Useful Environmental Sites

Environmental Information Sites

Useful Directories

Internet Public Library or IPL : One of a small handful of directories/search engines created by librarians for academic purposes. Each site admitted to IPL has been reviewed and vetted (approved) by professional librarians and/or experts in the specific field.

Exalead : Another small but trust-worthy site. From a corporation dedicated to networking and computer services, this directory/search engine links to some of the better sites on the web.

Search techniques for above directories-->

Use simple topic keywords to start, such as "environment", then try more sophisticated searches like "environmental issues," "global warming," or "climate change".

You can try specific aspects included in environmental studies such as "polar ice caps," "endangered species," or "invasive species".

AVOID whole language searching. Search engines DO NOT SPEAK HUMAN! They cannot read your mind. It is ALWAYS more effective to search using KEYWORDS, or concepts (nouns).

Tyee Campus Databases and eBooks : Pay attention to the username and password. You can search the eBooks as well as the databases. Use single keywords for the best results.

If you MUST use GOOGLE, search using the following techniques:

Type of Search

Purpose

How To...

Phrase Search:

To search for a group of words together rather than separately.

	Put entire phrase in "quotations"
	Example: <"melting polar icecaps">

Suffix Site Search:

To limit the results to sites that have specifically desired aspects. Some suffixes that are typically more reliable are .gov, .edu, .info, .ac, or .org (usually).

	Type in your KEYWORD(S)
	Finish the search line with <site:.suffix>
	<KEYWORDS site:.suffix>
	Example: <invasive species site:.gov> this will find the terms "invasive species" ONLY on government sites.

Single Site Search:

To limit all results to a specific website. You will need to know the exact URL of the site you wish to search. You might need to first GOOGLE the site to obtain this information.

	Type in your KEYWORD(S)
	Finish the search line with <site:www.URL.org>
	<KEYWORDS www.pbs.org>
	Example: <invasive species site:www.nytimes.com> this will find the terms "invasive species" ONLY on the New York Times newspaper site.

Nesting Search:

To search for a specific topic with two or more variables.

	<KEYWORD(S) (X OR Y)>
	Example: <endangered species (animals OR plants)>
	Example: <rising oceans ("Pacific Islands" OR Oceania)>

Database Search:

To find databases normally "hidden" on the "deep/invisible web"

	Type in your KEYWORD(S)
	Finish with the word "database"
	Example: <Environmental database>
	Example: <"Climate change" database>

Google Timeline:

To provide background information regarding a particular topic. Aids in establishing continuity within a topic.

	Perform any kind of search using various KEYWORD(S) and search techniques
	Click on the + sign to "Show Options"
	Scroll down the left-hand menu bar
	Click on "Timeline"
	Click on time period(s) relevant to the topic
	Click on article URLs below the annotations

Washington State Environmental Sites

Washington Department of Ecology

Click on the tabs above and then follow the various links providing information about environmental issues relevant to Washington State.

Puget Sound Clean Air Agency

Provides information about current air conditions in the Puget Sound area, regional policies regarding the air environment, as well as actions regarding ways to create and maintain a cleaner air environment for Puget Sound residents.

Puget Sound Keepers

In a blog format, this community organization focus on various Puget Sound environmental issue, primarily water and wildlife.

King County Watershed

Contains a vast amount of data about not only the various King County watershed systems, but about the King County environment overall. Use the short links menu on the right top to connect to these pages.

Port of Seattle:

	General environmental page
	Air quality page
	Storm water page

This is a PR site designed to present the Port of Seattle in the best light possible. This being said, the information of this site focuses on the various improvements made by the Port of Seattle on different environmental aspects of the King County area including air quality, storm water and wildlife.

Some Credible Environmental Sites

	High School Environmental Center - US EPA
	Region 10 \| US EPA

Top site provides subject-area links to various, credible site sources. Easy to navigate, great information possibilities.

Region 10 covers environmental issues throughout the PNW.

The Environmental Literacy Council

Gives an overview of several aspects of environmental concern including air, food, water, land, ecosystems and so on. Also, links are provided for additional information.

Environmental News Network -- Know Your Environment

Two environmental on-line periodicals devoted to environmental information and resources.

OnEarth: NRDC's Quarterly Environmental Magazine, Winter 2006

NRDC: Natural Resources Defense Council - The Earth's Best Defense

Contains information about current environmental issues and sustainable or "green" living.

National Institute of Environmental Health Services A to Z

Provides information about health issues or diseases which can be caused or exacerbated by environmental degradation.