The Sampler provides ideas and lists resources for an interdisciplinary study of environment in terms of a person's immediate surroundings, distant sites, and facilities. Although it was developed for use by parents, teachers, youth group leaders, students, and interested individuals in the state of Illinois, many of the activities would be appropriate in any state. As a more inclusive second edition of the 1974 Sampler, this handbook encompasses all of Illinois and regards every place as a potential study area. Activities stimulate awareness of growing plants around the home, neighborhood garbage disposal and recycling processes, land use throughout the state, and problems of erosion and water purification. State and federal environmental areas in Illinois are listed and described, which include fish hatcheries, tree farms, hiking trails, and wildlife refuges. The Sampler identifies reading material, community resources, and special activities for each topic. Appendices contain a glossary, a list of organizations and courses concerned with ecological issues, a reader reaction sheet, publishers' directory, bibliographies, and an index. (AV)