Skip to main content
Natural Inquirer - Homepage

Free Science Materials for K-12 Students

  • Bookmarks
  • Cart0
  • Account
  • Find Outdoors
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.
Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact Us
  • Resources
    • View All Resources
    • Grade Levels
      • PreK - 2nd Grade
      • Upper Elementary
      • Middle School
      • High School
      • All Grade Levels
    • Resource Types
      • Articles
      • Activities
      • Collector Cards
      • Coloring Books
      • Glossary
      • Lesson Plans
      • Scientists & Collaborators
      • Spotlights
      • Virtual Learning Adventures
      • All Types
    • Resource Topics
      • Wilderness
      • Wildlife
      • Water
      • Climate
      • Social Science
      • Fire
      • Agriculture
      • Recreation
      • Carbon
      • Insects
      • All Topics
    • Special Collections
      • Artemis Moon Trees
      • Experimental Forests & Ranges
      • Project Learning Tree Connections
      • Globe Connections
      • Smokey Bear
      • Spanish Editions
      • Woodsy Owl
      • World's Forests
      • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
    • View All Products
    • Journals & Monographs
    • Readers
    • Collector Card Packs
    • Coloring Books
  • Educators
    • For Educators
      • Note to Educators
      • Educator Blog
      • Educator Newsletter
    • Classroom Ready Resources
      • Lesson Plans
      • Activities
      • Learning Modules
      • GLOBE Connections
      • Project Learning Tree
    • Get Involved
      • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Virtual Learning Adventures
  • Bookmarks
  • Cart
  • Account
  • About
    • About Natural Inquirer
    • Team
    • Partners
    • Press & Past Events
    • Contact
  • Resources
        • View All Resources
        • By Grade
          • PreK - 2nd
          • Upper Elementary
          • Middle School
          • High School
        • By Type
          • Articles
          • Activities
          • Collector Cards
          • Coloring Books
          • Glossary
          • Lesson Plans
          • Learning Modules
          • Journals
          • Monographs
          • Readers
          • Scientists & Collaborators
          • Spotlights
          • Virtual Learning Adventures
          • All Types
        • By Topic
          • Agriculture
          • Carbon
          • Climate
          • Fire
          • Insects
          • Recreation
          • Social Science
          • Water
          • Wilderness
          • Wildlife
          • All Topics
        • Special Collections
          • Artemis Moon Trees
          • Experimental Forests and Ranges
          • GLOBE Connections
          • Project Learning Tree Connections
          • Smokey Bear
          • Spanish Editions
          • Woodsy Owl
          • World's Forests
          • All Special Collections
  • Order Materials
        • Download all resources - FREE!

          **Due to recent government funding changes, we currently are only able to process bulk orders.** We hope that we will be able to resolve this issue in the near future. In the meantime, please feel free to download our resources and explore the website for many great lesson plans and activities. Thank you!

          View All Products
        • Journals & Monographs

          Journals focus on a group of related articles, while monographs focus on one research article.

          Journals & Monographs
        • Collector Cards

          Learn about possible career opportunities in science!

          View All Card Packs
        • Readers

          For a PreK-2nd grade audience, each Reader focuses on one Forest Service scientist and their research.

          View All Readers
        • Coloring Books

          Learn more about science through our coloring books!

          View All Coloring Books
  • Educators
        • Overview
          • Educator Guide
        • Classroom Ready Resources
          • Learning Modules
          • Lesson Plans
          • Explore All
        • Order Materials
          • View All Free Products
          • Contact Us
        • For Educators
          • Educator Blog
          • Educator Newsletter
          • Project Learning Tree
        • Get Involved
          • Volunteer Your Classroom
  • Virtual Learning Adventures

Breadcrumb

  • Home
  • Resources
  • Learning Module – Climate Change
Bookmark
Please login to bookmark Close

Please login to bookmark


Lost your password?

No account yet? Register

Learning Module – Climate Change

  • Learning Module
  • All Grade Levels
  • High School
  • Middle School
  • PreK - 2nd
  • Upper Elementary
  • 1 Classroom Period
  • 1 Month +
  • 1 Week+
  • 2 Weeks+
  • 2-3 Classroom Periods
  • 3-4 Weeks
  • 5 Classroom Periods
  • Carbon
  • Climate
  • Fire
  • Pollution
  • Water
  • Wildlife
  • Amphibians
  • Beavers
  • Carbon Cycle
  • Carbon Sequestration
  • Glaciers
  • Greenhouse Effect
  • Habitat
  • Nitrogen
  • Oceans
  • Urban trees
  • Water Supply
  • Weather
  • Wetlands
Desert with mountain range in the background
SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom

Below you will find a compilation of all of the climate change resources we have to offer. Listed by grade level, (Pre-K to 2nd, Upper Elementary, Middle and High School) these materials are from our readers, monographs, and journals and focus on a certain aspect of climate change. Accompanying each article is an activity to help deepen understanding of the article and climate change research. Next, there is a section of Additional Resources, ranging from YouTube videos, like Climate Change LIVE, lesson plans, and other resources. There is also a section of Scientists Cards. This section features some of the Forest Service Scientists that are researching climate change.

Learning Module – Climate Change

Jump To

  • PreK - 2nd
  • Upper Elementary
  • Middle School & High School
  • Other Resources

PreK - 2nd

  1. Climate Change & Wildfire

    • Meet Dr. Goodrick – Reader Series:  This reader explores the connection between weather and wildfire.
      • Try This! – Determine how each pictured item may be useful in a fire; additional coloring page.
  2. Climate Change & Weather

    • Meet Ms. Laseter – Reader Series: This reader explores how changes in rainfall affect streams and rivers in forested areas over time.
      • Try This! – Record rainfall and weather conditions over a period of two weeks.
  3. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Meet Dr. Guo – Reader Series: This reader explores how animals may move to new habitats.
      • Try This! – Match each pictured animal to its habitat.
  4. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    • Meet Dr. Sun – Reader Series: This reader examines Dr. Sun’s research into land-use changes in the southeastern United States over more than 100 years.
      • Try This! – Describe how land is being used in each photo and determine how that land use helps or hurts the environment.
  5. Climate Change & People

    • Meet Dr. Mercer – Reader Series: This reader explores the differences between rural and urban communities and how they may be impacted by climate change.
      • Try This! – Make a bar graph to chart the temperatures in two different cities.

Upper Elementary

  1. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Article – “Amphibious Assault: How Climate Change May Affect Amphibian Breeding“: This article discusses how climate change can change the breeding patterns of some animals. Breeding patterns refer to when and how animals reproduce, including how many young an animal has and how often. If breeding patterns change, an entire population may change or become extinct. The question the scientists in this study wanted to answer was how certain amphibian populations and their breeding patterns may be responding to climate change.
      • FACTivity – Compare and contrast human life and frog life with a creative writing assignment about a human who turns into a frog and vice versa.
    • Article – “Seed Ya Later!: Predicting the Movement of Trees in a Changing Climate“: This article describes how scientists use modeling to predict how the range of tree species will change in response to climate change.
      • FACTivity – Explore the different ways that seeds can move from their parent plants, and examine how modeling can help scientists understand their data.
    • Article – “There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time“: Wolverines are the largest member of the weasel family that lives on land. They live in areas far from humans and human development. Therefore, not much is known about these mammals. The scientists in this study wanted to accurately map the wolverine’s range over time. The scientists also wanted to study whether climate change is affecting the wolverines’ range.
      • FACTivity – Research and map the geographic range of an animal of your choice.
    • Article – “Wild Ways: Assessing How Climate Change May Affect Certain Wildlife“: Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can also help make better decisions to support wildlife. In this study, the scientists wanted to learn more about species living in and around the Coronado National Forest.
      • FACTivity – Research to determine how climate change may affect a certain species in your state.
  2. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    Article – “Frozen Food: How Glaciers Provide Food to Animals that Live in the Ocean“: In this study, the scientists studied glaciers and their nearby rivers in Alaska. The water coming from glaciers can be quite old and contain nutrients, such as carbon, that could be at least 5,000 years old. The scientists wondered if the carbon in the water was too old to be useful to animals living in the rivers and bays.

