SUMMER 2001 AT IOWA LAKESIDE LABORATORY
Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is a field station located on West Okaboji Lake
in northwest Iowa where students and the public can go to learn by hands-on
experience. The Lab is run cooperatively by Iowa State University, the
University of Northern Iowa, and the University of Iowa through the Iowa State
Board of Regents. It was on of the first private summer field stations in the
United States. Professor Thomas H. Macbride of the University of Iowa and a
number of biologists from other Iowa colleges established Lakeside in 1909/
In 1936 Lakeside became a state institution. Since its foundation, Lakeside's
mission has been to provide students an opportunity to get hands-on experience
working with Iowa's natural and human environments thorough its
field-orientated summer courses and to provide research facilities and support for graduate
students and faculty working on research projects in northern Iowa.
Natural History Workshops are introductory courses suitable for anyone
who is interested in learning more about the natural world. One or two credits
can be obtained for each week a workshop is taken. The Workshops can also be
taken on a non-credit basis for a fee of $150 per week of class. There are no
prerequisites for these Workshops. The following Workshops will be offered
summer 2001.
Birds and Birding, May 20-25
Field archaeology, May 27-June 1, June 3-8, or May 27-June 8
Courses being offered during the summer of 2001 for credit only are:
First term: May 20-June 15
Archaeology
Ecology
Freshwater Algae
Ornithology
Illustrating Nature: Photography (May 20-June 1)
Illustrating Nature: Sketching
(June 3-15)
Second Term: June 17-July 13
Aquatic Ecology
Ecology and Systematics of Diatoms
Plant Taxonomy
Prairie Ecology
Statistics
Watershed Hydrology
Third Term: July 15-August 10
Conservation Biology
Iowa Natural History
Watershed Modeling
Wetland Ecology
Courses for Teachers
Animal Biology: Invertebrates
(June 10-22)
Animal Biology: Living Organisms in Classrooms (June 24-29)
Plant Biology: (July 22-27)
An Adult Nature Weekend will be held August 17-19, 2001. This is an
opportunity to participate in field trips to various natural areas in the Iowa
Great Lakes region supplemented by evening interpretive programs. Learn more
about Iowa's natural history from some of the leading naturalists in the state
while in a relaxed and congenial setting.
For more information on courses at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, please
contact the Administrative Office, 131 Bessey Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
50011-1020; phone: 515-294-2488; email:lakeside@iastate. edu; or visit our Web
site, http://www. lakesidelab.org.
IPN BOARD MEETING MINUTES
(These notes are brief reports on a long meeting. Please contact your
board members if there's a topic that interests you.)
The IPN Board met Jan. 13, 2001, at the IDNR State Nursery, Ames.
Present: Dave Hansen, Sue Irving, Jim Nedtwig, Pam White, Glenn Pollock, Casey Kohrt,
Erma Selser, Kirk Larsen , David Zahrt (late), Cindy Hildebrand, Trish
Patrick, Laura Norian, Andy Swanson (guest).
Laura took notes for the meeting. Sue reported the treasury has more than
$8,000, and renewals are coming in. The Board voted to fund a grant request
from the Girl Scouts Great Plains Council for a drip torch and backpack pump to
help the management of the Loess Hills prairie on their property.
Glenn reported on Loess Hills news, including the Loess Hills Alliance,
fire training workshops, fill dirt excavation problems, removal of cedars for
Christmas trees, and a new restoration grant program.
Casey reported on the IPN website, which is progressing, and the
forthcoming Prairie Preview event. Jim reported on his work on the IPN prairie
economic impact survey and on the forthcoming Prairie Rescue Day in April. Pam
reported on proposed native plantings for an Oskaloosa bike trail.
Kirk reported on the Prairie Invertebrates Conference to be held at
Luther College on Nov. 3, and a northeast Iowa prairie site survey. Dave reported on
an award-winning project using native plantings to protect a trout stream.
Erma reported on the newsletter and some information requests she has
received. Trish reported on an Extension prairie education program.
Other topics discussed included forthcoming prairie postage stamps; a
Greene County remnant worked on by Jim; DOT prairie seed purchase policies;
the North American Prairie Conference prairie coalition: the next IPN annual
meeting; the proposed CHILD rainforest project; possible Iowa burn workshops;
the Region 5 meeting and silent auction; the recent Supreme Court wetland
decision; and Loren Lown's new prairie booklet, which was partly funded by
IPN.
