Environmental Science Resources
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Please report any dead links to Mr. Andrusyk. Do you know of a great site to add to this site? Click here to suggest it.
Contents
General |
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- Earth Easy: Sustainable Living Provided articles about things you can do to improve the earth. It focuses on sustainable living.
- The Encyclopedia of Earth A reference tool focusing on the Earth, the environment, and more.
- Envirofacts Data Warehouse From the EPA, this site is full of environmental information. Enter your zip code and get information about hazardous waste, water purity, air pollution, and other environmental data in your area.
- Environment Magazine Discusses issues concerning the environment and how we all can protect it.
- Introduction to Environmental Science - 2nd Edition This free textbook was written by professors at Georgia College and State University. It explores population ecology, non-renewable energy, alternative energy, air pollution, climate change, water, and water quality.
- The John Muir Exhibit Explores the life and accomplishments of John Muir who was a conservationist and founded the Sierra Club.
- My Environment From Environmental Protection Agency, obtain data about your location including air quality, water quality, energy production and usage, health risks, and more.
- Nature's Notebook Provides a place to record observations about 1260 species of plants and animals in the US. You can also get profiles of many of these species.
- NIEHS Environmental Health Topics This site is from the National Institute of Health and includes primary documents on a variety of environmental health topics.
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Organizations and Governmental Agencies |
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- Arbor Day Foundation Learn about identifying trees, planting and caring for trees, and more.
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy This organization works to protect the biodiversity of Australia.
- Defenders of Wildlife This organization works towards protecting native wildlife and their habitat. On their site, you can learn about the various projects they are working on and the animals they are trying to protect including wolves, bears, and dolphins.
- Environmental Protection Agency The official site of the EPA is where you can find a variety of information on environmental concerns, current legislation, and educational resources.
- Illinois Power Agency
- National Wildlife Federation Contains educational materials, a neat wildlife guide, and more.
- Natural Resources Defense Council Fights for our right to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.
- Sierra Club Founded in 1892 by conservationist John Muir, the Sierra Club strives to protect the environment.
- Soil Science Society of America Founded in 1936 in Madison, Wisconsin, this society focuses on the soil including topics such as crop production, environmental quality, forestry, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, urban uses, mining and reclamation.
- U.S. Department of Energy Officially established in 1977, the mission of the department is "to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions" - from the website.
- United States Forest Service A comprehensive site about America's forests.
- Wildlife Conservation Society
- World Wildlife Fund The World Wildlife Fund is an international organization that protects endangered species and their habitats. Here you can find out information on those animals and where they live.
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Ecosystems |
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- Biodiversity in National Parks Lists the different species that can be found in our National Parks.
- Ecosystem Defines what an ecosystem is, the abiotic and biotic components in an ecosystem, types of ecosystems, and the cycles in an ecosystem.
- Energy Pyramid: Definition, Levels, and Examples Explains what an energy pyramid (also known as an ecological pyramid) is and what each level represents.
- Food Web National Geographic Society explains what a food web and defines producers, consumers, decomposers, biomass, and bioaccumulation.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility Collects data about life on Earth from over 50 nations.
- iNaturalist This app allows hikers, birdwatchers, and nature lovers to share what they observe in nature and even in your backyard. This information is also shared with scientists.
- Map of Life Examines the relationship between geography and biodiversity with maps, data by location, patterns, datasets, and more.
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Biomes |
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General
Desert Biomes
Forest Biomes
Aquatic Biomes
Tundra Biomes
Grassland Biomes
Chaparral or Shrubland Biomes
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- Biocubes: Life in a One Cubic Foot From the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, this site explores the amount of different species of life that can be found in a cubic foot in a variety of places.
- Biomes of the World Discusses what biomes are and the various biomes around the world, from Marietta College's Department of Biology and Environmental Science.
- Biomes of the World Defines what a biome is and describes the different biomes on Earth—from the Department of Geospatial Science at Radford University in Radford, Virginia.
