The Natural Resources series are designed to give young people a wide variety of natural resources experiences – from wildlife habitat to water quality, forestry and soil conservation. Each student guide provides about 12 different hands-on activities suitable for group participation. Activities include making a leaf print collections, building a miniature ecosystems, doing a splash soil erosion experiment, making a compost column, building a bird nesting box, planning a nature hike, or teaching a session on water purification.

Instructional Materials:

The Natural Resources series includes a Helper's Guide and three manuals for students: Step into Nature; Explore the Natural World; and Blaze the Trail.

Illinois State Goals& Learning Standards:

1A: Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections

1C: Comprehend a broad range of reading materials

3A: Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure

3B: Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences

3C: Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes

4A: Listen effectively in formal and informal situations

4B: Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience

5A: Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas

5B: Analyze and evaluate information acquired from various sources

11A: Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry

12A: Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change

12B: Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment

13B: Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society

17B: Analyze and explain characteristics and interactions of the earth's physical systems

17C: Understand relationships between geographic factors and society