The next meeting is tentatively set for April 7th. All IPN members are
welcome to attend.
GARLIC MUSTARD WORKDAY, MAY 19
By Jo Hudson
The Central Iowa Group of the Sierra Club has scheduled a workday to
attack the garlic mustard in Ashworth Park in Des Moines. The date is Saturday, May
19, from 9:00 to 12:00 and 1:00 to 4:00. The infestation is extensive, and we
need lots of help. If you can come for any length of time during the day,
call Jo Hudson for more information, (515) 276-6359. The rain date is June 16.
PRAIRIE SURVEY INFORMATION
by Jean Eells
After talking to Cindy and Sue at the CIPN meeting I am responding to a
request to detail a few more of the prairie economy listings I'd tossed out at
the meeting. For those of you who have not yet completed your surveys this
might be an impetus to get them completed and mailed. I consider these costs to be
fair game for the prairie economy in Iowa - all are expenses that occur as a
result of our passions for prairie. At the minimum they should serve as
stimulation for thought if not some chagrin to see how much disposable income
is going for this! I think it would be good to remind people to average their
costs (such as books at $25 each, t-shirts at
$15 each, miles at the federal rate of $.31/mile, etc.) and remember there
won't be any receipt police to check the change! Here's the list in no particular
order:
Magazine subscriptions, newsletters, memberships in related organizations
(both may have occassional prairie info that attracts our attention). Take some
averages and count the number you annually renew. Books of all kinds related
to prairies (coffee table quality, ID books,how-to's). T-shirts, signs, bags, hats,
jewelry, other personal symbols worn to promote prairie. Equipment purchases
- cameras and film to document prairie finds,journals, paints and art supplies,
music about prairies and things to make prairie music, computer/printer/internet
services to communicate prairie info, seed harvesting equipment such as gloves
or special bags. Seed handling/storage (old refrigerators used for stratification
- operating costs, too), storage facilities dedicated to prairie work. Fire equipment,
any special insurance for burning, radios or communication devices for
burning, fire attire, matches and etc. can be added.
Land purchases where prairie is planned to be restored or remnants
discovered and targeted for recovery efforts. Annual taxes on land dedicated
to prairie from which there is no income unrelated to prairie.
Contracted wages or services - anyone you hired to spray, weed, harvest
prairie. Food and beverages for friends who helped you do prairie work. Vehicle costs
anything dedicated to prairie hunting, miles spent
traveling to your favorite prairie haunts, going to conferences, visiting
friends for prairie, attending prairie walks, differential costs for vehicles
up-sized or down-sized in order for you to indulge in your prairie habits
(hauling seed or equipment even at a hobby level), extra car washes due to
traveling on gravel roads in search or prairie (!). Vacations anywhere which
include stops to see prairies.
Events for prairie - travel or per diem expenses for political efforts on
behalf of prairie, vacation days taken for prairie (value of your wages for
number of days devoted to prairie work), concerts and fund raising
(including silent auction items bought!) where prairie is the intended
benefactor, school field days where you are a presenter/volunteer, time spent
in leadership in a prairie organization (value of volunteer time is variable but
$10/hour isn't out of line).
So, I'm sure there is more, and probably should be less, but most of us
can hardly stand to count up what we're spending on this "hobby" level activity!
We do need to stand up and be counted, however, as we're not alone and most of us
are spending this kind of money because we believe there is a greater good to
be gained. That should make it almost virtuous and thus fall into the arena of
charitable work! Hopefully this list will serve as a trigger for those of you
who have not completed the following survey. Thank you for your time.
IOWA PRAIRIE NETWORK SURVEY
The Iowa Prairie Network is conducting this survey to help determine the
economic impact, nature, and extent of prairie related projects carried out by
individual Iowans. Please complete this survey only if your prairie lives in
the
state of Iowa. Thank you for your participation.
Your Name
Part A: Prairie reconstructions and Restorations
How many total acres of prairie have you reconstructed or restored?
About what percentage of the seed you use for reconstructions or restorations
do
you collect on your own (i.e. what percentage do you not pay money for)?
About how many species of prairie plants do you include in each reconstruction
or restoration?
How many hours do you spend collecting prairie seed, per acre of
reconstruction
or restoration?
What are your average, annual, out of pocket expenses per acre, during the
first
two years of
prairie establishment (include any prairie related expenses such as books,
conferences, weeding, herbicide, purchase of seed, gas, etc.)?
What are your average, annual, out of pocket expenses per acre, after the
first
two years of
prairie establishment?
