Afoot in the South: Walks in the Natural Areas of North Carolina.
by Phillip Manning & Diane Manning.
John F. Blair, 1993.
0895870991
A well-rounded sampling of experiences for learning about and enjoying North Carolina's natural areas from the mountains to the coast. Filled with natural and cultural history and facts for walkers or armchair travelers. 18 of the best walks, both short and long.
Gr. 8-12/Adult

The Ancient One.
by T. A. Barron.
Philomel Books, 1992.
0399218998
A fantasy story that takes a young girl back in time 500 years. Once there, she learns of disagreements similar to those about the redwood trees that loggers see as a last hope to save their dying mill town's economy.
Gr. 5-12/Adult

The Beaches Are Moving: The Drowning of America's Shoreline.
Wallace Kaufman and Orrin H. Pilkey, eds.
Duke University Press, 1983.
0822305747
Also available: The Beaches are Moving (video)
Environmental Media
http://www.envmedia.com/catalog/
Discusses growth and change of beaches including the social, political, ethical, and economic impact of human activities.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Biodiesel: Growing a New Energy Economy.
by Greg Pahl.
Chelsea Green, 2005.
1931498652
This title explores the history and technology of biodiesel, discussing both its use and potential use as an energy source.
Gr. 10-12/Adult

Biomimicry.
by Janine M. Benyus.
Harper Perennial, 2002.
0060533226
This book explores how researchers, scientistics, and engineers have found solutions to complex technological problems by studying nature's tactics and features.
Gr. 10-12/Adult

Clean Water: An Introduction to Water Quality and Water Pollution Control.
by Kenneth M. Vigil.
Oregon State University Press, 2003 (2nd edition).
0870714988
Written for the non-scientist, this book serves as an introduction to the fundamentals of water quality and pollution control issues.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Coastal Water Quality Handbook.
by Lundie Spence & Barbara Doll.
NC Sea Grant, 1997.
http://www.ncseagrant.org/
Formerly known as North Carolina Water Quality: Questions and Answers, this guide addresses groundwater, rivers, and estuaries. The importance of submerged aquatic vegetation, the effects of pollution on fisheries, seafood safety, and water treatment are discussed. A glossary of water quality terms and a directory of relevant telephone numbers are included.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Dream of the Earth.
by Thomas Berry.
Sierra Club Books, 1990.
0871566222
“This first volume in a new series, the Sierra Club Nature and Natural Philosophy Library, explores human-earth relations and seeks a new, non-anthropocentric approach to the natural world.” – from Publisher’s Weekly.
Gr. 10-12/Adult

Dr. Art's Guide to Planet Earth: For Earthlings Ages 12 to 120.
by Art Sussman.
Chelsea Green Publishing, 2000.
189013273X
This easy-to-read, colorfully illustrated book offers overviews of earth systems, the water cycle, the carbon cycle, energy, ecosystems, and more. It may be useful not only to middle and high school students, but also to adults who are seeking simple answers to basic earth science questions. This title also introduces popular environmental issues like climate change, and discusses human impact on the earth. In some articles it crosses the line between environmental information and environmental advocacy, but with an educator's assistance, these chapters may prompt classroom exploration of other viewpoints through classroom research and discussion.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability.
by Paul Hawken.
Harper Collins, 1994.
0887307043
The text presents an approach to combining biology, economy and human factors in a way that can build a successful, earth-conscious global commerce.
Gr. 10-12/Adult

The Edge of the Sea.
by Rachel Carson.
Mariner Books, 1998 (Reprint).
0395924960
A Rachel Carson classic that continues to be recommended for library and personal collections.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

The Education of Little Tree.
by Forrest Carter.
University of New Mexico Press, 2001. (25 th Anniversary edition)
0826328091
In this charming novel the narrator, raised by Cherokee grandparents, values and respects the natural world. He also experiences cultural conflict and cruelty when he goes off to attend a mainstream school. The controversial nature of the author's life may add interest to classroom discussions about this title.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

The Encyclopedia of Mammals (3 volumes).
Dr. David Macdonald, ed.
Facts on File, 2001.
0816042675
Very comprehensive yet easily understood reference source for mammals. Color photos & illustrations, and side bars.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Everything You Never Learned About Birds.
by Rebecca Rupp.
Stoney Communications, 1995.
0882663453
Many uncommon facts about birds make this title valuable. Colorful photos and drawings create extra appeal.
Gr. 4-12/Adult

The Field Guide To Geology.
by David Lambert.
Checkmark Books, 1997 (Revised edition).
This 256-page handbook is a concise yet comprehensive key to the processes that forged planet Earth. More of a textbook than a field guide, it is abundantly illustrated. This handbook makes it easy to understand the basic concepts of earth science as well as how man interacts with the planet.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

