September 10, 2005 - A one day field school featuring cultural and ecological studies for educators, naturalists, families, students, and interested persons.
Adults and children are encouraged to attend.
SCHEDULE
7:30
Registration/check-in at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center
8:15
Welcome, Opening remarks
8:30
Birding Hike
Take a hike and learn to identify birds found throughout the park. The Mines of Spain is home to hundreds of species, from songbirds to water fowl. As you wind along Catfish Creek you will see a wide variety of them. Binoculars are recommended. You will meet your guide Charlie Winterwood of the Dubuque Audubon Society at the Catfish Parking Lot.
Swedish Annie
A reading about an immigrant who lived on a farm next to the Mines of Spain. Swedish Annie was from the local Preston Family that still resides by the park. Gerda Preston Hartman, a local historian, has written the history of her grandmother into a book reflecting the life of a girl growing up in this area.
Compass, Maps & Magnets (kids)
Each participant will learn about magnets and how a compass works. They will also learn the basics of reading and using them with different kinds of maps. The group will then take a short hike. Each participant will receive their own compass. Learn with Dr. Douglas Olk. Limit of 24.
Primitive Technologies & Camps (kids)
Display and talk about primitive peoples and their technology. Demonstrations and hands on exhibits of flint knapping, fire starting and more. Learn how people used to live, gather food and cook some 2000+ years ago. The woodland and archaic periods were the earliest known inhabitants of the Mines of Spain. The Mesquakie were living here until the 1830's. Jay Cox, a local expert on primitive life, will guide you through history.
Savanna Army Depot Readings
A presentation and reading excerpts with Kevin Koch, a professor of English at Loras College. Kevin will read from articles of topics published in the Big Muddy Magazine and Mississippi River Connections. Learn about the prairies and production in the former Home of Bombs. The former Savanna Army Depot is just south of Bellevue, Iowa in Illinois, and is now being transformed into a wildlife area.
10:30
People & Land Ethics
Learn the human's side of land protection with Darrell Mills from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Learn how to protect the land while using it. Learn the human side of it rather than the mechanics of protecting the land through easements. Discuss what has been done to improve the lands both on private and public, and how you can protect your land through plantings, proper uses and more.
Upland & Lowland Forest ad Prairie Ecology
As you take a slow hike with Bill Pusateri you will view wet and dry forests and prairie habitats. Learn plant identification. Bill will have ecological discussions to interpret natural features of the area. Bill Pusateri is a Field Botanist with the Iowa DOT.
Ecological Scavenger Hunt (kids)
Andrea Bixler, Assistant Professor of Biology at Clarke College, will take children on a magical scavenger hunt where they will learn about the ecology and natural history of the Mines of Spain. They will search for items related to the diversity of organisms living in the area. Go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the big as well as the tiniest organisms.
Mississippi River & Its Uses
Learn to identify the various uses of the river. Learn about the various wildlife and recreational benefits the Mississippi River provides. The river runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to many kinds of plants and animal life. Presented by Bret Streckwald, Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers. All ages.
History of the Mines of Spain
Gerda Preston Hartman, a local historian, will visit with you about the various and colorful histories of the park starting with farming and ending with lead mining. The folklore of the area includes various family histories and tales of lumbering trees, quarry operations and other occupations. Learn how families lived from the 1850's to the present. Various cultures are represented in the park from the Woodland Period 2000 years ago, lead mining starting strong in 1887, and farming continuing to the present.
12:30
Lunch - on your own
1:15
Woodland Art
Andrew Wroble is an artist, tree farmer and Iowa Master Woodland Manager. He will discuss art that deals with the perpetual fluctuation of light in a woodland setting. This will allow you to become aware of how plant and animals exist with that fluctuation. This is best discussed on a hike where your subjects live.
Canoing Catfish Creek (kids)
Jack Rolling will provide a colorful trip on Catfish Creek with storytelling. Learn about some of the history of the valley along with witnessing wildlife as you canoe through the valley in the north end of the park. This area is classified as the Catfish Creek State Preserve. Some canoes and life jackets are available on a first come, first served basis. You are encouraged to bring your own canoe and life jackets if you have them available. (Kids need to provide their own life jackets.) Limit to 24 persons.
Tall Grass Prairies
Take a hike with the Park Ranger of the Mines of Spain and learn about what it takes to plant, manage and care for a tall grass prairie. Identify flowers and grasses that grow during the dry years. Search for the inhabitants of the prairie. Look for insects, rodents, birds and more. Learn why the prairie exists in Iowa and the Midwest. Come with questions for planting your own prairie.
Water Safety (kids)
Become familiar with the dangers related to water. Learn the proper safety techniques and rescue methods when around the water. Hands on presentation for all ages. Presented by Bret Streckwald, who is a Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Next year's Fall Seminar will be held on September 9, 2006
Registration
Please pre-register
Registration fee is $7.00 per adult, $2.00 per child under 12 (non-refundable)
Friends Of The Mines Of Spain
8991 Bellevue Heights
Dubuque, IA 52003
www.minesofspain.org
Sponsored by:
Friends Of The Mines Of Spain and Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Adults and children are encouraged to attend.
