Subject: Science: Environment

Nature's Heartland Series

This series was painstakingly produced to help viewers identify and better understand America's threatened native plant communities which, if depleted due to cultural deforestation and urban development, could endanger our entire "web of life." In each program Iowa State University Professor William (Bill) Boon clearly identifies trees, grasses, shrubs and vines in their various communities, providing not only a better understanding of their environmental importance, but also increasing our overall appreciation of each. Produced by Iowa State University. Programs available on 11 individual DVDs, Digital Streaming Files or Videos; also in an 11-Disc Set. For pricing call in US: 800.876.2447/Intl. 603.434.9262 or e-mail

List of Titles

Dry Prairie Community

In this program Professor Bill Boon identifies 5 grasses, 1 shrub and 17 forbs of the Dry, or short grass, prairie community, where plants adapt to the extreme heat and limited supply of water. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Leadplant Amorpha; 3 - Indigo; 4 - Bush Clover. 08DR JSCA 25 min. Click for more

Farmstead-Windbreak Community

The Farmstead-Windbreak Community we learn is a man-made community of trees planted on farmsteads to break the force of the wind and to help reduce soil erosion. Professor Bill Boon identifies 4 deciduous, 2 understory (12' - 48') and 13 evergreen trees in this program. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Russian Olive; Click for more

Maple-Linden Community

In this program Professor Bill Boon explains that the Maple-Linden Community is a dense-shade area whose moist ground layer is especially favorable to numerous wildflowers and ferns; it includes Black and Sugar Maples, the Atlantic Leatherwood and Common Snowberry shrubs. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - White Ash; Click for more

Marsh-Pothole Prairie Community

The Marsh-Pothole Prairie Community is a community found on poorly drained soils of lowland and backwater bogs where plants survive a demanding initiation of several weeks of standing water. In this program Professor Bill Boon identifies 5 grasses and 7 forbs. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Sedges; 3 - Common Cattail; Click for more

Mixed Floodplain Community

In this program we learn that many of America's street names were derived from the Mixed Floodplain Community, a community that occupies the higher elevation along stream and river corridors; here Professor Bill Boon identifies 13 trees, 2 shrubs and 5 vines. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Butternut; 3 - Eastern Wahoo; Click for more

Oak-Hickory Community

Found predominantly on the south-and-west-facing slopes in the mid-western forest region, the Oak-Hickory Community, Professor Bill Boon explains, includes Shagbark "Old" Hickory and 12 other trees, 5 shrubs and 2 vines. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Shingle Oak; 3 - Hophornbeam; 4 - Fragrant Sumac. 08DR JSCA 22 Click for more

Oak-Savanna Community

The Oak-Savanna Community is a transition area between grassland and forest with a park-like quality because of its mixture of grass and trees; here Professor Bill Boon identifies 11 trees and 6 shrubs. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Eastern Red Cedar; 3 - Blackhaw Viburnum; 4 - Description. 08DR JSCA 22 min. Click for more

Pine-Fir-Birch Community

The Pine-Fir-Birch Community is a remnant community predominantly found in the Great Lakes' region, referred to as the Boreal Forest; here Professor Bill Boon identifies 4 trees and 4 shrubs. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Yellow Birch; 3 - American Cranberry Bush; 4 - Pine Fir Birch Landscape. 08DR JSCA 12 min. Click for more

River-Lake Margin Community

This River-Lake Margin Community follows watercourses where spring flooding is common and Willow, Maple and Poplar trees are common; altogether, 13 trees and 8 shrubs are identified by Professor Bill Boon. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Black Tupelo; 3 - Black Willow; 4 - Silky Dogwood. 08DR JSCA 25 min. Click for more

Wet Prairie Community

The Mesic, or tall grass, Wet Prairie Community occupies open spaces that are neither too wet nor too dry, and plant life is varied during different seasons of the year; here Professor Bill Boon identifies 4 grasses and 14 forbs. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Canada Wildrye; 3 - Sawtooth Sunflower; 4 - Compass Plant. Click for more

Woodland Flower Community

In this program Professor Bill Boon Identifies 27 woodland flowers, including many found in nursery and seed catalogs, which are not really a community, but a group of plants that provide ground cover for several communities. CHAPTERS: 1 - Introduction; 2 - Indian Jack-in-the-Pulpit; 3 - Catchweed Bedstraw; 4 - Wall Click for more