    • FACTivity – Compare photos of glaciers taken over time

Middle School & High School

  1. Climate Change & Weather

    • Article – “What Goes Around Comes Around: How Long-Term Weather Patterns Affect Plants in Carolina Bay Wetlands“: Scientists study whether prolonged periods of drought may enable trees and other woody plants to grow into the wetlands during long dry periods.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the sampling method used in the study using yarn and dried beans.

     

    • Article – “Flow Down! Can Managing Forests Help Maintain Water Supplies in the Face of Climate Change?“: The scientists in this study wanted to figure out how forest management, climate change, and streamflow interact. First, the scientists wanted to identify if forest management could affect streamflow. Second, the scientist wanted to identify types of forest management that would help protect against extreme precipitation changes that may occur as the climate changes.
      • FACTivity – Make your own rain gauge and measure the amount of rainfall that occurs over a month’s time.
  2. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    • Article – “Fill Those Potholes! Identifying Ecosystem Services of Small Wetlands on the American Prairie“: Scientists determine whether some of the ecosystem services provided by prairie potholes are restored when potholes are restored, and they measure the benefit to people of restored potholes compared to natural potholes and nearby cropland.
      • FACTivity –  Using several Natural Inquirer articles, identify the ecosystem services provided by this nation’s natural resources; extension: examine the natural land around you in your yard, out of the car window, in your neighborhood, etc., and identify as many ecosystem services as you can there.

     

    • Article – “Inquiry 3: How Much Carbon Is Held by the World’s Forests?“: This article presents the results of a worldwide effort to understand the world’s forests, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This inquiry focuses on the amount of carbon stored in each country’s forests.

     

    • Article – “Inquiry 4: What Do the World’s Forests Have to Do with Climate Change?“: Every 5 years the Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, publishes a report about the world’s forests, called the Global Forest Resources Assessment. It contains information about forests in 233 countries and territories. All together, these forests are the world’s forests. This inquiry focuses on the amount of carbon stored in the world’s forests.
      • FACTivity – Identify two actions you can take now to address climate change and make an action plan for implementing those changes.

     

    • Article – “Beam Me Down, Scotty: The Use of Airborne and Satellite Technology to Measure Carbon in Hawaiian Forests“: In this study, the scientists wanted to test a method of calculating the amount of carbon stored by plants across a large area of land. They chose the island of Hawai’i to test their method. By combining both old and new technology they could then create a carbon map of the whole island of Hawai’i.
      • FACTivity – Compare and contrast two recent studies of carbon storage in tropical forests using two Natural Inquirer articles.

     

    • Article – “The GLAS Is Half Full: Satellites and Changing Tropical Forests“: The scientists wanted to know if the information gathered by satellites was as good as the information they would get if they gathered it in person. The scientists in this study wanted to discover whether information gathered by satellites could be used to identify the age of tropical rain forests and to estimate the increase in the amount of biomass in growing rain forests. They also wanted to know if the information gathered by satellites could be used to estimate the amount of biomass held by old rain forests.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the Landsat images like the ones the scientists used to estimate biomass in the forests, but this time to estimate the ages of a group of people by viewing them from above.

     

    • Article – “Everything but the Carbon Sink: Carbon Storage in the Southern United States“: The scientists in this study were interested in environmental changes occurring in the Southern United States. The scientists were interested in changes occurring over a long time. In particular, the scientists were interested in understanding how increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, increasing ozone, increasing nitrogen on Earth, climate change, and changes in land use affect the carbon cycle of the Southern United States.
      • FACTivity – Identify characteristics of a carbon sink and a carbon source by making observations about a series of photographs.

     

    • Article – “FaceLook: Exploring the Relationship Between Carbon, Photosynthesis, and the Roots of Trees“: What will happen to trees if climate change continues? The scientists in this study conducted an experiment to see how much carbon is stored in a tree’s roots versus its leaves.
      • FACTivity – Observe the estimated leaf area of two similar trees in your schoolyard and develop hypotheses about their relative health.

     

    • Article – “Logjams and Beaver Dams: How Different Landforms Affect the Amount of Carbon in an Ecosystem“: Carbon is naturally stored in the environment. In fact, carbon is in every living thing. Some habitats are better at storing carbon and that impacts the entire carbon cycle. In this article, scientists explore how carbon is stored in mountainous areas.
      • FACTivity – Create models of a logjam and a beaver dam to identify their similarities and differences.

     

    • Article – “Where in the World is Carbon Dioxide? The Potential Impact of Rising Levels of Carbon Dioxide on U.S. Forests“: There are many different types of plant communities in the United States. What will happen if the climate continues to change? The scientists in this research used math and computer models to find out how the plant communities might change. The results are predictions that can inform future science.
      • FACTivity – Determine how much of a change in climate is needed to cause a change in the type of vegetation growing in an area by charting predicted yearly temperature changes in various cities across the U.S.

     

    • Article – “Balancing Act: Urban Trees and the Carbon Cycle“: Is there a point where a tree does not hold enough carbon to make up for the emissions released to care for the tree? Scientists in this study want to know which trees grow the longest and store carbon the longest. The goal is to inform managers of the best trees to plant in urban environments.
      • FACTivity – Research tree species to decide on a type to recommend for planting in your schoolyard.

     

    • Article – “It’s a Gas: The Exchange of Gases Between the Soil and the Atmosphere“: People use land for many different reasons. Is the natural exchange of gases different between types of land use? The scientists wanted to see how greenhouse gas exchange in soils differed between old forests, new forests, and pastures. The scientists in this study learn about the nitrogen cycle.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the greenhouse effect with a glass jar and some dirt.
  3. Climate Change & Wildfire

    • Article – “It’s a Small World: How Oceans and Climate Can Affect Wildland Fires Thousands of Miles Away“: The scientists in this study were interested in three common periodic changes in sea surface temperatures, called oscillations. In particular, the scientists wanted to see how wildfires over the past 400 years aligned with the oscillations.
      • FACTivity – Explore how yearly weather conditions affect the way a tree’s growth rings look.

     

    • Article – “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: Is Climate Connected to Very Large Wildland Fires?“: Scientists explore if and how climate and weather are connected to very large wildland fires to help predict and prepare for future events.
      • FACTivity – Analyze and graph data to discover if there are patterns that show a relationship between PDSI (Palmer Drought Severity Index) and very large wildland fires in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; extension – use online data from National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration to observe patterns in historical Palmer Drought Severity Indices.

     

