Biology
Jump To:
Categories
Resources
A Mouse- and Pesticide-Free House
 | Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Mice are cute, but not in your cereal box. This is a fact sheet provided by the Northwest Coalition for Alternative to Pesticides (the actual article was published by the Journal of Pesticide Reform). It is representative of the approach that the NCAP takes.... |
| View more information on this link |
An Earthworm's Life (Nature Upclose)
Ask NSDL
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Database - Web site |
| Summary: The Virtual Reference Desk Presents Ask an Expert with opportunities to ask questions on many science topics as well as math, education, engineering, health, social studies and technology. They also offer a link for Earth Day Resources. |
| View more information on this link |
Biological Control: A Guide to Natural Enemies in North America
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Fact sheet - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: Natural enemies (photographs and information), tutorials that include insect primers, IPM strategies and tactics and a comprehensive glossary make this site everything you would expect from Cornell University. |
| View more information on this link |
Biosphere in a Bottle
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Directions for creating a small habitat in a bottle. |
| View more information on this link |
Bottle Biology An idea book for exploring the world through plastic bottles and other recyclable materials
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lessons and classroom activities
Author Mrill Ingram
ISBN 084038601X
Observe decomposition in compost columns made from plastic bottles. Create model habitats and systems using two-liter soda pop bottles or plastic fil... |
| View more information on this link |
Bug Identification
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Materials |
| Summary: This is an interactive key that keys to Order. The key works for adult insects and it not intended for other stages. |
| View more information on this link |
Bug Spray
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Need to implement some type of insect, animal, lice, mite, odor,
fungus, snake, lizard or just about any kind of pest control?
If yes, you are probably on the right page. Their goal is to
offer information on whatever is bugging you! Just scroll
down t... |
| View more information on this link |
Cockroaches
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet - List |
| Summary: This creepy crawly page, (using the language of the website designer) provides valuable insite into the biology and requirements of the Common, American, German, Brown-Banded, Smokey Brown and Australian Cockroaches. Suggestions for control are provided from... |
| View more information on this link |
Composting in Schools
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - BiblioResources (Books) - Case Study - Classroom Lessons - Experiment - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: This site is provided by the Cornell Waste Management Institute and Cornell University. Cornell Composting privides scientific inquiry for high school students as well as instructions for observing compost invertegrates and microorganisms, ideas for student... |
| View more information on this link |
Composting: Nature's Recycling Program
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Case Study - Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Web site |
| Summary: EDF provides directions on how to begin a waste prevention initiative at school as well as how to compost and what supplies are required. They offer a case study and a biblioresource. |
| View more information on this link |
Critter Chemistry
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: Nature is all about chemistry. This collection of articles provides valuable insight into the animal kingdom and some of the chemical features of these wonderful creatures. For example, what is special about the feat of gecko feet that allows them to hang o... |
| View more information on this link |
Cultivating Native Minds in School Gardens
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Case Study - Classroom Lessons - List |
| Summary: Teachers are connecting kids to nature with native plants in the schoolyard. |
| View more information on this link |
Death by Particles
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Students read a brief news article about a resesarch study showing that ambient particulate matter (PM) less than 10 micrometers in size and other air pollutants increase women's relative risk for coronary heart disease. Then they use data from the article to... |
| View more information on this link |
Eco-fun: Great projects, experiments and games for a greener earth
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Experiment |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lesson and activity book
AuthorsSuzuki, David and Kathy Vanderlinden
ISBN1-55054-823-9 A table of contents, index and glossary make this 125-page book easy to use. Categories include air, water, soil, energy and fauna and... |
| View more information on this link |
Environmental Virtual Campus
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Web site |
| Summary: Developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), this virtual campus uses an engaging, intuitive format to highlight potential environmental issues at nine campus areas, and provides compliance information and good management practices on a number... |
