http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/BackyardBiology/default.cfm

There may be some who erroneously think that to learn about biology "in the field" it is necessary to travel to exotic locales. This fine site from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., effectively dismisses that notion soundly by using its own grounds as a lens for learning about the "backyard biology" that is present right within this major metropolitan area. The right-hand side of the site is well worth starting with, as it contains three thematic areas: "Celebrate", "Study", and "Protect". In each area, visitors may browse through a set of resources dedicated to science articles, identification guides, and other such materials. For those who are drawn to live webcams, the homepage also has a "Backyard Cam", where users may check out the live action in and around the birdfeeder on the grounds. Finally, visitors may also want to look through the online photo gallery, take a look through the "Urban Nature Watch" area, and learn about the plant of the month. [KMG]

http://www.moma.org/exhibitions/2005/groundswell/gs.html

Navigate from a map at this MoMA Web site to explore 23 urban landscape projects located all around the world. There are gardens, parks, and museum campuses, intended for public use, often reclaiming abandoned or degraded industrial land. Basic information is provided for all 23 sites. For example, the entries for the Shanghai Carpet, a plaza above underground parking, with stone, brick, and timber construction, or Lurie Garden in Millennium Park in Chicago, Ill., consist of a drawing or model, the project description and credits, and photographs. Six of the entries give additional information: a lengthier project section, with descriptions and credits; a site section with schematic plans; and an animated experience section, allowing visitors to see the site from different angles and in different conditions. For example, see the Schouwburgplein, (Theater Square) in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, from an aerial view, night view in the rain, or as if seated on a bench outside. [DS]

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~speccoll/chapman/index.html

The august histories of various colleges and universities around the United States have been well documented throughout the centuries, and a number of these institutions have placed various related historical documents online for the use of historians, alumni, and others. The Rauner Special Collections Library at Dartmouth College has placed an 1877 copy of its own Chapman's Alumni Sketches online for perusal, and it is well worth a glance. The book was originally published in 1867, and was compiled by the Reverend George T. Chapman (Dartmouth, Class of 1804). The volume contains entries for most of the graduates from the classes of 1771 through 1867 within its 520 pages. Visitors may look through the work's various pages and through doing so, learn about the many rather distinguished alumni from Dartmouth's first century. [KMG]

http://portal.unesco.org/shs/en/ev.php-URL_ID=1396&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has five specialized sectors, and one of them happens to be dedicated to examining the social and human sciences. Within this broad heading, this sector examines a number of key themes, including ethics, human rights, philosophy, and social transformations. The well-designed homepage allows visitors easy access to the organization's various programmatic areas of action and links to a number of helpful features including its newsletter. One particularly timely feature is a link to the upcoming International Forum on the Social Science-Policy Nexus planned for September 2005. Also, within each primary section there are links to publications and subthemes, such as gender equality and development and human security and peace. [KMG]

http://www.arts.gov/pub/how.pdf

There is a considerable debate going on around the country about who should be responsible for funding the very diverse activities that fall under the umbrella of the "arts". Some say that it is better to allow private groups and charitable organizations more leeway in this area, while others favor giving the federal government a greater role in this process. This helpful and intriguing 31-page paper in pdf format from the National Endowment for the Arts, first published in October 2004, offers some compelling insights into how various programs fund he arts throughout the country. Prepared by Professor Tyler Cowen of George Mason University, the report contains four chapters, which deal with such subjects as the nature of direct public support for the arts and so on. [KMG]

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/rtf_flash/start.html

Since the Columbia tragedy of two years ago, NASA has spent a great deal of time getting ready for its next mission, and this well-thought-out website provides a host of important information about the next mission, which has a launch window beginning in May. Designed for the general public this site affords interested parties some unique insight into the details of both the enhanced shuttle system, the crew of the mission, and the specific objectives of the upcoming mission. Through the innovative interface design, visitors can view brief overviews of each section of the site, then proceed to learn more detailed materials about each area. The crew section of the site is quite nice as well, as it provides some insight into the work and duties of each crew member. Overall, the layout of the site is quite appealing, as are its various graphic elements. [KMG]

http://www.salvador-dali.org

To many Salvador Dali remains a rather enigmatic man, and to others, somewhat overly commercial in his artwork. He was always quite a savvy self-promoter, so many will not be surprised to learn that he created the Gala-Salvador Foundation in 1983 (six years before his death) in order "to promote, boost, divulge, lend prestige to, protect and defend in Spain and in any other country the artistic, cultural and intellectual oeuvre of the painter" and so on. This website provides information about the Foundation, the three museums it manages, and the outreach programs it performs, including the conservation department and study center. Visitors to the site can take interactive tours of the three museums here, and also learn about the general operations of each place. Of course, visitors will not be surprised to learn that in the "Collection" area of the site that they may also view selected works by Dali along with taking a look at a "Work of the Month" here as well. [KMG]