Do you use local ecotype seed (75 mile radius)?
From whom do you purchase seed?
Part B: Virgin Prairie
How many acres of virgin prairie land do you, as an individual, manage?
What are your average, annual out of pocket expenses per acre, associated with
virgin prairie management?
Return your completed survey to: IPN Survey, 443 Tonawanda Drive, Des
Moines, Iowa 50312
PRAIRIE SIGNS AVAILABLE FROM IOWA PRAIRIE NETWORK
The IPN has signs available for posting on prairie sites. The signs are
sold as a set of 1 large (your choice of remnant or planting) and 1 small
sign,
or individually. The signs are 1/8î thick plastic with a dull gold background
and dark brown printing, there are 2 holes at the center top and bottom of
each
sign for easy mounting.
The large sign (7 1/2” x 11”) has “Native Prairie Planting” or “Native
Prairie Remnant” printed in 1 1/4” letters. The narrative sign is smaller (5”
x
9”) and says:
“When the first settlers arrived in Iowa, nearly 30 of the state’s 35 million
acres were blanketed with tallgrass prairie. In less than 150 years, 99.9% of
this vast, lush grassland disappeared under the plow. The prairie before you
contains some of the more than 300 native grass and wildflower species that
once stretched for endless miles across Iowa’s landscape."
The cost is $10 per set (1 large and 1 small), $7 for the large sign
only, and $5 for the narrative sign only- plus $3.00 postage/handling for 1 to 2
signs and $4.25 for 3 to 6. IPN cloth bags and teeshirts with “Prairies are our rainforests”
imprinted on them are still available. For information on availability, sizes
and colors and prices contact Trish at 515/382-2802 or e-mail Sandprairie@cs.com Make check payable
to: Iowa Prairie Network. Mail orders can be sent to:
Trish Patrick
57540 270th St.
Ames, IA 50010
# ordered Total
amount
Native Prairie Planting set
(1 large & 1 small) __________ x $10 = ___________
Native Prairie Remnant set
(1 large & 1 small) __________ x $10 = ___________
Signs individually:
Large Prairie Planting _________ x $ 7 = ______ ___
Large Prairie Remnant _________ x $ 7 = ___ ____ Smaller
narrative
sign _________ x $ 5 = ___________
Postage and Handling:
1 to 2 signs $ 3 =
___________
3 to 6 signs $ 4.25 = __________
Total enclosed $
_________
_
Please Print Clearly
Name_________________________________________
Address______________________________________
City, State, zip ____________________________________________
phone # _____________________________
e-mail ______________________________
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Schedule of Prairie Related
Events 2001
(Events are listed for IPN and other organizations) Since some areas are
mentioned more than once please refer to the previous event for directions.
For help with directions or to confirm in case of inclement weather, contact
the
person or persons at the end of the listing.
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April 7, IPN Board Meeting Saturday , 10 AM at State Forest Nursery Building
in
Ames. All members welcome.
April 14, Cedar Bluffs State Preserve with the Mahaska County Conservation
Board, 9:00AM. MCCB, (641) 673-9327 <mccb@kdsi.net> or Glenda 641-632-8308
<rockman49@hotmail.com>
April 20 &21, 2001Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science, at Hotel Fort
Des Moines in Des Moines, IA.
April 21,Eddyville Dunes workday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with MCCB, (641)
673-9327 <mccb@kdsi.net> or Glenda (641) 632-8308 <rockman49@hotmail.com>
April 21, Prairie Rescue Day, Look for a site close to you at
www.inhf.org/rescue2001.htm
May 3, Lake Hawthorne Thursday, 7:00 PM. Prairie walk. Contact Pam at (641)
673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net> for more informatin.
May 5, Shooting stars!10:00 AM, in Lee County. Call Martha at (641)
472-1459
or Doug at (319) 835-5887 for more information.
May 12 …Prairies in the morning, Jackson County, Saturday, 10:00 AM.
Sponsored
by The Iowa Native Plant Society, in conjuction with The Jackson County
Conservation Board and The Iowa Prairie Network. …Prairies in the morning
(relaxed walk effort level), lunch at Maquoketa Caves State Park, Woodland and
Algific Slope in the afternoon (moderately strenous hiking a few miles), a few
other sites if anyone desires to see more on their way home. Meet at Codfish
Hollow Hill Prairie at 10 am.
