Prairies and Savannas in Michigan gives a complete understanding of these dynamic systems, the plants and animals they support, the ecological processes that sustain them, and current efforts to restore these valuable pieces of Michigan's natural heritage. Intended for general readers, Prairies and Savannas in Michigan clearly describes the variety of natural habitats and itemizes noteworthy species found in each.
Small enough to carry in a backpack, this comprehensive guide explores the many diverse natural communities of Michigan, providing detailed descriptions, distribution maps, photographs, lists of characteristic plants, suggested sites to visit, and a dichotomous key for aiding field identification. This is a key tool for those seeking to understand, describe, document, conserve, and restore the diversity of natural communities native to Michigan.
"In A Natural History of the Chicago Region, Greenberg takes you on a journey that begins with European explorers and settlers and hasn't ended yet. Along the way he introduces you to the physical forces that have shaped the area from southeastern Wisconsin to northern Indiana and Berrien County in Michigan; the various habitat types present in the region and how European settlement has affected them; and the insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, and mammals found in presettlement times, then amid the settlers and now amid the skyscrappers. In all, Greenberg chronicles the development of nineteen counties in Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin across centuries of ecological, technological, and social transformations."--BOOK JACKET.
With more than 1,300 illustrations as well as species descriptions and distribution maps for 232 species, Field Guide to Wisconsin Grasses provides the most comprehensive and scientifically current information and is an asset for any outdoors lover.
This new and updated edition of Landscaping with Native Plants of Minnesota combines the practicality of a field guide with all the basic information homeowners need to create an effective landscape design. The plant profiles section includes comprehensive descriptions of approximately 150 flowers, trees, shrubs, vines, evergreens, grasses, and ferns that grew in Minnesota before European settlement, as well as complete information on planting, maintenance, and landscape uses for each plant. The book also includes complete information on how to garden successfully in Minnesotas harsh climate and how to install and maintain an attractive, low-maintenance home landscape suitable for any lifestyle.
In our fast-paced world of technology, where populations are becoming more urbanized and life is increasingly experienced on electronic screens, people are losing their connection to nature. Yet nature is all around us, especially if you live in the Chicago area. Unfortunately, few Chicagoans know it's there.In My Journey into the Wilds of Chicago, photographer and humorist Mike MacDonald takes you on a trip to Chicago's wild side--a verdant, untamed Chicago that has been there all along, just waiting to be explored. Combining breathtaking images and imaginative prose, MacDonald leads you on an adventure into wondrous, enchanted lands located just up the road from home, work, and school. From kaleidoscopic tallgrass prairies to the open canopies of rare oak savannas, from the free-flying expanse of the butterfly to the mysterious world of the coyote, startling photographs of a vast and scenic Chicago evoke astonishment and delight with every turn of the page.MacDonald's contagious enthusiasm and decades of comedy experience are channeled into inventive essays, captions, and poetry that engage the imagination and add richness to your journey. This inspirational volume invites readers to cross the threshold, to get off their couches and abandon their screens, to come out into nature and play.
The must-have field-guide for discovering the natural beauty of northern Indiana and "The Region" Beautiful and pristine, the natural areas of Indiana are perfect for nature lovers with a desire to explore. Featuring more than 140 beautiful color photos, A Guide to Natural Areas of Northern Indiana showcases the region's unique ecosystems and includes descriptions of the flora, fauna, geology, history, and recreational opportunities. For those who want excitement, there is information on hiking, camping, bird watching, horseback riding, boating, and more. Environmental writer and photographer Steven Higgs takes readers to the most exquisite natural areas across the region, including the JD Marshall underwater shipwreck preserve in Lake Michigan, the Indiana Dunes State Park, the Hoosier Prairie Nature Preserve, the Valparaiso Moraine, Spicer Lake, and many more. A must-have book for the explorer or nature lover, A Guide to Natural Areas of Northern Indianais the perfect resource for travelers who want to learn more about the region's distinctive natural heritage.