    • Article – “Fire and Water: Predicting Future Wildfire in a Changing Climate“: Successfully predicting where and when wildfires might occur is important. This prediction is important because of possible environmental and economic damage. As the climate warms, the possibility of wildfires might increase. The scientists in this study wanted to predict where and in what seasons wildfires might occur.
      • FACTivity – Roleplay as a wildland fire safety educator with the Forest Service in the year 2050. Develop a wildland fire safety poster or education campaign to be distributed to students across the United States.
  4. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Article – “Moving on Up: The Possible Impact of Climate Change on Forest Habitats“: The scientists in this study were interested in trees that live in the Eastern United States. They wanted to explore how the habitat of these trees might change in the future as the climate changes. They also wanted to know how different tree species might move in response to a changing climate.
      • FACTivity – Research the distribution of a particular tree species.
    • Article – “Back to the Future: Using Dead Trees to Predict Future Climate“: The tree line is the edge of a habitat at which trees are capable of growing. In this study, the scientists wanted to examine dead trees that they found above the current tree line. The deadwood found above the current tree line indicated that the climate during the trees’ lifetime was different than it is now. The scientists were interested in learning about the climate that existed when these trees were alive.
      • FACTivity – In this exercise in dendrochronology, use the four core samples provided to construct the climatic history of these trees. Then complete a timeline of social, cultural, environmental, and scientific events that occurred during the lifetime of these four trees.
    • Article – “There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time“: Wolverines are the largest member of the weasel family that lives on land. They live in areas far from humans and human development. Therefore, not much is known about these mammals. The scientists in this study wanted to accurately map the wolverine’s range over time. The scientists also wanted to study whether climate change is affecting the wolverines’ range.
      • FACTivity – Research and map the geographic range of an animal of your choice.
    • Article – “Did They Make the Gradient? Climate and Stream Temperatures Now and Into the Future“: If the temperature of a stream rises too high, the animals that live in the stream may find it difficult to survive. Big changes in a stream’s daytime temperature as compared with its nighttime temperature may also cause a problem for aquatic animals. The scientists in this study were interested in answering three questions: (1) How does the shape of a stream affect its daytime water temperature? (2) How does the shape of a stream affect the difference between its daytime and nighttime water temperatures? (3) How might a rise in average air temperature over time affect a stream’s water temperature?
      • FACTivity – Conduct an experiment with containers of water in the sun and the shade to determine if water movement affects water temperature.
    • Article – “Beetles Are Supercool! Understanding the Life Cycle of Mountain Pine Beetles“: Mountain pine beetles are important to the Western United States. They have a very special life cycle, that includes staying “supercool”, or dormant, for most of their life. The scientists in this study want to know how this important life cycle could be affected by our changing climate.
      • FACTivity – Catch a beetle in a bug box and record your observations and make some hypotheses about how they are formed and how they use their special features.
    • Article – “Wide Open Spaces: Climate Change Impacts in Rural Areas of the United States“: The scientists in this study were interested in studying how climate change may impact rural areas in the United States. Rural areas are expected to experience more negative impacts from the change in agriculture due to climate change than urban areas experience. However, rural areas may not experience as many extreme heat events as urban areas.
      • FACTivity – Create a presentation or brochure to explain the possible effects of climate change to people who live in rural areas.
    • Article – “North of the Border: Are Nonnative Species Moving Northward as the Climate Changes“: A naturalized species has two ranges. The first range is the one where the species lives in its native habitat. The second range is the one where the species is naturalized, surviving in a nonnative area without the help of humans. Species are more able to survive east to west across the globe but are limited by latitude. The scientists in this study wanted to answer this question: Are naturalized species’ latitudinal ranges the same, larger, or smaller than their native ranges?
      • FACTivity – Plot the native range and naturalized range of 25 species of plants on a graph. Use this data to note any general patterns in the native and naturalized ranges of these plants.
    • Article – “The Morel of the Story: Comparing Scientific Research with Local Mushroom Hunters’ Knowledge of Morel Mushrooms“: Scientists can learn a lot from local people who interact with the environment on a daily basis. This Monograph compares scientific research with local mushroom hunters; knowledge of morel mushrooms.
      • FACTivity – Examine a mushroom to develop a question you would like to research about mushrooms, then research the question and report your findings.
      • Additional FACTivity – record and report on the oral history of a family tradition.
    • Article – “How Now Round Crown: Predicting the Energy Future of Tree Crowns“: Pine trees cover much of the Southeastern United States. When older pine trees are cut for making wood products, only the trees’ boles are used. The scientists in this study wondered if there might be a use for the trees’ crowns as well. In particular, they wondered whether the trees’ crowns might one day be a source of energy.
      • FACTivity – Make observations in nature and in the provided photographs of different trees to identify differences between managed and unmanaged trees.
    • Article – “Will the Emerald Ash Borer and Climate Change Affect White Ash Baseball Bats?“: White ash trees face problems like the emerald ash borer and climate change; how will these problems affect the survival rates of white ash trees?
    • Article – “Nature’s Notebook: Taking the Pulse of Our Planet“: Phenology is the periodic series of life events in plants and animals that are related to climate. Changes in plant or animal phenology can show larger changes to Earth and its environment. The USA National Phenology Network creates a database from data collected by scientists and citizen scientists. Scientists can analyze the information to learn about trends, or changes over time, in climate phenology.
      • FACTivity – Use Nature’s Notebook to collect phenology data in your school, town, or home.

Other Resources

  • Intro video to Climate Change LIVE: Educate Inspire, Engage – This video presentation provides an overview of global warming, the greenhouse effect, climate change, climate change impacts, and some student efforts to address climate change.
  • Climate Change LIVE: Join the Conversation – This is the second part of the Climate Change LIVE presentation and covers some more information about climate change, like learning about past climate using ice cores, the impacts of climate change, and the differences between climate and weather. The focus of the presentation, though, is on efforts students have made across the country to help address climate change.
  • Additional reading, lesson plans, and other resources are available at https://climatechangelive.org/
SHARE
  • Copy Link
  • Facebook
  • X (Twitter)
  • Pinterest
  • Email
  • Google Classroom

Jump To sidebar

  • PreK - 2nd
  • Upper Elementary
  • Middle School & High School
  • Other Resources

PreK - 2nd

  1. Climate Change & Wildfire

    • Meet Dr. Goodrick – Reader Series:  This reader explores the connection between weather and wildfire.
      • Try This! – Determine how each pictured item may be useful in a fire; additional coloring page.
  2. Climate Change & Weather

    • Meet Ms. Laseter – Reader Series: This reader explores how changes in rainfall affect streams and rivers in forested areas over time.
      • Try This! – Record rainfall and weather conditions over a period of two weeks.
  3. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Meet Dr. Guo – Reader Series: This reader explores how animals may move to new habitats.
      • Try This! – Match each pictured animal to its habitat.
  4. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    • Meet Dr. Sun – Reader Series: This reader examines Dr. Sun’s research into land-use changes in the southeastern United States over more than 100 years.
      • Try This! – Describe how land is being used in each photo and determine how that land use helps or hurts the environment.
  5. Climate Change & People

    • Meet Dr. Mercer – Reader Series: This reader explores the differences between rural and urban communities and how they may be impacted by climate change.
      • Try This! – Make a bar graph to chart the temperatures in two different cities.

Upper Elementary

  1. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Article – “Amphibious Assault: How Climate Change May Affect Amphibian Breeding“: This article discusses how climate change can change the breeding patterns of some animals. Breeding patterns refer to when and how animals reproduce, including how many young an animal has and how often. If breeding patterns change, an entire population may change or become extinct. The question the scientists in this study wanted to answer was how certain amphibian populations and their breeding patterns may be responding to climate change.
      • FACTivity – Compare and contrast human life and frog life with a creative writing assignment about a human who turns into a frog and vice versa.
    • Article – “Seed Ya Later!: Predicting the Movement of Trees in a Changing Climate“: This article describes how scientists use modeling to predict how the range of tree species will change in response to climate change.
      • FACTivity – Explore the different ways that seeds can move from their parent plants, and examine how modeling can help scientists understand their data.
    • Article – “There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time“: Wolverines are the largest member of the weasel family that lives on land. They live in areas far from humans and human development. Therefore, not much is known about these mammals. The scientists in this study wanted to accurately map the wolverine’s range over time. The scientists also wanted to study whether climate change is affecting the wolverines’ range.
      • FACTivity – Research and map the geographic range of an animal of your choice.
    • Article – “Wild Ways: Assessing How Climate Change May Affect Certain Wildlife“: Identifying which species may be the most vulnerable to a changing climate is important. This information can help people make decisions about how to best manage the land. It can also help make better decisions to support wildlife. In this study, the scientists wanted to learn more about species living in and around the Coronado National Forest.
      • FACTivity – Research to determine how climate change may affect a certain species in your state.
  2. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    Article – “Frozen Food: How Glaciers Provide Food to Animals that Live in the Ocean“: In this study, the scientists studied glaciers and their nearby rivers in Alaska. The water coming from glaciers can be quite old and contain nutrients, such as carbon, that could be at least 5,000 years old. The scientists wondered if the carbon in the water was too old to be useful to animals living in the rivers and bays.

