Resource Library

The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the current status and benefits of America's urban forests, compare differences in urban forest canopy cover among regions, and discuss challenges facing urban forests and their implications for urban forest management.

Most of us have a general idea of what an endangered, threatened, or extinct species is, but biologists have certain definitions for each.  In general, an endangered species is one that’s in immediate danger of becoming extinct.  Its numbers are unusually low, and it needs protection in order to survive.  The peregrine falcon, the whooping crane, the green pitcher plant, and thousands of other plants and animals throughout the world are endangered.

Congress answered this question in the preamble to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, recognizing that endangered and threatened species of wildlife and plants "are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its people."

Discuss the oil spill with your students using this fact sheet. The Subsea Oil Recovery System is a large structure that can be placed over the largest leak source in the Transocean Deepwater Horizon Rig. The system is designed to collect hydrocarbons from the well and pump them to a tanker at the surface, where they will be stored and safely shipped ashore.

Classroom Earth's "In the News" archive offers articles on a wide variety of topics.

This New York Times article explores how the surge in electricity-consuming gadgets, including cellphones, iPods and personal computers, has led to greater energy consumption. The article also discusses the role of the government, industry and trade organizations on energy usage.

This New York Times article explores the emerging alternative energy industry and how it relies on another resource, water, to function. The article can be used to discuss the societal aspects of alternative energy and resource limitations, such as conflicting interests between the public and industry and economic implications.

Garlic mustard is one of the most problematic invasive species in North America. This report from Agricultural Research discusses the history of garlic mustard, the problems it can cause to ecosystems and the potential for weevils to be effective biocontrol agents. This report can be used as a reading and comprehension exercise to prepare students for discerning complicated scientific media and literature.