The lakes and ponds of this country are the reservoirs of our fresh water. In the last 30 years, our lakes and ponds have come under enormous stress from development, community waste disposal issues, and a rapidly growing population.

Knowledge of lakes as important resources has existed for a long time among tourists, shorefront owners, and nature lovers. However, knowledge of the fragile ecology of lakes, the problems they are facing today, and how we all can help is not so well known, particularly by young people.

The Interactive Lake Ecology (ILE) Program addresses this issue in two ways: it allows students to apply new knowledge of environmental systems to an environmentally relevant issue; and it takes advantage of the interdisciplinary nature of lake ecology that allows one curriculum to integrate several areas of study (biology, chemistry, history, geology, computers, language arts, math, and human ecology).

In June 2002, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) published an updated version of the ILE curriculum. The new Student Workbook includes two new chapters as well as vocabulary exercises and new experiments. There is no longer a video that accompanies this curriculum.

The Interactive Lake Ecology Program

ILE is a unique program designed by DES biologists and a Concord, N.H. school teacher. This lake ecology curriculum targets students in grades 5-8, however, the program is flexible and has been used by colleges, private organizations, and municipalities alike. ILE uses a hands-on approach to discovering lake ecosystems and understanding complex environmental systems. Teachers may incorporate ILE into the science curriculum or use the program as a special studies unit that draws on multiple disciplines.

ILE Components

Student Workbook ...............................................................$5.50
Nine chapters focus on the following concepts: How Our Lakes Were Formed, Water Properties, Water Cycle, Food Chain, Watersheds, Pollution, Non-Native Species, Testing a Lake, and Classifying Lakes. Each chapter includes a chapter summary, vocabulary list, and "Quiz Yourself" review questions. The final chapter discusses environmental regulations protecting our lakes and ways students can get involved in their communities and with government to make a difference. The Appendix contains vocabulary exercises for each chapter, 20 experiments and activities related to each chapter's content, and a glossary.

Teacher's Reference ...........................................................$7.50
The Teachers' Reference incorporates all text from the Student Workbook and provides answers or hints for "Quiz Yourself" review questions, vocabulary exercises, and experiments and activities. A sample lake ecology test with answers is included, as well as a resource list (with book and website references) and list of equipment suppliers.

How to Order
Contact the Watershed Management Bureau Administrative Assistant at:

New Hampshire Dept. of Environmental Services
Watershed Management Bureau
29 Hazen Dr., PO Box 95
Concord, New Hampshire 03302-0095
Phone: (603) 271-2963
Fax: (603) 271-7894

Visit the ILE website at www.des.state.nh.us/wmb/ILE/ for a summary of each chapter and sample experiments and vocabulary exercises.