A small group of people huddle with their faces close to the ground, diligently using field guides in an attempt to identify a species of alpine wildflower. The botanist instructor assists with subtle hints and suggestions. The backdrop is the soaring peaks of the Grand Tetons.
Nearby in Yellowstone National Park, another group threads its way single file through a back-county geiser basin. Their guide, a geologist, speaks of the marvels and intricacies of the unique thermal features.
Rising from still water carpeted with several species of duckweed, ancient
cypress trees stand as silent sentinels. Frogs leap from floating logs,
Prothonotary Warblers flit overhead while a black rat snake makes its way
slowly down a massive cypress. The group is spread out along the boardwalk,
observing, writing, photographing, and slowly unravelling the ecology of this
unique area.
Do any of these scenarios sound interesting? The
first two are long-standing courses offered to the general public at institutes
housed at two of the most charismatic national parks; the third is based,
believe it or not, in Illinois and will be one of the courses offered by a new
program of the Illinois Natural History Survey and the University of Illinois
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES). Called the
Illinois Wilds Institute for Nature (IWIN), the newly formed organization will
offer classes on a variety of topics associated with Illinois ecology, natural
history, and natural resources. Occasional course offerings may venture from
the state's boundaries, but the main focus will be Illinois. IWIN began its
official operation on February 1, 2000, and its first course offerings will be
in spring/summer, 2000.
Natural history photography is just one of a
number of courses to be
offered by IWIN.
General Information on IWIN
IWIN will be similar in structure to the outreach programs offered by the
Yellowstone, Teton, and Great Smoky Mountain Institutes. Natural History Survey
biologists and NRES faculty will offer short courses for the general public,
teachers, professional individuals, and students of all ages. Each course will
have an associated fee that covers the cost of materials, lodging and meals
(for residential courses), and other expenses. For some of the courses, college
credit will be an option.
Individual courses may include classroom work, field trips, field projects, or other skill-building activities. For many courses, in- or out-of-state field trips will be included. Courses will be offered in a variety of venues, including evening, 1/2 day, 1 day, 2 day, 4 day, or longer. Shorter courses will deal with a specific topic (e.g., butterflies), while longer courses may take an integrated approach to a topic or issue (e.g., Ecology of Southern Illinois). Longer courses may be residential at sites in Champaign, across the state (e.g., Dixon Springs Agricultural Experiment Station), or at selected out-of-state sites.
Separate offerings of IWIN courses will be targeted toward (but not limited to)
teachers, students, resource professionals, and the general public. Course
offerings will occur at times when audiences are most available--evenings,
summer, the break between Christmas and New Year, spring break, etc., or on a
periodic basis throughout the year. Each year, a number of courses will be
offered and will vary from year to year, depending on interest and demand.
For more information on the Illinois Wilds Institute for Nature and for course offerings for the coming year, please contact the registrar, Susan L. Post, at (217 ) 493-9959, phone; (217) 333-4949, fax; e-mail: spost@mail. inhs.uiuc.edu.; or print and fill out the form at the bottom of this page and send it to the IWIN registrar. Also contact the registrar with suggestions for courses you would like to see offered.
Join us and learn about "The Nature of Illinois."
Michael Jeffords, Office of the Chief
IWIN courses will be tailored for all age groups
such as these middle
school students.
* Biology of Lake Michigan/Great Lakes
* The Life and Lore of Medicinal Plants
* Biodiversity: What Is It and Why Is It Important?
* Field Entomology: The Insects of Illinois
* Habitat Fragmentation in the Illinois Landscape
* The Ecology of Birds
* The Natural Divisions of Illinois: What Are They?
* Wildflowers of Illinois
* Birds, Beasts, and Bugs: How to Identifiy the Denizens of Field, Forest, and Stream
* Natural History of Southern Illinois
* Natural History Photography
* The Aesthetic Landscape: Forest, Field, and Stream
If you are interested in being on the IWIN mailing list for courses offered,
please fill out and return this form to Illinois Natural History Survey,
Attn. Susan Post, Registrar, 607 East Peabody Drive, Champaign,
IL 61820
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
__________________________________
__________________________________
Phone and/or Fax ____________________________________
E-mail ______________________________________
Please keep me notified of all IWIN course offerings
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