SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION

CONSERVATION

Conservation Education

The Conservation Education program (CE) helps people of all ages understand and appreciate our country's natural resources and how to conserve those resources for future generations.

Destination Earth

The Official Website for NASA's Earth Science Enterprise

SOIL AND SOIL EROSION

Soil and Substrates

Facts and basic, world soil data, other soil related informatin, books and journals, other www sites

Facts about Soil - for Kids It's a dirty job but someone has to do it-- S.K.Worm, the official annelid, or worm, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service answers students questions about soil

What is soil? Soil is an amalgamation of sand, silt, and clay particles, combined with water, air, and many different microorganisms. (PDF file)

Why is soil important? Healthy productive soil is the foundation of a stable, productive economy and the many environmental amenities all Americans enjoy(PDF file)

Soil Nutrients Nutrients, mainly nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, are applied to promote plant growth.

Soil Test - Experiment We all know that water moves down through the soil. This is how rain or water from sprinklers can water our crops, veggie garden, forests, or even our front lawn. But did you know that water moves through different soils at different speeds?

Control of Soil Erosion

Canada Fact Sheet
Rill Erosion Rill erosion often occurs with sheet erosion and is commonly seen in paddocks of recently cultivated soils following high-intensity rainfall. It is easily identified as a series of little channels or rills up to 30 cm deep.

Splash Erosion Soil movement by rainfall (raindrop splash) is usually greatest and most noticeable during short-duration, high-intensity thunderstorms.

Sheet Erosion Sheet erosion involves the removal of a uniform thin layer of soil by raindrop splash or water run-off. This thin layer of topsoil often disappears gradually, making it difficult to monitor because the damage is not immediately perceptible.

Different Styles of Farming and Their Environmental Impact

Traditionally, farmers have practiced a system of repeated plowing, discing and cultivating to raise their crops.

Farming and the Environment Explore a variety of farming methods and learn how things like manure and chemicals effect the earth.

SOIL CONSERVATION

Sammy Soil - A Coloring Book Story Learn about Soil Conservation from Sammy Soil

Crop Rotation as a Form of Conservation "Any university person will tell you that the best way to control weeds and insects and disease is with a good crop rotation."

Backyard Conservation Just as they do on the farm, conservation practices on nonagricultural land can help increase food and shelter for birds and other wildlife, control soil erosion, reduce sediment in waterways, conserve water and improve water quality

Benefits of Mulch Mulching can be one of the most beneficial things you can do for your soil and your plants. If you have not considered mulching your garden in the past, you may want to reconsider.

WATER /WATER CONSERVATION

Water Science for Schools

 Information is presented on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.

The Story of Wendy Water Coloring Book Wendy Water and water conservation

Water's Going On? Learn about water use around the house

How to Conserve Water Learn how to save water around the house

Importance of Water

Our Earth seems to be unique among the other known celestial bodies. It has water, which covers three-fourths of its surface and constitutes 60-70 wt % of the living world. Water regenerates and is redistributed through evaporation, making it seem endlessly renewable. So why worry?

POLLUTION

Nonpoint Source Kids Pages People are taking care of their home and car, but they may be doing many things that can damage the environment, especially our water. Look at the kids page on non-point pollution

What is the nation's worst water quality problem? Nonpoint source pollution is the largest source of water quality problems. It is the main reason that 40% of our assessed water bodies are unsafe for basic uses such as fishing or swimming.

Forms of Surface Water Pollution Water pollution is "contamination of water by undesirable foreign matter." It impacts our oceans, our surface water, and our underground water. Pollution comes in many forms--some conventional and others toxic.

Darby Duck Become an Aquatic Crusader and join Darby Duck in the fight against water pollution!

Groundwater Contamination

The vulnerability potential of an aquifer to ground water contamination is explored

WATERSHED

What is a Watershed? It's the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater.

Surf Your Water Shed

Select water shed by State
Why is EPA focusing on watersheds? Water resource professionals are turning to watershed management as a means for achieving greater results from their programs. Why? Because managing water resource programs on a watershed basis makes good sense -- environmentally, financially, and socially.

SOIL SURVEY

The Soil Survey: Its Use A soil survey includes soil maps and descriptions of each type of soil in the county, as well as interpretations of the soil's characteristics and potential for community planning, agricultural land management, engineering and wildlife management. (PDF file)

Soils and Soil Types

Information on Soil types from the USDA

WATER CYCLE

Water Cycle Water can exist either as a solid (ice), a liquid (water), or a gas (water vapor). Water on the on surface of Earth is constantly changing between these three states.

Picture of Water Cycle Water on earth moves in a continuous cycle. This is called THE WATER CYCLE. There is about the same amount of water on earth now that there was when the dinosaurs roamed our planet.

WATER TREATMENT

Water Treatment Path Follow a drop of water from the source through the treatment process. Water may be treated differently in different communities depending on the quality of the water which enters the plant.

Drinking Water Water on Tap: A Consumer's Guide to the Nation's Drinking Water