STEP OnLine

STEP OnLine
An Internet Hotlist on STEP

created by Jane Orbuch
San Lorenzo Valley High School

Introduction
STEP (Salmon Trout Education Program) Web Links

The Internet Resources

Volunteer Monitoring/Water Quality

American Rivers--Action - Your online community of river activists and friends
Coastal Watershed Council - The COASTAL WATERSHED COUNCIL (CWC)is a nonprofit organization committed to the preservation, protection and management of coastal watersheds through establishment of community-based watershed stewardship program,education and community outreach. Serving as watershed advocates, the Council promotes the health of these ecosystems through stewardship, advocacy and proper management practices
Guide to Bay Area Creeks SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CREEKS - The Oakland Museum of California Creek and Watershed Information Source
International Rivers Network - The IRN web site is a global resource for all people who share our concern for protecting and restoring the world's rivers and ensuring respect for the rights of riverine communities. The site provides activists throughout the world with important, in-depth background and current information on river campaigns. You'll also find an overview of our organization, our work and the many resources we have available.
Kentucky Water Watch - Volunteers protecting Kentucky Waterways. We are dedicated to helping you protect the streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands near and dear to your heart.
Know Your Watershed - The Conservation Technology Information Center (CTIC) is a nonprofit, information / data transfer center which promotes environmentally and economically beneficial natural resource systems. This is data repository for watersheds.
Monitoring Water Quality - US EPA office of water: This page addresses methods and tools to monitor, assess, and report on the health of America's water resources, and software and automated information systems to manage monitoring data.
Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary--Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network - The Monterey Bay Sanctuary Citizen Watershed Monitoring Network is a consortium of approximately twenty citizen monitoring groups that monitor the health of the watersheds flowing into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It was established in 1997 and has since provided support, training, and a central forum and database for citizen monitoring programs. The Network also coordinates two annual regional monitoring events, First Flush in the fall and Snapshot Day in the spring.
Online Information Guide to Topics Related Water Quality, Drinking Water, Groundwater and Surface Water, Common Water Quality Problems and Water Analysis and T - Water Quality Info
River Watch Network - RWN brings people together to monitor, restore, and protect their rivers. We work with concerned community members to: Define the issues which are most critical to their rivers; Design and execute scientifically credible studies which assess the condition of the river ecosystem.Create strategies for conserving rivers through community action.
San Francisco Estuary Institute - Database, volunteer monitoring project, ecoatlas
Save Our Streams - Izzack Walton League Project. Stream Doctor, our nationwide stream restoration program and database The SOS Macroinvertebrate Key.
Volunteer Monitor's Home Page - The National Newsletter of Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring
Watch over Washington - Washington State Volunteer monitoring Home page
Water Quality Background - Leo Enviro Sci Inquiry info on alkalintiy, ammonium nitrogen, calcium and hardness, salinity, DO, nitrates, phosphates, pH, streamflow, Temp, TDS, TSS
Watershed Restoration Information Centre - The Steelhead Society Habitat Restoration Corporation is developing a unique web site for you. This site will be a ‘one-step-shopping’ place for all your information needs in watershed restoration. It will be an interactive centre where people meet to share information. Therefore, it is very important that you take part in the discussion and information exchange!Our mission is to increase expertise and knowledge and to enhance the quality of watershed restoration work.

Salmon/Benthic Macroinvertebrates

About Aquatic Fish food - Insects and other aquatic creatures.
An Introduction to Benthic Macroinvertebrates - Key, glossary, information on biomonitoring
Aquademics - Aquarium education for america's school--from Tetra
Biological Indicators of Watershed Health--EPA - About, Why Use Them, Indicator Species, Key Concepts, etc
Bug ID - If you've found an insect and you don't know what it is then you can use the on-line Key below to find out to what order your insect belongs. It is a good idea to have the insect in a 'Bug Box' whilst you use the Key - it's much easier than relying on your memory. -
California Bioaquatic Workshop - The California Aquatic Bioassessment Workgroup (CABW) was formed in 1994 to coordinate scientific and policy-making efforts towards implementating aquatic bioassessment in California. Members of the CABW consist of biologists from university, consulting firms and industry and representatives of state and federal agencies responsible for assessing, monitoring and protecting the biological integrity of surface waters. Through its Steering Committee and annual meetings, CABW participants develop objectives and strategies for implementing aquatic bioassessment in California.
EPA-Rapid Bioassessment Protocols - For Use in Streams and Wadeable Rivers: Periphyton, Benthic Macroinvertebrates, and Fish Second Edition
For the Sake of the Salmon - A place where you can find sources of information on watershed restoration and protection, education, funding, ESA information and other topics. You can also find comprehensive lists of watershed groups in California, Oregon, and Washington, along with links to many of those groups.
Major Stream Invertebrates - The following descriptions and images are some examples of invertebrates that you will encounter during your stream exploration. The descriptions of the different groups are simplification and because of this all organisms can not be properly placed using these descriptions.
Mayfly Central - Mayfly Central is a place, a program, and an information resource. It is located in the Department of Entomology at Purdue University, where it is associated with the Laboratory of Aquatic Entomology. The program is a multidimensional research and education program dedicated to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge about mayflies, or the insect order Ephemeroptera. The resource involves information about mayflies, especially the taxonomy, ecology, behavior and life history of species in North America and Central America, and systematics of pannote mayflies, burrowing mayflies, small minnow mayflies, and flatheaded mayflies throughout the world. Undergirding all of this is a research and reference collection of over 250,000 mayfly specimens from throughout the world representing most known taxa and numerous new taxa yet to be described.
Oregon Trout - Our mission is to protect and restore native wild fish, and the ecosystems that sustain them. Fish forum, education etc.
Simple Aquatic Insect Identification - GIF pictures of each order of Aquatic Insects
Stream Net Public Education - Life history profiles, interactive Salmon lifecyle, ocean conditions, virtual tours, kids fishing page,fact sheets, species database, glossay, publiations, links etc.
The Salmon Page - Everything about Salmon, news, catching, buying, cooking, saving, school projects, arts, books, videos etc.
Thomas Ames Insect Images - Great photos of benthic macroinverts.
Trout in the Classroom: Online - Great Oregon site.