- Biome Portal Enter six different biomes with this virtual experience. Here you can enter a temperate forest, savanna, desert, rainforest, grassland, and a tundra, from Arizona State University's Ask a Biologist.
- Blue Planet Biomes Full of information about the Earth, biomes, plants, animals, climate, and more.
- Boundless Biomes Arizona State University's Ask a Biologist explains what biomes are and describes different types of biomes.
- Missouri Botanical Garden This site has a lot of information on biomes including what they are, where they can be found, what plants and animals live there, and more.
- Mongabay: News & Inspiration from Nature's Frontline Reports on the world's wildlife and ecosystems especially rain forests, oceans, animals, and environment.
- The World’s Biomes Describes the different biomes and their importance to Earth, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology.
Desert Biomes
- The Desert Biome The UC Museum of Paleontology describes desert biomes including the four major types of deserts.
- Desert Biome and Major Types of Deserts Takes a look at what a desert is and what makes up the four types of deserts.
- Desert Definition and Characteristics Explains what a desert is and the characteristics found in most deserts.
- Desert Life Explore what a desert is and what kind of life can be found in a desert.
Forest Biomes
- Boreal Forests Discusses the boreal forests: where they are located, climate, soil, and more.
- Coniferous Forest Biome Studies where coniferous forests can be found, what plants and animals can be found in coniferous forests, and more.
- The Forest Biome The UC Museum of Paleontology introduces the forest biome and the three major types of forests.
- Passport to the Rainforest A very well organized and attractive site about rain forests.
- Temperate Deciduous Forest Highlights the characteristics of a deciduous forest and where they can be found.
- Types of Forests (Forest Biome): Temperate, Tropical, Boreal, and More Shows the different types of forests there are around the world.
- Virtual Rainforest Dr. Gerald Urquhart created this site that explores the plants, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and more that reside in a rainforest.
Aquatic Biomes
- All About the Great Lakes Tells of the formation of the Great Lakes, how the region industrialized, pollution and invasive species that affect the lakes and more.
- American Rivers Discover the importance of rivers in our lives, the anatomy of rivers, the most endangered rivers in the United States, and more.
- Aquatic Biomes Briefly describes the characteristics and types of aquatic biomes.
- Basic Information about Estuaries The Environmental Protection Agency defines estuaries, their importance, and how they are being threatened.
- Beneath the Waves From the Western Australian Museum, this interactive documentary explores the Kimberley coral reef.
- The Complete Guide About Freshwater Biome A detailed look at freshwater biomes including but not limited to creeks, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes.
- Coral Reef Research Foundation Discover coral reefs, how weather affects them, marine life that call coral reefs home, and more.
- David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef Explore the Great Barrier Reef with British broadcaster and natural historian David Attenborough.
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant Discusses issues relating to southern Lake Michigan and its coast including aquaculture, invasive species, climate change, coastal restoration, contaminants, land use, water quality, and more.
- International Rivers Discover rivers around the world and find out how these rivers are being conserved.
- Lakes and Ponds Introduces ponds and lakes including different zones of a lake, plants and animals, and more.
- Life in an Estuary The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes what an estuary is, their importance, and conservation efforts.
- National Wetlands Inventory Maps out wetlands in the United States and reports on the status of wetlands.
- Wetland and Aquatic Research Center The US Geological Survey provides information such as the latest news and research, species, landscape conservation, invasive species, and more.
- Wetlands Biomes Digs into swamps, bogs, marshes, and fens.
Tundra Biomes
- Alpine Biome: Climate, Location, Plants, and Animals Explores the mountains above the tree line.
- Alpine Tundra Ecosystem The National Park Service discusses the alpine tundra ecosystem at Rocky Mountain National Park including listing the plants and wildlife that can be found there.
- Arctic Tundra Looks into artic tundra including location, temperature, sunlight, precipitation, soil, plant life, animal life, and more.
- Tundra Reports on what a tundra is including temperature, precipitation, location, and more.