    • FACTivity – Compare photos of glaciers taken over time

Middle School & High School

  1. Climate Change & Weather

    • Article – “What Goes Around Comes Around: How Long-Term Weather Patterns Affect Plants in Carolina Bay Wetlands“: Scientists study whether prolonged periods of drought may enable trees and other woody plants to grow into the wetlands during long dry periods.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the sampling method used in the study using yarn and dried beans.

     

    • Article – “Flow Down! Can Managing Forests Help Maintain Water Supplies in the Face of Climate Change?“: The scientists in this study wanted to figure out how forest management, climate change, and streamflow interact. First, the scientists wanted to identify if forest management could affect streamflow. Second, the scientist wanted to identify types of forest management that would help protect against extreme precipitation changes that may occur as the climate changes.
      • FACTivity – Make your own rain gauge and measure the amount of rainfall that occurs over a month’s time.
  2. Climate Change & the Carbon Cycle

    • Article – “Fill Those Potholes! Identifying Ecosystem Services of Small Wetlands on the American Prairie“: Scientists determine whether some of the ecosystem services provided by prairie potholes are restored when potholes are restored, and they measure the benefit to people of restored potholes compared to natural potholes and nearby cropland.
      • FACTivity –  Using several Natural Inquirer articles, identify the ecosystem services provided by this nation’s natural resources; extension: examine the natural land around you in your yard, out of the car window, in your neighborhood, etc., and identify as many ecosystem services as you can there.

     

    • Article – “Inquiry 3: How Much Carbon Is Held by the World’s Forests?“: This article presents the results of a worldwide effort to understand the world’s forests, organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. This inquiry focuses on the amount of carbon stored in each country’s forests.

     

    • Article – “Inquiry 4: What Do the World’s Forests Have to Do with Climate Change?“: Every 5 years the Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO, publishes a report about the world’s forests, called the Global Forest Resources Assessment. It contains information about forests in 233 countries and territories. All together, these forests are the world’s forests. This inquiry focuses on the amount of carbon stored in the world’s forests.
      • FACTivity – Identify two actions you can take now to address climate change and make an action plan for implementing those changes.

     

    • Article – “Beam Me Down, Scotty: The Use of Airborne and Satellite Technology to Measure Carbon in Hawaiian Forests“: In this study, the scientists wanted to test a method of calculating the amount of carbon stored by plants across a large area of land. They chose the island of Hawai’i to test their method. By combining both old and new technology they could then create a carbon map of the whole island of Hawai’i.
      • FACTivity – Compare and contrast two recent studies of carbon storage in tropical forests using two Natural Inquirer articles.

     

    • Article – “The GLAS Is Half Full: Satellites and Changing Tropical Forests“: The scientists wanted to know if the information gathered by satellites was as good as the information they would get if they gathered it in person. The scientists in this study wanted to discover whether information gathered by satellites could be used to identify the age of tropical rain forests and to estimate the increase in the amount of biomass in growing rain forests. They also wanted to know if the information gathered by satellites could be used to estimate the amount of biomass held by old rain forests.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the Landsat images like the ones the scientists used to estimate biomass in the forests, but this time to estimate the ages of a group of people by viewing them from above.

     

    • Article – “Everything but the Carbon Sink: Carbon Storage in the Southern United States“: The scientists in this study were interested in environmental changes occurring in the Southern United States. The scientists were interested in changes occurring over a long time. In particular, the scientists were interested in understanding how increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide, increasing ozone, increasing nitrogen on Earth, climate change, and changes in land use affect the carbon cycle of the Southern United States.
      • FACTivity – Identify characteristics of a carbon sink and a carbon source by making observations about a series of photographs.

     

    • Article – “FaceLook: Exploring the Relationship Between Carbon, Photosynthesis, and the Roots of Trees“: What will happen to trees if climate change continues? The scientists in this study conducted an experiment to see how much carbon is stored in a tree’s roots versus its leaves.
      • FACTivity – Observe the estimated leaf area of two similar trees in your schoolyard and develop hypotheses about their relative health.

     

    • Article – “Logjams and Beaver Dams: How Different Landforms Affect the Amount of Carbon in an Ecosystem“: Carbon is naturally stored in the environment. In fact, carbon is in every living thing. Some habitats are better at storing carbon and that impacts the entire carbon cycle. In this article, scientists explore how carbon is stored in mountainous areas.
      • FACTivity – Create models of a logjam and a beaver dam to identify their similarities and differences.

     

    • Article – “Where in the World is Carbon Dioxide? The Potential Impact of Rising Levels of Carbon Dioxide on U.S. Forests“: There are many different types of plant communities in the United States. What will happen if the climate continues to change? The scientists in this research used math and computer models to find out how the plant communities might change. The results are predictions that can inform future science.
      • FACTivity – Determine how much of a change in climate is needed to cause a change in the type of vegetation growing in an area by charting predicted yearly temperature changes in various cities across the U.S.

     

    • Article – “Balancing Act: Urban Trees and the Carbon Cycle“: Is there a point where a tree does not hold enough carbon to make up for the emissions released to care for the tree? Scientists in this study want to know which trees grow the longest and store carbon the longest. The goal is to inform managers of the best trees to plant in urban environments.
      • FACTivity – Research tree species to decide on a type to recommend for planting in your schoolyard.

     

    • Article – “It’s a Gas: The Exchange of Gases Between the Soil and the Atmosphere“: People use land for many different reasons. Is the natural exchange of gases different between types of land use? The scientists wanted to see how greenhouse gas exchange in soils differed between old forests, new forests, and pastures. The scientists in this study learn about the nitrogen cycle.
      • FACTivity – Simulate the greenhouse effect with a glass jar and some dirt.
  3. Climate Change & Wildfire

    • Article – “It’s a Small World: How Oceans and Climate Can Affect Wildland Fires Thousands of Miles Away“: The scientists in this study were interested in three common periodic changes in sea surface temperatures, called oscillations. In particular, the scientists wanted to see how wildfires over the past 400 years aligned with the oscillations.
      • FACTivity – Explore how yearly weather conditions affect the way a tree’s growth rings look.

     

    • Article – “Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: Is Climate Connected to Very Large Wildland Fires?“: Scientists explore if and how climate and weather are connected to very large wildland fires to help predict and prepare for future events.
      • FACTivity – Analyze and graph data to discover if there are patterns that show a relationship between PDSI (Palmer Drought Severity Index) and very large wildland fires in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; extension – use online data from National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration to observe patterns in historical Palmer Drought Severity Indices.

     

    • Article – “Fire and Water: Predicting Future Wildfire in a Changing Climate“: Successfully predicting where and when wildfires might occur is important. This prediction is important because of possible environmental and economic damage. As the climate warms, the possibility of wildfires might increase. The scientists in this study wanted to predict where and in what seasons wildfires might occur.
      • FACTivity – Roleplay as a wildland fire safety educator with the Forest Service in the year 2050. Develop a wildland fire safety poster or education campaign to be distributed to students across the United States.
  4. Climate Change & Plants and Animals

