The Sampler is designed to stimulate teachers, parents, students, and groups to look at various types of open spaces and facilities as resources for environmental study. Written for use with children, but adaptable to older groups, the Sampler tries to engage the feelings as well as intellects of its users in the process of inquiry. It locates interdisciplinary environmental studies activities in the home, the neighborhood, and more remote places. A few of the specific topics viewed from those vantage points are the source of food, taking water for granted, looking closely at buildings, living things around you, garbage and trash, school sites, under the city, beauty around you, and open spaces and group areas. The Sampler provides background information, asks questions, suggests activities, and lists community resources and reading materials on each topic. Developed particularly for Northeastern Illinois, most of the guide's activities can be transferred to other localities. The appendixes contain a glossary, local and national organizations and community resources, a reader reaction sheet, directory of publishers, bibliography, and subject index. (JH)