Iowa State Parks Celebrates the New Year with First Day Hikes

Iowa State Parks will sponsor free, guided hikes in 17 state parks on New Year’s Day as part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes initiative in all 50 states. 

America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1 at a state park close to home. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. 

“We are excited to host First Day Hikes as part of this national effort to get people outdoors and into our parks.  First Day Hikes are a great way to cure cabin fever and burn off those extra holiday calories by starting off the New Year with an invigorating walk or hike in one of our beautiful state parks,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources State Parks Bureau.
  
“Last year, we hosted a record-breaking 41,000 people who hiked 72,442 miles in our state parks across the country when we launched America’s State Parks First Day Hikes,” said Priscilla Geigis, President of the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD).  “Think of it as the start of a new and healthy lifestyle, for the whole family. Whether you’re staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of America’s State Parks on New Year’s Day.”  

Iowa’s state parks boast a variety of beautiful settings for year-round outdoor recreation, and each First Day Hike will offer an opportunity to explore the unique natural and cultural treasures close to home. 

“Studies have proven that getting outdoors is one good way to relax and recharge the body, mind and spirit,” stated Lewis Ledford, NASPD’s executive director.  “We hope that hiking along a trail in a state park will become part of an individual’s or family’s regular exercise routine.”

Staff and volunteers will lead First Day Hikes in Iowa’s 17 participating state parks. Hikes will average one to two miles or longer depending on the location.  Details about the hikes can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes  and to see a comprehensive map of First Day Hikes across the country, visit www.naspd.org.

Iowa First Day Hikes will take place at the following 17 state parks:
 
NORTHWEST
Gitchie Manitou State Preserve
Stone State Park
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
Ledges State Park
Springbrook State Park
 
SOUTHWEST
Wilson Island State Recreation Area
Green Valley State Park
Waubonsie State Park
               
SOUTHEAST
Walnut Woods State Park
Honey Creek State Park
Honey Creek Resort
Lake Darling State Park
 
NORTHEAST
Backbone State Park
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Pikes Peak State Park
Yellow River State Forest
 
America's State Parks is committed to promoting outdoor recreation in state parks as a way to address obesity, especially among children.  Getting kids outside and unplugged from video games and other electronic media creates a unique connection with nature that promotes physical and mental well-being and encourages creativity and stewardship of our shared resources.

Help Gather Information for Bird Conservation

The 116th Christmas Bird Count starts December 14, 2015 and runs through January 5, 2016. This longest running Citizen Science survey in the world provides critical data on population trends. It is organized into circles, and each circle counts as many birds as possible on one day, either on a predetermined route, or at their backyard bird feeder. Data is compiled, and used to learn about long-term bird trends.

If you would like to participate, check out the searchable map to find a counting "circle" near you.
 

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course (K-12 Educators)

January 17 – May 1, 2016

The goal of this course is to help you utilize a STEM-based approach that incorporates local natural resources as unifying themes to implement Iowa Core concepts in your curriculum. You will work in small groups and individually to create a network of contacts and resources to teach natural resource concepts. Group and individual assignments will build on each other throughout the course.

Participants will build a project-based learning unit for their personal teaching situation, so you can immediately incorporate the course resources and tactics into your teaching.

Registration deadline is January 11, 2016 - you must register electronically (Activity #: 22007499991602). Registration fee: $175 (3 license renewal credits); $395.00 ( 3 Drake graduate credits). This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal and graduate credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

Contemporary Environmental Issues and New Iowa Science Standards: Transforming Conservation Outreach

February 4-5, 2016

Springbrook Conservation Education Center

2473 160th Road

Guthrie Center, IA 50115

Join us and build your local network to link science education to scientists and science-based conservation practices happening all around Iowa. Naturalists and environmental educators, resource conservation professionals, Area Education Agency (AEA) Science Consultants, and teachers will all play key roles in the network, and each person will contribute as well as learn about projects and educational opportunities in their area.

The workshop will use wildlife as the unifying theme to connect the newly adopted Iowa Core Science Standards and environmental and conservation education. Naturalists will see exactly where their programs fit into the core. Teachers will receive curriculum support from professionals.