SCHEDULE
7:30
Registration/check-in at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center
8:15
Welcome, Opening remarks
8:30
Birding Hike
Take a hike and learn to identify birds found throughout the park. The Mines of Spain is home to hundreds of species, from songbirds to water fowl. As you wind along Catfish Creek you will see a wide variety of them. Binoculars are recommended. You will meet your guide Charlie Winterwood of the Dubuque Audubon Society at the Catfish Parking Lot.
Swedish Annie
A reading about an immigrant who lived on a farm next to the Mines of Spain. Swedish Annie was from the local Preston Family that still resides by the park. Gerda Preston Hartman, a local historian, has written the history of her grandmother into a book reflecting the life of a girl growing up in this area.
Compass, Maps & Magnets (kids)
Each participant will learn about magnets and how a compass works. They will also learn the basics of reading and using them with different kinds of maps. The group will then take a short hike. Each participant will receive their own compass. Learn with Dr. Douglas Olk. Limit of 24.
Primitive Technologies & Camps (kids)
Display and talk about primitive peoples and their technology. Demonstrations and hands on exhibits of flint knapping, fire starting and more. Learn how people used to live, gather food and cook some 2000+ years ago. The woodland and archaic periods were the earliest known inhabitants of the Mines of Spain. The Mesquakie were living here until the 1830's. Jay Cox, a local expert on primitive life, will guide you through history.
Savanna Army Depot Readings
A presentation and reading excerpts with Kevin Koch, a professor of English at Loras College. Kevin will read from articles of topics published in the Big Muddy Magazine and Mississippi River Connections. Learn about the prairies and production in the former Home of Bombs. The former Savanna Army Depot is just south of Bellevue, Iowa in Illinois, and is now being transformed into a wildlife area.
10:30
People & Land Ethics
Learn the human's side of land protection with Darrell Mills from the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Learn how to protect the land while using it. Learn the human side of it rather than the mechanics of protecting the land through easements. Discuss what has been done to improve the lands both on private and public, and how you can protect your land through plantings, proper uses and more.
Upland & Lowland Forest ad Prairie Ecology
As you take a slow hike with Bill Pusateri you will view wet and dry forests and prairie habitats. Learn plant identification. Bill will have ecological discussions to interpret natural features of the area. Bill Pusateri is a Field Botanist with the Iowa DOT.
Ecological Scavenger Hunt (kids)
Andrea Bixler, Assistant Professor of Biology at Clarke College, will take children on a magical scavenger hunt where they will learn about the ecology and natural history of the Mines of Spain. They will search for items related to the diversity of organisms living in the area. Go on a scavenger hunt to learn about the big as well as the tiniest organisms.
Mississippi River & Its Uses
Learn to identify the various uses of the river. Learn about the various wildlife and recreational benefits the Mississippi River provides. The river runs from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It is home to many kinds of plants and animal life. Presented by Bret Streckwald, Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers. All ages.
History of the Mines of Spain
Gerda Preston Hartman, a local historian, will visit with you about the various and colorful histories of the park starting with farming and ending with lead mining. The folklore of the area includes various family histories and tales of lumbering trees, quarry operations and other occupations. Learn how families lived from the 1850's to the present. Various cultures are represented in the park from the Woodland Period 2000 years ago, lead mining starting strong in 1887, and farming continuing to the present.
12:30
Lunch - on your own
1:15
Woodland Art
Andrew Wroble is an artist, tree farmer and Iowa Master Woodland Manager. He will discuss art that deals with the perpetual fluctuation of light in a woodland setting. This will allow you to become aware of how plant and animals exist with that fluctuation. This is best discussed on a hike where your subjects live.
Canoing Catfish Creek (kids)
Jack Rolling will provide a colorful trip on Catfish Creek with storytelling. Learn about some of the history of the valley along with witnessing wildlife as you canoe through the valley in the north end of the park. This area is classified as the Catfish Creek State Preserve. Some canoes and life jackets are available on a first come, first served basis. You are encouraged to bring your own canoe and life jackets if you have them available. (Kids need to provide their own life jackets.) Limit to 24 persons.
Tall Grass Prairies
Take a hike with the Park Ranger of the Mines of Spain and learn about what it takes to plant, manage and care for a tall grass prairie. Identify flowers and grasses that grow during the dry years. Search for the inhabitants of the prairie. Look for insects, rodents, birds and more. Learn why the prairie exists in Iowa and the Midwest. Come with questions for planting your own prairie.
Water Safety (kids)
Become familiar with the dangers related to water. Learn the proper safety techniques and rescue methods when around the water. Hands on presentation for all ages. Presented by Bret Streckwald, who is a Park Ranger with the Army Corps of Engineers.
Next year's Fall Seminar will be held on September 9, 2006
Registration
Please pre-register
Registration fee is $7.00 per adult, $2.00 per child under 12 (non-refundable)
Friends Of The Mines Of Spain
8991 Bellevue Heights
Dubuque, IA 52003
www.minesofspain.org
Sponsored by:
Friends Of The Mines Of Spain and Iowa Department of Natural Resources