| View more information on this link |
Exploring Urban Integrated Pest Management
| Grade Level: Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Exploring Urban Integrated Pest Management provides activities and resources for Teaching K-6. The educational material is downloadable. This resource provides the opportunity for K-6 educators in formal and informal settings to use IPM as the real-world them... |
| View more information on this link |
Eyes: Windows to the World
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Students read and discuss an article on vision disorders related to environmental exposures. Then they use the article as the basis for the creation of a photo collage using both their own photos and images collected from various sources. This is an integrat... |
| View more information on this link |
Fight the Bite Integrated Pest Management
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet |
| Summary: The University of Illinois Extension has provided a fact sheet on the West Nile Virus, it's transmission and relationship with humans as well as other mammals, and tips for reducing insect populations using an intergrated pest management system. |
| View more information on this link |
Glossary of Insecta Terms
Green Module for Biochemistry: A New Chemical Family of Insecticides Exemplified by CONFIRM Selective Caterpillar Control Agent
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Language Options - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: The topic of green chemistry could be incorporated into a traditional biochemistry class quite easily without requiring a large amount of class time. Most biochemistry classes include a discussion of enzyme mechanisms and kinetics. One could use acetylchol... |
| View more information on this link |
Green Module for Chemical Toxicology: Biochemical Toxicology of Insecticides The Road Towards Reduced-Risk Insecticides
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - Language Options - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: This module is intended primarily for use in an upper level undergraduate course in biochemical toxicology although it may also be applicable to upper level courses in biochemistry, environmental science, and biology. It is assumed that the students have had... |
| View more information on this link |
Greening School Lesson Plan Format (PDF)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Lesson plans are beginning to appear in the Greening School's Resource list for teachers. Formal lessons will use this format. If you have lessons to submit that meet the greening principles, if they address chemistry, biology, geology, other sciences or art... |
| View more information on this link |
How to Eat Fried Worms
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials |
| Summary: The story by Thomas Rockwell, How to Eat Fried Worms, is supported by a collection of electronic sites that provide activities, discussion questions, and quizzes related to the book. Included is a recipe for "worms" and biographical information on author Thoma... |
| View more information on this link |
IAQ Tools for Schools Kit - Ventilation Checklist
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Checklist |
| Summary: Checklists for administration, building maintenance, food service, health officer, integrated pest managmenet, renovation and repairs, school officials, teacher's classroom, ventilation, walk though inspection, and waste management are all available from this... |
| View more information on this link |
IDEM Air Quality Environmental Education Lesson
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Glossary - Web site |
| Summary: These lessons provide teacher preparation, presenter preparations, lessons and activities, extensions, standards, glossary of air quality and air pollution terms and additional resources. These are designed for K-3 and 4-6. |
| View more information on this link |
IDEM Land Quality and Solid Waste Environmental Education Lesson Plans
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: These lessons provide teacher preparation, presenter preparations, lessons and activities, extensions, standards, glossary of solid waste management terms and additional resources. The lessons focus on providing solid waste and landfill information. Some le... |
| View more information on this link |
IDEM Recycling Environmental Education Lesson Plans
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Glossary |
| Summary: This lesson plan is appropriate for grades K-6 and is designed for Indiana standards, but easily modifiable for other state standards. Lessons provide teacher preparation, presenter preparation, lessons and activities, glossary of recycling terms and ways to... |
| View more information on this link |
Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Teacher's Classroom Checklist
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Materials - List - Web site |
| Summary: General cleanliness, animals in the classroom, drain traps, moisture, thermal comfort, ventilation and fans, art and science supplies, industrial and vocational education supplies and the locker room are all addressed. |
| View more information on this link |
Insect Identifier
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Materials |
| Summary: Insect anatomy, taxonomy, and insect identifcation based upon winged, wingless, and modified wings. Nicely done, easy to use resource. |
