Soil, water, woodland and wildlife are our most precious renewable resources. The Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District was established in 1944 as a local governmental agency responsible for promoting the wise use and management of these renewable natural resources. A seven-member board governs the activities of the Conservation District as set forth in Chapter 262 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. The board members/district supervisors, are elected by registered voters in the county and serve without compensation.
The Jefferson County SWCD offers this brochure to assist educators and community leaders in selecting visual aids and tools to stress natural resource management or strengthen student concepts on the use and management of our slowly renewable natural resources. These materials are available for loan periods of up to one month. A deposit may be required for video materials and references. Items appropriate for the classroom are highlighted with italics. The major topics in this publication are: Agriculture, Soil, Trees, Water, Wetlands, Wildlife, Other Topics, Other Stuff, Outdoor Classrooms and Educator Workshops.
A 15 minute slide show about soil composition, soil types, textures and the characteristics of the different soil types. Excellent for grades 4-12.
A 15 minute video on composting by various simple processes and steps. Excellent for middle & high schools.
An excellent interactive program including a Teacher’s Guide and video on soils and agriculture. Educator’s Guide and a 60 minute video divided into six sections with hands on activities. Developed for grades 4-9.
A 17 minute video on the use of composting as a method of waste reduction. Includes 95 page “Backyard Composting” guide and plans for building compost facilities. Excellent how-to video. For upper elementary, middle & high schools.
A 30 minute video on the relationship between soil and water movement. Good details on how groundwater pollution occurs. Middle through high school.
A 78 minute video on construction site soil erosion and water management with emphasis on Best Management Practices. Excellent training/awareness video for adults/landuse professionals. Includes a workbook for training sessions.
16 learning activities, 10 minute video and a 24-page brochure explaining soil and water conservation as explained and developed by kids. Excellent. Grades 6-8.
Video on the use of common Best Management Practices for construction sites. Developed in 1991 by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Health & Natural Resources.
A great PBS Home Video from the American Experience Series. Great historical footage on early soil erosion. Great writing and history piece.
Lessons based on Groundwater Discovery TV segments. Self contained, portable flow model kit. Has instruction for experiments and detailed activities. JUG - Just Understanding Groundwater. All grades.
An excellent 15 minute video featuring up close scenes of live, active earthworms in their habitat. Video has a teacher’s guide for supporting materials. Elementary to middle school.
Teaches the process of soil sedimentation hands on and mess free. Unique earth science teaching aid. Contains water and a variety of soil types. Comes with a teaching guide. Grades 1-6.
A teacher’s aid linking agriculture to science, history, language arts and mathematics. Upper elementary through high school.
A three ring binder full of resource materials. Includes maps, literature, guides, activities and publications related to the topic of soil. Grades K-12.
Teacher's Guide to soil activities developed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Kansas. Excellent for grades K - 6.
A forest ecology unit developed specifically for high school students. Uses groups, writing exercises, assessment games, surveys and various other methods to analyze landuse situations. The video and written guide helps teachers and students through the process.
A 30 minute animation of excellent story telling quality with a strong message of living in harmony with nature and the value of true land stewardship. An inspirational film for all ages.
An eleven minute technical video that highlights the value of trees to urban communities. Good case studies on why to plant trees in the urban environment. Geared to community and professional audiences.
A look at the value of trees to cities. Discusses how trees affect temperatures, pollution, flooding and wildlife diversity in urban areas. 13 minutes. Middle to high school and above.
The adorable Lorax speaks for the trees in this music filled tale that is certain to please. An original conservation classic that has a timeless message for the young and old alike. 30 minutes.
A 21 minute video which introduces landowners to the features of good water quality and how to prevent soil and other pollutants from entering our waters when harvesting trees. Adults.
"Eyewitness” series. Martin Sheen narrates this wonderful video about trees. “Tree” roots out the most amazing facts about these silent sentinels of our planet. 35 minutes. All audiences.
A look at the diversity of life in a forest community. Excellent details of plant and animal life which provides the richness of life in the forest. 30 minutes. All audiences.
A 15 minute video which explains the importance of using Forestry Best Management Practices to prevent soil and other pollutants from entering our waters. High school through adults.
A three ring binder full of resource materials. Includes maps, literature, guides, activities and publications related to the topic of trees. K - 12.
Contains tree rounds, tools, and study/activity sheets to reproduce for students to learn about different tree species, their structures, and biodiversity. Also includes teachers guide. Middle to high school.
A 14 minute narrated cassette program about the importance of water as a non-renewable natural resource. Grades 4-12.
