Kelley Environmental Education Center - Yawgoog

Related Links - Part II

Nature  |  Oceanography  |  Reptile and Amphibian Study
Soil and Water Conservation  |  Weather  |  World Conservation Award
Kelley Environmental Education Center - Part I

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Trail Guide

Unofficial

Nature

• Nature Merit Badge Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirements 4D2 and 4F2 (if these options are chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
  
  
• Ecological Society of America (ESA)
  Professional association of ecologists; career information is offered.
  
  
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
  A non-political, non-profit organization that protects endangered ecosystems and endangered species. Has local chapters across the USA. Owns and manages part of the Long and Ell Ponds area.
  
  
• Endangered Species
  When collecting specimens, avoid endangered plants and animals. The appropriate agency in your state has more information:
  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP)
  • Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (MADFG)
    Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
    
    
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP)
    Endangered and Nongame Species Program
    
    
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
    Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources
    
    
  • Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
    Natural Heritage Program
    
    
  • Other States
  
  
• Birding Resources
  
  • American Ornithologists' Union (AOU)
    A professional organization devoted to the scientific study of birds.
    
    
  • National Audubon Society (NAS)
    A national conservation organization; offers information on birds, including the Christmas Bird Count (PDF).
    
    
  • Audubon Society of Rhode Island (ASRI)
    A local conservation organization, not associated with the National Audubon Society; also offers information on birds and Scouting programs.
    
    
  • North American Bird Sounds
    Audio files of bird calls, bill rattles, etc., compiled by Doug Von Gausig.
    
    
  • Information about Binoculars
    • Celestron
    • Sky & Telescope
    
    
  • Designs for Bird Houses and Feeders
    • US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS)
    • US Geological Survey (USGS)
  
  
• Mammal Resources
  (see Mammal Study)
  
  
• Reptile / Amphibian Resources
  (see Reptile and Amphibian Study)
  
  
• Insect / Spider Resources
  • American Arachnological Society (AAS)
    A professional organization that promotes the study of arachnids (spiders, scorpions, etc.).
    
    
  • BugInfo
    A diverse collection of insect-related fact sheets from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
    
    
  • Entomological Society of America (ESA)
    A professional association devoted to the study of insects; career information is offered.
  
  
• Fish Resources
  (see Fish and Wildlife Management)
  
  
• Mollusk / Crustacean Resources
  • American Malacological Society
    A professional association devoted to the study and conservation of mollusks.
    
    
  • The Crustacean Society
    A professional organization that promotes the study of crustaceans (shrimp, crabs, etc.).
    
    
  • Conchologists of America (COA)
    An organization of shell collectors.
    
    
  • Worldwide Conchology
    Images of shells from around the world.
  
  
• Plant Resources
  • Botanical Society of America (BSA)
    A professional organization that promotes the field of basic science of plants and their interactions within the biosphere; career information is offered.
    
    
  • PLANTS Database
    A comprehensive, searchable database, with images, from the US Department of Agriculture's National Plant Data Center.
    
    
  • What Tree is That?
    An online tree identification tool provided by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
  
  
• Soil Resources
  (see Soil and Water Conservation)
  
  
• Rock Resources
  (see Geology)

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Oceanography

• Oceanography Merit Badge Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirements 7F and 8B (if these options are chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
  
  
• The Oceanography Society (TOS)
  A professional organization that disseminates knowledge of oceanography and its application through research and education, and promotes communication among oceanographers.
  
  
• American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO)
  A professional organization for researchers and educators in the field of aquatic science. Career information is available.
  
  
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
  US government agency involved with many areas of ocean science. Offers information on how to make a plankton net.
  
  
• US Navy: Science & Technology Focus on Oceanography
  An introduction to oceanography published by the Office of Naval Research (ONR).
  
  
• International Tsunami Information Centre (ITIC)
  Maintains and develops relationships with various groups in order to mitigate the hazards associated with tsunamis by improving tsunami preparedness for all Pacific Ocean nations. Part of the National Weather Service.
  
  
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
  A major institute based in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and dedicated to research and higher education at the frontiers of ocean science; offers tours in summer.
  
  
• University of Rhode Island: Graduate School of Oceanography
  Rhode Island's oceanographic institute in Narragansett. Offers information on how to make a plankton net.
  
  
• Information on Secchi disks:
  • Massachusetts Water Watch Partnership
  • University of Rhode Island (PDF)

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Reptile and Amphibian Study

• Reptile and Amphibian Study Merit Badge Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirement 8 must be completed before coming to camp!
  
  
• American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists (ASIH)
  A professional association dedicated to the scientific study of fishes, amphibians and reptiles; career information is offered.
  
  
• Environmental Government Agencies
  Directory of environmental agencies at the state, provincial and national levels in the USA and Canada.
  
  
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
  A non-political, non-profit organization that protects endangered ecosystems and endangered species. Has local chapters across the USA. Owns and manages part of the Long and Ell Ponds area.
  