Directions:From the east edge of Maquoketa at the junction of highways 64 and
62, go 1 mile north to 35th Ave (also called Codfish Hollow Road). Turn right
(east) on Codfish Hollow road and go 4 miles to the prairie (cars and prairie
will be evident on your left). We will see Birdfoot Violet, Blueeyed Grass,
Shooting Star, Downy Painted Cup and more.... Late morning, car caravan to an
exceptionally nice privately owned native hill prairie 3 miles south of
Maquoketa (Jorgensen's). We will then meet at Maquoketa Caves State Park
picnic
shelter at 1:00 for lunch (bring your own lunch, or pick up fast food in
Maquoketa). Maquoketa Caves is northwest of Maquoketa: 1 mile north on Hwy
61,
5 miles west on Hwy 428. After lunch, we will car pool to Pine Valley Wildlife
area. This is a 600 acre woodland bordered by the Maquoketa River, split by
Pine
Creek, and holds a large algific slope. The woodlands should provide a broad
display of flowers and the algific slope will provide a different variety of
plants including monkshood, and many varieties of ferns. Pine Valley is nw of
Maquoketa Caves (go 5 miles west of the Caves on E17, then south on 30th Ave
for
2 miles to the Pine Valley parking lot). Contact Ray Hamilton (319) 652-6339.
May 24, Doolittle Prairie Preserve Thursday, 7 PM. Monthly evening walks will
be held the fourth
Thursday of the month May-Aug. at 7 PM. Late spring forbs will start off our
season of walks. These walks are sponsored by the Story County Conservation
Board and the CIPN. Walks will be lead by CIPN member Lloyd Crim. For more
information call Lloyd at (515) 432-5026. Long pants, sturdy shoes and bug
spray are recommended.
Directions: from I-35 go west at exit 116 (the Roland exit north of Ames),
on E18 for about 1/2 mile then turn south on the gravel road for 1 1/4 miles.
The preserve is on the west side of the road. Follow the lane back to the
parking lot.
June 1-3,Loess Hills Seminar . You must register in advance for meals. Contact
Gloria Kistner, Western Hills AEA, (800) 352-9040 or (712) 274-6000 ext. 6083
<kistnerg@po2.aea12.k12.ia.us>
June 2, IPN Board Meeting Saturday , 10 AM at State Forest Nursery Building
in
Ames. All members welcome.
June 7, Lake Hawthorne Thursday, 7:00 PM. Prairie walk. Contact Pam at (641)
673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net> for more informatin.
June 12, Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie, Tuesday 6:30 PM.
Monthly walks will be held on the second Tuesday of the month June-Sept. This
mesic prairie is managed by The Iowa Nature Conservancy with the help of
volunteers. For more information contact the TNC at (515) 244-5044. Poison
ivy is found at this site so long pants, sturdy shoes and bug spray are
recommended.
Directions: from I-35 take the Ames 13th Street exit west to Grand Ave;
turn
right (north) and go to 20th St.; turn left (west) and go to Ridgewood; the
prairie is on the west side of the high school. Follow the drive around the
north end of the school to a small parking lot on the west.
June 16, Centennial Cemetery 8:00 AM, workday. For more informatin contact
Pam at 641-673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net>
June 28, Doolittle Prairie Preserve Thursday, 7 PM. See previous listing for
more information.
July 5, Lake Hawthorne Thursday, 7:00 PM. Prairie walk. Contact Pam at (641)
673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net> for more informatin.
July 10, Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie, Tuesday 6:30 PM.
July 26, Doolittle Prairie Preserve Thursday, 7 PM. See previous listing for
more information.
August 2, Lake Hawthorne Thursday, 7:00 PM. Prairie walk. Contact Pam at
(641)
673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net> for more informatin.
August 11, Jensen Marsh,Saturday , 10:00 AM. Joint field trip with INPS and
CIPN
to Jensen Marsh (and prairie) in Madison County . More information in the
next
newsletter.
August 14, Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie, Tuesday 6:30 PM.
August 23, Doolittle Prairie Preserve Thursday, 7 PM. See previous listing
for
more information.
September 6, Lake Hawthorne Thursday, 7:00 PM. Prairie walk. Contact Pam at
(641) 673-3508 or <pam-white@usa.net> for more informatin.
September 11, Pohl Memorial Preserve at Ames High Prairie, Tuesday 6:30 PM.
November 3, Prairie Invertebrates Conference at Luther College, Decorah, IA.
Contact Kirk Larson at (563) 387-1558 or larsenkj@luther.edu for more
information.
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