| View more information on this link |
Insects, Mites & Spiders: Articles & Resources
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet |
| Summary: A guide to identify pests includes ants, bees/wasps, beetles/bugs, butterlies/moths,flies, termites, spiders as well as many others and pesticide resources. |
| View more information on this link |
Integrated Pest Management for Schools
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Checklist - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Safer Pest Control is working from the ground up to promote safe alternatives to pesticides in Illinois. Safer Pest Control Project N.F.P. (SPCP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the public health risks and environmental impacts of pesticide... |
| View more information on this link |
Integrated Pest Management for Schools and Child Care Facilities
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Manual/Handbook - Web site |
| Summary: Purdue's IPM for Schools and Child Care Facilities concentrates on the issues and needs of school and childcare facility administrators and provides a variety of resources. These are designed to help meet the needs of the school with special consideration to... |
| View more information on this link |
Integrated Pest Management for Schools: A How-to Manual
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Integrated pest management principles in schools helpf to reduce contact with toxic substances in the school environment. EPA promotes integrated pest management through documents such as the IPM for Schools: A How-to Manual. IPM is a process that emplys a p... |
| View more information on this link |
IPM for Gardeners
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Non-Fiction
Authors, Raymond A. Cloyd, Philip L. Nixon, and Nancy R. Pataky
ISBN 0-88192-647-7
IPM for Gardeners is a manual, first addressing the needs of plants, diseases and insects and other pests in the first thr... |
| View more information on this link |
IPM for Pennsylvania Schools: A How-To Manual Revised 2004 Edition
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: Specifically for Pennsylvania schools, this 136-page manual is available online in parts or in its entirety. You may also order hard copies of the manual; copies are free for all Pennsylvania school districts and $7 plus $5 shipping and handling per order for... |
| View more information on this link |
IPM for Teachers Curriculum
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: The contencts appear designed for upper grade levels, they are linked to science standards. Sections include: biology of insects and weeds, soil ecosystems and biological controls, pesticides, chemical controls, agriculture, natural areas, and IPM in schools,... |
| View more information on this link |
Kentucky IPM Picture Sheets
| Grade Level: High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Manual/Handbook - Web site |
| Summary: Picture sheets for quick photo identification of pests (field crops, fruits, vegetables) and beneficial insects are provided. Additional fact sheets and manuals are provided for IPM of a great variety of pests. |
| View more information on this link |
Lanuage Arts and Environmental Awareness: 100+ Integrated Books & Activities for Children
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Non-fiction, lesson and activity book
AuthorsRoberts, Patricia L
ISBN0-208-02426-1 Lanugage arts consists of language, listening, folk literature, reading, speaking, and writing and techniques and resources for involving students ages 5... |
| View more information on this link |
Life Cycle of Everyday Stuff (The)
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: Non-fiction, classroom activities
AuthorsMike Reeske, Shirley Ireton
ISBN0873551877
Seven units allow teachers opportunities to creatively transform common items such as aphone, into a study of energy flow and scarce resources. Stude... |
| View more information on this link |
Life Sciences Glossary
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Glossary |
| Summary: Search for biology terms and definitions in two ways. |
| View more information on this link |
Mapping the Air in Your School
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Experiment |
| Summary: The EHP Online lessons provide students lessons that are based upon actual articles. The EHP summary for this lesson is as follows "Students read the articles Beyond the Bench: Mapping the Air in Public Schools." Then students measure temperature and relative... |
| View more information on this link |
Mercury in Schools and Communities
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Case Study - Checklist - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: NEWMOA provides a list of fact sheets, case studies, administrator and teacher information, list of mercury devices frequently found in science labs, and mercury-exchange suggestions. |
| View more information on this link |
Mercury-Free Alternatives for Schools
| Summary: The purpose of this fact sheet is to help schools identify and find alternatives to mercury and other hazardous materials that may be present in school facilities. It focuses primarily on mercury compounds and mercury-containing equipment used in curriculum a... |
| View more information on this link |
National Pest Management Association Inc
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Materials - Language Options - List - Manual/Handbook - Web site |
