Southwest Florida Watersheds
Articles/Websites
Grades4-12Science, Geography
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Southwest Florida Water Management District
What it is
- This resource is a collection of virtual watershed excursions covering the Alafia River, Green Swamp, Hillsborough River, Peace River, Southern Coastal, Springs Coast, and Withlacoochee River watersheds.
- Each excursion uses video and text to explain how water flows across the land toward a common body of water and how everyday human activities create nonpoint-source pollution that affects streams, rivers, lakes, coasts, and aquifers.
- Coordinating teacher's guides, watershed videos, and informational brochures accompany the excursions to support classroom use.
Teaching tips
Classroom Implementation:
- Identify your local watershed and review the teaching materials for that excursion.
- The excursions require internet and device access; consider pairing students to complete the virtual tour and worksheet together, then sharing answers as a class.
Options for Action:
- Use the Join the Community Effort for Clean Water tips to move from understanding watersheds to identifying concrete actions students and families can take.
- Organize a school campaign to promote watershed health.
- Encourage students to conduct a watershed experiment for their science fair project.
Climate Change Connections:
- Because the excursions treat climate change only lightly, prompt students to connect extreme weather, algal blooms, and restoration efforts to a changing climate as an extension.
From the scientist review
This resource is a collection of virtual excursions of Florida watersheds. Each features video and clear text, with all terms clearly defined in the accompanying teacher’s guide. Climate change, however, is largely an afterthought, even when discussing threats and restoration efforts. Despite this omission, this resource is generally strong and is recommended for teaching.
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