    • Article – “Moving on Up: The Possible Impact of Climate Change on Forest Habitats“: The scientists in this study were interested in trees that live in the Eastern United States. They wanted to explore how the habitat of these trees might change in the future as the climate changes. They also wanted to know how different tree species might move in response to a changing climate.
      • FACTivity – Research the distribution of a particular tree species.
    • Article – “Back to the Future: Using Dead Trees to Predict Future Climate“: The tree line is the edge of a habitat at which trees are capable of growing. In this study, the scientists wanted to examine dead trees that they found above the current tree line. The deadwood found above the current tree line indicated that the climate during the trees’ lifetime was different than it is now. The scientists were interested in learning about the climate that existed when these trees were alive.
      • FACTivity – In this exercise in dendrochronology, use the four core samples provided to construct the climatic history of these trees. Then complete a timeline of social, cultural, environmental, and scientific events that occurred during the lifetime of these four trees.
    • Article – “There’s Snow Place Like Home: Tracking the Range of Wolverines Over Time“: Wolverines are the largest member of the weasel family that lives on land. They live in areas far from humans and human development. Therefore, not much is known about these mammals. The scientists in this study wanted to accurately map the wolverine’s range over time. The scientists also wanted to study whether climate change is affecting the wolverines’ range.
      • FACTivity – Research and map the geographic range of an animal of your choice.
    • Article – “Did They Make the Gradient? Climate and Stream Temperatures Now and Into the Future“: If the temperature of a stream rises too high, the animals that live in the stream may find it difficult to survive. Big changes in a stream’s daytime temperature as compared with its nighttime temperature may also cause a problem for aquatic animals. The scientists in this study were interested in answering three questions: (1) How does the shape of a stream affect its daytime water temperature? (2) How does the shape of a stream affect the difference between its daytime and nighttime water temperatures? (3) How might a rise in average air temperature over time affect a stream’s water temperature?
      • FACTivity – Conduct an experiment with containers of water in the sun and the shade to determine if water movement affects water temperature.
    • Article – “Beetles Are Supercool! Understanding the Life Cycle of Mountain Pine Beetles“: Mountain pine beetles are important to the Western United States. They have a very special life cycle, that includes staying “supercool”, or dormant, for most of their life. The scientists in this study want to know how this important life cycle could be affected by our changing climate.
      • FACTivity – Catch a beetle in a bug box and record your observations and make some hypotheses about how they are formed and how they use their special features.
    • Article – “Wide Open Spaces: Climate Change Impacts in Rural Areas of the United States“: The scientists in this study were interested in studying how climate change may impact rural areas in the United States. Rural areas are expected to experience more negative impacts from the change in agriculture due to climate change than urban areas experience. However, rural areas may not experience as many extreme heat events as urban areas.
      • FACTivity – Create a presentation or brochure to explain the possible effects of climate change to people who live in rural areas.
    • Article – “North of the Border: Are Nonnative Species Moving Northward as the Climate Changes“: A naturalized species has two ranges. The first range is the one where the species lives in its native habitat. The second range is the one where the species is naturalized, surviving in a nonnative area without the help of humans. Species are more able to survive east to west across the globe but are limited by latitude. The scientists in this study wanted to answer this question: Are naturalized species’ latitudinal ranges the same, larger, or smaller than their native ranges?
      • FACTivity – Plot the native range and naturalized range of 25 species of plants on a graph. Use this data to note any general patterns in the native and naturalized ranges of these plants.
    • Article – “The Morel of the Story: Comparing Scientific Research with Local Mushroom Hunters’ Knowledge of Morel Mushrooms“: Scientists can learn a lot from local people who interact with the environment on a daily basis. This Monograph compares scientific research with local mushroom hunters; knowledge of morel mushrooms.
      • FACTivity – Examine a mushroom to develop a question you would like to research about mushrooms, then research the question and report your findings.
      • Additional FACTivity – record and report on the oral history of a family tradition.
    • Article – “How Now Round Crown: Predicting the Energy Future of Tree Crowns“: Pine trees cover much of the Southeastern United States. When older pine trees are cut for making wood products, only the trees’ boles are used. The scientists in this study wondered if there might be a use for the trees’ crowns as well. In particular, they wondered whether the trees’ crowns might one day be a source of energy.
      • FACTivity – Make observations in nature and in the provided photographs of different trees to identify differences between managed and unmanaged trees.
    • Article – “Will the Emerald Ash Borer and Climate Change Affect White Ash Baseball Bats?“: White ash trees face problems like the emerald ash borer and climate change; how will these problems affect the survival rates of white ash trees?
    • Article – “Nature’s Notebook: Taking the Pulse of Our Planet“: Phenology is the periodic series of life events in plants and animals that are related to climate. Changes in plant or animal phenology can show larger changes to Earth and its environment. The USA National Phenology Network creates a database from data collected by scientists and citizen scientists. Scientists can analyze the information to learn about trends, or changes over time, in climate phenology.
      • FACTivity – Use Nature’s Notebook to collect phenology data in your school, town, or home.

Other Resources

  • Intro video to Climate Change LIVE: Educate Inspire, Engage – This video presentation provides an overview of global warming, the greenhouse effect, climate change, climate change impacts, and some student efforts to address climate change.
  • Climate Change LIVE: Join the Conversation – This is the second part of the Climate Change LIVE presentation and covers some more information about climate change, like learning about past climate using ice cores, the impacts of climate change, and the differences between climate and weather. The focus of the presentation, though, is on efforts students have made across the country to help address climate change.
  • Additional reading, lesson plans, and other resources are available at https://climatechangelive.org/

Standards addressed in this Learning Module:

Social Studies Standards

Social Studies Standards are educational guidelines outlining the essential knowledge, skills, and concepts students should learn in subjects such as history, geography, civics, and economics, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of societal structures, historical events, and global perspectives.
  • Global Connections
  • People, Places, and Environments
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Time, Continuity, and Change
  • Laurie Stroh Huckaby, Dendroecologist

    Front cover of Ms. Laurie Stroh Huckaby Collector Card
    • M.S. Forest Ecology, Colorado State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A dendroecologist uses tree rings to reconstruct climate, disturbances (including human land use), and other factors that influence tree growth.
    • M.S. Forest Ecology, Colorado State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A dendroecologist uses tree rings to reconstruct climate, disturbances (including human land use), and other factors that influence tree growth.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Ms. Laurie Stroh Huckaby Collector Card
    Back cover of Ms. Laurie Stroh Huckaby Collector Card
  • Connie Millar, Evolutionary Geneticist & Mountain Scientist

    Front cover of Dr. Connie Millar Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I am a mountain scientist, and I study the effects of past and present climates on mountain ecosystems.
    • Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I am a mountain scientist, and I study the effects of past and present climates on mountain ecosystems.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF) Descargar Tarjeta (PDF) Descargar Póster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Connie Millar Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Connie Millar Collector Card
  • Louis Iverson, Landscape Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Louis Iverson Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of North Dakota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A landscape ecologist studies how landscapes (ranging from large continents to small fields) are put together and how they function to provide ecosystem services to humans and all life.
    • Ph.D., University of North Dakota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A landscape ecologist studies how landscapes (ranging from large continents to small fields) are put together and how they function to provide ecosystem services to humans and all life.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Louis Iverson Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Louis Iverson Collector Card
  • Kurt Riitters, Landscape Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Kurt Riitters Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Oregon State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Landscape ecology differs from traditional ecology by including humans as a key component of ecosystems.  We study how ecosystems are affected by human activities over very large regions.
    • Ph.D., Oregon State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Landscape ecology differs from traditional ecology by including humans as a key component of ecosystems.  We study how ecosystems are affected by human activities over very large regions.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Kurt Riitters Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Kurt Riitters Collector Card
  • Qinfeng Guo, Research Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Qinfeng Guo Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of New Mexico
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant ecologist studies plants and how they function on the landscape.
    • Ph.D., University of New Mexico
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant ecologist studies plants and how they function on the landscape.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Qinfeng Guo Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Qinfeng Guo Collector Card
  • Stephanie Laseter, Hydrologist

    Front cover of Stephanie Laseter Collector Card
    • M.S., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest hydrologist studies the water cycle.  Where does water go after it falls as a raindrop?  We study how it travels through a forest, into the soil, and eventually to a stream.
    • M.S., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest hydrologist studies the water cycle.  Where does water go after it falls as a raindrop?  We study how it travels through a forest, into the soil, and eventually to a stream.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Stephanie Laseter Collector Card
    Back cover of Stephanie Laseter Collector Card
  • Erika Cohen, Physical Scientist