Who should come: Formal and non-formal educators, plus conservation professionals are encouraged to attend. Regional AEA Science Consultants and conservation professionals will be at the workshop to build local relationships with formal and non-formal educators to improve the quality of education for students.

Keynotes include: Rich Leopold, Iowa Wildlife Federation and Stephanie Shepherd, Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Diversity Program, and more.

Why should I come? Here is a participant quote from the 2015 Workshop that says it all, “I like the single topic focus. PLEASE do this again and I will drive anywhere!”

Registration Costs? $70.  Dorm-style lodging is available at Springbrook Conservation Edcucation Center for $20 per night and can be reserved at registration. Traveling from a distance? You can reserve dorm space for Wednesday evening also - Choose 'Lodging - Additional Night' option. A limited number of scholarships are available. See the workshop flyer for other nearby lodging options.

Online Registration. Register By 2/1/2016 (Late Fee will be applied after 1/27/2016).

Online Professional Development for PLT GreenSchools

PLT’s GreenSchools program inspires students to improve the environment at their school, home, and in their community. This nationwide service-learning program provides training and resources for teachers and students to reduce their school’s environmental impact, improve health, and save money. Give your students the opportunity to apply their STEM skills to make a difference in their world!

In this online workshop, you will:

• Get an introduction to PLT’s GreenSchools program.
• Learn how to effectively engage your students in conducting each of the five investigations (Energy, School Site, Waste and Recycling, Water, and Environmental Quality) in your own educational setting.
• Find out how to obtain equipment and collect data.
• Participate in interactive learning experiences that will enable you to facilitate a green schools program at your school and get the support of school administrators, staff, parents, and community members.
• Engage in planning exercises to help you be successful in implementing the program.
• Discover ways to empower your students to design and lead an action project.
• See video demonstrations of GreenSchools students and educators in action.
• Understand the benefits of PLT GreenSchools – for students and your school.
• Get tips on how to measure your students’ impact and celebrate successes

PLT’s GreenSchools online course costs $25 and takes approximately 6 hours to complete. Once enrolled, you will have 180 days to complete the course. To access the course, go to www.plt.org/onlinePD-GreenSchools.

Iowa State-Fish Art Contest

Contest Rules & Guidelines
2016 Entry Form

The Iowa DNR is partnering with the Wildlife Forever^® State-Fish Art^® Contest to host an Iowa State-Fish Art Contest. Students are encouraged to use their artistic skills to create an image of their favorite Iowa fish (see the eligible fish list) in its natural habitat.

The first place artwork in each judging category will be submitted for National Awards. First place winners at the state level will be honored at the annual State-Fish Art Expo this summer. Each student submitting an entry will receive a Certificate of Recognition.

All entries must be postmarked by March 31, 2016.

Happy Bat Week!

Bat week is an annual international celebration of the role of bats in nature. Step outside around dusk and take a few moments to look for bats in your neighborhood.

 

Iowa is home to nine bat species: little brown bat, big brown bat, red bat, hoary bat, silver-haired bat, Indiana bat (federally endangered species), evening bat, eastern pipistrelle, and northern myotis.

Fun Bat Facts

• A small bat eats between 1,000 and 2,000 small insects every night. Bats use sonar to find dinner when it’s pitch black out. Bats make noises, which bounce off the bugs and back to the bats’ ears, where the sound is picked up by the bats’ specialized hearing.
• Bats are our only flying mammals in the state.
• One of Iowa’s few true hibernators, bats hibernate all winter until there are insects to chow down on again.
• Within three weeks of being born, young bats are taking flight. They grow quickly, being full-grown in about a month after birth. Young bats take off for their own roosts once they’re weaned.
• Bats hang upside down because it allows them to roost in places where predators can’t reach them. It also allows them to get into the air faster by falling to achieve flight.

Helpful Websites

Bats Bats Everywhere

Bat Conservation International

BatsLIVE

Project Edubat

 

 

 

Hot Topic - Climate & Iowa

Need help developing relevant lesson plans that focus on student learning, NGSS/Common Core and STEM?

