Beatrix Potter - Scientific Illustration

Mullett, J. (UIUC), C. Nixon, A. Buck (UIUC), M. Metz (UIUC)

Scientific illustration takes a new twist in a GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) outreach program, sponsored through the Illinois Natural History Survey. Adorned in 19th century garb as Beatrix Potter, Jill Mullett, teaches junior high women about Potter's life and scientific accomplishments. Activities such as scientific illustration, field journals, and Potter's early efforts in conservation will impart to young women that they too can play a vital role in the sciences.

Conceptualization of ENTICE program

Jeffords, M. and S. Post

In conjunction with Illinois Department of Natural Resources, we are attempting to develop the Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education. This entity is designed to provide a mechanism whereby all the educational activities within IDNR can be channeled and focused into a series of courses that will be offered to teachers and the general public on various issues of natural resources in Illinois. The new Illinois teacher recertification statue will likely provide a ready-made audience for this endeavor.

Development of IWIN

Jeffords, M. and S. Post

The Survey and the UI Department of Natural Resources have partnered in the formation of the Illinois Wilds Institute for Nature. This umbrella organization will allow the two entities to develop and offer a series of extramural courses about the natural resources of Illinois. The courses offered will vary in scope and topic and will be appealing to a wide audience. During the summer of 2000, three courses are slated , two to be held in Champaign/Urbana, one at the UI Campus in Oakbrook.

Development of EcoWatch procedures

Jeffords, M. and C. Nixon

The Illinois EcoWatch network is in operation with ForestWatch and RiverWatch currently online. Other watches, including PrairieWatch, WetlandWatch, and UrbanWatch are still in formative stage. We have been developing procedures, training methodologies, and producing the training manuals and support materials for these watches. Currently, we are completing the UrbanWatch manual, updating the PrairieWatch manual, and broadening the scope of WetlandWatch to include additional wetland habitats across Illinois.

Exotic species educational materials

Jeffords, M. and C. Helm, M. Garland, S. Post, C. Nixon

Through a grant from USDA-APHIS and IDNR, we are developing a series of education materials on exotic species. We are targeting Asian longhorn beetle and gypsy moth during year 1, but will broaden the approach to other species is subsequent years. The materials produced will include a middle-high school curriculum, full color posters on both species, a 2001 calendar on exotic species, and traveling displays that have actual specimen boxes of gypsy moth and ALB. Different sets of materials are designed for the general public and for educators.

Jeffords, M. and D. Voegtlin, R. Wiedenmann, S. Post, C. Nixon

The purple loosestrife program has a significant education component entitled Biodiversity, Wetlands,and Biological Control: Purple Loosestrife, a Case Study. Chicago environs teachers are brought together in a one-day workshop where they are provided with the knowledge and materials to teach about Illinois biodiversity, wetlands, biological control, and are taught how to participate in the Illinois effort by rearing Galerucella beetles in their classrooms for release into local wetlands. Currently, nearly 150 schools are participating in this unique program.

The internet and biodiversity surveys

Jeffords, M. and B. Heidorn (GSLIS)

Because specimen identification is one of the main tasks in biodiversity surveys, we are attempting to create an Internet based BioDiversity Collaboration Environment (BDCE) to facilitate biodiversity surveys by EcoWatch citizen scientists working in concert with established experts. The system will support digital collaborations, biota description and information dissemination, and the volunteer Citizen Scientists will learn about important issues in biology, biodiversity and technology. The project is funded by NSF.