- Tundra Animals Profiles animals and birds found in the tundra including the arctic fox, caribou, polar bears, and the snowy owl.
- The Tundra Biome The UC Museum of Paleontology describes the characteristics of tundra biomes and the two types of tundra.
Grassland Biomes
- Grassland Biome and Types of Grasslands Delves into the characteristics that make up grasslands and the two different types of grasslands.
- The Grassland Biome Habitat Briefly describes the characteristics and types of grasslands.
- Temperate Grasslands Examines the grasslands such as the Great Plains in North America, Puszta of Hungary, the Steppes of Russia and China, and the Australian Outback.
- Tropical Savanna Reports on the characteristics and wildlife of the grasslands of Africa, South America, and Asia.
Chaparral or Shrubland Biomes
- California Chaparral Institute Discover the different types of chaparrals in California, the species that call California chaparrals home, myths about chaparrals, and more.
- Chaparral Explains what chaparrals are, where they are located, what plants and animals can be found there, and more.
- The Different Types of Shrubland Biomes Across the World The World Atlas shows six different shrublands from around the world.
- What is a Shrubland? Defines what a shrubland is, what shrubs are, the types of shrublands, and more.
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Air, Water, Land Resources |
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Atmosphere
Water
Land
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- The Chemical Composition of Air Lists the five major gasses that makes up air and other components that are present.
- Earth's Atmosphere: Facts about Our Planet's Protective Blanket Tells about the Earth's atmosphere: its composition, layers, and more.
- Ozone and You: All about the Ozone and the Ozone Layer The UN provides information about what ozone and the ozone lay are, the depletion of the ozone layer, the consequences, and how to solve the problem.
- Ozone Layer Protection The Environmental Protection Agency takes a look at the Stratospheric Ozone Layer and its depletion.
- Peeling Back the Layers of the Atmosphere The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration breaks down the layers of the atmosphere.
- Precipitation Education NASA explores the water cycle, weather and climate, and the technology being used to study rain and snowfall.
- Sea and Sky Here you can explore up in the sky the wonders of the universe and then explore the wonders of the deep.
Water
- Circle of Blue Reports on news stories relating to water, food, and energy in a changing climate.
- Sea and Sky Here you can explore up in the sky the wonders of the universe and then explore the wonders of the deep.
- US Geological Survey Water Science School An excellent source about water including basic information, surface water vs. ground water, water quality, and more. Teachers will find resources for their classrooms here as well.
- The Water Cycle Describes how the water cycle works in an ecosystem.
- Water on the Web Provides information about water ecology, includes data on some lakes and rivers.
- Watershed 101 The Center for Watershed Protection explains what a watershed is and what you can do to protect watersheds.
- What Is a Watershed? The National Ocean Service explains what a watershed is and the vital role it plays in the environment.
Land
- Soil Basics The Soil Science Society of America explains what is soil, how it is formed, the types of soil, what it is composed of, and more.
- Weathering The UC Museum of Paleontology defines weathering and illustrates the Earth system model about weathering.
- What Is Erosion and How Does It Shape the Earth's Surface? Introduces erosion including a definition, the agents of erosion, and human impact on erosion.
- What Is a Soil and What Are Different Types of Soil? Defines what soil is and identifies six different types of soil.
- What Is Weathering? What Are Types of Weathering? Discusses weathering including what it is, types of weathering, how it is different from erosion, and more.
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Human Impact on the Environment |
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General
Atmosphere
Water
Land
Climate Change
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- Environment and Society From the Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society, this site explores the relationship between the environment and humans.
Atmosphere
- Acid Rain The Environmental Protection Agency provides a definition as to what acid rain is, its effects on the environment and human health, what the EPA is doing to stop it, educational resources, and more.
- Air Pollution The World Health Organization reports on what air pollution is, how it impacts the Earth and human health, and what WHO is doing to combat it.
- Air Visual Earth Maps out wind currents and air pollution around the globe.