The University of Iowa College of Engineering and the College of Education have teamed up to offer a real-world, STEM focused professional development opportunity related to flooding in Iowa. This opportunity is geared toward Iowa middle and high school teachers - teachers, administrators and STEM team members are encouraged to apply. 

Date: Friday, November 13, 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
          Saturday, November 14, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: John and Mary Pappajohn Education Center RM #128, 1200 Grand Avenue, Des Moines
Stipend: $250 stipend 
Cost: Earn one optional continuing education/graduate credit for only $65
Application deadline: Nov. 4

Participation is limited to 25 people. Visit the event website for more information and to complete the application.

If you have any questions, contact Ted Neal at (319) 335-5327 or Gabriele Villarini, with the University of Iowa.

Habitat Connections Giveaway

BirdSleuth is giving away 50 Habitat Connections kits to classroom teachers across the country this spring. Are you interested? Along with the Habitat Connections kit, selected teachers will also receive a free bird feeder and bird seed thanks to our sponsors from Perky-Pet®. 

Who’s Eligible? 3-8th grade classroom teachers in the United States that can use the Habitat Connections lessons described below in their classroom. Winners will be selected on a ongoing basis until Friday, November 13, 2015. If selected, you will receive your free kit, bird feeder, and bird seed in the spring just in time for classes.

To apply for a kit:Complete our online survey. Application deadline is Friday, November 13, 2015. Winners  will be notified on a ongoing basis until Monday, November 23, 2015.
 
Habitat Connection Details
There are seven easy to follow and implement lessons in the curriculum. Each includes concise learning objectives, background reading, reflection and evaluation questions, and teaching slides (a Powerpoint file on a USB drive) to help you. The lessons were field tested by 3-8th grade teachers, and are tied to the NGSS and Common Core Standards.

1. Habitat Investigation: Students learn about the habitat needs of birds, then go outside to map the habitat in their schoolyard. These maps can be used to create a YardMap, a citizen-science project.
2. Migration Obstacles: Students run a migration obstacle course to actively experience some of the challenges that migrating birds face. (In the photo above, a “bird” dashes across a road and around a window, bringing the challenges of real birds alive!)
3. Bird Survivor: Students discover the life cycle of birds and the challenges that nesting birds face by playing a “Bird Survivor” game.  They are invited to take action by participating in the NestWatch citizen-science project.
4. To Migrate or Not: Students learn about the costs and benefits of migrating or staying in one area all year through a demonstration, and then do research on individual birds.
5. Scientist in Action: Students are introduced, through videos, to a scientist who studies migrating Hudsonian Godwits. They learn about the scientific process and the nature of science by examining his work.
6. Modeling Migration: Students look at animated bird-distribution maps created using citizen-science data, and discover the value of models in understanding where bird species are located throughout the year. They are invited to take part in the eBird citizen-science project and explore eBird data.
7. Improve Your Bird Habitat: Through mapping and planning habitat improvements in their schoolyard or another open area, students learn about the importance of small-scale habitat management and discover the characteristics of green spaces that create good habitat for birds.

Watch Science Standards Conference Live

Educators and administrators across Iowa can watch the Oct. 20 Science Standards conference through livestream.

The conference, which is at capacity, is designed to bring together administrators, curriculum directors, Area Education Agency personnel, teacher leaders and higher education faculty to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the adoption of the new Iowa Science Standards.

National leaders in the development and implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards will join state stakeholders to discuss efforts to implement new science standards in Iowa.

The event is hosted by the University of Iowa’s College of Education, the Jacobson Institute at Grand View University, and the Iowa Department of Education.

The livestream will begin at 9 a.m. and continue to the end at 3:35 p.m.

New Classroom Videos Demonstrating Transitions to NGSS

Four new videos highlighting the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are now available online. Achieve and the Teaching Channel collaborated with an elementary school teacher and high school teacher from Boone County, KY to capture snapshots of what NGSS early implementation looks like in classrooms.

The featured classroom examples illustrate how some educators are transitioning instruction to help students meet the goals of the NGSS. These videos are not intended to signal a one-size-fits-all approach to implementing the NGSS. Rather, the snapshots demonstrate how specific teachers are beginning to transition to the standards and offer guidance to educators currently considering how to best engage students in three-dimensional learning. 

