Illinois is home to cemeteries and burial grounds dating back to the Native American era. Whether sprawling over thousands of acres or dotting remote woodlands, these treasure troves of local and state history reflect two centuries of social, economic, and technological change. This easy-to-use guidebook invites amateur genealogists, historians, and cemetery buffs to decipher the symbols and uncover the fascinating past awaiting them in Illinois 's resting places. Hal Hassen and Dawn Cobb have combined almost three hundred photographs with expert detail to showcase how cemeteries and burial grounds can teach us about archaeology, folklore, art, geology, and social behavior. Features include

• the ways different materials used as gravestones and markers reflect historical trends;
• how to understanding the changes in the use of iconographic images;
• the story behind architectural features like fencing, roads, and gates;
• what enthusiasts can do to preserve local cemeteries for future generations.

Captivating and informed, Cemeteries of Illinois is the only guide you need to unlock the mysteries of our state 's final resting places.

The diverse habitats of Illinois--prairies, savannas, rivers, marshes, forests, and beaches--offer a home for hundreds of types of birds throughout the year. More than just a "flyover state", Illinois welcomes hundreds of species of migrating birds during the spring and fall. From the shores of Lake Michigan in the north to Central Plains and the magnificent Shawnee National Forest, Illinois is a magnificent state for birds and birders. Written by a third-generation Illinoisan birdwatcher and filled with over 500 color images of birds in native habitats, this is the perfect companion for anyone interested in learning about the natural history and diversity of the Prairie State's birds--and when and where to find them.

Get the perfect guide to rocks and minerals in the Heartland! The book features comprehensive entries for 96 rocks and minerals of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa, from common rocks to rare finds. The easy-to-use format means you'll quickly find what you need to know and where to look, while the authors' photographs depict the detail needed for identification - no need to guess from line drawings. With this field guide in hand, identifying and collecting can be fun and informative.

Across the country, more than 1,600 unused railroad corridors have been converted to level, public, multiuse trails, where people can enjoy a fitness run, a leisurely bike ride, or a stroll with the family. In this updated guide in the popular series, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy presents the finest rail-trails, plus other great multiuse trails in three Midwestern states.

Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio covers more than 70 trails in the region. Many rail-trails are paved and run through the most scenic parts of towns. Others, such as the 20-mile Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail, travel along lush waterways, dramatic bluffs, and steep hills. The Monoon Trail in Indiana highlights the best of midwestern rail-trails by stitching together neighborhoods, recreational facilities, schools, and cultural centers between Indianapolis and Carmel. Rail-Trails Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio lets readers enjoy the serenity of the rural countryside along the Midwest's many great multiuse trails.

This full-color book includes succinct descriptions of each trail from start to finish, plus at-a-glance summary information indicating permitted uses, surface type, length, and directions to trailheads for each trail. Every trip has a detailed map that includes start and end points, trailhead, parking, restroom facilities, and other amenities.

Trees are all around, but how much do you know about them? With this famous field guide by award-winning author and naturalist Stan Tekiela, you can make tree identification simple, informative and productive. Learn about 124 Illinois trees, organized in the book by leaf type and attachment. Fact-filled information contains the particulars that you want to know, while full-page photos provide the visual detail needed for accurate identification. Trees are fascinating and wonderful, and this is the perfect introduction to them.

Loaded with full color photographs and evocative descriptions, Exploring Nature in Illinois provides a panorama of the state's overlooked natural diversity. Naturalists Michael Jeffords and Susan Post explore fifty preserves, forests, restoration areas, and parks, bringing an expert view to wildlife and landscapes and looking beyond the obvious to uncover the unexpected beauty of Illinois's wild places.
 
From the colorful variety of birds at War Bluff Valley Audubon Sanctuary to the exposed bedrock and cliff faces of Apple River Canyon, Exploring Nature in Illinois will inspire readers to explore wonders hidden from urban sprawl and cultivated farmland. Maps and descriptions help travelers access even hard-to-find sites while a wealth of detail and photography offers nature-lovers insights into the flora, fauna, and other aspects of vibrant settings and ecosystems. The authors also include diary entries describing their own impressions of and engagement with the sites.
 
A unique and much-needed reference, Exploring Nature in Illinois will entertain and enlighten hikers, cyclers, students and scouts, morning walkers, weekend drivers, and anyone else seeking to get back to nature in the Prairie State.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Illinois has it all: rivers to canoe, lakes to fish, trails to hike and bike, and plenty of quiet places to camp. This indispensable guide is aimed at the tent camper who wants to enjoy these things up close. Unlike other guides that merely list all campgrounds, The Best in Tent Camping: Illinois profiles in detail the 50 best sites in the state for campers who seek the serene and secluded. Here is essential information about each campground (including season, facilities, rates, directions, GPS coordinates, and websites), as well as a description of the campground, the best sites, and nearby activities such as hiking, canoeing, fishing, and mountain biking. The guide covers well-known parks as well as some campgrounds that are local secrets that can't be found on Internet searches.