Good job on the class, everyone. Thank you again for being so flexible about the field session.
Your final tasks are to finish up the assignments and respond to the evaluation (forthcoming). Just to clarify, the essay is a minimum of one page. If you are feeling inspired by all means write more.
Also, the credit is through the University of Sioux Falls. To request a transcript, go to http://www.usiouxfalls.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=49&Itemid=54. Print out the form, complete and mail in. There is no charge for a transcript. However, the transaction cannot be completed online, you must mail in your form.
As always please feel free to contact me with questions or comments. I will leave this class website up and open for a year so you can access the files, posts and other info. Look under the Files menu to the left for the links and documents we used in class.
The classroom portion of the workshop will be held at Georgia Morse Middle School. We will start at 10AM. Please enter by the FRONT DOOR. There will be signs to direct you to our classroom.
Other Random Announcements:
- We will go off site in the afternoon to do field studies. Please come dressed to be outdoors, weather permitting (i.e. no lightening). The forecast is for scattered thunderstorms, high of 75°. If we go to a state park facility, I will provide a one day state park pass for three or four drivers.
- Lunch is provided. Please let me know ASAP about food allergies or other restrictions/convictions.
- I would like to make part of the lunch in a Dutch oven as Aldo Leopold does refer to Dutch ovens in his work. If anyone is skilled in Dutch oven cookery, please come ready to share a bit about this topic.
- Bring a coffee mug if you are so inclined. Bring a mess kit or plate, bowl, utensils if you would rather not use paper goods. I will take them home and wash them Monday night.
- Don't forget, you will need a camera for the field. If someone does not have a camera and cannot get a camera, you can arrange to share pictures with someone else.
- I believe I mentioned earlier that the local campgrounds are closed because of the floods. Cow Creek and Okobojo Point still do have camping. They are located about 20 minutes outside of Pierre.
One of the pre-class assignments for the Grassland Watershed requires reading an essay from Sand County Almanac. If you do not have a copy, you can access most of the assigned essay at Google Books, linked below.
If you do have a copy, PLEASE BRING YOUR COPY OF SAND COUNTY ALMANAC WITH YOU! One of the in field assignments is to share a passage from an essay that you found meaningful, thought provoking, or particularly interesting. And yes, everyone will read and share, even the Earth Systems participants.
A few logistical updates on the Grassland Watersheds class.
1. The classroom session which starts Monday, June 27 at 10AM CDT will be held at Georgia Morse Middle School not the SD Discovery Center. Once I confirm the classroom location, I will post a notice about which door to enter.
2. In talking with our outfitter Caleb, most of the rivers in South Dakota are at flood stage. We may have to make some adjustments to our kayaking. Right now, our best option is to go above the dam on Lake Oahe where wind is a factor.
3. Please keep in mind for those taking the three credit option assignments are due before the class. If you are having trouble navigating the site, please let me know. When you complete an assignment, don't forget to click the button on the bottom of the page indicating that your submission to the discussion board or blog is in response to the assignment.
One of your pre-class reading assignments is on the field journal. I wanted to clarify the following two points about the journal we will be keeping for class.
1. I will provide the actual physical notebook. I use Rite in the Rain notebooks as we will be in an aquatic environment and need the waterproof paper. I learned this the hard way. The first year I used notebooks, I used just regular spiral bound notebooks and they quickly swelled up to twice the size, making them useless. A regular ball point pen will work just fine, though you may want to bring two for a back up. The notebook you submit for your assignment is a digital photo-journal. You will use the physical paper journal to make notes about the pictures you take. You will need to provide your own digital camera.
2. We will not be using the Grinnell style protocol that is presented in the reading for our field journals. I assign this reading because I believe it is essential that you understand how the journal is applied in the field. A Grinnell style journal is most appropriate for a college level class though you could use it to challenge your advanced students. We will be using the notebook to record data from the field studies as well as keep track of photos you take in the field.
Please note the new start time. Class will start Monday June 27 at 10AM to allow out of town participants to travel on Monday. We will be going a little later to make up the contact hours.
This is the space for all things Grassland Watershed related. Can't find the info you are looking for? Email me at annelewis@sd-discovery.com and ask! If you want to know, I'm sure others do too.
Housekeeping
Class Dates: June 27-30. We will meet at the SD Discovery Center 805 W Sioux Ave on June 27. We will have a working lunch. We will be in the field June 28-30.
Cost: $20. You can mail in a check or call in with a debit/credit card.
Credits: 3 credits @ $40/credit.
CEUs are available in lieu of credits.
Class Requirements: Please see the class syllabus.
Payment
The $20 helps cover the costs of food and some incidentals that the funders don't cover. If you don't have a Sand County Almanac book, I will send it to you once I get your payment. If you do have a Sand County Almanac, the registration fee still applies. To pay, you can send a check for $20 to 805 W Sioux Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 or call the SD Discovery Center at 605-224-8295 from 8AM - 5PM CDT and pay over the phone w/ a credit or debit card. When you pay, please tell whoever takes the call or include a note with the check if you need a book.
Accommodations
I have rented a camping cabin for four people at Oahe Downstream Camping area June 26 and 27th. I believe the cabin has been called dibs by women but if you would like a spot let me know and I will put you on a waiting list. The cabin has electricity but no running water or facilities although there are flush toilets and showers at the campground. You will need to arrange payment as accommodations are NOT included with the workshop. There is free tent camping in the city park if you are so inclined to bring your own gear. You may also opt to stay at a local motel. Feel free to use the email list or discussion forum to call for a roommate or arrange carpools. With $4/gallon gas, cooperation is key. Local folks, if you have a spare room and can host an out of town person, please share that on the discussion forum
Field session
You will not need tents, sleeping bags, dry bags, cots or kayaks for the field session unless you prefer to use your own gear. If you want to stay at a local campground Sun/Mon, I may be able to arrange a gear loan for you. Let me know if you need that. You will need a camp chair, your personal clothing, toiletries, snacks (meals are provided) and a digital camera for the field session. There will a more complete list coming soon.
Assignments
The pre-class assignments are posted. The pre-class assignments should be completed before starting class on June 27. These assignments are part of your contact hours if you are seeking credit.