Value of Iowa's Natural Resources

From our gentling rolling hills of native prairie, to our rocky bluffs along the Mississippi, Iowa teems with birds, mammals, fish, reptiles and amphibians. While we may struggle with habitat loss, pollution, and other environmental issues, Iowa is a state that is rich in natural beauty and resources.

Iowa’s natural resources have value to humans economically, such as the soil that we grow our food in, as well for hunting, and fishing. These uses are considered “consumptive use” of Iowa’s natural resources. Our natural resources also have intrinsic value of their own, meaning they possess value in and of themselves.

Explore Iowa’s wonderful natural resources this week!

Examples of activities that go well with a study of Iowa’s natural resources

Growing Up WILD
What’s Wild?
Wildlife is Everywhere
Who Lives in a Tree?
Oh, Deer!
Field Study Fun

Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood

Trees as Habitats
Three Cheers for Trees

Iowa’s Natural Resources Background Information Links

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Education – Iowa’s Natural Resources
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Education/ForTeachers/IowasNaturalResources.aspx

Iowa State University Extension & Outreach: Wildlife and Natural Resources Publications has a wonderful series of publications about Iowa’s natural resources. Most are available to download for FREE.

ISU Extension Natural Resources Publications Main Page
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/ProductList.aspx?CategoryID=103

Educator Books

Christiansen, P. and M. Muller. 1999. An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants. Iowa City: University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, J.J. 1994. A Country So Full of Game: The Story of Wildlife in Iowa. University of Iowa Press.
Dinsmore, S. 1995. Iowa Wildlife Viewing Guide. Falcon.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2000. Iowa: Portrait of the Land. Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Johnson, A. 2005. Iowa Birds. Lone Pine Publishing.
Kavanagh, J. 2001. Iowa Birds. Waterford Press Ltd.
Kurtz, C. 1996. Iowa's Wild Places. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Morrice, P. A. and J. Hart. 2007. Iowa. Cavendish, Marshall Corporation.
Prior, J.C. and L.A. Stone. 2000. Iowa - Portrait of the Land. Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey.
Runkel, S. and D. Roosa. 1999. Wildflowers and Other Plants of Iowa Wetlands. Ames: Iowa State University Press.
Tekiela, S. 2001. Birds of Iowa: Field Guide. Adventure Publications.

Children’s Books

Arnosky, J. 1997. Bird Watcher. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 2008. The Brook Book: Exploring the Smallest Streams. Penguin Young Readers Group.
Arnosky, J. 1997. Bug Hunter. Random House Children's Books.
Arnosky, J. 2006. Grandfather Buffalo. Penguin Group (USA).
Arnosky, J. 2003. Raccoon on His Own. Penguin Group (USA).
Bannatyne-Cugnet, J. 1992. Prairie Alphabet. Tundra.
Boring, M. and L. Garrow. 1996. Rabbits, Squirrels, and Chimpmunks (Take-Along Guide). T&N Children's Publishing.
Burns, D. and L. Garrow. 1998. Leaves, Trees and Bark (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Burns, D. and L. Garrow. Frogs, Toads, and Turtles (Take-Along Guide). NorthWord Books for Young Readers.
Butterfield, M. 1999. Animals on Plains and Prairies. Raintree Publishers.
Capogna, V.V. 1999. Did You Ever Wonder about Things You Find in Your Backyard? Marshall Cavendish Inc.
Cole, H. 1998. I Took A Walk. HarperCollins Publishers.
Cooper, J. 1997. Trumpeter Swan (Giants Among Us). Rourke Publishing.
Edwards, M.  1994. Eve and Smithy: An Iowa Tale. HarperCollins Publishers.
Fleming, D. 1991. In the Tall, Tall Grass. Henry Holt and Co.
Fleming, D. 1993. In the Small, Small Pond. Henry Holt and Co.
Fredericks, A. 2001. Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs, and Other Ughs (Sharing Nature With Children Book). Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D. 2005. Near One Cattail: Turtles, Logs and Leaping Frogs. Dawn Publications.
Fredericks, A.D.  2006. On One Flower: Butterflies, Ticks and a Few More Icks. Dawn Publications.
Galko, F. 2002. Pond Animals. Heinemann.
Galvin, L.G., and K. Bratun. 1998. Deer Mouse at Old Farm Road. Soundprints.
George, L.B. 1998. In the Woods: Who's Been Here? HarperCollins Publishers.
George, W.T. 1988. Beaver at Long Pond. Greenwillow Books.
Hawes, J. 1975. Spring Peepers. HarperCollins Publishers.
Heller, R. 1995. How to Hide a Meadow Frog and Other Amphibians. Groslett & Dunlap.
Herkert, B. 2001. Birds in Your Backyard. Dawn Publications.
Latimer, J. et al. 1999. Backyard Birds (Peterson Field Guides for Young Naturalists). Hollenbeck, K.M., and W. Smith. 2004. Red Fox at Hickory Lane. Soundprints.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Kavanagh, J. and R. Leung. 2001. Urban Wildlife: An Introduction to Familiar Species (North American Nature Guides). Waterford Press.
Morrison, G. 2004. Nature in the Neighborhood. Walter Loraine Books/Houghton Mifflin.
Pfeffer, W., and L. Mikec. 2004. Firefly at Stonybrook Farm. Soundprints.
Ring, E., and K. Lee. 1999. Monarch Butterfly of Aster Way.Soundprints.
Zoehfeld, K.W., A. Komisar, and J. Snyder. 1997. Fawn at Woodland Way. Soundprints.
Zoehfeld, K.W., and T. Buchs. 2002. Ladybug at Orchard Avenue. Soundprints.