Healthy Rivers: A Water Course

Healthy Rivers: A Water Course instructional CD ROM is a captivating program to understand the ecology and management of river and stream systems.

A user-friendly multimedia tool, Healthy Rivers features:

• 220+ screens of information exploring the complexity and diversity of river systems.
• 540+ color photos and 70+ maps, illustrations, and graphic animations.
• Over 100 audio interviews, video clips, and music segments.
• More than 100 links within the program, 100+ links to external web sites, and a complete bibliography of over 100 references.

Demo CD ROM
System Requirements and Troubleshooting Information

Background

Healthy river systems provide invaluable services and benefits that sustain life and fuel human economies. Our alterations to most of the world's river systems have diminished their ability to perform these services, and the consequences go largely unrecognized or are poorly understood. However, we can change this pattern and restore these systems. How?

The Healthy Rivers CD-ROM explains 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.

Produced by the Division of Ecological Resources, Stream Habitat Program, and the Ecosystem Education Program, creators of the CD-ROM Restore your Shore: A guide to protecting and restoring the natural beauty of your shoreland, the Healthy Rivers CD-ROM offers an engaging way to understand the ecology and management of river and stream systems. It is ideal for citizens interested in river conservation, land use planners and policy makers, scientists and educators, and natural resource managers. Appropriate for ages 13+.

To order your copy, contact Amy Childers, MnDNR Division of Ecological Resources at 218.739.7576 x 233 or amy.childers@dnr.state.mn.us.

For more information, contact: Minnesota DNR Information Center
Phone: (651) 296-6157 Twin Cities metro or nationwide toll free (888) 646-6367, TTY: (651) 296-5484 or toll free (800) 657-3929, e-mail: info@dnr.state.mn.us

A resource for further investigation is the DNR Watershed Assessment Tool.