Video 1: Energy & Matter Across Science Disciplines
https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/cross-discipline-lesson-achieve 

Video 2: Making Claims from Evidence 

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/claims-evidence-science-lesson-achieve 

Video 3: First Steps Towards Transitioning to the NGSS 

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/transition-to-ngss-achieve 

Video 4: Working as a Team

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/student-collaboration-achieve  

 

 

Nature Works Everywhere Garden Grants

The Nature Conservancy is working to promote environmental education through the creation of Nature Works Everywhere gardens. The program empowers students and teachers to work together to create and implement their own solutions to environmental challenges in their communities.

Grants will be given in the amount of $1000–$2000 dependent upon the needs of the project. Apply online by October 28, 2015.

Funds may be used to support the building, amendment, or revitalization of gardens on school campuses, with preference given to rain, pollinator, native habitat, and other natural infrastructure projects. Food gardens will also be funded.

Complete details  including timeline, activities, requirements, grant benefits, and eligibility are available on the Nature Works Everyone website. Commitment letters from the project lead and your school administrator are required.

 

NEEF Greening STEM for Educators Grant

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), with major funding support from the Mitsubishi Corporation Foundation for the Americas (MCFA), is offering a total of $7,000 in funding for teachers, after-school programs and nature organizations for projects that support Greening STEM. Grants will range from $500 to $1,000 each.

Through these grants, NEEF will support educators who are leading the way in Greening STEM education and provide support for continued development and innovation of school programs and projects connecting STEM with environmental education.

Developments in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) are growing faster than ever and the need to find engaging ways to teach lessons in these subjects grounded in real-world experience is clear. NEEF believes that the natural world offers a compelling and universal context for investigations and applications of many STEM lessons. By learning about STEM concepts in reference to real-life environmental examples or issues, the subject matter is more tangible and extends beyond the textbook or classroom, influencing the way students think about the world and the way they view their connection to it.

Application Deadline: 11:59pm CT Thursday, October 8, 2015. All applications must be submitted through NEEF's online grants management system.

Fall Fitness Day

Walk at the Whistle
Live Healthy Iowa Kids is excited to be joining forces with the Healthiest State Initiative and the State Fire Marshal Division in continuing our message of healthy and active kids!

We are partnering to promote physical activity and fire safety on Oct. 7 by encouraging Iowa schools and youth organizations to 'Walk at the Whistle' by conducting a fire drill in conjunction with a Healthiest State Walk.

How to Participate:
1. Designate a coordinator for your event.
2. Plan a 1K walk route for your school or organization.
3.  Register your school or organization.
4. Conduct your Healthiest State Walk on Oct. 7.

Grant Opportunity:
Live Healthy Iowa Kids will award 15, $100 mini-grants to help support your efforts for the event on Oct. 7. Applications must be received by Sept. 28 at 4pm and can be submitted either by mail to 1421 S. Bell Ave #104, Ames, IA 50010 or by email to allie.paulson@livehealthyiowa.org.  

Exploring Iowa’s Natural Resources On-line Course (K-12 Educators)

October 3, 2015 – January 31, 2016

The goal of this course is to help you utilize a STEM-based approach that incorporates local natural resources as unifying themes to implement Iowa Core concepts in your curriculum. You will work in small groups and individually to create a network of contacts and resources to teach natural resource concepts. Group and individual assignments will build on each other throughout the course.

Participants will build a project-based learning unit for their personal teaching situation, so you can immediately incorporate the course resources and tactics into your teaching.

Registration deadline is September 25, 2015 - you must register electronically (Activity #: 22007499991601). Registration fee: $175 (3 license renewal credits); $395.00 ( 3 Drake graduate credits). This course is being offered by AEA PD Online, a joint initiative by all of Iowa's Area Education Agencies. This course therefore uses AEA PD Online's alternative fee schedule for license renewal and graduate credit. Transcripts and credit will be issued by AEA PD Online instead of Heartland AEA.

