Students experience the effects of pollution and erosion on a model of a watershed and explore ways to change the outcome.

Students view a presentation of water and land and how we need to protect our water resources. In this water lesson plan, students discuss how we rely on water, and complete activities in all subjects related to water.

Students use stream trays covered in different types of rocks or soil to investigate infiltrates and runoff. In this water pollution lesson, students work in groups with stream trays that have different substrates. They write a paragraph...

Young scholars examine geological bedrock in landscape regions and collect data.  In this investigative lesson students retrieve data on the Internet then interpret, and graph it. 

Students define watersheds, ground water and nonpoint source pollution. They describe how rainwater moves on the surface, as well as underground, as part of the water cycle. They recognize what flooding is as well as its causes.

Students study remotely sensed images and topographic maps to classify land cover types in their watershed area. They take samples in the watershed area to interpret the images.

Young surveyors look for patterns in water flow around campus. Using a map of the school (that you will need to create), they mark the direction of the path of water. They also perform calculations for the volume that becomes runoff. The...

One hundred metric tons of CO2 can accumulate in one acre of forest over time—that's a lot of carbon! In the activity, groups of middle school learners determine what makes forests important. They then solidify the concept by using a...

First graders access the internet and use the sites provided to research Belize, and in particular, the Howler Monkey and Jaguar. Students participate in activities/centers utilizing the information they discovered.

Students create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students impact...

Eighth graders use Google Earth to study the landscape of Utah. In this Utah landscape lesson, 8th graders view landscape photos and work in partners to analyze the pictures. Students write a paragraph that describes the landscape and...

Students study conservation and how different communication styles used by different conservationists. In this conservation activity students obtain information on a cartoon or a few quotes from a conservationist and are ask to describe...

For this riparian buffer worksheet, students click on the links to learn about why we should maintain the riparian buffer and answer short answer questions about it. Students answer 7 questions.

Students engage in the process of researching a riparian ecosystem. They conduct a field trip in order to obtain different types of data and work on measurement skills to analyze data to form a conclusion about the biotic factors of the...

This website explains the problem that erosion has created for this particular lighthouse. There is a detailed explanation of what is causing the erosion and how to fix it.

See a stream table being made and learn what a real stream does to the land.

In this activity students build models of two types of watersheds, one urban and one rural. They will then simulate rain or the water cycle and observe what happens to the 'soil.' This activity leads to discussions about the water cycle,...

Find out why wetlands provide natural water quality, flood protection, erosion control, recreation and aesthetic appreciation, and natural products.

The Evergreen Project profiles the natural history of rivers and streams. Topics include watersheds, how a stream becomes a river, erosion, water pollution, and the like.

Protecting Shorelines & Streambanks - Naturally explains the critical importance of healthy shorelines for preventing soil erosion and filtering out pollutants. It looks specifically at riparian areas, such as those in Alberta, which...

Learn about river processes like discharge, flooding, flood frequency, erosion, and deposition in this interactive tutorial. Tutorial includes interactive exercises and assessments.

Learn more about Rivers and Streams through this educational resource. This site features photographs, a description, fun facts, and more about this type of freshwater ecosystem.

This article describes how to go about restoring a freshwater shoreline in a riparian area in Alberta.