By  Melisa Long
Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District

The Winnebago County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has several helpful field guides available for sale. These guides can be used to help identify the great variety of local plants and animals found in this area. These guides have detailed photos or drawings to help you with identification of several common native plants and wildlife. These field guides can help students complete school assignments, help you with your identification of birds and plant species while visiting some of our local parks and forest preserves, or in your own back yard, to see what birds are utilizing your bird feeders or bird houses. These could make wonderful gifts. We have the following books and field guides available.

Trees of Illinois—This field guide contains everything you will want to know, including full-page photos and detailed information about 124 species of Illinois trees, including each tree’s leaves or needles, bark, mature size, fall color, state-specific range map and more. 272 pages—$14

Birds of Illinois—A handy guide of 111 bird species common to the state. It contains an easy-to-use color guide. For each bird, there is a full-color picture and description, including range maps, life history and interesting facts. 288 pages—$13

Critters of Illinois—A pocket guide of 50 common critters of Illinois including mammals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. It includes full-color photos, information about size, habitat, range, food, predators, life history, identifying features, diagrams of their tracks, and a fun fact section. 126 pages—$6

Wildflowers of Wisconsin—This is your guide to 200 of Wisconsin’s beautiful flowers, which are also common in this area. Full-page photos and descriptions make this a great guide for beginners, as the material is easily understood by those with no botanical background, but it includes important information useful to those more familiar with plants. The guide is organized by color and size for simple identification of unfamiliar species. 426 pages—$16

Seedling ID Guide for Native Prairie Plants—Young prairie plants can be hard to identify, leaving you to wonder whether you got a good stand or if you should plant again. The Central Regions Seedling ID Guide features 40 of the most commonly seeded native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Color photos illustrate seed, seedling, juvenile and flowering stages. 92 pages—$7

For more information or to purchase these field guides, contact the SWCD at (815) 965-2392, ext. 3, or visit our office at 4833 Owen Center Road, Rockford, IL 61111.

From the Feb. 23-March 1, 2011, issue