A locally produced video on Beargrass Creek and the community efforts to address water quality concerns. Good student input. Adapted best to middle school through high school levels.
General audience - 20 minutes. This Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) series also covers:
Combined Sewers and CSO’s - 12 min.
Sanitary Sewers and Overflows - 7 min.
Stormwater Drainage and NPS - 13 min.
Conclusion - 3 min.
This documentary examines the harmful effects of nonpoint source pollution on Kentucky's water supply and shows some simple methods ordinary citizens can use to help protect sources of water in the Commonwealth for future generations. Nonpoint source pollution occurs as rain and snowmelt move over the ground carrying any waste materials left behind such as paint, oil, fertilizer, pet waste, livestock waste, and loosened sediment into nearby water sources.
A specialized video which discusses the proper use and management for water weed control using the herbicide, Sonar. Adult audiences.
A 30 minute video produced by ECOLOKIDS. Excellent material on the water cycle, water pollution and water as our nation’s most important resource. Teachers guide included with hands-on experiments. Grades 3-9.
A 15 minute video which looks at water quality issues in Kentucky’s major watersheds. Provides good, descriptive narrations of the water cycle and how water moves into groundwater. Middle to high school.
An entertaining 8 minute video with frogs as newscasters reporting on pollution issues. Excellent for addressing point and non-point source pollution. All ages.
A 12-minute video, covering basic hydrology, aquifers, wells and pollution sources. For use by a wide variety of audience.
A 56 minute video that explains sources of groundwater pollution and a program of testing water contamination. Adults and high school level.
A 9 minute video developed by the Water Pollution Control Federation on groundwater. Excellent narration by Dino Sauras, a talking Dinosaur. Grades 3-10.
A 12 minute “how to” video produced by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Guides the viewer through steps in this special method of streambank stabilization. Adults/Contractors.
A 30 minute video on the relationship between soil and water movement. Good details on how groundwater pollution occurs. Middle through high school.
A 20 minute video which looks primarily at our mining industry’s contribution to non-point source pollution. Middle to high school.
Basic lessons about water with music and simple animation. How each person can protect water supplies. 13:32 minutes. Grades 2-5.
A brief video about the history of the Metropolitan Sewer District. Describes the agency’s mission as a waste management and stormwater entity. Adult general audiences.
A 21 minute video which introduces landowners to the features of good water quality and how to prevent soil and other pollutants from entering our waters when harvesting trees. Adults.
A 13 minute video which describes watersheds. Good introduction for groups and individuals interested in addressing watershed concerns using a voluntary approach. General adult audience.
A video collection of construction and management techniques for proper pond construction. Approximately 120 minutes. General adult audience.
1994 Field Day event on the J. A. Paradis River farm, Goshen, KY. Views of speakers and events during the one day event. General audience.
The “Stream Doctor” explains the effects of streambank erosion and shows how to restore stream habitat. 28 minutes, all audiences.
An 8 minute video produced by the Water Pollution Control Federation on water, particularly surface water. Excellent narration by Dino Sauras, a talking dinosaur. Grades 3-10.
A series of 7 videos produced at the Louisville Soil Bioengineering Conference in 1996. The videos detail methods and technology of stream bank stabilization, highlights program speakers and training sessions.
Bill Nye, “The Science Guy”, explains how stream pollution takes place and how to improve water quality. Includes a stream keeper’s field guide. Excellent production. 26 minutes. Grades 6-12.
Music video about storm sewers! Shows how storm sewers drain into water supplies. Stresses the importance of keeping litter and pollutants out of storm sewers. 9:00 minutes. Elementary grades.
A 9 minute video produced by the Water Pollution Control Federation on surface water. Excellent narration by Dino Sauras, a talking dinosaur. Includes a teacher’s guide and student workbook. Grades 3-10.
A 5 minute video, good opener to theme of Kentucky water, geology and soil. General audience - upper elementary to high school.
Upper elementary through adult. Follow a “savy” water drop in this no nonsense, easy to understand and humorous education program.
Watershed - 4 min.
Household - 5 min.
Pipes - 3 min.
Construction - 4 min.
A video geared to a better understanding of the concept of watershed management through community involvement. Best for community based adult audiences.
A 15 minute video which explains the importance of using Forestry Best Management Practices to prevent soil and other pollutants from entering our waters. High school through adults.
Ø Have you Ever Seen a Polluted Stream? - 10 min.
Ø Water Follies: A wordless cartoon about conserving water (great "do’s and don’ts" instruction for small children) - 7 min.
Ø Wild River Music Video (scenes from Kentucky ) - 6 min.
