Public Programs at the Edge

Cincinnati Museum Center’s Edge of Appalachia (EOA) introduces a new series of natural history workshops—Advanced Naturalist Workshops. These workshops teach the identification and ecological relationships of Ohio flora and fauna and are part of EOA’s EDGEe Project (Evaluating Diversity—Growing Earth Educators).

The EDGEe Project interfaces scientific study and survey with education. Through field and classroom experiences, participants are given the tools and training to assist in EOA’s effort to evaluate the preserve’s biological diversity and in turn share this knowledge with others.

The preserve views this project as an Ohio “back to earth” movement. With the distractions of the modern age, we too often lose sight and distance ourselves from the natural world. These workshops are designed to bring people back to nature by teaching identification and appreciation for the enormous variety of organisms in Ohio. Graduates of these workshops are termed “Earth educators.” Educators are charged with sharing their knowledge with others to excite and promote protection of Ohio’s remaining natural areas—backyards and beyond!

The workshops are open to all skill levels though naturalists, science educators, natural area managers and others in the natural sciences will find them especially beneficial.

Workshops take place at the 13,000-acre Richard & Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Adams County, Ohio. Graduate credits for educators are available through the University of Cincinnati. There is a maximum of 12 participants for each workshop.

June 27-29, 2008

Plant Galls and Their Makers

Dr. Zhiwei Liu, Assistant Professor, Eastern Illinois University

More than 800 different species of insect and mite are responsible for plant galls on oak trees alone. Most naturalists and biologists know only a few of these galls and nothing about their insect or mite makers. In the greater gall world--nematodes, bacteria, viruses and fungus join insects and mites as gall makers. While this workshop will focus on the biggest group of gall makers--the cynipid wasps, other gall vectors will also be explored. Dr. Zhiwei is a cynipid wasp expert and one of the few people in the country qualified to teach this workshop. Galls are conspicuous year round and play host to myriad of other creatures that use galls for--their occupants as hosts for their young, shelter or for food. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to unravel the fascinating life history of galls, and their makers, with a world authority.

August 22-24, 2008

Bees

Dr. Karen Goodell, Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Newark

Of the more than 20,000 species of bees in the world, and ~3500 in North America, most people can name only the introduced honey bee. Unlike honey bees, the vast majority of native bees are solitary, ground-nesting, and do not produce honey. Nevertheless, native bees are important pollinators of native and agricultural plants, and their biodiversity is an important ecological indicator. Recent reports indicate that some native bees are declining, but we know little about the status of most species. Biologists, conservation managers, and citizen naturalists can contribute to the effort to assess wild bee populations if they can effectively census and identify bees. Workshop participants will be trained in bee identification, ecology, and field survey/sampling techniques. Participants will use newly created online pictured bee keys to identify bees. This workshop will be the first time bee diversity has been studied at the preserve. Dr. Goodell studies pollination and native bee ecology and has the experience to lead even beginners through the world of native bee identification and ecology.

September 5-7, 2008

Millipedes & Centipedes

Dr. Rowland Shelley, Researcher, North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences

Millipedes & centipedes (Myriapods) are major components of terrestrial ecosystems around the world, including even desert environments, yet they are poorly known and have been relatively ignored by past and present biologists. Learn the differences between millipedes & centipedes (it's more than just the number of legs), morphology, familiar characteristics and some of the more conspicuous species. Develop a better understanding of the ecological roles and niches these creatures fill and how there body plan has allowed them to be counted among the most ancient surviving terrestrial arthropod groups. Why is the term “thousand-legger” a misnomer for millipedes? How does a centipede deliver its venom? Is one of oldest fossils of land animals on earth a millipede? As one of only three experts in the country, Dr. Shelley is qualified to answer these questions and to lead us through this introduction to the Myriapods. Be a part of this landmark workshop in Ohio and the first ever survey for these organisms at the preserve.

September 19-21, 2008

Crawfish

Mr. Roger Thoma, Volunteer Curator of Crustaceans, Ohio State University, Museum of Biological Diversity

How do you extract one of the burrowing species of crawfish from their mud turreted-holes? Who else lives in the mud holes one of these creatures creates? Learn this as well as become accomplished at identifying the some 20 species of crayfish known to exist in Ohio. Also, learn about crawfish diversity worldwide and develop a more holistic understanding of the unique ecology and life history of Ohio’s crawfish species. Learn how to sex, set traps and survey an area for its crawfish diversity. Learn how to identify rocks and burrows with crawfish feng shui. Not all crawfish in Ohio are native and some are having negative impacts on native crawfish. Mr. Thoma has studied crayfish taxonomy, life history, ecology, and conservation for 35 years with both The Ohio EPA and Ohio State University Museum of Biological Diversity and his knowledge of crayfish is unequalled. Have something to say the next time a child says “I caught a crawdad!”

October 10-12, 2008

Mushrooms

Dr. Michael Kuo, Illinois, Creator of MushroomExpert.Com

Researchers are just beginning to unravel the importance of fungus in our natural systems. The Deciduous Forest Biome is intimately linked to underground mycorrhizal fungal communities for nutrient uptake and cycling, along with saprobic fungi for decomposition and renewal, yet very few biologists or naturalists can put a name to the fungal fruiting bodies--or mushrooms. This workshop will be an introduction to mushroom identification and ecology. Use morphology, smell, spore characteristics and taste to recognize the major mushroom families and genera. Scientific keys and field surveys will be used to try your hand with species recognition. Dr. Kuo is an English teacher in Illinois and an amateur mycologist. He is the author of Morels (2005), and 100 Edible Mushrooms (2007), both published by the University of Michigan Press. He is also currently co-writing 100 Cool Mushrooms for the University of Michigan Press. Don’t miss this opportunity to sit on a toadstool with an expert.