Government Agencies/GIS

BASINS- A Powerful Tool for Managing Watersheds - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's water programs and their counterparts in states and pollution control agencies have increasingly emphasized watershed- and water-quality-based assessment and integrated analysis of point and nonpoint sources. Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS) is a tool developed to meet the needs of such agencies. It integrates a geographic informationsystem (GIS), national watershed data, and state-of-the-art environmentalassessment and modeling tools into one package.
Badger Project/Digial Trails - the BADGER project, a three year (1995-1997) ongoing NASA funded effort to create an on-line, Internet accessible geographic information resource for the San Francisco Bay Area.
CARA: Calif. Rivers Assessment - Go to Calif. River Basins, select Central California, Check out San Lorenzo/Soquel and others. Cool maps and data
Calif. Watershed Information Technical System - The goal of the Watershed Information Technical System (WITS) is to provide the information and tools to support local watershed planning, restoration, monitoring, and education via the CERES Web. CERES and its project WITS are programs of the California Resources Agency.
California Data Exchange Center - Current River Conditions,Current and Historical Data, and locating stations
California River and Water Projects Map - The nature of California's geography, climate, and the location of its population, industry and agriculture have all influenced the State's development and the creation of water storage and distribution projects.
California Watershed Projects Inventory - A cooperative project to improve access to information on watershed protection projects and associated data in California.
Columbia River Dart - Data Access in Real Time: Fish, River and Climate data
EPA Office of Water for Kids - The Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water has compiled resources especially for kids to learn more about drinking water.
EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds - Introduction to watersheds, TMDLs, nonpoint source, monitoring, clean lakes, restoration.
National Agriculture Library-Water Quality Info Center - Databases, Info, etc.
Northern California Council--Federation of Fly Fishers - Conserving, Restoring, Educating Through Fly Fishing
Surf your Watershed (EPA) - A service to help you locate, use, and share environmental information on your watershed or community. Do a search on your watershed--lots of cool info.
The Nature Mapping Project in Washington State - The NatureMapping Program's vision is to create a national network that links natural resource agencies, academia and land planners with local communities primarily through schools. Our goal is to keep common animals common and to maintain our quality of life. Our approach is to train individuals to become aware of their natural resources and to provide the tools to inventory and monitor their resources.
USGS--Water Resources - Data, info, GIS etc.
USGS-National Water Quality Assessment Program - The National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA)Program is designed to describe the status and trends in thequality of the Nation's ground- and surface-water resources and to provide a sound understanding of the natural and human factors that affect the quality of these resources. As part of the program, investigations will be conducted in 59 areas-- called 'study units'-- throughout the Nation toprovide a framework for national and regional water-quality assessment. Regional and national synthesis of information from study units will consist of comparative studies of specific water-quality issues using nationally consistent information.
USGS-Water Resources of California - Real time streamflow data etc.
Water Quality of San Francisco Bay - Since 1968, the U.S. Geological Survey has sustained a research program to understand how coastal ecosystems function and how those functions are altered by human disturbances. One component of this program is directed towards following and understanding changes in the water quality of San Francisco Bay.
Watershed Atlas - Our first ever Contra Costa County Watershed Atlas will provide baseline maps and data for all watersheds in the County. This information foundation will be constructed with an eye toward identifying key watershed problems and opportunities for solving these problems. It will also develop consensus-based strategies for restoring creeks and water quality in each watershed Furthermore, this will help educating County citizens on creek watershed, and water quality issues by exposing the hidden value of creeks to our community.
Watersheds in the World -