 

Fall 2015 Project WILD Field Test

The Council for Environmental Education (CEE), the national office for Project WILD, invites K-12 educators (formal and nonformal) to help field test activities being considered for publication in future editions of the Project WILD K-12 Curriculum & Activity Guide.

A limited number of $40 stipends are available for participating. Deadline to apply at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZM3MM7V is September 25, 2015. CEE will notify those selected to participate on October 1, 2015.

Activities typically require two 45 minute class sessions or the equivalent instructional time, and may also involve investigating outdoor areas, such as a school yard or park. Although you are welcome and encouraged to field test more than one activity, and to conduct a single activity with more than one class, only one $40 stipend will be provided to each participating educator.

Participant feedback is due to CEE via an online survey by Friday, December 4, 2015.

Celebrating Iowa’s Prairies

September 13th-19^th is Iowa Prairie Heritage Week!

Iowa’s landscape was once covered by vast rolling hills of prairie.  An estimated 85% of the land was prairie grass and flowers when European settlers first arrived.  Since that time the Iowa landscape has changed drastically and today only 1/10 of 1% of our native prairie remains. 

The largest remaining prairie remnants in Iowa can be found in the Loess Hills of Western Iowa.  Other prairie remnants can be found in old graveyards, railroad right-of-ways, road ditches and scattered in small patches on state, county or private lands.

Prairies are a diverse pool of plants species, are habitat for many wildlife species and are a protective buffer for ground and surface water supplies.

Even though native prairie in Iowa is scarce, over the past two decades prairie acreage has actually increased in Iowa.  Concerned Iowans have worked hard to restore and reconstruct prairie areas across the state. 

Several events are planned across the state to celebrate our prairie heritage.  Visit the Iowa Prairie Network Calendar of Events to find an event in your area. Contact your local county conservation board to learn more about prairies in your county.

Teaching about Prairies

• Have students, individually or in group, investigate prairie plants and/or animals. Ask students to find one or more benefits to people provided by each plant or animal in their investigations – a present, known benefit or a possible future benefit.
• Webs of life become obvious when you study prairies. Eliminating even one element in a prairie system can have a “ripple effect.” Have students list at least one other plant or animal on which their research subject depends for survival and hypothesize what would happen if that plant or animal disappeared.
• Analyze photographs of historical Iowa prairies and compare them to present day Iowa prairies.
• Many native prairie remnants still exist in Iowa in pioneer cemeteries. Take a field trip to one of these pieces of Iowa’s past. Contact your county conservation board or DNR wildlife management biologist to locate possible prairie sites in your area.

Helpful Websites

Camp Silos

Iowa Native Plants Database

Iowa Prairie Network

Missouri Botanical Gardens

National Geographic

National Wildlife Federation

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

Scientific American Frontiers

Tallgrass Prairie Center

 

Using Local History in Your Classroom

A human community is a group of people who live and interact with one another in a specific region under relatively similar environmental, social, and political conditions. A natural community is a group of plants and animals that live and interact with one another in a specific region under similar environmental conditions.

 

Our human communities are essential for our daily life. They satisfy our needs for food, and shelter, as well as provide social interactions. Human communities are dependent on the larger natural community which contains the soil, water, air, plants, and animals on which the human community is sustained. The natural community supports itself and our civilizations.

 

Every community is unique. Each has its own historical background, natural resources, attractions and unique features.

Explore your community’s history with your students. Check out these websites to help get you started.

• Teaching with Historic Places
• Iowa Folklife: Our People, Communities and Traditions
• IPTV Pathways
• Explorations in Iowa History Project
• Making Family and Community Connections

PLT Professional Development Workshops Now Online

Project Learning Tree now also offers educators online professional development opportunities that reflect current research and model best practices. The first online workshop is for PreK-8 educators, and more are in development. Online training to support PLT’s GreenSchools! program, and online professional development specifically for early childhood educators, will debut this Fall.

