Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC) is located near beautiful forest preserves. Throughout the year, students see the seasons change through the colors of local flora, the sounds of migrating birds, and the occasional encounters with local wildlife. It is magical.
The following resources vary from beginners to must-read books. They are intended to help students and visitors experience nature near the campus and throughout Illinois. Along the nearby forest preserves, MVCC's campus has a vibrant Nature Study Area and Observatory, a 40-acre reconstructed tall grass prairie which is home to coyotes, great blue herons, colorful mallards, schools of bass and bluegill, hundreds of plants, and grasses. Visit the Nature Study Area and all the Forest Preserves of Cook County around the campus and Illinois!
Need help? Ask a librarian!
60 hikes within 60 miles : Chicago : including Wisconsin and Northwest Indiana / Ted Villaire
"The best way to experience Chicagoland is by hiking it! Get outdoors with Illinois author Ted Villaire as he helps you find and enjoy the top hikes within 60 miles of the city. A perfect blend of popular trails and hidden gems, the selected trails transport you to scenic overlooks, wildlife hot spots, and historical settings that renew your spirit and recharge your body." - Book Cover
Visit our Library for the printed book!
Birding for the curious : the easiest way for anyone to explore the incredible world of birds / Nate Swick
“Being a birdwatcher is a way of life, a new way of looking at the world around you. That's the big idea in this wonderful book. Birding for the Curious will open your eyes to amazing spectacles everywhere: in your own backyard, at parks and preserves around your home, all over the planet. With this book, you'll learn how to find and identify birds, but you'll also learn that this world of ours is more fascinating and wonderful than you ever knew.” ―Ted Floyd, Editor, BIRDING magazine
Visit our Library for the printed book!
Scats and tracks of North America : a field guide to the signs of nearly 150 wildlife species / James C. Halfpenny
"Scats and Tracks of North America will help you determine which mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have passed your way and could still be nearby. Clearly written descriptions and illustrations of scats, tracks, and gait patterns will help you recognize species across the entire continent. An identification key, a glossary of tracking terms, and detailed instructions on how to document your finds are also included here." - Book cover
Visit our Library website for the print book!
The backpacker's field manual / Rick Curtis
"This thoroughly researched yet accessible backpacking book offers a complete view of backpacking today, exploring everything from how to plan a trip and select gear to emergency procedures and first-aid care in the field" - Book cover
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Plants of the Chicago region / Floyd Swink & Gerould Wilhelm
"An annotated checklist of the Vascular Flora of the Chicago Region with keys, this book contains notes on local distribution, ecology and taxonomy; a system for the qualitative evaluation of plant communities; a natural divisions' map; and a description of natural plant communities. This comprehensive and detailed treatment employs the revolutionary Coefficient of Conservatism (C values) and Floristic Quality Assessment methodology." - Book description
Stop by the library for the printed book!
Field guide to butterflies of Illinois / John K. Bouseman, James G. Sternburg
"This field guide is based upon decades of research and collecting throughout the state by the authors. This comprehensive treatment of Illinois butterflies provides species accounts of the more than 90 butterflies found in the state." - Book cover
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Created with an image by pressmaster - "Hiking frame composition with rope"