Watershed Education

Adopt-A-Watershed - Adopt-A-Watershed is a K-12 school-community learning experience. Adopt-A-Watershed uses a local watershedas a living laboratory in which students engage in hands-on activities, making science applicable and relevant to their lives. It weaves education with the community developing collaborative partnerships and reinforcing learning through community service.
GLOBE Program - Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) is a worldwide network of students, teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the globalenvironment. GLOBE students make a core set of environmental observations at or near their schools and report their data via the Internet. Scientists use GLOBE data in their research and provide feedback to the students to enrich their science education. Each day, images created from the GLOBE student data sets are posted on the World Wide Web, allowing students and visitors to the GLOBE web site to visualize the student environmental observations.
GREEN-Global Rivers Environmental Education Network - GREEN is an innovative, action-oriented approach to education, based on an interdisciplinary watershed education model. GREEN's mission is to improve education through a global network that promotes watershed sustainability. It is a resource to schools and communities that wish to study their watershed and work to improve their quality of life. GREEN works closely with business, government, community, and educational organizations across the United States and Canada, and with GREEN Country Coordinators in 135 countries around the globe to support local efforts in watershed education and sustainability.
Picture Dictionary of the San Lorenzo River - The Picture Dictionary of the San Lorenzo River Watershed is a collaborative program to expand educational activity connected with theSan Lorenzo River. The Dictionary consists of images of plants, wildlife, and other features of the river, accompanied by text descriptions.The program has a dual nature: a production process that involves students directly in producing the images and descriptions; and a compiled version of the Dictionary for classroom and home use, updated periodically in various formats. The production process serves to enhance students' observation, research, and creative skills. The subject matter is integrated with K-12 school curricula and teaching goals.College-level students contribute material and assist in the production process. To fit the needs of the schools and communities currently involved, the text is in English and Spanish; other languages could be added. The program is being documented as it proceeds, to serve as a model for emulation in other schools and regions.
River of Words - River of Words is an environmental art and poetry program created to promote watershed awareness, literacy, and the arts. Through our annual art and poetry contest and our educator's tools, River of Words helps communities begin exploring the natural and cultural history of their own homegrounds.
Rivers of Life - Comprehensive page focusing on Mississippi River--interactive maps, online guests etc.
SIUE River Project - K-12 project involving collecting ground and surface water quality data--also student writings.
SLVHS-Watershed Academy - Find out about this California Specialized Secondary Program and Partnership Academy. Programs include Aquaculture, Business Management, AP Environmental Science and Restoration Ecology.
STEP Page - Our Page!!!!!
SWRP: Student Watershed Research Project - A collaborative program involving 8th-12th grade teachers an students, practicing scientists, community groups, and natural resource management agencies.
The Watershed Project: Bay Area -
Water Science for Schools - Welcome to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Water Science for Schools web site! We offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge
Water in the Earth System - AMS page--All about atmospheric, oceanic and terrestrial water, plus good links.

Equipment Suppliers/Resources

Cabelas: Fishing, Hunting and Outdoor Gear - Waders $34.95 HK-81-0167
Chemetrics - Ampoule based--water quality testing kits
Cyberlearning--Salmon Task Force Curriculum - Task Force Environmental Investigation Kit: two volume CD-rom library, videotape and extensive teacher's guide with student worksheets $149.95.
Data Loggers - Hobo data loggers by onset computer.
Enviroscapes - Water System Models
Forestry Suppliers - GLOBE and other outdoor equipment
Hach Co - Water Quality Equipment: pH and coliform
Hydrology Web - Resources on the web for hydrology
La Motte Co - Water Quality Suppliers
Laserpointers - Check out the $5.00 keychain lasers.
Learning Team - Exploring the Nardoo Mac/WinCD--$99.95 home/149.95 School
Pacific Salmon of North America Poster -
Salmon Odyssey CD - Scroll down to science section. $59.95
Sustainable Land Stewardship Institute - The source for biomonitoring equipment and protocols.
The Santa Cruz Mountains Bioregion Electronic Almanac - The purpose of this bioregional Electronic Almanac is to help residents of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and other interested people, learn more about this incredibly beautiful, interesting, and diverse bioregion. It is intended to help you, the user, learn how to live here in a more enjoyable, healthy, long-term sustainable way. It is a way to learn more about the ecology and natural history of this area, as well as how humans have importantly, how you personally fit in, interact, adapt, and further develop a sense of place and bioregional awareness.
Vernier - Calculator and computer based probes for water quality.
Wards Science Supply Company - Good source for various science equipment including pH and conductivity meters.
Water on the Web - Integrating real-time data into educational curricula over the internet.
Wildscape Inc - Caddisfly jewelry

Content by Jane Orbuch, janeo@cruzio.com
http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listwatershed.html
Last revised Tue Mar 25 11:04:15 US/Pacific 2008