The Nature Conservancy And Discovery Education Join Forces To Launch Dynamic Environmental Education Program Exploring The Critical Role Nature Plays In Our Everyday Lives

SILVER SPRING, Md., April 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Nature Conservancy and Discovery Education today launched Nature Works Everywhere, a partnership designed to help students learn the science behind how nature helps our everyday existence and the importance of environmental conservation.

This new online destination, www.natureworkseverywhere.org, provides middle school teachers, students and families with free tools and resources to explore and understand nature. Launching to coincide with Earth Day celebrations around the world, the site includes videos, interactive lesson plans and an interactive game designed to teach students that nature is more than just a beach or mountain – it's a fantastic factory that produces the building blocks of our lives.

Unique classroom resources on the site, including video tours from around the world that show nature at its productive best, enable teachers to take their students beyond the walls of their classrooms, exploring a wide range of topics and locales – from forests in Maine to coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean. In addition, the site provides related interactive lesson plans designed to immerse students in the fascinating world of nature and science, focusing on the themes of food, clean water, clean air and protection (nature protecting people).

A fun and interactive 'Conservation Connection' game allows students to learn how nature works to create their favorite things, such as ice cream, sandcastles and lemonade. Students and teachers alike will be surprised by some of the strange connections that are made in nature.

In addition, a 'Meet the Scientists' section allows teachers to introduce their students to real-life scientists from The Nature Conservancy who are working to keep nature thriving.  Students can learn how modern scientists protect natural areas, restore natural systems, and help nature adapt to change to benefit people in all climates.

"Discovery Education is proud to partner with The Nature Conservancy on this important program to ignite students' natural curiosity in science and create the next generation of conservation citizens," said Mary Rollins, Discovery Education Vice President of Educational Partnerships. "This unique program allows teachers to expand learning beyond classroom walls and encourage students to explore the world around them through engaging and interactive resources."

"Children today are spending less and less time outdoors, which has negative implications for their well-being and for the future of conservation," said M. Sanjayan, lead scientist, The Nature Conservancy.  "By bringing Nature Works Everywhere into classrooms around the country, we're hoping to inspire a lifelong connection to and appreciation for nature in the next generation."

Nature Works Everywhere is made possible by a grant from the Morgridge Family Foundation. The Morgridge Family Foundation is a private family foundation with a mission to invest in the transformation of education for both students and teachers.   Carrie and John Morgridge have been deeply involved in education initiatives and were instrumental in developing innovative partnerships for Nature Works Everywhere. The Morgridges' generous gift will reach thousands of children and inspire young minds to steward earth's resources and help protect them for future generations.

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education transforms classrooms, empowers teachers and captivates students by providing high quality, dynamic, digital content for grades K-12 and community colleges. Powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital media, professional development, assessment tools and a passionate educator network to support districts in accelerating student achievement. Discovery Education services like Discovery Education streaming, Discovery Education Techbook and Discovery Education Higher Ed, are in more than half of all US schools and 35 countries around the world.  Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.

SOURCE Discovery Education