- Our World in Data: Air Pollution Presents data and research about air pollution.
- Summary of the Clean Air Act
- Undark: Breathtaking Undark is an online science publication that put out this series that explores how air pollution has impacted different areas around the globe.
- What Is Smog? Clears the air about smog including how it is formed, health risks, how to protect yourself, and more.
- What You Need to Know about Acid Rain Contains a definition of acid rain, what causes it, and the effects of acid rain.
- What's Up with the Weather? This NOVA and Frontline feature explores the science and the politics of global warming and its impact on the weather.
Water
- Summary of the Clean Water Act
- Surging Seas A collection of interactive maps showing how climate change is affecting sea levels.
- Threats to Groundwater The Groundwater Foundation shows how groundwater is threatened by contamination, overuse, nitrates, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, and improperly managed on-site wastewater treatment systems.
- The United States Water Crisis Andrew Levinson presents this interactive report on how population growth and climate change have affected the water supply in the United States.
- Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know The Natural Resources Defense Council gathers information about what water pollution is, causes of water pollution, types of water pollution, common types of water contamination, effects of water pollution, and how to prevent water pollution.
Land
- Are Landfills Bad for the Environment? (And Alternatives to Landfills) Shows the impact landfills have on the environment as well as human health and suggests alternative methods of disposing waste.
- A Brief History of Household Recycling Sarah Goodyear created this timeline of the history of recycling starting with World War II.
- Deforestation/Reforestation Lists the ways deforestation and reforestation impacts the environment.
- Deforestation and Forest Degradation The World Wildlife Fund discusses the causes of deforestation, the impact it has on the environment, and what the WWF is doing to combat deforestation.
- Earth 911 This nonprofit organization's focus is on the importance of recycling. There is also information on climate change, air quality, energy, and water.
- Littering Is Everyone's Problem Examines how litter including cigarette waste, impacts our environment.
- Our World in Data Provides data about the status of the world's forests.
- An Overview of Municipal Waste and Landfills Highlights how cities are dealing with garbage, recycling, and landfills.
- Soil Contaminants The Soil Science Society of America probes what contaminants get into the soil, how people get exposed from these contaminants, and where soil can get contaminated.
- Soil Pollution: Definition, Causes, Effects, and Solutions Tells what soil pollution is, the main causes of soil pollution, effects of soil pollution, and possible ways to prevent pollution getting into the soil.
- Tropical Deforestation and Global Warming Dig into why tropical rainforests are being cleared, how deforestation is contributing to global warming, the benefits of reduced deforestation and natural reforestation, and solutions.
- Urbanization The UC Museum of Paleontology take a look at how urbanization impacts the environment.
- USA Wildfires Maps out where wildfires are burning in the United States and where smoke is blowing.
- What Is the Environmental Impact of Agriculture? Investigates how agriculture can affect the environment.
Climate Change
- Climate Change From the EPA, this site provides information on a variety of issues relating to global warming.
- Climate Change: ProCon Compiles data and articles supporting both sides of the climate change debate.
- Climate History Presents an interactive timeline showing the changing climate from 1830 to 2020.
- The Future of Birds in Our National Parks Examines how climate change is affecting 513 birds in 274 national parks.
- Global Climate Change: Research Explorer "You can explore scientific data relating to the atmosphere, the oceans, the areas covered by ice and snow, and the living organisms in all these domains." --From the website.
- Ice and Sky: The History of Climate Change Explores how studying the ice in Antarctica uncovered important findings about the changes in the Earth's climate.
- Joides Resolution: Science in Search of Earth's Secrets JOIDES Resolution is a research vessel that drills into the ocean's floor and collects samples to research climate change, geology, and the history of the Earth.
- Learn More About Climate Change From the University of Colorado at Boulder, this site attempts to explain what climate change is and how it affects the weather, water, energy, ecology, polar areas, population, and seas.
