Soil Websites

Soil Health Glossary

Soil Formation and Classification

Soil Surveys

Soil Quality Indicators

Soil Quality Overview

Soil Texture Triangle

Soil Science Careers

ISU Prairie STRIPS Project – This project uses strips of prairie strategically placed in crop fields to filter water and reduce erosion—great stuff!

Wildlife Websites

Wildlife is a broad topic; learn about whatever interests you, whether it is whitetail deer, songbirds, snakes, or dragonflies. If you want to focus on the Envirothon test, my prediction is that there will be a focus on pollinators. Basic butterfly identification could be on the test—learn the common species such as swallowtails, red admiral, mourning cloak, the difference between a monarch and a viceroy, etc.

Co-worker Larry Reis’ photos FlickR page – This is a good place to start if you want to study a broad range of wildlife. Click on the magnifying glass icon to search for specific animals or groups of animals, such as “frogs”. Read the captions underneath the photos. He also has powerpoint presentations that I can bring to an Envirothon meeting if you are interested in a particular topic.

ISU Extension Publications

Iowa DNR fact sheets – browse through the folders at the bottom of the page

More DNR fact sheets—scroll to the bottom and browse

Water Websites

This year’s theme is soil and water conservation, so learning about the impact of agriculture on watersheds and ecosystems may help you excel on the tests!

Iowa NRCS

Water Quality Monitoring

Watershed Success Stories – features two local projects

More Success Stories – features Bear Creak

Forestry

ISU Extension Forestry Publications – lots of quick, easy reads here.

ISU Tree List

Iowa Forests Today – This is a huge report with tons of information. Only some of it will be useful for Envirothon, but it’s a well-done publication. Chapter 4 focuses on soil and water conservation as it relates to forestry.

Tree Planting Recommendations – great resource for planting in your backyard

Co-worker Larry Reis’ photos FlickR page – This is a good place to start if you want to improve your knowledge of trees, plants, and prairies in a broad way. Click on the magnifying glass icon to search for “prairie”, “wildflowers”, “tree”, or “shrub”. Read the captions underneath the photos.

Forestry Pests

Tree Identification

UNI Tallgrass Prairie Center – Oddly enough, the forestry section of the Envirothon test includes some questions about prairies. This website and its list of links are a good place to start your reading.

Prairie Plant ID Quiz – A short quiz with plants from the Decorah City Prairie.