Links for Families

Olympic Park Insitute

OPI partners with the Olympic National Park to provide outdoor science education for school groups, conference and retreat facilities, professional development, and Elderhostel programs.

North Cascades Institute

Since 1986, North Cascades Institute (a nonprofit organization) has worked to conserve and restore Northwest environments through education.

Washington State Parks

The mission of the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is to "acquire, operate, enhance and protect a diverse system of recreational, cultural, historical and natural sites" in an effort to leave a valued legacy to future generations.

Celebrate Urban Birds

Learn about city birds, watch birds for science, get involved in projects to “green” up your community, and increase conservation awareness.

Carbon Impact Calculator

Calculate the carbon impact of our lifestyle. Easy to use tools that help you examine the carbon output - adjusted for where you live - on how you use your car, airplane, home, wedding and other events.

Earthquakes! (Seismic Monitor)

Check out current seismic activity (earthquakes) around the world. There are also links to information about earthquakes, including some education links.

Stargazing Tips

Heading outside tonight? StarDate is the public education and outreach arm of the University of Texas McDonald Observatory. They have tips about what to look for now and in the near future. There are also links for all sorts of information about astronomy - including a teacher's section.

Earth As Art

At "The Earth as Art" you can view our planet through images taken by the Landsat-7 satellite and the Terra Satellite's Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). This gallery of images uses art to convey the thrilling perspective of the Earth that satellites provide to the viewer.

Forces of Nature

Ever wanted to feel the power of creating tornado? How about an earthquake? This site, created to accompany a National Geographic film, offers up explorations of the biggest forces our earth can bring us: tornadoes, earthquakes, volcanoes and hurricanes. Virtual labs let you design your own disaster, and National Geo-quality photos fill in the gaps of your visual imagination. You'll need the free Flash player.

Understanding Geologic Time

This site "introduces students to geologic time, the evidence for events in Earth's history, relative and absolute dating techniques, and the significance of the geologic time scale." Includes interactive quizzes, and lesson plans for teachers. From the Museum of Paleontology, University of California, Berkeley.

Electronic Naturalist

How many times will a mosquito bite? What's the advantage to birds flying in a "V" formation? If you find an egg in a nest, should you "rescue" it? E-naturalist provides answers to these questions, and hundreds more. Visitors have the option of choosing a quick read or a full read on the subject. If that raises more questions than it answers, you can email your queries to a naturalist, browse more websites, or indulge in a hands-on activity.

Understanding Evolution

This site is here to help you understand what evolution is, how it works, how it factors into your life, how research in evolutionary biology is performed, and how ideas in this area have changed over time. It’s an excellent and enormous site that's great for both teachers and nonteachers (from the University of California Museum of Paleontology and the National Center for Science Education).

Becoming Human

Beautiful, informative site that's filled with great multimedia features on the topic of human evolution. There is an interactive documentary, photos that you can turn to see 360 degree views, a glossary, articles on paleoanthropology, hot news, and more. You will need the Flash Player.

One Hen - Microfinance for Kids

Inspired by true events, One Hen tells the story of Kojo, a boy from Ghana who turns a small loan into a thriving farm and a livelihood for many. One Hen shows what happens when a little help makes a big difference.

U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community of leaders working to make green buildings available to everyone within a generation.

Yosemite National Institutes

A leading provider of educational opportunities in the National Parks since 1971, with campuses in California and Washington including Olympic Park Institute.

Children & Nature Network

People and organizations working to reconnect children with nature, a peer-to-peer network of researchers and individuals, educators and organizations dedicated to children's health and well-being.

Building Bridges To The Outdoors - Sierra Club Youth Program

The Sierra Club believes that every child has a right to have a special place in nature. BBTO is striving to give every child in America an opportunity to have an outdoor experience.

Breathing Earth

Displays the carbon dioxide emission levels of every country in the world as well as the birth and death rates - all in real time.

Conservation Concepts

IslandWood friend and colleague, Mark Jordahl, offers a unique opportunity to get a different perspective on outdoor education and a more sustainable lifestyle - as an IslandWood "Naturalist-at-Large" in Africa.