Current Program Information 2012-2013
What: Wildlife of Prairie Roadsides Workshop
When: November 2-4, 2012 & April 5-6, 2013 OR February 15-17, 2013 & April 26-27, 2013
Where: Pleasant Hill, Iowa (1st session) Mt. Vernon (2nd session)
Accommodations: Pleasant Hill Sleep Inn and Mt. Vernon Sleep Inn
Registration: Will begin in June
Theme | Issue | Course | Course Expectations | Instructional Model | Instructional Support | Workshop Schedule | Update Schedule | Institutional Support | Instructional Staff | Presenters
THEME:
Wildlife of Prairie Roadsides
In Richard Louv's book, The Nature Principle, he argues that "reconnection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit, and survival." Highways can not only lead to "natural world" sites but can, via the roadsides, begin to open the door to wildlife appreciation.
The Iowa Department of Transportation informs us that there are more acres of land along Iowa's roadways than are in lands controlled by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. A goal of the DNR is, "Through research, habitat management, and long-range planning...to ensure a healthy ecosystem for all of Iowa's wildlife....for years to come." This land along the roadways provides a most significant resource for wildlife. Building of roads disrupts habitat, but the establishment of roads can present an opportunity to restore wildlife habitat, even for endangered species.
Restoring prairie wildlife also beautifies Iowa roadsides. Habitat preservation along the roadsides increases wildlife appreciation and habitat for game birds.
ISSUE:
Should roadsides be restored with native species to protect wildlife and beautify habitat?
The eii model utilizes:
- Iowa Core Curriculum Essential Skills
- Iowa core Characteristics of Effective Instruction
- Rigor & Relevance
- Differentiated Instruction
- Inquiry Based Learning
- Learning Cycles
- NSTA Cross-Cutting Concepts
- Iowa STEM Correlation
Thematic Integration of:
- Math
- Music
- Social Studies
- Science
- Language Arts
- Rivers
- Runoff
- Art
- History
- Media
- Wildlife
COURSE:
EDU550: Wildlife of Prairie Roadsides
Two hours of graduate credit from Upper Iowa University
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
- Attend two weekend sessions:
- Modeling of instructional levels
- Sharing the teaching experience
- Develop and teach unit between sessions
- Give evidence of student action, e.g. (rain garden development)
- Administer student assessment (pre-post)
- Prepare brief written report of experience
INSTRUCTIONAL MODEL
I - Issue Analysis
II - Ecological Foundations
III - Watershed Issues
IV - Action Skill Development
INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT:
- Resource materials for integrating disciplines
- Staff visits, group meetings, phone contacts
- Provide consultation and materials for action projects
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY EVENING
5:00 Check-in, Registration, Activities, Dinner
6:45 Class until 9:00
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. Class and activities
Lunch
Class and activities
Dinner
Class and activities (until 9:00 p.m.)
SUNDAY
8:00 a.m. Work Time
9:00 Class and activities
Lunch
Class and wrap-up by 3:00 p.m.
UPDATE SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY EVENING
6:00 Dinner
6:45 Update reports until 9:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
Breakfast
8:00 Class and activities
Lunch
Class and wrap-up by 3:00 p.m.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT:
- LRTF (Living Roadway Trust Fund of Iowa)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Iowa State University Extension Education
- University of Iowa, Occupational and Environmental Health
Consultants
- Tallgrass Prairie Center– UNI
- Daryl Smith, Director
- Kirk Henderson, IRVM Mgr.
- Greg Houseal, Iowa Ecotype Project Mgr.
INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Barb Ehlers, eii director
Assistant Professor of Education
Upper Iowa University
ehlersb@uiu.edu
563-425-5322
Julie Delaney
Associate Director Principal
Davenport, Iowa St. Paul the Apostle
Jeff Monteith
Associate Director
New Hampton, IA (middle school)
Dr. Carl W. Bollwinkel: Director Emeritus
Emeritus Professor UNI
Cedar Falls, IA
bollwinkelc@cfu.net
Barbara A. Bonnett: Director Emerita
Burlington, IA (elementary)
Rosalie J. Cochran-Thompson: Director Emerita
Fairfield, IA (middle school)
PRESENTERS
Steve Holland
Roadside Coordinator, DOT, Ames, IA
Mark Masteller
Chief Landscape Architect, DOT, Ames, IA
Connie Mutel
IIHR - Hydroscience and Engineering, U of IA.
David Osterberg, Assoc. Prof. (clinical)
Occupational & Environmental Health
Environmental Consultant, U of IA.
Mark Pingenot
Field Coordinator, Trees Forever, Marion, IA
Dr. S. Elwynn Taylor
Professor & Extension Agricultural Climatologist
Department of Agronomy, ISU
