El Centro College

ENVR 1401 Online

What’s in your Environment?
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Objectives
1. Students will be able to research information on their local environment.
2. Students will demonstrate effective search strategies, research capabilities and proper citations when using technology
resources.
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Introduction
A society that knows its natural environment is better able to understand and address environmental problems. This
activity is the first step toward this goal by guiding you in conducting basic library and/or Internet research for your local
environment. (Wagner, T. and Sanford, R. 2010. Environmental Science: Active Learning Laboratories and Applied Problem Sets. 2 nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, New York.)

Please Highlight or type answers in a different color.

Activity 1: Research

The questions that follow are designed to further foster your basic environmental perception and awareness. For each
answer properly cite the reference that was used.

1. What time did the sun rise today (date and time)?

2. When are the longest and shortest days of the year and what are the names of the events associated with
these days?

3. When are the day & night the same length and what is this phenomenon called?

4. How long is your growing season? (approximate start & end dates)

5. What was the total rainfall in the area in 2013? 2016?

6. Name 3 endangered mammals listed in the state of Texas.

7. What is Texas’s longest river? Length?

8. When is the fishing season open in Texas?

9. What is the hunting season in your county for 2 different animals?

10. Is there a state official under the governor who is in charge of both natural resources and environmental protection?
If not, what are the names & titles of the highest officials, who are in charge of natural resources and environmental
protection?

11. What is the source of your drinking water?

12. Where does your garbage go (facility name & location)?

13. What is the primary fuel source for electricity that supplies your house?

14. Determine how far you are from the nearest:

U.S. National Forest:
U.S. National Wildlife Refuge:
Local environmental recreation area:
Farm:
Landfill:

15. In the continental U.S., what and where are the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi River?

16. In the continental U.S., what and where are the tallest mountains west of the Mississippi River?

Activity 2: Citations

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