Fossil Collecting in North Carolina: Bulletin 89.
by J. G. Carter, et el.
NC Geological Survey, 1988.
http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/
30+ site descriptions including directions, the nearest towns, topographic insets showing site locations, and discussions on the geology and fossils found at each locality.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

A Geologic Guide to North Carolina's State Parks.
North Carolina Geological Survey, Bulletin 91. (http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/)
Bulletin 91 provides short summaries of the geologic features of North Carolina's state parks and includes inset maps and color photographs.
Gr. 8-12/ Adults

Hatteras Journal.
by Jan DeBlieu.
John Blair, 1998.
0895872145
North Carolina's Outer Banks are described in 10 essays ranging from coastal animal observation to natural history.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

How to Read a North Carolina Beach: Bubble Holes, Barking Sands, and Rippled Runnels.
by Orrin Pilkey, Tracy Monegan Rice, and William J. Neal.
UNC Press, 2004.
0807855103
This title explains how sand and beaches are formed, discusses the impact humans and development have had on beaches, and more. Some ideas herein are controversial, making it an excellent choice for classroom discussion.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Hummingbirds: Jewels in Flight.
by Connie Toops.
Voyageur Press, 1998.
0896583821
Insight on hummingbird behavior and tips on how to attract them make this book fascinating and informative. The beauty of hummingbirds is shown in full-color photographs.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Let It Rot!: The Gardener's Guide To Composting.
by Stu Campbell.
Storey Books, 1998.
1580170234
This guide shows how to recycle waste including garbage, ashes, and grass for garden use.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Looking for Longleaf: The Rise and Fall of an American Forest.
by Lawrence S. Earley.
UNC Press, 2004.
0807828866
Earley describes the incredible changes to our southern landscape, which decreased a 92 million acre longleaf forest into fewer than 3 million acres. He also discusses more recent conservation efforts to restore its unique, diverse ecosystem. This is an excellent book to tie the biology, the environment, and U.S. History together.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

Man and Nature.
by George P. Marsh.
Belknap Press, 1973. (Classic)
0674544528
The way water, forests and various landforms interact with each other to affect climate and movement cycles is described in this classic. Human impact on this delicate balance is also discussed.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

The Nature Handbook: A Guide to Observing the Great Outdoors.
by Ernest H. Williams, Jr.
Oxford University Press, 2005.
0195171942
This title covers plants, animals, and habitats. Because entries are generally a half page to a full page in length, it's a great book to flip through on a break. Article topics include woodpecker drumming, tree bark patterns, and poison plants. Each article also contains beautiful photographs.
Gr. 7-12/Adult

The Nature of North Carolina's Southern Coast: Barrier islands, Coastal Waters, and Wetlands.
by Dirk Frankenberg.
UNC Press, 1997.
0807846554
"An eco-tourist's guide to the North Carolina coast, from Portsmouth Island to Calabash." Valuable for anyone interested in our coastal environment. Highlights the complex ecosystem and the natural processes that continue to shape the southern coast. Includes drawings, maps, & photos. Addresses current environmental threats and possible solutions.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

The Nature of the Outer Banks: Environmental Processes, Field Sites, and Development Issues, Corolla to Ocracoke.
by Dirk Frankenberg.
UNC Press, 1995.
0807845426
Guide to the barrier island ecosystem from Corolla to Ocracoke that describes how natural forces affect barrier islands. Includes sites for observation, maps, drawings, and photos that illustrate how weather, waves, and rising sea contribute to landform changes and the topography of these fragile areas.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

North American Wildlife: Revised and Updated.
Susan J. Wernert, ed.
Reader's Digest, 1998.
0762100206
616 pages with full-color illustrations, range maps, habitat symbols and a guide to wildlife communities. A favorite submitted by many educators.
Gr. 6-12/Adult

North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer: Sixth Edition.
Delorme Publishing, 2003.
0899332773
The atlas features topographic maps of the entire state, along with a GPS guide. Also included are symbols indicating cultural and historical locations.
Gr. 9-12/Adult

North Carolina Atlas: Portrait for a New Century.
by Douglas Orr and Alfred Stuart.
UNC Press, 2000.
0807825077
A must for every middle school, high school, public, and academic library in North Carolina, this book introduces North Carolina’s natural environment, history, industry, economy, government and more. It contains many statistics, charts, and graphs.
Gr. 7-12/Adult

North Carolina: People and Environments: Second Edition.
by Ole Gade, Arthur B. Rex, James E. Young, and L. Baker Perry.
Parkway Publishers, 2002.