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Definition: an area of land over which surface water flows to a single collection place

What does that even mean?

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  • A chunk of land where everything water related flows to another location.
    • That includes pollution in the water too!

**It’s important to realize that a watershed (the land) can cover more than one state.

Fun Fact: The Chesapeake Bay watershed starts in Cooperstown, New York, and covers parts of 6 states and Washington DC!

For use by NNPS Department of Teaching and Learning and families only

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Curious Conversations

  • What watershed do we live in?
    • Can you tell me what a watershed is, using your own words?"
  • What are some natural resources we have here in Virginia?
    • What kinds of things do those resources help us with or provide?
  • What waterways are near us? Can you name them?
  • What is a way we can help reduce water pollution?
  • Can you tell me why you think plants and animals are important for us in our daily lives?

Natural resources are necessary and/or useful to humans.

Many are distributed unevenly around the planet.

Minerals

(ores and rocks also)

  • Provide building materials and fuel sources

Water

  • Lakes, rivers, bays, and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Used for transportation, food, recreation, water for farms (animals and crops)

Plants

  • Hold soil in place to reduce erosion (movement of the soil)
    • This helps with water quality also.
  • Provide food, materials for shelter and habitats
  • Add oxygen to the air

Animals

  • Provide materials such as food, fiber, and leather

Soil and Land

  • Supports a variety of plant and animal life
  • Provides space for us to live, work, and play

**Forests (natural and cultivated–human created) are also a widely used resource. They provide building materials, fuel, and habitats.

For use by NNPS Department of Teaching and Learning and families only