    Front cover of Ms. Erika Cohen Collector Card
    • M.S., University of Mississippi
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that can capture, store, analyze, manage and display geographic data.  A GIS professional uses the computer system to perform spatial analyses on geographic data to answer scientific questions and present the results in maps.
    • M.S., University of Mississippi
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer system that can capture, store, analyze, manage and display geographic data.  A GIS professional uses the computer system to perform spatial analyses on geographic data to answer scientific questions and present the results in maps.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Ms. Erika Cohen Collector Card
    Back cover of Ms. Erika Cohen Collector Card
  • Michael Gavazzi, Biological Scientist

    Front cover of Mr. Michael Gavazzi Collector Card
    • M.S., Virginia Tech
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A biological scientist is a jack of all trades.  I work with other researchers in diverse disciplines to study forest ecosystems response to prescribed burning, climate change, and natural and man-made disturbance.
    • M.S., Virginia Tech
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A biological scientist is a jack of all trades.  I work with other researchers in diverse disciplines to study forest ecosystems response to prescribed burning, climate change, and natural and man-made disturbance.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Mr. Michael Gavazzi Collector Card
    Back cover of Mr. Michael Gavazzi Collector Card
  • Jennifer Moore Myers, Resource Information Specialist

    Front cover of Ms. Jennifer Moore Myers Collector Card
    • M.S., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A GIS analyst uses geographic data to answer questions, solve problems, and tell stories.  In my work, this often means looking for spatial patterns that show how forests respond to climate change or other stressors.
    • M.S., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A GIS analyst uses geographic data to answer questions, solve problems, and tell stories.  In my work, this often means looking for spatial patterns that show how forests respond to climate change or other stressors.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Ms. Jennifer Moore Myers Collector Card
    Back cover of Ms. Jennifer Moore Myers Collector Card
  • Steven McNulty, Landscape Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Steven McNulty Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Ecology is a Greek word - "ology" means "to study" and "eco" means house.  In this case, the house is the Earth, and I study large parts of our planet, so I am a "landscape ecologist."
    • Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Ecology is a Greek word - "ology" means "to study" and "eco" means house.  In this case, the house is the Earth, and I study large parts of our planet, so I am a "landscape ecologist."
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Steven McNulty Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Steven McNulty Collector Card
  • Ge Sun, Hydrologist

    Front cover of Dr. Ge Sun Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Florida
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Hydrologists study the water cycle.  Studying the water cycle means tracking water movement from raindrops falling from sky to the ground, going into the soils, flowing through the rivers, and eventually moving to the ocean.
    • Ph.D., University of Florida
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Hydrologists study the water cycle.  Studying the water cycle means tracking water movement from raindrops falling from sky to the ground, going into the soils, flowing through the rivers, and eventually moving to the ocean.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Ge Sun Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Ge Sun Collector Card
  • Haiganoush Preisler, Statistical Scientist

    Front cover of Dr. Haiganoush Preisler Collector Card
    • University of California, Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a statistical scientist I translate scientists' hypothesis and word problems into a few (essential) equations that help further our understanding of the world we live in.
    • University of California, Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a statistical scientist I translate scientists' hypothesis and word problems into a few (essential) equations that help further our understanding of the world we live in.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Haiganoush Preisler Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Haiganoush Preisler Collector Card
  • Dr. Rich MacKenzie, Aquatic Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Rich MacKenzie Collector Card
    • University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An aquatic ecologist studies plants and animals that live in streams, lakes, and wetlands.  We try to understand the roles these organisms play in aquatic ecosystems and how stressors such as land use change, climate change, and exotic species influence those roles.
    • University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An aquatic ecologist studies plants and animals that live in streams, lakes, and wetlands.  We try to understand the roles these organisms play in aquatic ecosystems and how stressors such as land use change, climate change, and exotic species influence those roles.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Rich MacKenzie Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Rich MacKenzie Collector Card
  • David Flores, Research Social Scientist

    Front cover of Dr. David Flores Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Michigan
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A research social scientist studies the relationships between people and the environment.
    • Ph.D., University of Michigan
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A research social scientist studies the relationships between people and the environment.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF) Descargar Tarjeta (PDF) Descargar Póster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. David Flores Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. David Flores Collector Card
  • Andrezej Bytnerowicz, Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Andrezej Bytnerowicz Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an ecologist, I monitor and evaluate the impacts of air pollution and climate change on forests and other ecosystems.
    • Ph.D., Silesian University, Katowice, Poland
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an ecologist, I monitor and evaluate the impacts of air pollution and climate change on forests and other ecosystems.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Andrezej Bytnerowicz Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Andrezej Bytnerowicz Collector Card
  • Louise Loudermilk, Fire Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Louise Loudermilk Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Florida
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A fire ecologist explores the interactions between wildland fire and plant communities.  I study how fires burn and how forests grow and reassemble after fire.
    • Ph.D., University of Florida
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A fire ecologist explores the interactions between wildland fire and plant communities.  I study how fires burn and how forests grow and reassemble after fire.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Louise Loudermilk Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Louise Loudermilk Collector Card
  • Lindsey Rustad, Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Lindsey Rustad Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Maine
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies the interrelated patterns and processes of vegetation, animals, energy, water and nutrients in forests.
    • Ph.D., University of Maine
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies the interrelated patterns and processes of vegetation, animals, energy, water and nutrients in forests.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF) Descargar Tarjeta (PDF) Descargar Póster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Lindsey Rustad Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Lindsey Rustad Collector Card
  • Mike Dockry, Research Forest & Social Scientist

    Front cover of Dr. Mike Dockry Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Madison
    • Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forester/social scientist studies how people and communities use, manage, and think about their forests and sustainability.
    • Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Madison
    • Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forester/social scientist studies how people and communities use, manage, and think about their forests and sustainability.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Mike Dockry Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Mike Dockry Collector Card
  • Randy Kolka, Research Soil Scientist

    Front cover of Dr. Randy Kolka Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Minnesota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Soil scientists study how soils influence the cycling of water, nutrients, carbon, pollutants, and other materials.  We also study similarities and differences among different soil types.
    • Ph.D., University of Minnesota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Soil scientists study how soils influence the cycling of water, nutrients, carbon, pollutants, and other materials.  We also study similarities and differences among different soil types.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Randy Kolka Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Randy Kolka Collector card
  • Paul Schaberg, Research Plant Physiologist

    Front cover of Dr. Paul Schaberg Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Vermont
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant physiologist studies the biology of how plants work.  These studies are often done to determine if a part of a plant is not working or is causing the plant problems.  An example includes low air temperatures causing injury and poor growth.
    • Ph.D., University of Vermont
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant physiologist studies the biology of how plants work.  These studies are often done to determine if a part of a plant is not working or is causing the plant problems.  An example includes low air temperatures causing injury and poor growth.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Paul Schaberg Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Paul Schaberg Collector Card
  • Charles Luce, Hydrologist

    Front cover of Dr. Charles Luce Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Utah State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Hydrologists study how water moves around the world, whether as streamflow, groundwater, precipitation, or transpiration.  Water is important to all life.
    • Ph.D., Utah State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Hydrologists study how water moves around the world, whether as streamflow, groundwater, precipitation, or transpiration.  Water is important to all life.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Charles Luce Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Charles Luce Collector Card
  • W. Matt Jolly, Research Fire Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. W. Matt Jolly Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a research fire ecologist, I study how vegetation, weather, and terrain interact to influence wildland fires.
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a research fire ecologist, I study how vegetation, weather, and terrain interact to influence wildland fires.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. W. Matt Jolly Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. W. Matt Jolly Collector Card
  • Travis Warziniack, Environmental Economist

