eNature.com: Bringing Nature to Life
www.enature.com/
Provides information and other website links about animals and habitats around the United States.

Rice Creek Elementary School : Kid's Corner
www.richland2.k12.sc.us/rce/Default.htm
This link will take you to the Rice Creek Elementary School home page. If you go to the table of contents, the site provides informative material on South Carolina regions and habitats.

Student Reference Books
The following books may be too difficult for younger children to read by themselves but should be understood when read aloud.

Arnosky, Jim. Crinkleroot's Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats, Simon & Schuster Books, New York, 1997.
This book introduces students to different habitats and the living and non-living things in them.

Eyewitness Books: Ocean, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, New York, 1994.
This wonderful book uses photographs, illustrations and text to teach the reader about the plants, animals and non-living things found in the ocean.

Eyewitness Books: Pond & River, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc, New York, 1988.
This book uses photographs, illustrations and text to teach the reader about the plants, animals and non-living things found in freshwater habitats.

Look Closer: Swamp Life, Dorling Kindersley, New York, 1993.
Using photographs, illustrations and text this book teaches the reader about the plants, animals and non-living things found in swamps.

Matthews, Downs. Wetlands, Simon & Schuster Books, New York, 1994.
This book describes the different types of wetlands and the plants, animals and non-living things found there.

Smithey, William K. American Coastlines: The Beauty of America's Natural Habitat, Gallery Books, New York City, 1990.
An introduction to habitats found along the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, this book uses text and photographs to introduce students to the coastlines of America.

Student Fiction Books
Fleming, Denise. In the Small, Small Pond, Henry Holt and Company, New York, 1993
This Caldecott Honor book takes a look at the pond habitat through the eyes of a frog.

McDonald, Megan. Is This a House For a Hermit Crab?, Orchard Books, New York. 1990.
In this book, the reader follows the adventures of a hermit crab as it searches for a new home.

Top

Curricula
Aquatic Project WILD
Aquatic Project WILD is an interdisciplinary curriculum for K-12 teachers on aquatic wildlife and ecosystems. The activities cover a broad range of environmental and conservation topics. For information on signing up for workshops, call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at (803) 734-3814.

For more information click on:
www.dnr.state.sc.us/cec/educate/edu1.html#teacher

Project WILD
Project WILD is an interdisciplinary curriculum for K-12 teachers on a broad range of environmental and conservation topics. For information on signing up for workshops, call the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources at (803) 734-3814.

For more information click on:
www.dnr.state.sc.us/cec/educate/edu1.html#teacher

Field Trip Sites
South Carolina's Ecoregions
Each of South Carolina's ecoregions contains many parks and preserved land that allow school groups to see the living and non-living things that make up habitats. Below is listed one example from each region.

Mountains
Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area (Jones Gap and Caesars Head State Natural Areas) - The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area covers more than 10,000 acres of exceptional mountain habitat including Jones Gap and Caesars Head state parks. Education at this site strives to foster an understanding and appreciation of the Mountain Bridge, the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Through expert instruction and hands-on field experiences, students can investigate the ecology, hydrology and geology of the area. (Greenville County - Caesars Head 864.836.6115; Jones Gap 864.836.3647)

Piedmont
Landsford Canal State Park - Offers teachers activities to use to guide their students investigations of the unique natural communities found in and near the rocky shoals of the Catawba River. Students will explore uniquely adapted plants and animals while investigating the geology and natural communities found in this area of the Catawba River. (Chester and Lancaster counties - 803.789.5800)

Sandhills
Sandhills State Forest
Located near Cheraw, this state forest showcases the wildlife communities that have developed on land that once were prehistoric sand dunes. Though the forest does not have structured education programs available, arrangements can be made for foresters to speak with school groups. The forest is open seven days a week. For more information call (843) 498-6478 or click on www.state.sc.us/forest.

Coastal Plain
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens is a preserved blackwater swamp habitat located between Goose Creek and Moncks Corner. Trails, boats, a butterfly garden and freshwater aquariums can all be found here. The garden is opened seven days a week and offers environmental education programs for school groups. For more information call (843) 553-0515.

Coast
ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve
This reserve, located between Edisto Beach and Hunting Island, contains 12,000 acres of tidal marshes and estuarine waters. The area is rich in wildlife: fish, crustaceans, birds and even mammals can all be found here. Boat tours are available through this area for high school and college students. For more information call (843) 762-5032.

Ocean
Huntington Beach State Park - With its marshes, maritime forest and beach, the educational focus of Huntington Beach will foster understanding of how natural communities are interdependent on each other and dependent on us. To protect our natural heritage, we must learn that we are part of, not apart from, the natural world. Through observation and hands-on activities, students gain an understanding of the importance of the resources found in this park and enhance their appreciation of environmental issues facing their own communities. (Georgetown County - 843.237.4440)