  
• Snakes of Massachusetts
  Information and illustrations from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Natural Resources & Environmental Conservation Program. Most snake species in Massachusetts are found in Rhode Island.
  
  
• Snakes of North America
  A thorough list with images, compiled by Martin C. Schmidt, Ph.D.
  
  
• Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
  Another professional organization, established to advance research, conservation, and education concerning amphibians and reptiles; career information is offered.
  
  
• Roger Williams Park Zoo
  Located in Providence, Rhode Island.
  
  
• Zoo and Aquarium Directory
  A database of members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), covering the USA and Canada.
  
  
• Endangered Species
  When collecting specimens, avoid endangered plants and animals. The appropriate agency in your state has more information:
  • Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP)
    Endangered Species
    
    
  • Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (MADFG)
    Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program
    
    
  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
    Endangered and Nongame Species Program
    
    
  • New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)
    Division of Fish, Wildlife, and Marine Resources
    
    
  • Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
    Natural Heritage Program
    
    
  • Other States

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Soil and Water Conservation

• Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirements 7A, 7B, and 7C (if these options are chosen) must be completed before coming to camp!
  
  
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)
  A national organization of professionals involved in drinking water treatment.
  
  
• Environmental Government Agencies
  Directory of environmental agencies at the state, provincial and national levels in the USA and Canada.
  
  
• Massachusetts Water Resources Authority: Deer Island Treatment Plant
  The MWRA plant in Boston is one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the world.
  
  
• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
  An interstate non-profit organization concerned with water quality issues.
  
  
• New England Water Works Association (NEWWA)
  A local organization of professionals involved in drinking water treatment.
  
  
• Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS)
  A professional organization that fosters the science and the art of soil, water and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability.
  
  
• Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
  A professional association dedicated to the advancement of soil science.
  
  
• Maps of Yawgoog Area
  (The Story of the Yawgoog Trails)
  
  
• Topographic Map: Voluntown Quadrangle
  The entire 1:24,000-scale quadrangle, which includes the Yawgoog area, can be downloaded. Image editing software can be used to crop and print the map. The map is a zipped TIF file.
  (Rhode Island Geographic Information System - RIGIS)
  
  
• Microsoft Research Maps
  Free topographic maps and aerial photographs of any location in the USA, in various scales and sizes.
  
  
• US Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
  A federal agency that seeks to help people conserve, maintain, and improve natural resources and the environment.
  • Conservation Technical Assistance
  • Soils Web site
  • Tidbits for Teachers and Students
  
  
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  Enforces many environmental regulations at the federal level and provides much public information.
  • Career Information
  • Drinking Water / Wastewater / Water Pollution
  • Watersheds
  • Water Quality Information for Yawgoog Pond
  • Water Quality Information for Wincheck Pond
  • Yawgoog Drinking Water Compliance Information
  
  
• Water Environment Federation (WEF)
  A professional organization focused on the preservation and enhancement of the global water environment, particularly in regard to wastewater treatment; career information is offered.
  
  
• Water Science for Schools
  Basic information on water from the US Geological Survey.

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Weather

• Weather Merit Badge Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirement 8 should be completed before coming to camp!
  
  
• American Meteorological Society (AMS)
  A professional organization that promotes the development and dissemination of information and education on the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.
  • Career Information
  • Effects of Air Pollutants (includes acid rain)
  • Statement on Acid Deposition
  • Other Statements (including weather safety)
  
  
• The Hurricane Hunters
  Unofficial site of the members of the US Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, which has been flying into tropical storms and hurricanes since 1944.
  
  
• National Weather Service (NWS)
  A federal agency that provides weather forecasts and issues severe weather watches and warnings. Part of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
  • Weather Safety
  • Career Information
  • Current Conditions and Forecast for Yawgoog Area
  
  
• Other sources of current conditions and forecasts.
  Yawgoog's ZIP Code is 02873 (Rockville, RI).
  • AccuWeather.com  (Yawgoog Area)
  • Intellicast.com  (Yawgoog Area)
  • The Weather Channel  (Yawgoog Area)
  
  
• Utah Climate Center
  Maintained by Utah State University, the Center offers historical climate data for specific locations all over the USA.
  
  
• US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  Enforces many environmental regulations at the federal level and provides much public information.
  • Career Information
  • Acid Rain
  
  
• US Geological Survey: Acid Rain
  An introduction to acid rain.
  
  
• Weather Instruments: How to Make Them
  • Discovery.com (Discovery Education)
  • Disney Family Fun
  • Franklin Institute (Philadelphia)
  • Miami Museum of Science
  • Scholastic, Inc.

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World Conservation Award

• World Conservation Award Requirements
  Boy Scouts of America^®
  Note: Requirement 3 (Citizenship in the World Merit Badge) may need to be completed before coming to camp! Even if the merit badge is being offered the week you are in camp, requirement 7 of the merit badge must be completed beforehand.