Supports the Community Waters theme. All audiences. 5 minutes.
Self-contained, portable flow model kit. Has instruction for experiments and detailed activities. Lessons based on Groundwater Discovery TV segments. JUG - Just Understanding Groundwater. All grades.
A table top display which emphasizes water quality and important pro-active steps individuals can take to address water quality issues. Suitable for schools and civic groups.
A three-ring binder full of resource materials. Includes maps, literature, guides, activities and publications related to the topic of water. Grades K-12.
A seven-module unit designed for fifth grade teachers and students. Promotes general and specific environmental awareness in a classroom setting. Materials incorporate research techniques, problem solving skills, organization, writing and summarizing acquired information.
A supplemental environmental education curriculum on the Ohio River and Water developed for grades K-12. Comprised of a series of interactive hands on activities, supported by background information.
An educational activity guide, developed for teachers, grades K-12. Although developed for Illinois, it can easily be adapted for Kentucky.
A guide to determining water pollution in local waterways. An educational study unit which allows high school students to monitor the health of streams, rivers and lakes in their area. Provides methods for chemical, biological and physical investigations of the water.
An interactive CD which features Desdemona, a dragonfly that guides the user through water quality efforts in this fun water quality game. Middle to high school. (IBM Compatible. Windows 95.)
An inside look at Liberty Elementary in Oldham County and provides information on “How to Make a Wetland.” 20 minutes. Teachers and students.
A Terrene Institute video which looks at the importance of wetlands to our communities and nation. Excellent explanations on wetland functions and values. 15 minutes. Upper elementary through high school.
A PBS production, great footage. Informative, entertaining and inspirational. A 57 minute video that uncovers the hidden wonders of wetlands. Explores wetlands through the eyes of people working to protect lands they love. Geared to middle school and general audiences.
A study of the use and development of artificial wetlands in rural communities in the northeastern US. 30 minutes. General audiences.
A 23 minute video which features five farmers who tell why they believe in keeping their wetlands. Also includes an overview of wetland losses and restoration. General audiences.
A wonderful and colorful video of wildlife that live in wetland areas. Produced by the Natural History Education Company. 25 minutes. All ages.
A table-top display suitable for classrooms. Features a wetland site with wildlife of a wetland habitat. Very detailed and realistic. Grades K-12.
Explores the small life of wetlands by habitats or through the organism index. Windows 95 or Macintosh Operating System. Middle to high school.
The digital field trip to the wetlands on Cloud Lake, Canada. Walk on a bog mat, play a bog food game, watch photosynthesis and study wetland plants and animals. Also, a study of frogs for biology students. Middle school.
A three ring binder full of resource materials. Includes maps, literature, teacher guides, posters, activities and publications related to the topic of wetlands. Grades K-12.
Discover the world of sedges, rushes, ducks and frogs in this beautifully illustrated book. Excellent companion to WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands and Project Wet curriculum. Geared to elementary and middle school students.
Spectacular color; the series explores a variety of rural, suburban and urban habitats, including schools and backyards. The 10 minute program is narrated and excellent for all ages K-12.
A brief history of the nature conservancy and its approaches to saving the great natural areas and natural communities. Scenic Beauty. Geared to upper elementary and general audiences. 15 minutes
A 23 minute program on the protection of our public lands and their importance to wildlife and our national heritage. Narrated cassette. Beautiful scenery. All audiences.
A 9 minute video that looks at how homeowners can develop backyard habitats to encourage wildlife. The video highlights 10 conservation practices commonly used by farmers which can be applied to your own backyard. Includes a backyard habitat kit with “how to” guides. General audiences.
A two-part video with Part II dedicated to a look at the benefits of no-till crop on wildlife. The video’s first part looks at earthworms: nature’s soil tillers. General audience.
A 30 minute video, geared to general audiences on the need and development of wildlife habitat. Excellent “how to” footage on preparing sites and installing wildlife habitat components.
A four part (independent) video about wildlife, especially suited for urban/suburban settings. Good interactive activities. Adaptable for all grade levels. Each part approximately 14 to 22 minutes. Includes an instructional guide.
A delightful educational video and teaching guide. Take a journey through a bee hive to learn about bees, honey and pollination. Meet different kinds of bees, beekeepers and interesting characters as you study a bee’s life. Grades 4-6.
How to create wildlife habitat in any yard. Specific ways to give food, water and cover for wild species. 13 minutes. High school to adult.
An Audubon Animal Adventure which looks at the life of Common Puffins, colorful birds of the ocean and clowns of the air. Once a threatened species, the species is now making a comeback. 30 minutes. General audiences.
