Libraries

Environmental Concerns

Government and legal information available at WIU on related topics:

Search Strategies

Book & Manuscript Tips
  • Search these Library of Congress subject headings in WestCat , the library's online catalog:
    • Tips: Use the Quick Search option and enter the terms below in the search box and select Subject as the search.
    • ecology
    • pollution
    • mining
    • Clean Water Act
    • Clean Air Act
    • ocean dumping
    • pacific garbage patch
    • oil spill(s)
    • pipeline
    • ecosystem
    • smog
    • fishkill
    • soil erosion
    • deforestation
    • invasive species
    • endangered species
    • fracking
    • hydraulic fracturing
    • conservation
    • wildfires or forest fires
    • desertification
    • drought
    • water supply
    • ozone
    • environmental protection agency
  • Use the Quick Search option and enter desertification, deforestation or ecosystem? in the search box and select Any Word Anywhere as the search.
  • Use the Advance Search option and search "Clean Air Act" or "hydraulic fracturing" as phrases.
  • If you are having trouble finding material on your topic, try searching I-Share (through WestCat ), a database of the catalogs of over 80 Illinois libraries or WorldCat , a database of library catalogs from all over the world.
  • Any book you find which we don't have may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Allow a week to 10 days.
  • Try searching Conressional Research Service Reports at UNT to find CRS Reports on your topic.
Article Tips
  • Search the database CQ Researcher
  • Search the database Biological Abstracts.
  • Search the multi-disciplinary databases, like Academic Search Complete and Academic OneFile Select.
  • Search Nexis Uni for full-text law review articles.
  • WIU Libraries purchases access to many journals made available electronically. If a database you're searching doesn't provide access to the article, click on the Find It! WIU Libraries button to see if it's available through another database or available in print. Make sure WIU doesn't have access to articles you find in databases by searching the journal title using the Journals tab on the Libraries website. This is our master list of all journals and full-text e-journals purchased and/or held by WIU Libraries.
  • Any article you find to which we don't have access may be requested through Interlibrary Loan. Allow a week to 10 days.

Federal Agencies

Sites of Interest:
EnviroAtlas
This useful web application from the EPA has many facets. It shows you both positive and negative health impacts from the environment by ecosystem. It can also recommend ecosystems that will benefit a person according to their health-related issue. You can also use the EnviroAtlas to make Health Impact Assessments on community proposals, including the location of agricultural wetland banks, where to plant trees for urban air quality or heat island abatement, etc. You can also track maximum and minimum temperature projections, precipitation, and more through 2099. There is a lot here to explore.
Forest Service Homepage
This branch of the USDA deals with forests and grasslands and includes past news briefs, annual reports, and future plans.
Natural Resources Conservation Service Homepage
This USDA site has quick links to maps, directories, and programs; news items; the conservation initiative with farmers and ranchers; and more.
Fish and Wildlife Service Homepage
This agency of the Department of the Interior deals primarily with fish, wildlife, and plants, and highlights efforts to work with citizens on conservation.
Office of Surface Mining Homepage
Another Department of the Interior branch, this office works to reclaim old mines and informs the public of the dangers of abandoned deep mines.
Climate Change
This EPA site divides global warming into climate, emissions, impacts, and actions categories and also provides current news and information.
EPA A to Z Index
Often the first agency one thinks of when considering the environment, this site from the EPA's homepage links to pertinent libraries, dockets, publications, newsletters, databases, and more.

Illinois Agencies

Sites of Interest:
Bureau of Water
This Illinois EPA file allows one to view water quality in the state's watersheds. Adobe Acrobat required.
Land Cover Viewer (USGS)
View land cover for the United States.