The Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District offers a variety of programs. They offer in-class presentations on a variety of water, soil, natural resource, wildlife and forestry topics. The activities are tailored to your specific needs and age groups. They also provide assitance with land lab development, Arbor and Earth Day programs, science fair, scouting, and 4-H projects.
Mahoning SWCD also offers educational workshops for teachers ranging in a variety of topics.
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The Mahoning County SWCD Lending Library
Available at Mahoning SWCD Office
850 Industrial Road, Youngstown, OH 44509
Call 330-740-7995 or email SWCD for more details.
Land Labs
Waste Management, Pollution, Recycling
EPA, US EPA, and Solid Waste
and Emergency Response. Let's Reduce and Recycle: Curriculum for Solid
Waste Awareness. (Grades K-6 & 7-12) A publication to stimulate discussion
and heighten the awareness of solid waste issues.Elfner, Lynn Edward. Ohio Science Workbook: Litter Prevention and Recycling. A publication to help promote student research on litter prevention and recycling.
ODNR Division of Recylcling & Litter Prevention.Investigating Solid Waste Issues. 1994. Appropriate introduction to environmental studies focusing on real world problems and extending beyond the classrom.
50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save The Earth. 1991 Earthworks press.
Water
Ohio Chapter of the American Fisheries Society. A Guide to Ohio Streams. 2000.
Full color resource book on stream geography habitat, water quality,
ecology, wildlife, recreation, protection and restoration of Ohio
streams.W.A.T.E.R. Water Activity Teaching Environmental Responsibility. Some history on water and watersheds, pollution, wetlands, games and maps.
Ohio EPA. Biological & Water Quality Study of the Mahoning River. 1996. Good research information on the water quality in the Mahoning River Basin. Graphs, charts, macro-invertebrate indicators, fish analysis and pollutants.
Soil and Water Conservation,
Ecology, Environmental Education
Activity Manuals and Resource Books
Lingelbach, Jenepher. Hands-On Nature: Information and Activities for Exploring the Environment with Children. 1986. Great lesson plans for hands on activities.
Zike, Dinah. The Earth Science Book: Activities for Kids. 1993. (Grades 3-7) Life on earth, the atmosphere and the changing earth.
Roettger, Doris. Our Ecosystem. 1993. Action oriented activities created to involve the students as they explore their world.
Milford, Susan. The Kid's Nature Book. 1989. Contains 365 Indoor/Outdoor activities and experiences for each day of the year.
Christie, Dr Thomas. Global Alert. Understanding the Environmental Problems Facing our Planet. 1992 (Grades5-8+).
Kirschman, Michael. An Educator's Guide to a Natural World. Mahoning Soil and Water Conservation District. 1994. Plants, Fungi, Ecology, Energy, Water, Soil, Lichens and Symbiosis. Taxonomy and activities.
USDA and SCS. Soil Conservation Topics Education Kit. 1992. (Grades K-6). Soil Resources, Water Resources, Ecological Resources, Soil and Water Conservation. 2-copies available.
Ohio Edison Energy Activities Book. History, types of power, safety, environment, mechanics of pollution, inventors and careers.
Environmental Grant Making Foundations.1993..Rochester N.Y.
Rusky, Abby and Richard Wilke. 1994 Promoting Environmental Education. A handbook on strengthening environmental education in your community and state.
Foster, Phillips W. 1972 Introduction to Environmental Science.. College level covering multiple environmental topics.
The Academy of Natural Sciences. Resource Guide to Earth Sciences. 1991. Planet Earth, Plate Tectonics, Minerals and Rocks, Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Mountains/hills, Geologic Time.
Hunken, Jorie. Ecology for All Ages "Discovering Nature Through Activities for Children and Adults."1994. Backyard Ecology, Water Systems, Fields and Borders, Trees and Woods, Dry Zones.
Environmental Education Council of Ohio. Integrating Environmental Education and Science.1994. This Publication is more than an activity book; it is a "how to" guide. Building Blocks and Models, Sample Learning Episodes, Developing Your Own Learning Episodes. 2-copies.
