Resources-Organizations/Groups/Websites
I am always learning. Along the way, I have found many helpful tools. I want to share those with you! Below are some of my favorites.
NATIVE PLANTS
Illinois Wildflowers
Detailed descriptions of plants, their needs, faunal associations, comments and photos
Website:https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/
Midwest Native Plant Society
Our Mission is to advocate the vital role of native plants in the landscape to preserve ecological integrity and connect people with nature.
Website:https://www.midwestnativeplants.org/
Also found on: Facebook
National Wildlife Federation
Find what plants are native to your location
Website:https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants
Also found on: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest
Wild Ones (National)
Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes promotes environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities.
Website:https://wildones.org/
Also found on: Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter
Wild Ones (Dayton OH Chapter)
The primary goal of the Dayton Area Wild Ones is to educate and support homeowners as they learn and develop their own native landscapes. We also work within our local communities to educate the public and enhance public spaces.
Website:https://daytonareawildones.org/
Also found on: Facebook
Wild Seed Project
Our mission is to inspire people to take action and join us in increasing the presence of native plants grown from wild seed. Our vision is that people create and repopulate landscapes to be abundant with native plants that safeguard wildlife habitat, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Website:https://wildseedproject.net/
Also found on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
CATERPILLARS/MOTHS/BUTTERFLIES
The Caterpillar Lab
The Caterpillar Lab fosters greater appreciation and care for the complexity and beauty of our local natural history through live caterpillar educational programs, research initiatives, and photography and film projects. We believe that an increased awareness of one’s local environment is the foundation on which healthy and responsible attitudes towards the broader natural systems of this world is built.
Website:https://www.thecaterpillarlab.org/
Also found on: Facebook, YouTube
Butterflies and Moths of North America
Butterflies and Moths of North America (BAMONA) is an ambitious effort to collect, store, and share species information and occurrence data. You can participate by taking and submitting photographs of butterflies, moths, and caterpillars.
Website:https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/
INSECTS & SPIDERS
The Xerces Society
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. As a science-based organization, we both conduct our own research and rely upon the most up-to-date information to guide our conservation work. Our key program areas are: pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation, and reducing pesticide use and impacts. Scroll on to learn more about our work!
Website:https://www.xerces.org/
Also found on:Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter
EVERYTHING NATURE
Ohio Birds and Biodiversity-Jim McCormac Blog
Jim loves the natural world and everything in it. He spends much of his time outside in different parts of Ohio and beyond studying, taking note and photographing the amazing things he sees. He shares a lot of it on this blog.
Website:http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/