    Front cover of Dr. Travis Warziniack Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Wyoming
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Environmental economists study the way people interact with nature.  This research includes how people value nature, how they respond to changes in the environment, and what policies can be used to protect the environment.
    • Ph.D., University of Wyoming
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Environmental economists study the way people interact with nature.  This research includes how people value nature, how they respond to changes in the environment, and what policies can be used to protect the environment.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Travis Warziniack Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Travis Warziniack Collector Card
  • Natalie S. van Doorn, Urban Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Natalie S. van Doorn Collector card
    • Ph.D., University of California Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An urban ecologist studies the relationship of living organisms with each other and their surroundings in an urban environment.  I have focused my research on urban forests which are an important part of urban ecosystems in many cities and towns across the world
    • Ph.D., University of California Berkeley
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An urban ecologist studies the relationship of living organisms with each other and their surroundings in an urban environment.  I have focused my research on urban forests which are an important part of urban ecosystems in many cities and towns across the world
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Natalie S. van Doorn Collector card
    Back cover of Dr. Natalie S. van Doorn Collector Card
  • Becky K. Kerns, Research Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Becky K. Kerns Collector card
    • Ph.D., Northern Arizona University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Plant ecologists study plants and their surroundings, or environment, and inform people about how to leave plant communities healthy for future generations.
    • Ph.D., Northern Arizona University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Plant ecologists study plants and their surroundings, or environment, and inform people about how to leave plant communities healthy for future generations.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Becky K. Kerns Collector card
    Back cover of Dr. Becky K. Kerns Collector Card
  • Katherine J. Elliot, Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Katherine J. Elliot Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Maine
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies interactions among plants, animals, energy, water, and nutrients.  A forest ecologist also studies how all of these things relate to patters and processes in forest ecosystems.
    • Ph.D., University of Maine
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies interactions among plants, animals, energy, water, and nutrients.  A forest ecologist also studies how all of these things relate to patters and processes in forest ecosystems.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Katherine J. Elliot Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Katherine J. Elliot Collector Card
  • Christie Hawley, Natural Resource Analyst

    Front cover of Christie Hawley Collector Card
    • M.N.R., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a natural resource analyst, I gather geographic and field data on forests and wildland fires.  I analyze these data using computer software to answer scientific questions related to fire and plant interactions.
    • M.N.R., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a natural resource analyst, I gather geographic and field data on forests and wildland fires.  I analyze these data using computer software to answer scientific questions related to fire and plant interactions.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Christie Hawley Collector Card
    Back cover of Christie Hawley Collector Card
  • Yongqiang Liu, Research Meteorologist

    Front cover of Dr. Yongqiang Liu Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a research meteorologist, I study how climate variability and climate changes drive forest disturbances, like wildland fires.  I also study how forest conditions affect the environment, and how to predict climate-forest interactions.
    • Ph.D., Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a research meteorologist, I study how climate variability and climate changes drive forest disturbances, like wildland fires.  I also study how forest conditions affect the environment, and how to predict climate-forest interactions.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Yongqiang Liu Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Yongqiang Liu Collector Card
  • Matthew P. Peters, Ecologist

    Front cover of Matthew P. Peters Collector Card
    • M.S., Arizona State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their physical surroundings.  As an ecologist, I use my background in geography to examine spatial patterns in ecology.
    • M.S., Arizona State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their physical surroundings.  As an ecologist, I use my background in geography to examine spatial patterns in ecology.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Matthew P. Peters Collector Card
    Back cover of Matthew P. Peters Collector Card
  • Matt Reeves, Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Matt Reeves Collector Cards
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an ecologist, I study the interaction of climate, plants, and animals in rangelands.
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an ecologist, I study the interaction of climate, plants, and animals in rangelands.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Matt Reeves Collector Cards
    Dr. Matt Reeves_back cover
  • Sarah Wiener, Social Scientist

    Front cover of Sarah Wiener Collector Card
    • M.S., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a social scientist, I study the ways that landowners and natural resources specialists interact with scientific information.  I help scientists and tool developers improve their communications and products.
    • M.S., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a social scientist, I study the ways that landowners and natural resources specialists interact with scientific information.  I help scientists and tool developers improve their communications and products.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Sarah Wiener Collector Card
    Back cover of Sarah Wiener Collector Card
  • Chris Swanston, Climate Adaptation Specialist

    Front cover of Dr. Chris Swanston Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Oregon State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I help natural resources professionals consider how to change the management of ecosystems to address the challenges of a changing climate.
    • Ph.D., Oregon State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I help natural resources professionals consider how to change the management of ecosystems to address the challenges of a changing climate.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Chris Swanston Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Chris Swanston Collector card
  • Sue Eggert, Aquatic Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Sue Eggert collector card
    • Ph.D., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Aquatic ecologist study how forest and other environmental factors influence the plants, animals, and ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems. This knowledge helps resource managers better manage land and aquatic habitats so they provide clean water for people and wildlife.
    • Ph.D., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Aquatic ecologist study how forest and other environmental factors influence the plants, animals, and ecological processes in aquatic ecosystems. This knowledge helps resource managers better manage land and aquatic habitats so they provide clean water for people and wildlife.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Sue Eggert collector card
    Back cover of Dr. Sue Eggert collector Card
  • Sherri L. Johnson, Research Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Sherri L. Johnson Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A research ecologist studies streams and lakes to explore both who lives in the water and how forestry and year to year climatic variability impact the water quality and water as habitat for biota.
    • Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A research ecologist studies streams and lakes to explore both who lives in the water and how forestry and year to year climatic variability impact the water quality and water as habitat for biota.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Sherri L. Johnson Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Sherri L. Johnson Collector Card
  • José J. Sánchez, Environmental Economist

    Front cover of Dr. José J. Sánchez Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Environmental economist study the interaction between people and nature. My research includes people's preferences towards nature, the value they place on nature, and how environmental changes affect people's preferences and values.
    • Ph.D., University of California, Riverside
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Environmental economist study the interaction between people and nature. My research includes people's preferences towards nature, the value they place on nature, and how environmental changes affect people's preferences and values.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. José J. Sánchez Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. José J. Sánchez Collector Card
  • Trista Patterson, Economist

    Front cover of Dr. Trista Patterson Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Maryland
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Oikos is the Greek root word for "household."  It is also the root of the word "economy" and "ecology!"  Good managment of the economy, and ecology, is like good management of a household.
    • Ph.D., University of Maryland
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Oikos is the Greek root word for "household."  It is also the root of the word "economy" and "ecology!"  Good managment of the economy, and ecology, is like good management of a household.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Trista Patterson Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Trista Patterson Collector Card
  • Dana Mitchell, Research Engineer

    Front cover of Dr. Dana Mitchell Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Auburn University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Engineers study many different areas.  My area is forest operations, or more simply put, logging management.
    • Ph.D., Auburn University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Engineers study many different areas.  My area is forest operations, or more simply put, logging management.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Dana Mitchell Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Dana Mitchell Collector Card
  • Nick Skowronski, Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Nick Skowronski Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Rutgers University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies how plants and animals interact within a forest community.  Some of these scientists are particularly interested in how forests cycle carbon and work to measure how carbon moves through these systems.
    • Ph.D., Rutgers University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies how plants and animals interact within a forest community.  Some of these scientists are particularly interested in how forests cycle carbon and work to measure how carbon moves through these systems.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Nick Skowronski Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Nick Skowronski Collector Card
  • John Schelhas, Forester & Anthropologist

    Front cover of Dr. John Schelhas Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Arizona
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forester/anthropologist studies the diversity of ways that people talk about, value, and use trees and forests.
    • Ph.D., University of Arizona
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forester/anthropologist studies the diversity of ways that people talk about, value, and use trees and forests.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF) Descargar Tarjeta (PDF) Descargar Póster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. John Schelhas Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. John Schelhas Collector Card
  • Linda Heath, Research Forester

    Front cover of Dr. Linda Heath Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Washington
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I study ways to provide estimates of multiple environmental benefits.  An example of a benefit is forest carbon.  The estimates are needed at local to national to global scales.
    • Ph.D., University of Washington
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • I study ways to provide estimates of multiple environmental benefits.  An example of a benefit is forest carbon.  The estimates are needed at local to national to global scales.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Linda Heath Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Linda Heath Collector Card
  • Connie Harrington, Silviculturist & Tree Physiologist