| Summary: This resource is designed for consumers and professionals in the pest control industry. The website offers teacher resources, activities for children interested in learning more about pests, and it offers a link to locate recommended professionals. |
| View more information on this link |
Now You See it, Now You Don't
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson is designed for grades 4-5 and can be used for both science and math with english extensions. Students will classify organic and inorganic objects, perform a mini-compost experiment, record observations, compare and contrast decomposition rates for... |
| View more information on this link |
Pennsylvania IPM Program (The)
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: A valuable site for gaining information on many aspects of IPM. The education section includes resources for teachers complete with lessons for all grade levels. |
| View more information on this link |
Pest World for Kids
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Fact sheet - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: This pest and insect site should appeal to all ages. Interactive learning games, lesson plans for teachers, facts sheets and pest post cards are quite creative as well as informative. |
| View more information on this link |
Pollution Prevention Measures for Safer School Laboratories
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Hands-on activities are an essential part of school science. Activities conducted in school laboratories are important if students are to learn the processes of science and have direct experiences that capture their interest and maintain their motivation. A sc... |
| View more information on this link |
Research and Educational Laboratory Waste Reduction
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Fact sheet |
| Summary: This fact sheet addresses waste reduction in research and educational laboratories. Included are examples of better operating/management practices and procedural or institutional policies that result in waste reduction. (PDF format; Length: 6 pages) |
| View more information on this link |
Rodents and Others
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet - List |
| Summary: Biological information as well as control for Brown and Black rats, mice, mink, squirrels, and a variety of other "rodents" are provided at this site. Biological information, reasons for concerns and indicators are provided. This may make some readers squirm... |
| View more information on this link |
School IPM: IPM Standards Available for Schools
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Fact sheet - List - Manual/Handbook - Web site |
| Summary: Lessons, school building and school grounds standards, scorecards, inspection and sanitation techniques, and most of the basics are referenced and linked to in this downloadable PDF formatted document. The entire document is 165 and 1125 KB. Topics include pes... |
| View more information on this link |
Schoolyard Garden and Habitat Project
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Web site |
| Summary: The Schoolyard Garden and Habitat program serves high school students with specific learning disabilities. |
| View more information on this link |
Science and Safety: It's Elementary Calendar
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Checklist - Classroom Materials - List |
| Summary: Using a calendar format science safety guidelines are provided for elementary teachers. These include glassware, chemical, and electrical precautions; common laboratory operating procedures (regulated and general safety rule and classroom management tips); pr... |
| View more information on this link |
Skeeter Reader, The
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials |
| Summary: A 2-page PDF for children on mosquitos and West Nile Virus prevention is available. |
| View more information on this link |
Understanding the Organism Insect and Arthropod Biology and ID
| Grade Level: Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons |
| Summary: This lesson provides tools for identification of insects and understanding the organism's life cycles and survival requirements. |
| View more information on this link |
Using Chemistry to Treat Lead Poisoning
| Grade Level: High School |
| Type: Article/Report - Classroom Lessons - Classroom Materials - Experiment - Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) |
| Summary: The EHP Online lessons provide students lessons that are based upon actual articles. The EHP summary for this lesson is as follows "students read the article Challenging Assumptions about Lead and IQ: Effects Increase, Not Decrease in Older Children" and cond... |
| View more information on this link |
Vermicomposting
| Grade Level: Elementary - High School |
| Type: Article/Report - BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet |
| Summary: Instruction on vermicomposting in the classroom, at home, and as an academic exercise are provided. Resources include fact sheets on the role of worms, worm and worm bin supply sources, classroom worm composting and an animated interactive game (The Adventure... |
| View more information on this link |
Vermicomposting (Making Good use of Garbage!)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary |
| Type: Classroom Games and Activities - Classroom Lessons - Fact sheet - Language Options - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours - Web site |
