Mines of Spain Fall Seminar
September 11, 2004

A One Day Field School Featuring Cultural and Ecological Studies
For Educators, Naturalists, Conservation Professionals, Historians, Students and Interested Persons. Adults and children are encouraged to attend.

Register Today - click here for printable form

Fall Seminar Brochure - downloadable Word Document 211k

Schedule:

7:30 =Registration/Check-in at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center

8:15 =Welcome, Opening Remarks

8:30 = Making Wooden Nature Box (Kids) Doug, Gregory, Rachel & Michael Olk
Bird Hike – Charlie Winterwood
Farming and Mining History- Gerda Preston Hartman

10:00=Wildlife Reintroduction -Pat Schlarbaum
Rappelling into Caves- Rudy Pruszko
Snakes (Kids)– Wayne Buchholtz
Upland/Lowland Forest and Prairie Ecology – Bill Pusateri

11:30= Lunch - On Your Own

12:30= Atlatls, Darts, and Spears (Kids)- Mark Anderson
Frame it – Larry Stone
Caves and Caving Safety- Rudy Pruszko
Canoeing - Jack Rolling

2:00 = Pond Sampling – (Kids) Ben Horstmann
Wisdom of a Flower – Larry Stone
Understanding Stone Tools – Mark Anderson

Individual topic descriptions and presenter information:

Understanding Prehistoric Stone Tools- Brief History of tool use, geographical distribution and varieties of North American stone tools focusing on Iowa examples, and current research. The craft of flint knapping, or making chipped stone tools, and the production of ground stone tools will be demonstrated. Presented by Mark Anderson, Project Archeologist, University of Iowa – Office of the State Archeologist @ Interpretive Center

2. Making a wooden nature box- This program is for children. – Each participant will assemble their own wooden nature box, and the go on a short scavenger hunt to collect nature items. Presented by Doug, Gregory, Michael, and Rachel Olk @ Interpretive Center

3. 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. Charlie Winterwood Dubuque Audubon Society & Friends of the Mines of Spain @ Catfish Creek Parking Lot

4. Upland and Lowland Forest and Prairie Ecology – A slow hike along the trails to view the wet and dry forest and prairie habitats. Plant identification and ecological discussions to interpret natural features of the area will be the main focus on the walk. Bill Pusateri, Field Botanist, Office of Location and Environment, Iowa Department of Transportation. @ Hunter’s Parking Lot

5. Ancient Hunting Technology: Atlatls, Darts, & Spears- This program will be two parts: The first part will be a presentation of ancient hunting technology including atlatls or throwing boards, darts, spears, and the elements that make-up their construction. Presentation will cover the technology, geographical distribution, archaeological examples focusing on North America, and a review of historic contact period (early 1800’s) use by Australian Aborigines. The second part will be a hands-on opportunity to experience what hunting with these weapons would have been like by throwing at targets posted on hay bales. Mark Anderson, Project Archeologist, University of Iowa, Office of the State Archeologist @ Main Picnic Area

6. Mines of Spain Farming and Mining from 1869 -1887- This program will go through the diary of Sylvester Bills Preston II. He was a family member of the presenter who broke the virgin sod. He answered a lot of interesting historical questions relating to the surface mines in the park. The presenter will also talk about farming of that time period. Gerda Preston Hartman/ Local Historian @ South Parking Lot

7. Frame It! Seeing the Driftless Area Through Fresh Eyes-You don’t need an expensive camera- all it takes is imagination. You will take a leisurely hike to explore new ways to visualize the magic of the mines. It will be a good time to see the mines from a different view. The view that comes through the eye of a camera. Larry Stone/Photographer. @ Interpretive Center

8. Wisdom in a Flower: Lessons from Sylvan Runkel- A short hike through the Mines of Spain, while reflecting on the spiritual connections that the late Sylvan Runkel forged between people and the land. Presented by Larry Stone – Photographer & Co-Author “Sylvan T. Runkel: Citizen of the Natural World”. @ South Parking Lot

9. Snakes! This program is for children - Learn about the snakes of eastern Iowa. Live specimens will be used to discuss and demonstrate anatomy and physiology of some of our more fascinating local animals. Presented by Wayne Buchholtz – Park Ranger, Mines of Spain. @ Interpretive Center

10. Pond Studies This program is for children - Sampling techniques will be demonstrated with a chance for you to try your hand. Discussions will also include species, habitat, and chemical makeup of the wetland. We will be getting in the water! Some waders will be provided. Presented by Ben Horstmann – Park Manager, Mines of Spain @ Horseshoe Bluff Parking Lot

11. Caves and Caving Safety- This session will commence with a brief introduction into the history of caves and how they were formed. There will be a discussion and demonstration of the techniques and equipment used in caving, along with the safety practices to use when going caving. Presented by Rudy Pruszko, Senior Project Manager, Iowa State University-Center for Industrial Research and Service(CIRAS)

12. Rappelling into Caves – What goes down must go up- This session will be a brief introduction into the method used by cavers to enter caves by way of a sink hole or shaft. It will show the equipment used by cavers and discuss the safety considerations when entering caves using rappelling and exiting using ascending. Presented by Rudy Pruszko, Senior Project Manager, Iowa State University-Center for Industrial Research and Service(CIRAS)

13. Canoeing Catfish Creek - 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 go. A scenic valley through the north end of the park. This area is classified as a the Catfish Creek State Preserve. Some canoes and lifejackets are available by first come first served. You are encouraged to bring you own if you have them available. ** (Kids need to provide their own life jackets)

14. Wildlife Reintroduction – Learn about the reintroductions of some of Iowa’s wildlife. Hear about success stories of river otter, trumpeter swans, peregrine falcons, bluebirds, prairie chickens and more. A PowerPoint presentation about the many animals that were once gone from Iowa’s landscape but has been successfully brought back. Hear about what is in store for the future. Meet at the nature center

Online Form Click Here

Friends of The Mines of Spain
8991 Bellevue Heights
Dubuque, IA 52003-9214
563-556-0620 voice
563-556-8474 fax

Friends of The Mines of Spain, Dubuque, IA 52003-9214, 563-556-0620

All information contained within, Copyright MMIV Friends of the Mines of Spain,
with special permission from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources