Resources for Educators and the Community
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Museum Virtual Resources
Connect with the various museum virtual resources:
- Museum podcast “Out of the Discovery Box” releases new episodes monthly.
- Museum YouTube Channel posts educational videos highlighting the museum collections.
Living with Wildlife in Urban Areas
- Willowbrook Wildlife Center: http://willowbrookwildlife.org/~willow34/coyotes-foxes/
- Living with Wildlife in Illinois: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/directory.cfm
- Fact Sheets: http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/cougars.html
- Wildlife Ecology & Fact Sheets: http://wildlifedamage.uwex.edu/
Climate Change
- animalia project: http://animaliaproject.org/climate/
- Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum: http://www.naturemuseum.org/nature-and-science-in-action/citizen-science
- Chicago Community Climate Action Toolkit: http://climatechicago.fieldmuseum.org/toolkit-workshops
- Chicago Climate Action Plan: http://www.chicagoclimateaction.org/
- NASA – Climate Facts: https://climate.nasa.gov/scientific-consensus/
- Global Climate Change: https://climate.nasa.gov/
- Climate Science: https://www.ucsusa.org/climate/science
- Climate News: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/07/after-40-years-researchers-finally-see-earths-climate-destiny-more-clearly
- PLT Teaching About Climate Change: https://www.plt.org/news/teaching-climate-change/
- WWF Effects of Climate Change: https://www.worldwildlife.org/threats/effects-of-climate-change
Citizen Science Projects
- Project Budburst: http://budburst.org/
- Project Squirrel: http://www.projectsquirrel.org/
- Project FeederWatch: http://feederwatch.org/
- Habitat Project: http://habitatproject.org/index.html
- Xerces Society: http://www.xerces.org/citizen-science/
- Illinois Odonate Survey: http://www.illinoisodes.org/
- Illinois River Watch: https://illinoisriverwatch.org/
- animaila project: http://animaliaproject.org/citizen-science/
- FrogWatch USA: https://www.aza.org/frogwatch/
- mPING: https://mping.nssl.noaa.gov/
Wildlife Webcams
- Bird Watching HQ: https://birdwatchinghq.com/
- Project FeederWatch Cams: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/cams/cornell-lab-feederwatch/
- Illinois Peregrines, Field Museum: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/science/special-projects/illinois-peregrines/illinois-peregrines-webcams
- Audubon Bird Cams: https://www.audubon.org/birdcams
- Yosemite Wildlife Cam: https://yosemite.org/webcams/yosemite-falls/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhd-5hOGw6QIVEorICh06gw6oEAAYBCAAEgKn5PD_BwE
- National Park Service – Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado Webcams: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
- National Park Service – Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska Webcams: https://www.nps.gov/katm/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm
Zoo Webcams
- Indianapolis Zoo Cams: https://www.indianapoliszoo.com/webcams/
- San Diego Zoo Cams: https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams
- Dublin Zoo Cams: https://www.dublinzoo.ie/animals/animal-webcams/
- International Wolf Center Cams: https://wolf.org/wolf-cams2/
Gardening with Children
- A Kid’s Guide to Gardening: https://www.kremp.com/kids-guide-to-gardening
- Garden Activities: https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activities/
- Gardening With Kids: https://www.planetnatural.com/gardening-kids/
- Sensory Gardens: https://schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/resources/info-sheet/plants-for-a-sensory-garden
- Plants for Sensory Gardens: https://www.flowerpotman.com/sensory-gardens-at-home/sensory-garden-plants/
- Vegetable Garden Ideas for Kids: https://gardentherapy.ca/fun-and-educational-kids-vegetable-garden/
- How to Make a Kid’s Vegetable Garden: https://montessorirocks.org/vegetable-garden-for-kids/
- Gardening with Children: https://www.buyrope.co.uk/kids-gardening/
Outdoor Nature Play
- Looky Buckets: https://thefisheriesblog.com/2020/06/15/summer-craft-idea-looky-buckets/
- Audubon for Kids: https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/activities/audubon-for-kids
- A Parent’s Guide to Nature Play: https://naturalstart.org/feature-stories/parent%E2%80%99s-guide-nature-play
- Nature Play Spaces: https://www.nwf.org/Home/Kids-and-Family/Connecting-Kids-and-Nature/Nature-Play-Spaces
- 60 Nature Play Activities: https://theimaginationtree.com/60-nature-play-ideas-for-kids/
- Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids: https://www.natureplaywa.org.au/resources/fun-outdoor-activities-for-kids
- Kidspot Nature Play Collection: https://www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/collection/nature-play
- NAAEE Nature-Based Preschool Guidebook: https://naturalstart.org/nature-based-preschool-professional-practice-guidebook
- Project Learning Tree – Activities for Families: https://www.plt.org/activities-for-families/
- Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Association: https://ninpa.org/
- Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools: http://www.erafans.org/
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
- Conservation Foundation: https://www.theconservationfoundation.org/
- Sustain DuPage: https://sustaindupage.com/
- 12 Ways to Live More Sustainably: https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/population_and_sustainability/sustainability/live_more_sustainably.html
- Green Eco Tips: http://www.globalstewards.org/ecotips.htm
- How to Make A Worm Compost Bin: https://naplescompost.com/how-to-make-your-own-worm-composting-bin/
- Composting at Home: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
- Water Footprint Calculator: https://www.watercalculator.org/how-to-save-water/
- Water Saving Tips: https://www.edenproject.com/learn/for-everyone/water-saving-tips
- Organic Lawn Care: https://www.planetnatural.com/organic-lawn-care-101/going-organic/
- Organic Lawns: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/lawns/21015220/tips-for-a-lush-organic-lawn
- Native Landscaping: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plantinfo/landscaping_native_plants
- No-Mow Movement: https://www.ecowatch.com/lawns-environment-sustainable-landscaping-2052211381.html
- Xeriscaping and Xero Gardening: https://www.chicagobotanic.org/library/spotlight/xeriscaping
- 10 Home Items to Reuse Over and Over: https://www.onegreenplanet.org/lifestyle/home-items-you-can-reuse-over-and-over-again/
- 100 DIY Crafts to Repurpose and Reuse: https://www.diyncrafts.com/6081/repurpose/100-ways-repurpose-reuse-broken-household-items
- Upcycling in the Garden: https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/garden/a30387007/upcycling-ideas-garden/
- 17 Upcycled Garden Ideas: https://recyclenation.com/2015/05/17-upcycled-garden-ideas/
- GreenPlanet4Kids Comics: https://greenplanet4kids.com/
- Environmental Science: https://www.environmentalscience.org/sustainability
- Home Water Conservation: https://www.myjobquote.co.uk/blog/home-water-conservation/
- How to Save Water at Home: https://www.aquatell.ca/pages/how-to-save-water-at-home-for-adults-and-children
- 45 Sustainability Resources to Know: https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/45-sustainability-resources/
- How Do Solar Panels Work?: https://solarcalculator.com.au/how-do-solar-panels-work/
- Eco-Friendly Guide to Finances and Saving: https://www.moneygeek.com/financial-planning/environmentally-friendly-finance-and-saving/
Ecoinclusion
- Ecoinclusive: https://www.ecoinclusive.org/
- iDigBio Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reading List: https://www.idigbio.org/content/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-reading-list-special-emphasis-natural-sciences-and-natural
- Finding Carl Cotton: https://www.fieldmuseum.org/blog/finding-carl-cotton#:~:text=Carl%20Cotton%20(1918%E2%80%931971),knew%20almost%20nothing%20about%20him
- George Washington Carver: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/george-washington-carver
- Harriet Tubman, an Unsung Naturalist: https://www.audubon.org/news/harriet-tubman-unsung-naturalist-used-owl-calls-signal-underground-railroad
- 5 Black Environmentals and Adventurers You Should Know: https://natureforall.global/blog/2018/2/27/5-african-american-environmentalists-and-adventurers-you-should-know-about-this-black-history-month
- 10 BIPOC Environmental Authors: https://www.wastefree.earth/post/10-bipoc-environmental-authors
- Dr. Joe Lee: https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/news/park-superintendent-recognizes-first-african-american-naturalist.htm
- Celebrating Black Environmentalists: https://sfenvironment.org/article/celebrating-black-environmentalists-during-black-history-month
- 10 Outdoor Books by BIPOC Writers to Expand Your Perspective: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/outdoors-books-and-poetry-by-bipoc-authors
- Earth Matters – 7 Books by Women: https://nyacknewsandviews.com/2020/09/earth-matters-7-books-by-women-about-nature/
- 500 Women Scientists: https://500womenscientists.org/
- 10 Women in Science You Should Know: https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/27/world/women-in-science-you-should-know-scn/index.html
- Women in Space: https://www.space.com/16143-women-space-firsts-gallery.html
- BIPOC in the Great Outdoors: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/black-indigenous-poc-outdoor-collectives-nonprofits-instagram
- Whose Land: https://www.whose.land/en/
- Breaking Down the Lack of Diversity in Outdoor Spaces: https://nationalhealthfoundation.org/breaking-down-lack-diversity-outdoor-spaces/
- 10 Black Scientists that Science Teachers Should Know: https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/ten-black-scientists-that-science-teachers-should-know-about-and-free-resources
- Why is it Important to Amplify the Work of BIPOC Scientists?: https://neuro.hms.harvard.edu/community-building/theme-j/why-it-important-amplify-work-bipoc-scientists-and-how-can-i-do-it
- Making History: African American Pioneers of Science: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/black-inventors-and-pioneers-of-science
- 22 Multicultural Children’s Books for Earth Day: https://coloursofus.com/multicultural-childrens-books-earth-day/
Specimen Databases
- The Animal Database: https://www.wirefence.co.uk/animal-databases/
- JSNM Specimen Database (hosted by Arctos): https://arctos.database.museum/home.cfm
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility: https://www.gbif.org/
- Natural History Museum (UK): https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/data.html
- Smithsonian NMNH Collections: https://collections.nmnh.si.edu/search/
- American Museum of Natural History: https://www.amnh.org/research/paleontology/collections/database
- Florida Museum Natural History Collections: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/collections/databases/
- San Diego Natural History Collections: https://www.sdnhm.org/science/paleontology/resources/collection-database/
- Berkeley Natural History Museums: https://bnhm.berkeley.edu/informatics/collection-databases/
- vPlants Database (Chicago Region Virtual Herbarium): https://www.vplants.org/portal/index.php
Podcasts
- JSNM Podcast “Out of the Discovery Box”: https://anchor.fm/jsnm
- Podcasts for Bird Watchers: https://www.birdwatchersdigest.com/bwdsite/podcasts.php
- American Birding Podcast: https://www.aba.org/podcast/
- Urban Wildlife Podcast: http://www.urbanwildlifecast.com/
- The Casual Birder Podcast: https://casualbirderpod.libsyn.com/
- Eyes On Conservation: http://wildlensinc.org/film-projects/eyes-on-conservation
- Out and About – Kane County: https://anchor.fm/forest-preserve
Living with Wildlife
On Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 the director/curator of the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum, Karly Tumminello, co-presented at the Wild Things conference with Susan Ask, founder of animalia project, and Mike Redmer, a senior biologist of USFWS.
Their presentation, “Bears, Cougars, and Wolves, Oh My!… Adapting to Life with Large Carnivores in Chicago’s Urban Wilderness” looked at the current trends in these three species returning to the Midwest region, where they were previously extirpated from during the 1800’s.
Key takeaways from this talk:
- Sightings of black bears, cougars and wolves will remain infrequent in the near future. Generally, young males may move through our region looking for suitable habitat and food resources (such as the white-tailed deer).
- The fact that these animals are looking for suitable habitat in our region speaks to the successes of collective and continued conservation efforts. Restoration projects have successfully increased biodiversity in many ways.
- These creatures generally avoid all contact with humans. However, there are measures we as humans need to take to ensure we do not inadvertently attract these animals. This includes things like securing trash cans, taking in bird feeders at night, and not leaving our pets outdoors unattended.
- It may be challenging to identify an animal, especially if seeing it for the first time. There are many key characteristics to look for which may help distinguish between similar species. If at a safe distance, you could try to get a photograph to submit to an expert for confirmation.
Report any unusual wildlife sightings here: http://web.extension.illinois.edu/wildlife/sightings.cfm
The Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum at Benedictine University is not affiliated with any of the above links or resources, and does not endorse or promote any information or sales of the associated materials. These resources are intended to assist educators and parents to connect children with environmental and natural interactions and educational experiences, as well as to promote lifelong learning in all ages. Parents and educators should screen any resources before sharing with their children. If you find any links are broken or any inappropriate material is found within any links (as links and content do change over time), please email us at [email protected] so we can remedy the situation immediately. We are continuing to build out this page, so if you have suggestions, comments or ideas, please let us know! We hope you find that these resources help you further your understanding and appreciation of the world’s natural and cultural diversity.