Internet Resources
You will often find that credible internet resources are mentioned in your assigned readings and in the scholarly articles that you've searched for.
Most of the internet sites listed here are noteworthy associations or societies that also publish very reputable academic journals.
If you do use Google for an internet search; use Google Advanced Search for more control over the results. If you limit by Domain you can see the results from goverment sites (.gov), organizations sites (.org), or education sites (.edu). You can also limit by when the site was last updated.
Evaluate sites the way you would evaluate a book or other resource. Who sponsors/publishes it? When was it last updated? Who wrote it? Who thinks it is a good site? Typing "Link: " then the site address in the Google search bar should result in a list of sites that link to that particular web page. Who points to it will tell you something about the usefulness of the page.
EurekAlert! News from AAAS
- EurekAlert! Biology | Ecology/Environment NewsCurrent news from AAAS, the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Over 30 sub-topics in Biology to choose from; use the pull down menu.
Citizen Science
- Earthwatch InternationalSince its founding in 1971, Earthwatch has been taking action to address global change through a time-tested model of citizen science and community engagement. By pairing citizen science volunteers from all sectors of society with researchers around the world, Earthwatch teams have helped to safeguard critical habitats, conserve biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
- Hakai MagazineCoastal Science and Societies.
See Citizen Science Comes of Age to read about Professor John Cigliano's work with citizen scientists at Acadia National Park in Maine. - Reef Life Survey"Making the Underwater World Visible through Citizen Science" "Reef Life Survey is a non-profit citizen science program in which trained volunteer SCUBA divers undertake standardised surveys of reef biodiversity on rocky and coral reefs around the world."
- Reef Check Foundation"Reef Check goals are to: educate the public about the value of reef ecosystems and the current crisis affecting marine life; to create a global network of volunteer teams trained in Reef Check's scientific methods who regularly monitor and report on reef health; to facilitate collaboration that produces ecologically sound and economically sustainable solutions; and to stimulate local community action to protect remaining pristine reefs and rehabilitate damaged reefs worldwide."
- Nature article: Ecosystem restructuring along the Great Barrier Reef following mass coral bleachingStuart-Smith, R. D., Brown, C. J., Ceccarelli, D. M., & Edgar, G. J. (2018). Ecosystem restructuring along the Great Barrier Reef following mass coral bleaching. Nature, 560(7716), 92.
FEATURING the Springer Nature United Nations SDG15 program
- Read journal articles and book chapters on Biodiversity
- Springer Nature's Life on Land hub
UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 (SDG)
17 UN SDGs
FEATURING Springer Nature SDG13: Climate Action hub
- Read journal articles and book chapters on Climate Change
- Springer Nature's Climate Action hub
UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG)
17 UN SDGs
Featured Websites
- Ocean Optimism"Ocean Optimism is a collaborative marine conservation movement. We focus on solutions rather than problems, and on connections rather than differences."
- Seafood Watch (Monterey Bay Aquarium)"The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program helps consumers and businesses choose seafood that's fished or farmed in ways that protect sea life and habitats, now and for future generations."
Web Resources, continued
- American Bird ConservancyAmerican Bird Conservancy (ABC) is a 501(c)(3), not-for profit organization whose mission is to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. This section of the website deals with the issues affecting birds in the Americas and how ABC approaches them.
- American Museum of Natural HistoryGo to: The Center for Biodiversity and Conservation (CBC). See also: CBC Resources and Publications; including, Lessons in Conservation, the official journal of the CBC's Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners (NCEP).
- Aquatic BiodiversityU.S. agency responsible for leading the nation's environmental science, research, education and assessment efforts. This section of their website focuses on aquatic biodiversity topics, such as marine & freshwater ecosystems as well as threats, conservation efforts, and a glossy.
- Bird in the Hand: Free Online Ornithological Resources, AWarner, A. (2015). A bird in the hand: Free online ornithological resources. College & Research Libraries News, 76(11), 592–595.
- Center for Biodiversity & ConservationThe American Museum of Natural History created the interdisciplinary Center for Biodiversity and Conservation due to growing concern among its scientists over rapid species loss and increasing habitat degradation around the world. See "Publications" for pamphlets, etc. authored by CBC staff.
- Center for Marine Biodiversity & ConservationThe Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Scripps Institution of Oceanography is a center of interdisciplinary cooperation in research and education. CMBC receives no state funds and operates on donations from concerned citizens. See the "Research" section for some good information.
- Charles Darwin FoundationThe Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (CDF) is an international not-for-profit organization that provides scientific research and technical information and assistance to ensure the proper preservation of the Galapagos Islands. See the "Library" section for some good research information.
- Conservation International- Stabilizing our climate by protecting and restoring nature
- Doubling ocean protection
- Expanding planet-positive economies - Conservation Biology Institute"Conservation Biology Institute provides scientific expertise to support the conservation and recovery of biological diversity in its natural state through applied research, education, planning, and community service."
- Convention on Biological DiversityThe Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to sustain the rich diversity of life on Earth and promote sustainable development.
- Delaware Highlands ConservancyGo to: Women and Their Woods
"Forestry has traditionally been a male-dominated field. But today, more and more women landowners are responsible for managing their forestlands." - EarthTrendsEarthTrends is a comprehensive online database, maintained by the World Resources Institute, that focuses on the environmental, social, and economic trends that shape our world.