| Summary: Vermicomposting fun facts, information, activities, music (including The Littlest Worm), and reasons to consider vermicomposting. |
| View more information on this link |
West Nile Virus Educational Materials
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School - Post-Secondary |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Language Options |
| Summary: Various fact sheets and educational documents on West Nile Virus and mosquitos are available through the Fairfax County (Virginia) Health Department. Many of these are applicable throughout the country but what makes this desirable is sheets are provided in a... |
| View more information on this link |
WISE Website
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Classroom Materials - Web site |
| Summary: WISE (Whole Systems Integrated Sustainable Desicn for Education) is a website tool for students and teachers to learn about and implement sustainable design projects. Students will observe, analyze resources, record findings, learn about sustainability, and p... |
| View more information on this link |
WonderNet Your Science Place in Cyberspace
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Experiment |
| Summary: View all of the topics avaiable online from WonderNet. These include calcium,chemical reactions, chemistry and art, earth's atmosphere, magnets, polymers and much more. |
| View more information on this link |
Worm Bin Creatures Alive Through a Microscope
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Powerpoints, videos and virtual tours |
| Summary: Worm Bin Creatures Alive Through a Microscope provides a captivating look at rarely seen (close-up) organisms of the compost and worm bins. The video is 31 minutes and cost is $25 (July 2004). |
| View more information on this link |
Worm Guide: A Vermicomposting Guide for Teachers (The)
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: This guide provides teachers with information on how to start and maintain a successful classroom worm bin. Includes the basics of vermicomposting, worm bin building plans, troubleshooting and fundraising tips, classroom activities, and useful case studies of... |
| View more information on this link |
Worm Woman
| Grade Level: Elementary - Middle School/Junior High |
| Type: Article/Report - Fact sheet - Web site |
| Summary: Mary Appelhof's site for worm composting resources, provides video clips, feature articles and activities,and WormEzine magainze (free monthly magazine on vermicomposting |
| View more information on this link |
Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up & Maintain a Worm Composting System
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: NonFiction (Lesson, Text)
Author Mary Appelhof
ISBN 0942256107
This has been long considered the definitive guide to vermicomposting by Mary Appelhoff). Authors Mary Appelhof. Topics include how to set up bins, what kinds of wo... |
| View more information on this link |
Worms Eat Our Garbage: Classroom Activities for a Better Environment
| Grade Level: Pre-K thru Kindergarten - Elementary - Middle School/Junior High - High School |
| Type: BiblioResources (Books) - Classroom Lessons - Manual/Handbook |
| Summary: NonFiction
Authors Mary Appelhof, Mary Frances Fenton and Barbara Loss Harris ISBN 0-942256-05-0This classroom activity book complements "Worms Eat My Garbage" (the definitive guide to vermicomposting by Mary Appelhoff).
Books lis... |
| View more information on this link |
Help Desk Questions
| I am looking for information pertaining to native landscaping for southern Illinois. What type of wildflowers and other landscaping materials are native to the Mount Vernon region? I want to do a complete unit for my middle school science club on native landscaping. |
 |
View Answer |
|
The Greening Schools web site includes a "Groundskeeping/Landscaping" category in its section on greening your building. See http://www.greeningschools.org/resources/view_cat_admin.cfm?id=11. The information on rain gardens may be helpful. Rain gardens employ native plants to gradually filter water and prevent pollution from stormwater runoff. This section of the Greening Schools web site also includes information on funding opportunities related to school gardens.
You may want to contact the Southern Chapter of the Illinois Native Plants Society for guidance. See http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/inps/index.html. The contact for the Southern Chapter is Alice DeJarnett. She can be reached at 618-351-8106 or alicedel@yahoo.com.
Ken Robertson, a plant systematist for the Illinois Natural History Survey, has a nice web site on the tallgrass prairie in Illinois, which you may find helpful in preparing your unit. See http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/tallgrass.html. He also has a page entitled "Links for Using Native Plants in the Landscape" at http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/~kenr/prairienativelinks.html. The Natural History Survey also has educational materials available at http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/eduresources/edupublications.html.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has posters and other educational materials available. In particular, see Wild about Plants at http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/classrm/plants.htm. They also have posters for several different regions of the state. An order form for these is available at http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/CLASSRM/edmats02.htm.
