INHF 25th Anniversary Event #7
Loess Hills Seminar

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Spend a weekend in the lovely Loess Hills discovering and celebrating--from fossils to mushrooms, from prairie photography to kids' crafts. Make new friends and meet up with other nature enthusiasts during this weekend of educational fun for all ages! Though you can sign up for the event when you get there, you must pre-register by May 28 to reserve meals.

Event details
Participants spend up to three days in the heart of the beautiful Loess Hills, immersing themselves not only in the natural world around them, but also in the knowledge about the environment that fellow participants and program facilitators have to offer.

Get to know other enthusiasts, or meet up with old friends around the campfire Friday night. If desired, get up bright and early Saturday morning for bird walks, yoga, and, of course, breakfast!

Attend the varied daytime breakout sessions taught by a wide-range of knowledgeable facilitators. Some involve hikes or driving trips, while others take place seated around the campground--something for all ages, interests and fitness levels! There are three break-out sessions on Saturday and two on Sunday (with 10-30 program choices per session). The 61 breakout session choices include such diverse topics as "Fossils in the Loess Hills," "Birding Tour of the Loess Hills," "Bugs, Butterflies and Mini-Beasts for Children," "Exploration of the Turin Man Site," "Woody Plants for Beginners," "Lewis and Clark Sing-Along," "Digital Prairie Photography," "Grassland Fire Ecology," "Geocaching: A High-Tech Hunt," "Teaching Children About Nature," "Prairie Writers, Prairie Perspectives," and much more!

In the evenings, join the entire group inside the Onawa High School Auditorium for varied programs including slides, music by the Loess Hill's Billies, a silent auction and presentations--such as a 30-minute program on Saturday evening by INHF President Mark Ackelson called "Protecting the Hills: From What? For What? and How?"

You can come and go as you please and attend the sessions that are of most interest to you. Many people choose to set up camp right in the heart of the Loess Hills, but the camp grounds are primitive--no water or modern facilities. There is also local lodging in Onawa and the surrounding area if you prefer. You can bring your own food to this event, or you can purchase meal tickets with advanced registration. Note: Meal tickets will not be sold on the day of the event--they must be pre-ordered. Also, you MUST bring your own drinking water, as the water supply is very limited.

This event is held for educators, students of ALL ages, families and community members. Teachers can receive continuing education credits (requires advance notice).

The deadline to register is May 28th. Visit the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar website for registration materials, the conference program (including a list of all programs and sessions) and LOTS more information. Or contact: webmaster@aea12.k12.ia.us

The story behind this place
Photo by Don Poggensee
The dramatic scenery of the Loess Hills sets Western Iowa apart--and some of the best and most diverse native prairie remnants left in Iowa are nestled in these hills. The Loess Hills area is a unique geological formation. Created by wind and water, this region is between 14,000 and 24,000 years old! This narrow band of hills extends from Plymouth County and goes south along Iowa's western border into the state of Missouri. A scenic byway has been developed to allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful sites of the Loess Hills at their leisure.

Sylvan Runkel State Preserve has been home to the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar for more than 20 years, and many consider it one of the best places to experience the Hills. Its Loess soils are quite deep, and whether you hike a high ridge or rest in a valley, this remote location feels like a quiet island far from development and modern life. Many volunteers help maintain the prairie preserve by cutting back cedars and other invasive species each year on the day before the seminar and at other times.

In 2003, the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation arranged for a conservation easement on 110 acres near the entrance of Sylvan Runkel State Preserve. The easement allows continued use as a native grass pasture but ensures the land will not be developed or mined.

To date, INHF has helped protect 12 sites and over 1,737 acres in the Loess Hills. This exceptional landform, with its rich plant/wildlife diversity and great scenery, continues to be a high priority for INHF.

Partner Information
The Western Hills Area Education Agency provides education and training for K-12 educators in the areas of conservation, environmental and science education. The seminar is a living memorial to its founder, Carolyn Frerichs Benne. Carolyn's major reason for founding the Loess Hills Prairie Seminar was to foster recognition, appreciation and the educational use of those natural wonders found within eyesight in our communities. The Loess Hills Prairie Seminar offers a measure of protection for our heritage. Its many interdisciplinary/multidiscliplinary educational offerings teach students and others a sense of place. The original idea of preserving the "back to nature" concept of the seminar, however, is still a major goal of the organizers.


Site Map
http://www.aea12.k12.ia.us/services/loesshillsseminar/map.html

Links to event brochure (includes registration form) and other information
http://www.aea12.k12.ia.us/services/loesshillsseminar/

Driving Directions
http://www.aea12.k12.ia.us/services/loesshillsseminar/map.html

Visitor Info
Onawa Chamber of Commerce
(712) 423-1801
chamber@onawa.com

or visit Loess Hills Tours for other hospitality options.

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