- NASA: Climate Change and Global Warming Contains information and articles about the Earth’s changing climate, its causes, its effects, solutions, and more.
- Understanding Global Change The UC Museum of Paleontology looks into global change, the human and nonhuman factors, and the measurable changes and effects.
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Energy and Fuels |
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General
Renewable Energy
Mining
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- Energy Information Administration Provides "energy statistics from the U.S. government" including petroleum, natural gas, electricity, coal, renewable and alternative fuels, nuclear, and more.
- Energy Resources British science teacher, Andy Darvill, provides information about different energy resources such as fossil fuels, nuclear, solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, biofuels, and more.
- Energy Sources From the Department of Energy, this site discusses the different sources of energy including renewable, nuclear, electricity, and fossil.
- Sources of Power Production Lists both renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy.
- Today in Energy The United States Energy Information Administration posts an article each day providing the latest news relating to renewable and nonrenewable energies.
- All Types of Coal Are Not Created Equal Discusses coal production, the types of coal, the amount of energy they produce, and more.
- Coal Explained Explains how coal is formed, types of coal, how it is mined, how much coal is left, and more.
- Environmental Impacts of Natural Gas The Union of Concerned Scientists investigates how natural gas impacts the environment.
- Natural Gas The U.S. Department of Energy gathers information on shale gas, liquified natural gas, and gas hydrates.
- Natural Gas Explained The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports on what is natural gas, how it formed, where it found, drilling and producing natural gas, and production and delivery.
- Nuclear Energy Institute Researches topics and issues relating to nuclear energy including how reactors work, issues and policies, and more.
- Nuclear Explained The U.S. Energy Information Administration explains how nuclear energy is created, nuclear power plants, and advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power, and more.
- Office of Nuclear Energy The mission of this office is "to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet U.S. energy, environmental, and economic needs" - from the website.
- Oil The U.S. Department of Energy provides this resource about ways to increase our domestic oil supply, enhanced oil recovery, and offshore drilling practices.
- Oil and Petroleum Products Explained The U.S. Energy Information Administration digs into crude oil and petroleum products, where oil comes from, how it is refined, offshore drilling for oil, oil's impact on the environment, and more.
- OPEC: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries The official site in English of the organization that plays a key role in oil prices and more.
- Our World in Data: Nuclear Energy Explores how nuclear energy is being used around the world with charts, maps, graphs, etc.
- Petroleum Definition (Crude Oil) Introduces what petroleum is and what its composition.
- What Is Nuclear Energy? A group of nuclear engineers describes nuclear energy, its history, and more.
Renewable Energy
- About Geothermal Energy Digs into what geothermal energy is and how it can be used as an energy source.
- Alternative Energy From Pro Con.org, investigates both sides of the issue of whether alternative energies can replace fossil fuels.
- Bioenergy The U.S. Department of Energy provides information about bioenergy, what resources can be use, and more.
- Biomass Explained Introduces how plants, algae, and biological waste can be used as fuel.
- The Definition of Bioenergy Explores how plants, trees, and biological waste can be used as a renewable energy source.
- EarthTime: Renewables Watch how renewable energy spreads across the globe between 1984-2018, especially wind and solar panels.
- Geothermal Basics Defines geothermal energy, its benefits, and more.
- Geothermal Explained Explores how we can use the Earth's heat as energy.
- How Does Solar Work? Focuses on how solar radiation is converted to energy.
- Hydropower Basics The U.S. Department of Energy reports on what hydropower is, how it works, its costs, its benefits, and its history.
- Hydropower Explained Tells about how moving water is turned into energy and more.
- Learning about Renewable Energy The National Renewable Energy Laboratory provides a site that explains different renewable energies such as biofuels, geothermal, solar, and wind.
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory Full of research on energy sources.
- Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Provides a wealth of information about energy efficiency and renewable energy resources from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
- Solar Energy Basics Examines five different solar technologies that can be used to heat, cool, and light our homes and businesses.
