The U. S. Geological Survey is the Nation's principal water-science agency. The Survey is the principal source of scientific and technical expertise in the earth sciences; it supplies reports, maps, data, and other information to help others meet their needs to manage, understand, develop, and protect America's Earth resources. This Web site is very large and includes a wide variety of information, including material on the water resources of Pennsylvania.

• U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools

  This site features a great number of  pictures, maps, and data concerning water protection and converancy issues..  In addition, this site features an interactive center where you can test your water knowledge.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

  The Army Corps oversees many of the Nation's controlled water bodies and rivers. This site provides up-to-date, hourly stream discharge (flow rates) for streams and rivers in the Ohio River Drainage Basin.. Information about Army Corps managed reservoirs, including Woodcock Creek, may also be found at this site.

• Pennsylvania Fish And Boat Commission

  This state agency funds education programs and publications through fishing licenses and boat registrations and is charged with the duty of enforcing rules and regulations governing fishing, boating, and the protection of fish, reptiles, and amphibians.   Site includes educational materials.

• Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

  The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection administers environmental regulations and laws concerning mining, water, air pollution, hazardous waste, drinking water, etc.  Their site has extensive information on various environmental topics, current environmental news, and educational materials.

• DEP - Bureau of Watershed Conservation and Statewide Volunteer Water Monitoring Program
• DEP - Office of Water Management

 

• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

  The primary mission of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is to maintain, improve and preserve state parks; to manage state forest lands; to   provide information on Pennsylvania's ecological and geologic resources; and to administer environmental grants across Pennsylvania. The Web site provides links to the Pennsylvania Geologic Survey and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission among others.

• Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program

  They provide current, reliable, objective information to help inform environmental decisions. PNHP informations can be used to guide conservation work and land-use planing, ensuring the maximum conservation benefit with the minimum cost.

• Pennsylvania Environmental Council

  The Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC) protects and restores the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy. PEC believes in the value of partnerships with the private sector, government, communities and individuals to improve the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. PEC is the parent organization for the French Creek Project, the Commonwealth Community Energy Project, as well as other regional projects.

• Pennsylvania Center for Environmental Education

  This orginazation maintains a website to help disseminate environmental education materials and programs for Pennsylvania's educators and the general public.Their goals are too provide technical assistance for pre-service teacher preparation in the area of environmental education, provide the opportunity for professional development through continuing education, and to promote the formation of partnerships with educators, schools, local officials, county conservation districts, business, industry, non-profit citizen and environmental education organizations.

• Project Learning Tree

  PLT uses the forest as a "window" on the world to increase students understanding of our environment; stimulate students' critical and creative thinking; develop students' ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill in students the commitment to take responsibile action on behalf of the environment.

• New York Department of Environmental Conservation

  The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting and enhancing New York State's natural resources. It carries out this responsibility by planning for and regulating: disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, fish and wildlife populations, Adirondack and Catskill forest preserves, marine and coastal resources, water resources, and environmental conditions. White text White text

   Informative Websites about watershed-related topics

   Creek Connections Project Sponsors