Cincinnati Museum Center introduces the eighth in a series of natural history workshops that teach the identification and ecological relationships of Ohio flora and fauna.

Workshops Overview: Series 8 is a continuation of EOA’s systematic study and cataloging of preserve resources and field training for those interested in nature study.  All sessions are taught by professionals in their fields and in many cases have written books or conducted research on their topics. The workshops are open to all skill levels, although naturalists, science educators, natural area managers and others in the natural sciences will find these workshops especially beneficial. Workshops are held at the 16,000 acre Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve (EOA) in Adams County, Ohio.

Workshop Topics:

May 25 - 27, 2012
Mosquitoes & Ticks
Dr. Richard Gary, State Public Health Entomologist, Ohio Department of Health
Dr. Glen Needham, Associate Professor of Entomology, The Ohio State University, OARDC

At first glance one may wonder why anyone would offer a workshop on these creatures. After some reflection it will become clear just how little you really know about these organisms you so love to hate. Diversity is greater than one may think. Ohio has 12 species of ticks and 50-60 species of mosquito, yet very few people know one species from another much less anything about their life history. Drs. Gary and Needham are the exceptions to the rule and they study these organisms to better understand their physiology and impacts on humans, especially as vectors for disease. This workshop will be a fascinating opportunity to learn not only the finer points of mosquito and tick identification but also life history and impacts on other species, like you! The black legged tick known to transmit Lyme disease is present in Ohio and recorded for Adams County. What do you need to know about these ticks as an outdoor professional or enthusiast? Attend this one of a kind workshop to find out and to be part of the first ever look at these organisms on the preserve.

August 3 - 5, 2012
Daddy Longlegs (Harvestmen)
Dr. Bill Shear, Tinkler Professor of Biology, Hampden-Sydney College

Dr. Shear is back by popular demand! He wowed last year’s millipede/centipede/pillbug workshop attendees with his vast knowledge and contagious enthusiasm. He plans to do the same with the harvestmen. Very few people know the harvestman species and often overlook the diversity that may be present. There are over 6,000 species in the world and possibly over 20 species in Ohio. The preserve has never been surveyed for the group so this is yet another first with Dr. Shear at the helm. Oddly enough harvestmen are easily recognized, yet little known by biologists and naturalists alike. When’s the last time you met someone that knew the harvestmen species? Myths and untruths abound around this group and very little has been written about their life history or defense strategies. While many life history mysteries still remain, Dr. Shear will share what is known about the fascinating world of this ubiquitous creature with ten lucky workshop participants. Don’t miss this workshop!

August 17 - 19, 2012
The Composite Family (Asteraceae)
Dr. David Brandenburg, Staff Botanist, Dawes Arboretum 

With over 300 species in Ohio alone, the identification of plants in the composite family (Asteraceae) can be a challenge to even the most seasoned biologist. The wildflowers and weeds in this family are notorious for their look-alike cousins and subtleties in structural differences that separate genera and species. Not every plant that looks like a sunflower is a sunflower, and beginners attempting to “key out” members of the Asteraceae are often intimidated or overwhelmed. Learn how to properly identify this diverse group and gain an appreciation for the amazing breadth of diversity it represents in the botanical world. David Brandenburg is an engaging and enthusiast teacher who will give us the skills necessary to recognize the genera within the family and the tools to identify to the species level. He is the author of the National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Wildflowers of North America and an authority on all things botanical. A combination of lab and field work will be used with plenty of fresh specimens available at this peak time for composites on the preserve.

September 14-16, 2012
Mammals of Southern Ohio
Dr. Joseph Merritt, Senior Mammalogist, Illinois Natural History Survey

Ohio is endowed with a fascinating and varied assemblage of mammals.  Ecosystems in the southern Ohio region contain a rich and diverse mammalian fauna:  a crossroads for mammal species that reach their distributional limits right in your backyard!  Join mammalogist, Dr. Joseph Merritt in an up-close and personal glimpse of your natural heritage.  The workshop will entail lectures, laboratory and lots of field activities.  Lectures will set the stage by providing an in-depth understanding of the natural history of mammals of Ohio.   Field activities will employ live trapping and handling of mammals and mist netting of bats. Digital scouting cameras and recognition of mammal signs and tracks will be used to learn more about some of the more elusive species.   In the laboratory, dichotomous keys will be used to identify specimens of mammals inhabiting the diverse ecosystems of southern Ohio.  Dr. Merritt is author of the Guide to Mammals of Pennsylvania and coauthor of Mammalogy: Adaptation, Diversity, and Ecology and Biology of Small Mammals.

October 12 - 14, 2012
The Bedrock Geology of Adams County
Dr. Carlton Brett, Professor, Department of Geology, University of Cincinnati

Adams County has long been celebrated for its botanical diversity but its geologic diversity is equally compelling. With the majority of Adams lying south of the glacial boundary, the county boasts four geologic systems exposed at the surface—the most of any Ohio county. Spectacular fossils are also present such as: corals, crinoids, brachiopods and trilobites and are all fair game for this workshop. While most people see road cuts as a wall of rock to be driven past, Dr. Brett sees them as stories waiting to be told. It takes an expert to read the rocks and his specialty in the Silurian and Devonian will serve him well as major outcrops of these periods are in abundance on the preserve. With a personality and enthusiasm that defies gravity and a deep knowledge of Ohio stratigraphy, Dr. Brett is the perfect person to lead this workshop. Don’t miss this much requested workshop topic and the opportunity to study with one of Ohio’s great geologists. After seven workshop series, it’s time to study the rocks!

Cost: Weekend Workshops: $200 Includes relevant book or scientific keys, use of microscopes, 2 nights lodging, all meals, snacks and instruction. Maximum of 10 participants for each workshop.

When: Weekend Workshops start Fridays at 7 p.m. and end Sunday at 1 p.m.

Where: Cincinnati Museum Center’s Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve. One hour forty-five minutes east of Cincinnati. Directions mailed upon receipt of registration.

Special Concerns: Preserve staff may collect specimens for documentation, no personal collecting allowed. Workshops are both indoors and in the field.  Participants should be able to handle moderate hiking conditions as the preserve is situated in rugged, unglaciated southern Ohio and tolerate the elements, such as bugs and rain, with a smile.

Lodging for Weekend Workshops: The Rieveschl Chalet on the Rieveschl Preserve. Rustic and comfortable with four beds to a room, private bathrooms with showers on both floors. Private rooms not available. Air-conditioned and heated. Meals prepared by preserve staff. Bedding and towels not provided. Complete list provided with registration fee. Workshop cost cannot be discounted if lodging offsite.

Cancellation Policy: Workshop fee (minus $25 handling charge) refundable up to 3 weeks prior to date of workshop. No refunds within 3 weeks prior to workshop.

Registration: Click here to download the PDF Registration Form. Mail registration form and check payable to Cincinnati Museum Center to: Edge of Appalachia Preserve, 4274 Waggoner Riffle Road, West Union, Ohio 45693.

Contact: Preserve Director, Chris Bedel at (937) 544-2880 x 11 or eoa@hughes.net for more information. For news from past workshops visit www.cincyevolution.com.