Subject and Class Guides: Environmental Science: Find Websites

Finding Reliable Websites

How do you know what information online is trustworthy? Do what fact checkers do, and use Lateral Reading.

When you come across an unfamiliar online source:

Open a new tab in your browser.

Search the name of the unfamiliar source.

Check what trustworthy sites say about it.

If the source seems untrustworthy, don't waste your time on it. Find a better source.

from Lateral Reading Poster developed by Civic Online Reasoning & Stanford History Education Group

Using Websites

It is important to evaluate all information you encounter, but it is especially important to be critical of the information you find on the web. Does it pass the CRAAP test?

Currency: Is the site up-to-date and edited regularly?

Relevancy: Who is the intended audience for this information and is the information unique?

Authority: Who is the author and what are his or her credentials? Is there contact information? Is it a company, organization, or university?

Accuracy: Where does this information come from? Are there sources listed? Are there typos or spelling or grammar errors?

Purpose: Why was this site created? Is it intending to sell a product? What is the domain name (.edu, .gov, .com, .org)?

CRAAP Test
Download a PDF of this guide to use in your online research

Websites for Environmental Science

Encyclopedia of Earth
Provides balanced views of environmental issues from contributors that have been approved by an editorial board. A focus on relationships between humans and the environment.
EPA: United States Environmental Protection Agency
Federal agency tasked with monitoring and protecting human health and the environment. Learn about the current issues, the science & technology involved, as well as laws and regulations.
EPA in Montana
Environmental issues concerning Montana.
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Tasked with promoting a clean and healthy environment for Montana. Information about Montana's air, water, energy, mining, and waste management.
Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Agency tasked with management of land and water resources in Montana, including forestry, oil, gas, and conservation.
Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Agency in charge of managing Montana's lands and wildlife, balancing recreation, commerce, and conservation.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
More than the weather forecast! Find climate data, maps,
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Federal research and development of clean and efficient sources of energy.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance to benefit the soil, water, air, plants, and animals for productive lands and healthy ecosystems.
United Nations Environment Programme
Leading global environmental authority.
United State Geological Survey (USGS)
Maps, images, publications, and data sets on national landscapes, natural resources, and hazards.
World Resources Institute
Offers research and statistics on climate protection, people's influence on the environment, and government presence in environmental law and protection.

Environmental Science Statistics

Montana Geographic Information Clearinghouse
Geographic information and data for Montana.
National Agricultural Statistics Service: Montana
Search for up-to-date agriculture statistics and data specific to the state of Montana.
Climate.gov
This NOAA site provides easy access to climate-related information for students, educators, the general public, and professionals.
Environmental DataSet Gateway
Portal to data from the EPA.
NOAA Climate Data Online
National and global data describing the state of the climate according to different factors.
U.S. Energy Information Administration
Data related to energy, fuels, and the environment, as well as forecasts and analyses of this content. Contains official energy statistics from the U.S. Government.
USDA Census of Agriculture
The leading source of statistical information and data about American agriculture. Conducted every five years, the Census provides a detailed picture of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them.
World Bank Environment Data
Worldwide data related to environmental concerns and economic development.
World Resources Insitute: Data
Data sets, data products,and more, created as a result of independent research to information global environmental policy.

Environmental Science: Find Websites

Finding Reliable Websites

Using Websites

Websites for Environmental Science

Environmental Science Statistics

Environmental Science Laws and Regulations