Water Quality Action Project Links

A. GENERAL LINKS

Electronic Media and Water Quality

• Center for Global Environmental Education - Excellent CD ROM, "Waters to the Sea: Rivers of the Upper Mississippi." Also provides curriculum, resources, and connections around the world through on-line internet-based connections. 1,000 friends of Frogs, Rivers of Life, and the WaterShed Partners web site. (Also: 3-D interactive displays may be checked out locally.)
• Lake Access - posts on-line real-time data (temp, pH, DO, conductivity, turbidity, depth) from Remote Underwater Sampling Stations in Minnesota lakes. Includes interactive curricula.

Minnesota Water Quality Education Library

• Twin Cities Met Council - maintains a library of curricula, videos, interactive displays, posters and more on water quality. Contact: Metropolitan Council, Environmental Services, 230 E. Fifth St., St. Paul, MN 55101, (651) 602-1805, fax 602-1279, linda.henning@metc.state.mn.us

Water Quality Sites Designed for Students

• The Bell Museum has on-line games and virtual reality videos, including a prairie restoration game.
• Evergreen Project - Background information on fresh water ecosystems.

Minnesota Water Quality Links

• Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts - Includes link to local watersheds.
• Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources - Aids local governments.
• Minnesota Extension Service - Publications and environmental education programs.
• Minnesota Extension - Soil Testing Laboratory
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Aerial Photo and GIS Data.
• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Adopt-A-River (Look for "Lakes, Rivers and Streams" and then for "Adopt-A-River.") - Sign up to take care of a Minnesota waterway.
• Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance - Clearinghouse of enironmental education materials.
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Regulates industrial pollution sources.
• Minnesota Land Management Information Center - Minnesota air photos from 2003 with excellent resolution are also available free on-line from the Minnesota Department of Administration.

National Water Quality Links

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation
• Earthwater Stencils - For painting signs by storm drains.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Huge water quality resource.
• EPA, Adopt a Watershed - Register to adopt your local watershed.
• Freshwater Society - Publications and information.
• International Rivers Network - News and information from around the world.
• National Resources Conservation Service - Has local offices throughout the U.S.
• National Wildlife Federation - Protects native animals and habitat.
• U.S. Geological Survey - Excellent free poster series on water quality.
• Water Environment Federation - Professional association of water quality managers. Has educational materials.

B. HABITAT RESTORATION LINKS

Background on Habitat
Minnesota Ecological Classification System Click on a state map to learn more about Minnesota's ecological sub-regions.
Minnesota Ecosystem Classification System: Definitions, explanations, and history.
Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota digs deep into the technical details of Minnesota ecology (including plant lists). Purchase the guide for your "province" of the state.
Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.

Planning for Habitat Restoration
Landscaping with Native Plants by the Minnesota DNR offers complete model plans for five types of gardens.
Going Native: A Prairie Restoration Handbook for Minnesota Landowners.
Restore Your Shore instructional CD ROM from the Minnesota DNR.
One-Stop Shopping to Restore Your Yard and Shore, excellent resource on rainwater gardens.
Twin Cities Tree Trust has tree-planting instructions and many links to additional resources.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Rainwater Gardens Links.
National Wildlife Federation, Schoolyard Habitats- Supports school nature areas with plans, curriculum, and further links. Order the excellent Starter Kit.
The Center for Watershed Protection - Resources include the free download of the Urban Watershed Forestry Manual and Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manuals (for purchase).

Getting Help and Advice
Environmental Concerns Inc. offers wetland curriculum and guides to planning and creating a wetland as schoolyard habitat. Click on the "Education" button.
American Horticultural Society Master Gardeners Links.
Wild Ones chapters in many states promote the use of native plants. Download Resource Guide from Twin Cities Chapter site for helpful tips and contact list.
Minnesota Native Plant Society is a source of information and possible expert advice.
North American Native Plant Society.
Minnesota DNR School Forests Program, works with 90 schools to manage public forests. (Look under DNR Education & Safety Training.)
Minnesota Horticultural Society.
GardenWorks supports community gardening through Farm in the City and the Green Institute

Buying Plants
Wild Ones - Identify your local chapter.
Minnesota DNR list of native plant suppliers and landscapers.
Friends School of Minnesota Plant Sale.

Native Plant Lists
MPCS Plants for Stormwater Design: Species Selection for the Upper Midwest. These documents include guidance for choosing the best plants for your site.
Minnesota DNR Native Tree Species List.
Great River Greening East-Central Minnesota Species List.
National Wildlife Federation Native Plant Finder.

C. WATER QUALITY MONITORING LINKS

Join an existing monitoring network. Most offer training, materials, and equipment, a place to publish your data, and more.

Minnesota Water Quality Monitoring Network Organizations

• Volunteer Stream Monitoring Partnership - Twin Cities monitoring network contacts, data, and other resources.
• Rivers Council of Minnesota - Central resource for all monitoring groups in Minnesota.
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - lake monitoring program.
• Mississippi Headwaters Board - Upper river.
• St. Louis River Watch

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Environmental Protection Agency - runs this HUGE clearinghouse water quality site. Download "Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual."

Monitoring Sites Designed for Students

• Volunteer Stream Monitoring Project >>Educational Materials - Download Guide to Aquatic Inverebrates of the Upper Midwest.
• The Stream Study - On-line benthic macroinvertibrate sampling key. Posted by the University of Virginia.
• U.S. Geological Survey - Real time posting of stream flow data.
• Water on the Web - On-line real-time data (temp, pH, DO, conductivity, turbidity, depth) from Remote Underwater Sampling Stations in Minnesota lakes.

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