LibGuides: Writing 114 (Hothem): Websites

Federal Government Agencies

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with a mission to improve, protect, and conserve natural resources on private lands through a cooperative partnership with state and local agencies.
• U.S. Department of Justice Environment and Natural Resources Division
ENRD's mandate is to enforce civil and criminal environmental laws and programs protecting the health and environment of the United States, and to defend suits challenging those laws and programs.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States federal government for environmental protection. The agency conducts environmental assessment, research, and education.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
The NOAA is a scientific agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce that focuses on the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.
NASA: Global Climate Change: Vital Signs of the Planet
Accurate and timely news and information about Earth’s changing climate, along with current data and visualizations.

California Government Agencies

California Environmental Protection Agency
CalEPA's mission is to restore, protect and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality and economic vitality,
California Institute for Rural Studies
Research topics including farm labor, food systems and rural health. Within these broad program areas we do essential work on fair labor practices, market barriers to farmers, water use and policy, pesticide use, food insecurity and access and more.
California Department of Water Resources (CDWR)
Central state governmental site for all things relating to water management.
California Water Resources Control Board
The California Water Resources Control Board preserves, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use.
California Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation provides services and information that promote environmental health, economic vitality, informed land-use decisions and sound management of our state’s natural resources.
California Natural Resources Agency
The California Natural Resources Agency oversees 15 state entities including the Coastal Commission, Coastal Conservancy, Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Water Resources.

Evaluating Websites

When evaluating websites, you may want to keep the following in mind:

Is there an author listed for the site?
Is the sites sponsored by a group or organization with a specific point of view?
Is the site trying to sell you something?
Is the site up to date?
Are the links credible and authentic?

Tips for using Google

5200 N. Lake Road
Merced, CA 95343
library@ucmerced.edu
(209) 228-4444