    Front cover of Dr. Connie Harrington Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Washington (Seattle)
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A silviculturist studies how trees interact with each other and how changing a tree's neighborhood influences how it grows and the other plants that grow with it.  A tree physiologist studies the biological processes that influence tree growth.
    • Ph.D., University of Washington (Seattle)
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A silviculturist studies how trees interact with each other and how changing a tree's neighborhood influences how it grows and the other plants that grow with it.  A tree physiologist studies the biological processes that influence tree growth.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Connie Harrington Collector Card
    Back side of Connie Harrington's Scientist card
  • Melody Keena, Entomologist

    Front cover of Dr. Melody Keena Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of California at Davis
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An entomologist studies insects and their interactions with other organisms and the environment.
    • Ph.D., University of California at Davis
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An entomologist studies insects and their interactions with other organisms and the environment.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Melody Keena Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Melody Keena Collector Card
  • Susan Cordell, Plant Ecophysiologist

    Front cover of Dr. Susan Cordell Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Hawaii, Manoa
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant ecophysiologist studies the ways in which plants interact with the environment.
    • Ph.D., University of Hawaii, Manoa
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A plant ecophysiologist studies the ways in which plants interact with the environment.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Susan Cordell Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Susan Cordell Collector Card
  • Scott Goodrick, Meteorologist

    Front cover of Dr. Scott Goodrick Collector Card
    • University of Alabama, Huntsville
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A meteorologist studies weather and climate.  Weather is what is happening today or tomorrow.  For example, is it raining or is it hot or cold?  Climate is how weather changes over time.  For example, this winter was colder or warmer than normal.
    • University of Alabama, Huntsville
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A meteorologist studies weather and climate.  Weather is what is happening today or tomorrow.  For example, is it raining or is it hot or cold?  Climate is how weather changes over time.  For example, this winter was colder or warmer than normal.
    View Full Profile
    View Scientist Profile
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Scott Goodrick Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Scott Goodrick Collector Card
  • Grant Domke, Research Forester

    Front cover of Dr. Grant Domke Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Minnesota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forester, I study carbon dynamics in forest ecosystems.  I develop and improve techniques to estimate forest carbon stocks and changes to the carbon stocks using forest inventory information.
    • Ph.D., University of Minnesota
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forester, I study carbon dynamics in forest ecosystems.  I develop and improve techniques to estimate forest carbon stocks and changes to the carbon stocks using forest inventory information.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Grant Domke Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Grant Domke Collector Card
  • Melanie Taylor, Soil Ecologist

    Front cover of Melanie Taylor Collector Card
    • M.S., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A soil ecologist studies how soil interact with the organisms that live in and on them.
    • M.S., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A soil ecologist studies how soil interact with the organisms that live in and on them.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF) Descargar Tarjeta (PDF) Descargar Póster (PDF)
    Front cover of Melanie Taylor Collector Card
    Back cover of Melanie Taylor Collector Card
  • Christopher Woodall, Applied Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Christopher Woodall Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An applied forest ecologist develops new knowledge regarding the function and processes of forest ecosystems.  This knowledge can have real impacts on forest management and conservation.
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • An applied forest ecologist develops new knowledge regarding the function and processes of forest ecosystems.  This knowledge can have real impacts on forest management and conservation.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Christopher Woodall Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Christopher Woodall Collector card
  • Dexter Strother, Forest & Soil Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Dexter Strother Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forest and soil ecologist, I am interested in how forest management practices impact soils.
    • Ph.D., University of Georgia
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forest and soil ecologist, I am interested in how forest management practices impact soils.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Dexter Strother Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Dexter Strother Collector Card
  • Sean Healey, Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Sean Healey Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Washington
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies the structure, composition, and processes that interact in a forest to provide different habitats for plants and animals.  My research focuses on improving our understanding of changes in forest conditions.
    • Ph.D., University of Washington
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies the structure, composition, and processes that interact in a forest to provide different habitats for plants and animals.  My research focuses on improving our understanding of changes in forest conditions.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Sean Healey Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Sean Healey Collector Card
  • Julie A. Arnold, Forestry Technician

    Julie A. Arnold, Forestry Technician front cover card
    • B.S., Clemson University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forestry technician in the research field, my work is a balance of field work (i.e., collecting samples, taking measurements, and downloading dataloggers), lab work (i.e., sample preparation and analysis), and data processing (i.e., creating spreadsheets, charts, and graphs).
    • B.S., Clemson University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a forestry technician in the research field, my work is a balance of field work (i.e., collecting samples, taking measurements, and downloading dataloggers), lab work (i.e., sample preparation and analysis), and data processing (i.e., creating spreadsheets, charts, and graphs).
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Julie A. Arnold, Forestry Technician front cover card
    Julie A. Arnold, Forestry Technician back cover card
  • C. Meghan Downes, Economist

    Front cover of Dr. C. Meghan Downes Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of New Mexico
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an economist, I study how humans use the environment for goods and services.  I also study the value people place on natural resources and processes.
    • Ph.D., University of New Mexico
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As an economist, I study how humans use the environment for goods and services.  I also study the value people place on natural resources and processes.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. C. Meghan Downes Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. C. Meghan Downes Collector card
  • Sharon Hood, Fire Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Sharon Hood Collectors Card
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Fire ecologists study how wildfire changes ecosystems.  As a fire ecologist, I study the impacts of removing fire from, or changing how fires burn in, forests which originally had fire.
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Fire ecologists study how wildfire changes ecosystems.  As a fire ecologist, I study the impacts of removing fire from, or changing how fires burn in, forests which originally had fire.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Sharon Hood Collectors Card
    Back cover of Dr. Sharon Hood Collectors Card
  • Steve Norman, Forest Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Steve Norman Collector Card
    • Ph.D., Penn State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies forest changes to understand what it means for forest values like clean air and water, wood products, wildlife habitat, and recreation.
    • Ph.D., Penn State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest ecologist studies forest changes to understand what it means for forest values like clean air and water, wood products, wildlife habitat, and recreation.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Steve Norman Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Steve Norman Collector Card
  • Carl Trettin, Soil Ecologist

    Front cover of Dr. Carl Trettin Collector Card
    • Ph.D., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Soil ecologists focus on understanding the interaction between soils, water resources, ecosystem productivity, and biodiversity to ensure sustainable landscapes.  Soil is the foundation for our agricultural and forest ecosystems.
    • Ph.D., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • Soil ecologists focus on understanding the interaction between soils, water resources, ecosystem productivity, and biodiversity to ensure sustainable landscapes.  Soil is the foundation for our agricultural and forest ecosystems.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Carl Trettin Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Carl Trettin Collector Card
  • David Wear, Resource Economist & Computer Modeler

    Front cover of Dr. David Wear Collector Card
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a resource economist and computer modeler, I study how people choose to use and manage forests and natural resources.  This enables us to predict how people may use those resources in the future.
    • Ph.D., University of Montana
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • As a resource economist and computer modeler, I study how people choose to use and manage forests and natural resources.  This enables us to predict how people may use those resources in the future.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. David Wear Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. David Wear Collector Card
  • Gregory Frey, Forest Economist

    Front cover of Dr. Gregory Frey Collector Card
    • Ph.D., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest economist seeks to understand human decisions that impact forests.
    • Ph.D., North Carolina State University
    • USDA Forest Service Scientist
    • A forest economist seeks to understand human decisions that impact forests.
    Download Card (PDF) Download Poster (PDF)
    Front cover of Dr. Gregory Frey Collector Card
    Back cover of Dr. Gregory Frey Collector Card
Back to Top
  • Natural Inquirer - Homepage
  • Find Outdoors
  • USDA
  • USDA Forest Service logo.

The Natural Inquirer program produces a variety of science education materials for PreK through grade 12. Natural Inquirer products are produced by the USDA Forest Service, FIND Outdoors, and other cooperators and partners.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
* denotes mandatory fields
Loading
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • X, formerly Twitter
  • YouTube
  • About Natural Inquirer
  • Team
  • Partners
  • Press & Past Events
  • Contact Us
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Policy
© 2025 - Natural Inquirer | Website Credit