- Wind Energy Basics The Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy explains how wind turbines work, the advantages and challenges of wind, and more.
- Wind 101: Renewable Wind Energy Discusses the basics of wind energy, its benefits, history, and more, from the American Wind Energy Association.
Mining
- Basic Information about Surface Mining in Appalachia The Environmental Protection Agency defines surface mining and lists the impact it has on the environment.
- Environmental Risks of Mining The Massachusetts Institute of Technology lists the risks mining puts on the environment.
- Fracking 101 The Natural Resources Defense Council defines fracking, describes how it works, and lists the environmental and health risks caused by fracking.
- A Guide to the Four Main Methods of Mining Briefly talks about underground mining, surface mining, placer mining, and in-situ mining.
- History of Mining in Illinois Summarizes the history of mining in the state of Illinois with a map of surface and underground mines.
- Illinois Coal Mines Maps out surface and underground coal mines in Illinois.
- Types of Surface Mining The American Mine Services lists and explains five different ways of surface mining.
- What Is Strip Mining? Depicts the process in which minerals are collected through strip mining.
- What Is the Environmental Impact of the Mining Industry? Discusses the impact mining has on the environment.
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Endangered Species and Invasive Species |
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Endangered Species
Invasive Species
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- Bagheera Learn about the different animals that are endangered.
- Endangered Species Program The U.S. Fish & Wildlife hosts this site where you can get information about species that are considered endangered.
- Illinois Endangered Species Protection Board Contains information about the board and the list of endangered species in the state of Illinois.
- Learn More about Threatened and Endangered Species The Environmental Protection Agency explains the difference between threatened and endangered species, how extinction happens, and why it is important to protect these species.
- In Pieces: 30 Species, 30 Pieces, 1 Fragmented Survival This interactive exhibition created by Bryan James, tells the stories of 30 endangered species.
- The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Lists the plants and animals that are in danger of becoming extinct.
- Protecting Endangered Species from Pesticides The Environmental Protection Agency discusses the endangered species program and the role pesticides have played in endangering plants and animals.
- NatureServe Explorer: An Online Encyclopedia of Life NatureServe Explorer " an authoritative source for information on more than 65,000 plants, animals, and ecosystems of the United States and Canada. Explorer includes particularly in-depth coverage for rare and endangered species. " --from the website
- NOAA Fisheries: Office of Protected Resources This site shows how the Office of Protected Resources is trying to protect marine mammals and endangered marine life.
Invasive Species
- Asian Longhorned Beetle The University of Maryland Extension looks into the Asian Longhorned Beetle which came to the United States from China.
- Common Buckthorn Also known as European Buckthorn, this shurb was imported ornamental shrub but is now an invasive species in the Great Lake states and Canada.
- Emerald Ash Borer Information Network Tells about the Emerald Ash Borer from Asia and the interstate effort to contain their threat to ash trees in the United States and Canada.
- Garlic Mustard Profiles this herb that as brought to the United States in 1868 and now is a serious threat to native plants and animals in forest areas.
- Global Invasive Species Database Provides data on invasive species that threaten the native biodiversity of a region. A very useful resource.
- Invasive Carp Regional Coordinating Committee Describes the four invasive carp and efforts being made to prevent them from getting into the Great Lakes.
- Invasive Species of Concern List the shrubs, trees, forbs, grasses, vines, aquatic plants, animals, and insects that are invasive in the state of Illinois.
- Invasive Zebra Mussels The National Park Service profiles zebra mussels: where they came from, how they got to the U.S., and the damage they cause as an invasive species.
- National Invasive Species Information Center From the Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library, this site is full of information about non-native species that pose a threat to our lands.
- Purple Loosestrife Brought over to the United States as an ornamental plant for gardens, the sale of this invasive plant is now banned in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
- Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative Environmental groups and institutions from Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have come together to education and stop invasive shrubs, trees, and woody vines. This site profiles these woody invasive species, what is being done to control them, provide landscape alternatives, and more.
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