- Earthwatch InternationalSince its founding in 1971, Earthwatch has been taking action to address global change through a time-tested model of citizen science and community engagement. By pairing citizen science volunteers from all sectors of society with researchers around the world, Earthwatch teams have helped to safeguard critical habitats, conserve biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of natural resources.
- Environmental Law InstituteThe Environmental Law Institute operates an on-going collaborative program devoted to the protection of biological diversity at the state level. The objective of ELI’s State Biodiversity Program is to improve biodiversity protection by identifying both obstacles to and opportunities for the conservation of biological diversity on the state and local level, collaborating with local partners to formulate and implement statewide strategies for biodiversity protection and restoration.
- Environmental SCENEFrom American Chemical Society C&EN. Cressman Library does not have a subscription to C&EN, but many of the articles from Environmental SCENE are "unlocked" and can be read online.
- Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA)"The Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association is an international organisation dedicated to the promotion and advancement of multidisciplinary research into all aspects of estuaries and coasts, and the application of science and technology for their sustainable environmental management."
- Global Diversity Information FacilityThe Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) was established by governments in 2001 to encourage free and open access to biodiversity data, via the Internet. Through a global network of countries and organizations, GBIF promotes and facilitates the mobilization, access, discovery and use of information about the occurrence of organisms over time and across the planet.
- Hawk Mountain SanctuaryThe mission of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by providing leadership in raptor conservation science and education, and by maintaining Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility.
- International Journal of Biodiversity and ConservationThe International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation (IJBC) is an open access journal that provides rapid publication (monthly) of articles in all areas of the subject.
- IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesThe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ provides taxonomic, conservation status and distribution information on plants and animals that have been globally evaluated using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to determine the relative risk of extinction, and the main purpose of the IUCN Red List is to catalogue and highlight those plants and animals that are facing a higher risk of global extinction.
- Natural Resources Conservation ServiceNRCS uses science-based technology to provide conservation planning and assistance to land owners and operators and others to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animal for productive lands and healthy ecosystems. The technical resources and references provided show how NRCS experts work together to help conserve our nation's natural resources.
- Natural Resources Defense CouncilNRDC is the nation's most effective environmental action organization. With the support of our members and online activists, NRDC works to solve the most pressing environmental issues we face today: curbing global warming and creating the clean energy future, reviving the world's oceans, defending endangered wildlife and wild places, protecting our health by preventing pollution, ensuring safe and sufficient water, and fostering sustainable communities.
- Oceanic SocietyEstablished in 1969 as a non-profit conservation organization, the Oceanic Society's primary mission is to protect endangered wildlife and preserve threatened marine habitats worldwide. The Society works to establish protected natural areas, supported and sustained through scientific research, in cooperation with local communities.
- Renewable Energy Policy ProjectREPP's goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.
- School for Field Studies, The"SFS, a study abroad organization, is committed to preserving the ecological health and sustainability of the communities in which we work. We believe that the future of our environment depends upon educating, inspiring, and activating people, businesses, and government leaders to be stewards of the environment."
- Society for Conservation BiologyThe Society for Conservation Biology (SCB) is an international professional organization dedicated to promoting the scientific study of the phenomena that affect the maintenance, loss, and restoration of biological diversity.
- Tree of LifeThe Tree of Life Web Project (ToL) is a collaborative effort of biologists and nature enthusiasts from around the world. On more than 10,000 World Wide Web pages, the project provides information about biodiversity, the characteristics of different groups of organisms, and their evolutionary history (phylogeny).
- UN Environment (United Nations Environment Programme)"The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment."
- UNEP World Conservation Monitoring CentreThe UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) is a collaboration between the United Nations Environment Programme, the world's foremost intergovernmental environmental organization, and WCMC(UK), a UK-based charity. The Centre’s goal is to provide authoritative, relevant and timely information for countries, MEAs, organizations and companies to use in the development and implementation of their policies and decisions
- US Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the premier government agency dedicated to the conservation, protection, and enhancement of fish, wildlife and plants, and their habitats. It is the only agency in the federal government whose primary responsibility is management of these important natural resources for the American public.
- US Geological SurveyThe USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely, relevant, and useable information.
- Wildlife Conservation Society"With a commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity, we address four of the biggest issues facing wildlife and wild places: climate change; natural resource exploitation; the connection between wildlife health and human health; and the sustainable development of human livelihoods. While taking on these issues, we manage more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, with more than 200 scientists on staff."
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution"The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution is dedicated to research and education to advance understanding of the ocean and its interaction with the Earth system, and to communicating this understanding for the benefit of society." Take a look at Oceanus Magazine while you are at the Woods Hole website.
- World Resources InstituteThe World Resources Institute is a global environmental think tank that goes beyond research to put ideas into action. They work with governments, companies, and civil society to build solutions to urgent environmental challenges. See the "Publications" section for some great information.
- WWF EcoregionsThe WWF's Ecoregions are the most biologically distinct terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecoregions of the planet. This global assessment has been built in part through a series of more detailed regional assessments that the Conservation Science Program continues to undertake. Within these priority ecoregions, WWF pursues ecoregion conservation.