Erigenia available online

Volumes 1-21 of Erigenia are available online via the Biodiversity Heritage Library.  Thanks are due to the Illinois Native Plant Society, who gave permission to make their content available online, to the University Library's Digital Content Creation unit for performing the work. 

VuFind Interface to replace the I Share Web Voyage Catalog

On June 1st the I Share Web Voyage Universal Union Catalog will be replaced by the VuFind Library Union Catalog Interface.
VuFind is an alternative interface to the current I-Share catalogs, offering users what may be a better way to search and discover library resources.

Advantages include patron created usernames and passwords to simplify book requests, the ability to set a one hour logout time period, faster connections, links to previews in Google Book search and other social networking tools. Disadvantages include no call number searching, and an inability to limit by library.

For more information about the VuFind Library Catalog Interface see http://www.library.illinois.edu/catalog/vufind/ and the VuFind FAQ at http://www.carli.illinois.edu/mem-prod/I-Share/opac/vufind-faq.html

INHS Library New Books

The latest batch of new books are now on display and are now available for immediate check out, so first come first served. If you can't make it to the library they can be requested on-line.

Try a virtual browse:
Books added to the INHS Library collection in the last 60 days

Or create your own report of new titles from the UIUC Libraries.

Also new books will now be added to the New Book shelf every Monday, so visit often.

Wild and Scenic Rivers

From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout 1994-2010.
http://scout.wisc.edu/

Wild and Scenic Rivers [pdf]
http://www.rivers.gov/
The U.S. government website that outlines the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act offers a good explanation of the Act, including details on how far the Act can go in protecting designated scenic, wild, and recreational rivers. Definitions of those terms are provided in the middle of the homepage.  One of the unique features of the Act is that it relies on voluntary stewardship by landowners and communities to assist in maintaining the Act's goals where the federal government has no jurisdiction.  The "Rivers and Trails" link leads to the arm of the National Parks Service called the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA) that "provides technical assistance to communities so they can conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways."   The "Publications" section of the website offers a multitude of writings for government river managers, lawmakers, attorneys and real estate professionals.   The "Compendium of Questions and Answers Relating to Wild and Scenic Rivers" not only gives an overview of the Act that is more technical than the introduction on the homepage, but also provides valuable answers for the aforementioned professionals. [KMG]

Weed Science Society of America Issues Strong Appeal to USDA for Restoration of Funding for Weed Science

The Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) has announced it is protesting the elimination of virtually all funding for weed science from the federal budget.  According to the societies, if the budget moves forward as proposed, critical work impacting food and water supplies and our natural ecosystems will remain unfunded.  Joining WSSA in an appeal to USDA to restore the funding were the Aquatic Plant Management Society, North Central Weed Science Society, Northeastern Weed Science Society, Southern Weed Science Society and Western Society of Weed Science. The full text of the letter is available here.

Zoo tracking rural wildlife's move into the city

Read the full story in the Chicago Tribune.

After setting up a "camera trap" in a grove of trees not far from Roosevelt Road, Alison Willingham and Seth Magle were returning to their car at a hotel parking lot in DuPage County when they drew the attention of curious hotel workers.

They explained they were biologists at Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute, beginning a survey of what sort of wildlife is migrating into the Chicago region — and where.

UN Global Biodiversity Report Conveys Fears on Damage to Natural Environment

Read the press release.

Natural systems that support economies, lives and livelihoods across the planet are at risk of rapid degradation and collapse, unless there is swift, radical and creative action to conserve and sustainably use the variety of life on Earth.

That is a principal conclusion of a major new assessment of the current state of biodiversity and the implications of its continued loss for human well-being.