Libby Young explores ecology on the internet
The internet can do more for the environment that just save paper by providing an alternative electronic medium. In fact it has become a platform for those working to change the way we treat the world we live in. Not only can you find regular news updates on global warming and pollution levels, but there are also plenty of sites that offer sensible advice on how we can all make a difference.
For all the latest environmental news, visit the Southern Africa Environment Project, a searchable site with an extensive directory of environmental websites.
http://www.saep.org/
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism publishes its in-depth State of the Environment Reports online, with information about changes happening to both the physical and human environments. Available in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu and Tswana and written is surprisingly jargon-free language the reports on the various regions of South Africa can provide a helpful tool in the classroom.
http://www.environment.gov.za/soer/index.htm
The official ‘Working for Water’ programme works hard to enhance the awareness of South Africa’s chronic water shortage. The lively web site tackles the problem of invasive alien plants with a fun ‘alien plant buster’ screensaver and list of indigenous replacement species.
http://www.dwaf.pwv.gov.za/idwaf/Projects/WFW/Default.htm
The Rennies Wetland Project looks at the conservation of South Africa’s precious wetlands and provides two lesson plans ”Wise Up on Wetlands and Are you a Catchment Wizard?”, to help learners understand the importance of protecting these environmentally delicate regions.
http://psybergate.com/wetfix/
The South African Museum’s Bio-diversity Explorer examines our country’s diverse insect life revealing many fascinating creepy-crawlies such as the Death’s head moth, which squeaks, raids hives for honey and has a weird pattern of a skull on its thorax.
http://www.museums.org.za/bio/
South Africa’s Antarctic mission explores the white wilderness of the South Pole as well as Gough and Marion islands. The web site provides a glimpse at the region’s specially adapted flora and fauna.
http://sanae.sanap.org.za/
Further afield, don’t miss the WWF’s Global Network for news updates and special focus sections on climate change, endangered seas and forests, and toxic waste.
http://www.panda.org
The Wildlife Trust presents the Wild Ones, a special educational site on endangered species. With sections for both teachers and learners, the site has classroom resources, lesson ideas, and readable articles on dozens of different animals.
http://www.thewildones.org/
The interactive WhaleNet is an invaluable resource for teachers and learners. The site incorporates research and satellite tracking data into curriculum material. Follow marine animals as they journey around the globe or download various lesson plans and activities.
http://whale.wheelock.edu/
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, June 2001.
M&G Supplements