This online workshop is specially designed to help you:

• Engage your students in learning about the environment—both outside and indoors
• Make learning and teaching fun with hands-on activities
• Teach core subjects (especially STEM, reading, writing, and social studies)
• Meet academic standards (including Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards)
• Easily incorporate lessons into your existing curriculum or nonformal education programs
• Become eligible to receive a PLT GreenWorks! grant to fund a service-learning project for your students
• Meet your professional development requirements

What’s included:

• Electronic copy of PLT’s PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide (print version available for an additional fee)
  • 96 activities that are correlated to State Standards, Common Core State Standards, and support the Next Generation Science Standards' three dimensional approach
  • Topics include forests, wildlife, water, air, energy, waste, climate change, invasive species, community planning, and more
  • Download a free sample of this guide!
• Self-paced online workshop (approximately 4 hours)
  • Introduces you to PLT by highlighting our supplemental curriculum materials, extensive network, and student-led service-learning programs like GreenSchools!
  • Engaging and interactive learning experiences demonstrate select PLT activities and help you plan how best to facilitate them with your students
  • Course can be completed in your own time, wherever you are

Cost $40.00

Register today - https://www.ezlcms.com/v5/login/1525/PLT_National.aspx

Young Peregrine Falcons Stretching Their Wings

The next generation of Iowa’s expanding falcon population is taking to the sky as young peregrines begin leaving their nests.

Falcons have already fledged at the MidAmerican Energy building in Davenport and at the Alliant Energy plant near Chillicothe. Two male falcons have fledged at the State Capitol in Des Moines, ahead of two females that are rehabilitating after being blown from the same nest during a recent storm. Check the DNR’s website for live streams of falcon nests in Davenport.

Falcons are also fledging at the American Enterprise building in Des Moines and at the USBank building in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa added six nesting pairs this year, which has not happened before.  Additional pairs have been reported at Bellevue, Clayton, Dubuque, Clinton, Muscatine and Keokuk.

  

Wild peregrine pairs on the Upper Mississippi River cliffs include Agee’s Bluff north of Lansing, Lansing Power Plant cliff, Leo’s Bluff south of Harper’s Ferry, Pattison Sand Mines near Clayton, a huge rock near the state park at Bellevue, and at Dubuque Quarry near Eagle Point Park.

A second Dubuque pair is nesting at the courthouse, at the Power and Light plant smokestack box in Muscatine and at the energy plant dam in Keokuk.

Clinton County is the southern extent of peregrines historic nesting range.  With the inclusion of the new pair, Clinton now has three nesting pairs.  Established pairs at Louisa and Burlington are active this year.

Young falcons hone their flight skills by engaging in mock combat flights that provide incredible visual, high speed chases and maneuvers often attracting non-breeding peregrines to the area.

Last year 15 falcon pairs were successful at 13 sites that produced 34 young.

Learn more about Iowa peregrine falcon restoration efforts at the DNR website.

Summer Reading List

Add a few nature-themed books to your kids’ summer reading list. They’ll have fun exploring the wonderful world of animals, plants and habitats.

Birds
Arnold, C. 2003. Birds: Nature's Magnificent Flying Machines. Charlesbridge Publishing, Inc.

Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.

Bateman, R. 2005. Bateman's Guide to Backyard Birds. Barron's Educational Series, Incorporated.

Boring, M. 1998. Bird, Nests, and Eggs. T&N Children's Publishing.

Burnie, D. 2005. Birdwatcher. DK Publishing, Inc.

Cortright, S. 1995. Birding Basics. Sterling Publishing Company, Incorporated.

Craighead, C. 1994. Eagle and the River. Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.

Kirkland, J. 2002. Take a Backyard Bird Walk. Stillwater Publishing.

Kress, S.W. 2001. Bird Life. Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press.

Fish

Amdahl, P. 2000. The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book for Kids. Clearwater Publishing.

Carney, M. 2002. The Biggest Fish in the Lake. Kids Can Press Ltd.

Parker, S. 2005. Fish. DK Publishing, Inc.

Pfeffer, W. 1996. What its Like to be a Fish (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science Series). Harper Trophy.

Schaefer, L.M. 2001. What Is a Fish?. Coughlan Publishing.

Sill, C. 2005. About Fish: A Guide for Children. Peachtree Publishers.

Winner, C. and B. Lehnhausen. 1998. Trout. Lerner Publishing Group.