A wonderful and colorful video of wildlife that live in wetland areas. Produced by the Natural History Education Company. 25 minutes. All ages.
An instructional video about biodiversity geared to middle & high school students. Divided into four parts for adaptation and use in the classroom. Includes an instructional guide.
A 38 minute video and companion booklet filled with easy ways to create fragrant, colorful wildlife habitats so songbirds, humming birds, butterflies and others will find your yard irresistible. Also, an assortment of building plans for hands-on projects. Teachers, general audiences.
A three-ring binder full of resource materials. Includes posters, literature, activities, maps, guides and publications related to wildlife. Grades K-12.
A 15 minute slide show that looks at air pollution, smog and ambient environmental problems. Includes a narrated cassette with the program. All ages.
A 17 minute slide show that looks at environmental concerns and tells how we all can become engaged in environmental activities to make the earth more sustainable and cleaner. All ages.
Adaptation of legendary 1854 speech by Chief Seattle of Suquamish tribe. Stirring statement contrasts living in harmony with reckless exploitation of nature. Powerful, beautiful images. 12:36 minutes. Elementary to adult.
An excellent 20 minute video. A bugs eye view and a birds eye view unfolding the cycle of nature in the life of a pumpkin. Excellent for all ages and produced to entertain and learn.
A strong motivational video; completely silent, great message. 2 minutes. Middle school and up.
Seven titles under one video. Video shows math in a new light and helps elementary through high school students understand how to solve complex problems. A way to see the relevance of math in everyday lives. Includes a teaching guide.
Four individuals look at the issue of sustainable development in Kentucky. 20 minutes; general adult audiences.
A 10-minute video, that looks at the Envirothon contest, an environmental challenge for high school students. Excellent look at the opportunity to develop an Envirothon Team. High school teachers and students.
A 5 minute video that shows children’s views on conservation. Good opener for educational topics on landuse and conservation. All audiences.
A five minute video that explores the visual wonders of our living planet. Inspirational in nature, wonderful wildlife footage. Excellent opener or closure for any environmental landuse arena. For all audiences.
A 15 minute video that features the three short segments listed above. Good for audiences K-9.
Four episode video, each episode is 22 minutes. Multi-disciplinary approach to studying math, water, decision making and engineering concepts. Geared for middle school students.
A documentary film, inspired by George Lucas, that explores the innovative programs where students and teachers use technology to make learning exciting. Narrated by Robin Williams. 60 minutes. Teachers and administrators.
An eight minute excellent introductory video to address landuses and changes that occur on private property. Part of the video from the USDA National Summit on Private Land Conservation. General audience, all ages.
A nine program video that teaches the adventures of discovery and the fun of problem solving. Presents problem solving techniques. Nine part video, each part approximately 20 minutes. Includes a film guide.
A Teachers’ guide that contains activities that will provide students with an opportunity to learn about current environmental issues in their community. Geared for middle and high school students.
Share the wonder of nature with young learners while building scientific knowledge and skills. Developed for primary (Grades K-3). Opportunities for language arts, visual arts, social studies, and parental involvement using real world investigations. Great companion to outdoor classrooms and open spaces.
A collection of creative teaching ideas for educators who want to integrate science based environmental education into their curriculum. Activities follow the school year seasons of fall, winter and spring. All grade levels.
An environmental game where participants toss tennis balls at velcro paddles mounted on the board. The object is to play the game like Tic Tac Toe, aligning three balls in a row and then answering a question on an environmental topic. Questions are developed for elementary, middle and high schools.
A “rotating wheel” with 8 categories ranging from agriculture to wildlife. Fun and educational for all grade levels. Has questions for each category.
An idea book for exploring the world through soda bottles and other recyclable materials. Adaptable for biology of all ages.
Accurately demonstrates how water moves through soil, and how pollution can affect our groundwater and drinking water. Also shows relationship of ground water to surface water. Excellent visual demonstration.
Unique demonstrational model of water pollution and prevention. Model vividly illustrates how our own activities affect water quality. Excellent for all ages.
Advanced form of simple streamtable. Demonstrate sedimentation, alluvial fans, erosion and floods. Show the effects of Riparian zones, dams, channelization and dredging on streambanks and streambeds. Also show the effects of displacement and bioengineering modeling. Global layering with colored sediments. All ages.
Office copies available for copying. Photographs depict change over time. Entire coverage of Jefferson County for years 1937, 1951, 1956, 1960, 1973, and 1982.
Office copies of geology and topographic maps. Available for copying. Full county coverage on scale of 1" = 2000'.