Roettger, Doris. Seeds and Plants. 1991. Interdisciplinary, Suggested Booklist, Real Life Laboratory, Cross-Curriculum Activities.
Center for Development of the Environmental Curriculum. Environmental Learning Experiences,Willoughby-Eastlake City Schools. 1973. (Grades K-2: The Terrarium, Food Chains, Food Web, Birds in Our Lives, Trees, Trash, Dirt and Stuff; Kittens). (Grades 3-4: The School Lawn, The Vacant Lot, Trees, Wild Plants, Endangered Predator, Cemetery, Poetry, Water, Air Pollution). (Grade 5-6: Problem Solving, Clean-up Campaign, Scars Upon the Land, Water, Noise Pollution, Ponds, Animal Habitat, Our Native Lands).
Campbell, Becky and Kristin Nasman, Integrating Literature Series - Environmental Education. 1993. Interdisciplinary ideas for environmental education. Very good activities.
Russell, Helen Ross. Ten - Minute Field Trips. A Teacher's Guide to Use the School Grounds for Environmental Studies. 1993. (Grades K-8). Plants, Animals, Interdependence of Living Things, Physical Science, Earth Science, Ecology.
Ohio Dept. of Agriculture. Ohio Ag in the Classroom Curriculum Guide. 1988. Instruction material for educating students about agriculture, clip art, games, puzzles, Interdisciplinary.
Western Reserve Environmental Education Council. Project WILD and Project Aquatic WILD. 1992. Interdisciplinary, supplementary conservation and environmental education activities for K- 12 grades.
Slattery, Britt Eckhardt. WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands. Environmental Concern Inc.1995. Comprehensive classroom and outdoors wetland activities for grades K-12.
ODNR Division of Wildlife, Future Fisherman Foundation, Sport Fish Restoration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and American Sport Fishing Association. Angler Education and Instruction Manual: Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs. This manual promotes fishing and angler education as an alternative activity to those that can lead to drug and alcohol use and abuse. (K- 12) A variety of equipment and other free materials are available once you have committed to using the program. Video also available, "Grandpa Can We Go Fishing?"
Project FLP (Food, Land & People)K-12. 1998.Activity manual that stimulates an understanding among student populations of the interdependence of cultures, agriculture and land.
Teachers Guide to Arbor Month-Activities and Information.Minnesota. Arbor Month Partnership. 2002.
PLT (Project Learning Tree). Secondary module and K-8 activity guide. 1996. Provides students with hands-on interdisciplinary activities that gives them the opportunity to investigate environmental issues and encourages informed, responsible decision making.
ODNR Division of Parks & Recreation. "Porta Park" Activity guide for teaching outdoors. Several make & take items for better use of outdoor learning sites. (K- 4).
OSU Extension. 1996. Beans About Water. Resource book that uses soybeans and water in several experiments and activities to help students understand water properties.
Natural Resource Conservation Servie & National Association of Conservation Districts.Conserving Soils. Hands on activites of several different soil topics. Including formation, history, make-up, management, conservation, pollution and food production.
Energy Activity Guides
- Our Energy Choices
(Grades 4-8)
- Making Family Connections
in Science (Grades 1 - 5)
- Problem Solving Infusion Project (Grades 7 & 8)
- Learning About Energy
with Clyde
- Ohio Edison Energy Activities Book.
Historical Publications
Exploring the World of Plants and Soils. Cooperative Extension Service of the State Land Grant Universities and the USDA, 1971.
- Plant
Reproduction
- Plant
Characteristics
- Soils
- Growing and
Using Plants
- Plant
Growth Factors
Conservation Quickies. (Conservation Teaching Aides) Conservation Education Association, 1966, Good conservation history resource. Also several ideas, word searches, games, puzzles and crafts.
Conservation History
Conquest of the Land through 7,OOO Years. USDA, Soil Conservation Service. Issued in 1958 and slightly revised in 1975. Written by Dr. W.C. Lowdermilk, this is a record of agriculture in countries where land has been under cultivation for hundreds of years. History File.
