Healthy Rivers: A Water Course

A new user-friendly multi-media tool is available for river lovers, scientists and educators, and other caring and curious conservationists — and could be a good present for the river enthusiast on your holiday present list.

With over 220 screens of information, 540 color photos and 70 maps, the CD-ROM Healthy Rivers: A Water Course explores the complexity and diversity of river systems. It also frames this information with over 100 audio interviews, video clips, and music segments, and provides 100-plus links to external Web sites.

Appropriate for ages 13 and up, Healthy Rivers is a good resource for land use planners and policy makers and citizen scientists alike. It explains the natural structure and function of river systems using a five-component framework of flow, shape, connections, quality, and life. Six case studies examine the history of river use and provide a basis for a future vision of water resource management. A section explores the true value of river system goods and services, which leads to inspiring examples of local leaders and practical, action-oriented ideas for next steps that each of us can take toward healthier water resources.

The CD-ROM is available for $20 at the Minnesota Bookstore, and is produced by the Division of Ecological Resources, Stream Habitat Program, and the Ecosystem Education Program.

Minnesotas Bookstore is located at 660 Olive Street, Saint Paul, MN 55155. For directions or more information, call 651-297-3000 or 800-657-3757. For more information on the CD-ROM, contact the Minnesota DNR Information Center: 651-296-6157, 888-646-6367, TTY: 651-296-5484, e-mail: info@dnr.state.mn.us.