"Loess Hills and Iowa: Past and Present," Loess Hills Prairie Seminar
O'Brien County Conservation Board Headquarters, O'Brien County
Friday, May 31, 2013
The Loess Hills Prairie Seminar, sponsored annually by the Northwest Area Education Agency, is in its 37th year and will take place May 31 through June 2, 2013. It brings together dozens of facilitators and hundreds of participants of all ages, with diverse interests that relate to natural and cultural history, the Loess Hills, and prairie. Many field sessions teach about plants and birds, some explore nature writing or photography, others feature Native Americans, and more.
This year's theme is the "Loess Hills and Iowa: Past and Present." Duke Addicks, prairie historian and ethno-musician, offers sessions at this seminar for the first time. His four sessions are all situated at camp: ghost stories at the campfire on Friday evening, and three daytime sessions that include stories and music with instruments such as the Native American flute, bagpipe, and drum. "Lonesome Ron" will entertain with cowboy songs on Saturday evening at the campfire.
The public is invited to attend any or all sessions and programs of interest - more than forty sessions are offered! There is no registration fee and pre-registration is necessary only for those ordering meals or desiring to take an ecology boat tour on the Missouri River. (Space on the tours is limited.) A popular seminar meal is offered at the Methodist Church in Onawa on Saturday, late afternoon. There will be a few tickets available at the seminar, but to be sure of seating, pre-order them.
People of all ages are invited. There are special programs for children, families, and adults and older students. Some field sessions are walks or hikes, some are held at camp and there are several tours by auto: to an orchard, a prairie cemetery, birding hotspots, a wetland, the Turin Man Archaeological Site and State Preserve, a geology tour, and a natural history tour.
Educators are able to register for credit through the Northwest AEA.
There are also many exhibits and a silent auction at the high school on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The seminar is sponsored by Northwest AEA with much help from the Iowa DNR and Monona County Conservation Board. Major supporters are the Iowa Prairie Network, Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy of Iowa. Complete list of supporters, detailed program, and much more information.
Contact Gloria Kistner at Northwest AEA at 712/222-6080, 800/352-9040, ext-6080, or via e-mail at gkistner@nwaea.org. with additional questions & inquiries.