Forests

Art, H.W. 2003. Woods Walk: Peepers, Porcupines & Exploding Puffballs! What You'll See, Hear & Smell When Exploring the Woods. Storey Kids.

Dundy, M.R., and K. Richardson. 2010. Forests For All. MDCT Publishing.

Evert, L., A.D. Fredericks and K. Feeney. 2000. Forest Animals. T&N Children's Publishing.

Ganeri, A. 2003. Forests. World Almanac Books.

Hooper, R. 2001. Woodlands. T&N Children's Publishing.

Johansson, P. 2004. Temperate Forest: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.

Kubesh, K. 2007. Forest Habitats. Hands of a Child.

Nadeau, I. 2001. Food Chains in a Forest Habitat. Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Penny, M. 2003. Life in a Rotten Log. Raintree.

Roy, J.R. 2005. Addition in the Forest. Benchmark Books.

Sackett, H.K. 2003. Animal Faces in the Forest. School Specialty Children's Publishing.

Shetterly, S.H. 2003. Shelterwood. Tilbury House Publishers.

Tagliaferro, L. 2006. Explore the Deciduous Forest. Coughlan Publishing.

Frogs

Arnosky, J. 2002. All About Frogs. Scholastic, Inc.

Beltz, E. 2009. Frogs: Inside Their Remarkable World. Firefly Books, Limited.

Florian, D. 2005. Lizards, Frogs, and Polliwogs. Voyager Books.

Marent, T., and T. Jackson. 2010. Frog: A Photographic Portrait. DK Publishing, Inc.

Porte, B. 1999. Tale of a Tadpole. Scholastic.

 

Ponds, Streams & Rivers

Arnosky, J. 2000. Beaver Pond, Moose Pond. National Geographic Society.

Arnosky, J. 2008. The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams. Penguin Young Readers Group.

Beatty, R. 2003. Rivers, Lakes, Streams, and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.

Donovan, S. 2003. Animals of Rivers, Lakes and Ponds. Raintree Publishers.

Jackson, K. 2006. Lakes. Capstone Press.

Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004. Journey into a Lake. Lerner Publishing Group.

Johnson, R.L. and P.V. Saroff. 2004.Journey into a River. Lerner Publishing Group.

Morgan, S. 2000. Pond in the Meadow. Thameside Press.

Oxlade, C. 2003. Rivers and Lakes. World Almanac Books.

Paulsen, G. 2001. Canoe Days. Random House Children’s Books.

Ross, M.E. 2000. Pond Watching with Ann Morgan. Lerner Publishing Group.

Waldbauer, G. 2006. A Walk around the Pond: Insects in and over the Water. Harvard University Press.

Prairies

Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 2002. Heartland: A Prairie Sampler. Tundra.

Bright, M. 2002. Endangered and Extinct Animals of the Mountains, Deserts, and Grasslands. Millbrook Press, Inc.

Cole, M.S. 2003. Prairies. Thomson Gale.

Erlic, L. 2005. Grasslands. Weigl Publishers, Incorporated.

Gray, S.H. 2000. Grasslands. Capstone Press.

Jackson, K. and S. Mather. 2006. Explore the Grasslands. Capstone Press.

Johansson, P. 2004. Wide Open Grasslands: A Web of Life. Enslow Publishers, Incorporated.

Johnson, R.L., P.V. Saroff and G. Braasch. 2000. A Walk in the Prairie. Lerner Publishing Group.

Levy, J. 2003. What Lives on a Prairie? Rosen Publishing Group, Incorporated.

Lynch, W. and A. Lang. 2006. Prairie Grasslands. T&N Children's Publishing.

Patent, D.H. 2003. Life in a Grassland. Lerner Publishing Group.

St. Antoine, S. 2001. Stories from Where We Live -- The Great North American Prairie. Milkweed Editions.

Stone, L.M. 2004. Grasslands. Rourke Publishing, LLC.

Thompson, L. 2004. People of the Plains and Prairies. Rourke Publishing, LLC.

Wallace, M.D. 2001. America's Prairies and Grasslands: Guide to Plants and Animals. Fulcrum Publishing.

Winner, C. 2004. Prairie Animals. T&N Children's Publishing.