Early American Soil Conservationists. USDA, Soil Conservation Service. Issued in 1941, revised in 1990. Written by Angus McDonald, this publication profiles several individuals throughout history who made contributions to conservation. History File.
50 Years of Soil and Water Conservation. USDA, Soil Conservation Service. This publication gives specific background on the development of Soil and Water conservation Districts. It highlights all 88 Ohio Counties and gives individual histories on each one. 1985.
For Love of the Land. Library of Congress. 1985. Written by Sampson R. Neil. A history of the National Association of Conservation District.
Tree Reference
Brockman, Frank C. 1968. Important Trees of Eastern Forests. Western Publishing Company. Tree identification book. Two copies.
Theilguard-Watts, May and Tom Watts. 1970. Winter Tree Finder. A manual for identifying deciduous trees in winter.
Minnesota DNR Division of Forestry. 1997. Trees of Minnesota.
OSU Extension. 1998. The Native Plants of Ohio.Description of Ohio plants.
Thornburg, Ashley A. Plant Materials for use on Surface-Mined Lands in Arid & Semi-Arid Regions.Soil Conservation Service. 1982.
Conservation Plants for the North East. 1977.Washington, D.C. Two copies.
Additional Reference Materials
Halfpenny, James C. and Roy Douglass Ozanne, Winter, An Ecological Handbook. 1989. An overview of current knowledge about winter including the elements, people, animals and ecology.Harlow, William M.Fruit and Twig Key to Trees and Shrubs. 1954. Dichotomous key for fruit and dormant identification of trees and shrubs. Excellent Key. 1 copy
Murie, Olaus J.Peterson Field Guide "Animal Tracks" 1982. This book covers every mammal for which tracks have been obtained in North America, Mexico and Central America.
Benyus, Janine M.The Field Guide to Wildlife Habitats of the Eastern U.S. 1989. Contains profiles for many different habitats and the animals that inhabit them.
Milne, Lorus and Margery.The Audubon Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders 1980. Full color plates of over 700 bees, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles etc.
Bull, John and John Ferrand Jr.The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. 1977. Over 450 species of Eastern Region birds are pictured.
Whitaker, John O.The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals. 1980. Over 300 species of animals in their native habitats.
The Soil Quality Concept. USDA-NRCS Soil Quality Institute. Soil quality is defined and ways to evaluate soil quality based on soil management is suggested. Good research material. Full color fact sheets on individual topics are also available. (fertility, Ph, Salinity, Erosion, etc.)
Phosphates in Agriculture Vincent Sauchelli. 1951. Horn Shafer Company. Baltimore, MD. Good phosphorous based information. Historical statistics.
Wildlife-Damage, Identification, Prevention & Control. 1974. ODNR Division of Wildlife. Individual fact sheets on wildlife profiles.
ODNR Division of Wildlife Full color I.D. books - Ohio Butterflies and Skippers - Ohio Reptiles - Ohio Amphibians - Ohio Owls - Ohio Waterbirds - Ohio Songbirds - Ohio Mammels - Ohio Sport Fish - Ohio Trees
Pond Life. George K. Reid. 1987. Golden Press. Common plants and animals in North American ponds.
Other Visual Aides and Models Available
VIDEOS
Faces of the Future, understanding conservation, a child's perspective
Voices of Experience:Watershed Protection for the Future
Enviroscape Model Instruction tapes 1998. (NPS, Wetland and Hazardous Waste)
The Good Earth Conservation stewardship.
How to prepare for a Teacher Conference, Video
10. How to Tutor Your Child, Video.
11. Students At Risk, Video
12.How to Help your Child in School, Video.
Me & My Tree, Video. 2001.
Partnership for Watershed
Mahoning River Video
1. Middle School and Upper Elementary
2.High School & Adult
MODELS
Ground Water Model
Enviroscape Watershed Model
Sceining Equipment Macro-invertebrate Specimens
Erosion Control Model