Learn about Virginia's Environment

Free lessons for parents and teachers of all school subjects to help protect Virginia's air, water and land

What's Your Watershed Address? Instructions how to make a simple model using foil; for elementary students.

Discovery Neighborhood Walk A fun family activity adapted from Project WET’s Rainy Day Hike to learn about water infiltration and runoff.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Resources Project WET has made has made several of its award-winning activities available free of charge during the COVID-19 pandemic. .

Pollution Solutions 
A series of 12 lesson plans on recycling, litter prevention and pollution prevention based on VA Standards of Learning (SOLs).

Love-A-Tree 
A series of teaching units for K-7 (energy, trees, natural resources, watersheds) based on the VA SOLs. 

Environmental Professionals in your Community
A worksheet to organize information about professionals in the community, what agency they are with and their responsibilities. A resource for career investigations.

Window into a Green Virginia (for middle school)

This curriculum, developed with the Virginia Department of Education for sixth grade Science, addresses pollution prevention and environmental quality, and includes cross-references to Mathematics and Social Studies Standards of Learning (SOLs). Students peer through metaphorical "Windows" to examine key aspects to develop sustainable communities. The culminating activity helps students examine real problems, weigh facts and present views on current issues. 

Units

• Curriculum Overview I 
• Science Standards of Learning II
• Geographic Overview of Virginia's Natural Resources III
• Window into Energy IV 
• Window into Water V 
• Window into Air VI 
• Window into Agriculture VII 
• Window into Forestry and Wildlife VIII 
• Window into Land Use and Natural Hazards IX 
• Window into Green Building X
• Culminating Activity
• Case Studies in Environmental Management XII
• Glossary

Shades of Green,  Case Studies in Pollution Prevention
Read case studies about ways in which businesses and industries prevent pollution and answer critical thinking questions related to environmental management. A map and short descriptions shows the locations of award winners in Virginia.

Additional Resources for Educators

Project Ideas and Resources for youth groups and ecology clubs.

Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) curricula and resources.

Project WET: Award winning water education and activities for teachers and community educators.

DEQ Fact Sheets

Reports and Publications