A 48" soil sampling tube, stainless steel. Used to pull ¾ “ diameter soil core samples to view soil profile layers.
A wooden (maple) tool used to make planting pots from newspapers. Unique way to teach recycling and get students actively involved in getting ready for a gardening program.
A three-ring binder full of resource materials. Includes literature, guides, activities and publications on an array of topics from lawn care to recycling. Adults.
Hands on test kits and experiment sheets for 35 students. Students discover and compare the physical and chemical properties of soil.
Take your group on a guided tour along your local stream. Learn water monitoring techniques, habitat assessment and macroinvertebrate (water critter) identification. Hands-on activities. For class groups, school groups, scout troops, civic groups or other interested folks. Can be adapted for any age group and can be done indoors, too.
KET Star Channel Training Video; Real world experiences in developing outdoor classrooms. A discussion with teachers, students, administrators and community leaders on the use and development of outdoor classrooms. 90 minutes. Teachers and administrators.
KET Star Channel Training Video; Real world experiences in developing outdoor classrooms. This segment looks at different components of the outdoor classrooms and various resources available to help facilitate success. 90 minutes. Teachers and administrators.
KET Star Channel Training Video; Real world experiences in developing outdoor classrooms. This segment looks at the educational basis of environmental education using outdoor class-rooms. 90 minutes. Teachers and administrators.
A 15 minute video that looks at how school grounds can be developed as natural areas and outdoor classroom sites. Teachers and administrators.
A motivational look at using school grounds for teaching and learning, whether on black top or in a field or on a playground. A guide book on using outdoor “habitats” accompanies the video. 16 minutes. Teachers and administrators.
An inside look at Liberty Elementary in Oldham County and provides information on “How to Make a Wetland”. 20 minutes. All ages.
A 9½ minute video developed by the Mission Department of Conservation which examines the use and development of outdoor classrooms. Teachers and administrators.
A guide which looks at the process for creating an outdoor classroom. Also includes ideas and components for use in outdoor classroom areas.
An introductory guide to developing, using and maintaining outdoor classrooms in Kentucky. Includes some sample activities for integrating activities into an existing curriculum.
A three ring binder full of resource materials. Includes literature, guides, activities, and publications related to the topic of outdoor classrooms. Grades K-12.
Want an outdoor classroom, but don’t know where to begin or how to pay for it? Need activities on how to use your outdoor classroom? Contact our office and we’ll be glad to help.
A 31-page pictorial guide to assist teachers and administrators in their quest to develop components of outdoor learning areas. Developed by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council with assistance from natural resource professionals. Also contains good references and Kentucky contacts for assistance.
An interdisciplinary approach to integrating agriculture and environmental topics and the inter-relationship of people and natural resources. Food, Land & People focuses on identified voids and currently available agricultural and environmental education materials for teaching about our land. Grades K-12, teachers and educators. Aligned with the Program of Studies.
An educator’s guide to Nonpoint Source Water Pollution. Geared to grades K-12, most activities involve group work. The KERA goals and expectations met are listed for each activity.
A K-12 activity guide and curriculum which emphasizes wildlife education. Project WILD is an interdisciplinary, supplementary conservation and environmental education program. Aligned with National Standards and is currently being aligned with the Program of Studies.
A K-12 activity guide and curriculum which emphasizes forestry education. Students learn the inter-relationship of people, wildlife, water and our forests. Aligned with the Program of Studies.
An interdisciplinary, supplementary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wetlands. The curriculum guide is geared for teachers, grades K-12.
To schedule educator training for teachers, youth leaders or other formal and non-formal educators, please contact Cheryl Bersaglia, Program Coordinator, with the Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District at Cheryl.Bersaglia@ky.nacdnet.net Professional development hours are available for most trainings.
(Prices may vary pending workshop expenses, i.e. meals, materials, etc.—but no more than $25.00 per person. Donations or contributions from organizations or corporations are encouraged to help defray costs.)
Food, Land and People: 6 hrs. / $25.00 per person minimum
Project Learning Tree: 6-8 grade / 6 hrs. / $20.00 - High School / 4 hrs. / $10.00 for each module
Project WILD: 6 hrs. / workshop expense only
Project WILD Aquatic: 4 hrs. / workshop expense only
Combined WILD & Aquatic: 8 hrs. / workshop expense only
WILD about Elk: 3 hrs. / workshop expense only
Splashing in Kentucky: 4 hrs. / workshop expense only
Wonders of Wetlands: Contact our office for details
Professional Development hours are available for most of the workshops listed above.