The Illinois Natural History Survey began publishing in 1861 with Transactions of the Illinois Natural History Society Volume 1, which contained articles “useful and interesting to the citizens and schools of Illinois, with a hope that a zeal for the pursuits and studies of Natural History may spring up among our people…”
INHS Bulletin
Our flagship publication is The Illinois Natural History Survey Bulletin, which has been published continuously since 1876 and is now an online-only, open-access publication. The Bulletin publishes research papers, conceptual reviews, and monographs on all aspects of natural history and related disciplines, including biodiversity and conservation, ecology, systematics and taxonomy, and wildlife biology and management. We are actively soliciting manuscripts, and authors need not be INHS employees. For more information, see the Bulletin’s submissions page, or contact the INHS Publications Committee (maxallen@illinois.edu).
INHS Newsletter
The INHS newsletter includes news, announcements, and upcoming events from the Illinois Natural History Survey and is distributed quarterly via email. Subscribe to the INHS newsletter.
Other Publications
INHS scientists publish technical reports to document the status, stewardship, conservation, and restoration of Illinois’ biotic resources.
Two discontinued publication series, the INHS Biological Notes series and the INHS Circular series, can be downloaded for free from the University of Illinois’ IDEALS repository. Biological Notes shared peer-reviewed research findings while the Circular (1918 to 1987) provided tips for home, farm, and garden.
Our most recent articles in journals are listed on Illinois Experts. We also maintain a searchable database of articles, books, and other publications authored by and written about INHS staff since 1870.
Buy INHS Publications
Several INHS field guides have been published in partnership with the University of Illinois Press and can be purchased from the Press website:
- An Atlas of Illinois Fishes
- Butterflies of Illinois
- Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Illinois
Other INHS books, manuals, and other publications are available for sale in our online shop. Some items also are available through the INHS Amazon Store. Contact the Publications Office at 217-244-2414 or sales@prairie.illinois.edu if you have questions or need more information.