You may want to consider having an expert on native plants speak to your science club. Check out the Survey's speakers bureau at http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/outreach/speakersbureau/speakintro.html. Your local U of I extension office may also have someone you can speak with about this topic or who can visit the club as a speaker. The U of I Extension southern regional office is located in Mt. Vernon. You can contact the office at (618) 242-9474. Their website is at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/cie2/offices/indexcenter.cfm?OID=226&CFID=73349&CFTOKEN=96991013.
The University Museum of Southern Illinois University has teachers' resource kits available for loan, including a kit on wildflowers of southern Illinois. See http://www.museum.siu.edu/kits.html for contact information. Also check out the web page on "Botany in the Natural Areas of Southern Illinois" on the Southern Illinois University Plant Biology Department web site (http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/Information/Natural.html).
The Illinois Plant Information Network has lists of species available by county. See http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin/ilpin.html#Background.
Fermilab maintains a database of prairie plants with photos at http://eddata.fnal.gov/lasso/plant_search/search_kids.html. There is also a gallery of Southern Illinois Wildflowers at http://toms_place_2.tripod.com/SIwildflowers.htm.
A section of the U.S. EPA web site is devoted to information on native landscaping. See http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/greenacres/index.html.
The University of Illinois Cooperative Extension office publishes Native Plants in the Home Landscape for the Upper Midwest (https://webstore.aces.uiuc.edu/shopsite/C1381.html). It costs $20 but you may be able to borrow a copy of this through your school or local public library.
If your science club develops its own native plant garden on the school grounds, consider having it certified via the National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitats program. See http://www.nwf.org/schoolyardhabitats/ for more information.
Finally, your local library may have some general information about gardening with native plants and flowers. Some titles, which you should be able to borrow through your local library, include:
Gardening with native wild flowers / Samuel B Jones; Leonard E Foote 1999, ©1990 (Pbk. ed.)
Portland, Or. Timber Press, ; ISBN 0881923818
The wild lawn handbook : alternatives to the traditional front lawn / Stevie Daniels, 1995.
New York, NY Macmillan USA, ; ISBN 0025294458
Natural landscaping : designing with native plant communities / John Diekelmann; Robert Schuster, 2002.(2nd ed.)
Madison, Wis. University of Wisconsin Press, ; ISBN 0299173240
The landscaping revolution : garden with mother nature, not against her / Andy Wasowski; Sally Wasowski, 2000.
Lincolnwood, Ill. Contemporary Books, ; ISBN 0809226650
Easy care native plants : a guide to selecting and using beautiful American flowers, shrubs, and trees in gardens and landscapes / Patricia A. Taylor, 1996 (1st ed.)
New York H. Holt, ; ISBN 0805038612 (alk. paper)
The native plant primer / Carole Ottesen, 1995 (1st ed.)
New York Harmony Books, ; ISBN 0517592150
Grow wild! : low-maintenance, sure-success, distinctive gardening with native plants / Lorraine Johnson; Andrew Leyerle, 1998.
Golden, Colo. Fulcrum Pub., ; ISBN 1555913962 (hardcover)
On the wild side : experiments in new naturalism / Keith Wiley, 2004.
Portland, OR Timber Press, ; ISBN 0881926361 (hardback)
Native landscaping for wildlife and people : how to use native midwestern plants to beautify your property and benefit wildlife / Dave Tylka, 2002.
Jefferson City, Mo. Missouri Dept. of Conservation, ; ISBN 1887247343
Eco-gardens / Lori Kinstad Pupeza, 2002.
Minneapolis, Minn. Abdo Pub. Co., ; ISBN 1577650336
Explains how to design and plant an ecologically sound garden by using native plants, which are adapted to the heat and water which nature supplies, and which will provide an environment for native animals and insects. |
|
