Osborne Oracle. A Connection By Julie Brazell. Summer 2007 Clayton County Conservation Vol. 30, No.2

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1 Osborne Oracle Summer 2007 Clayton County Conservation Vol. 30, No.2 A Connection By Julie Brazell When I was growing up, I spent many days at my Uncle Marion s farm. He raised and trained Percheron horses. I remember being very young and sitting on the fence to watch him hitch the horses to a wagon or piece of farm machinery. As I grew, I became more aware of just how big these horses were. I also remember the day Uncle Marion handed me the lines and holding his finger by his mouth he said, Shhhh. He later told me that if the horses knew he wasn t driving, they may act up so he continued the voice commands as I proudly drove them down the road all by myself. Early on, I had a connection with those horses that would stay with me my whole life. My Uncle Marion left an impression on me that has become a valuable and very large part of my life. Every time I was with him, he taught me something new about horses. Many times as a naturalist, I hope to leave a nature memory with a child that is so impressed upon them that they, too, take it with them their whole life. A field trip this spring brought back those memories as a child. Anyone involved in the life of a child, has an opportunity everyday, anywhere, to make an impact on that child s life. The school scheduled for the day was from a larger city with 85 sixth grade students. I could tell this was going to be a fun group when I heard a teacher yell, if we see you listening to ipods or talking on cell phones, they will be confiscated! IPods and cell phones? Why even bring them? We noticed right away that this was not one of our everyday groups that visit the nature center. One student, carrying her pink, sequin-lined purse on her shoulder, one hand holding an ipod, and her other hand on her hip, asks, How long do we have to stay here, cause I hate bugs. I must have given her a blank stare because she said, Really, I hate bugs. I asked her, Would you rather be at school? She replied, Yes, we have a swimming pool in our school and I d rather swim all day. With several comments along those lines, I thought, These kids need us! And with that, our day had begun! This group had a whole day of activities scheduled, one of which was a Nature Hike with me. I gathered my group and into unknown territory we went. Usually I need to tell students to stay on the trail in areas where there is extensive poison ivy. This group would not venture off the trail if I cut a path for them! (Cont d on page 2)

2 Cont d from pg.1) At one point, we had a couple insects buzzzzz by the group. Arms started flailing and there were screams of fear. A bee! I hate bugs! You almost got stung! This is a pretty typical reaction, but then I heard, We re gonna die, I just know it! Then I really knew this group needed to come on this field trip. My rebuttal seemed to calm most of them and their eyes and minds were opened when I pointed to a Showy Orchis that is most often pollinated by bees. After a short interpretive moment, nearly half of the students decided that bees were beneficial to humans and the natural world. My following thoughts did not become real to me until a couple days later, as I thought about several comments and actions of those students. Many of these kids did not know that you could spend a day outside, away from the city, and survive. Many of these students probably had not been exposed to the natural world beyond the cement sidewalks of the city. I do not remember how old I was when I was first intrigued with Uncle Marion s horses, but I was very young. Likewise, there is no age limit on learning about nature. A person does not have to be a certain age to learn about nature. I remember when a friend of mine let her child (6 months old) touch grass for the first time with his feet. And I have heard kids say many times after touching the milk snake in the nature center, I have never touched a snake before. Most of our groups we see each day are from rural schools with country kids. This is not their first exposure to nature. But for most of the students in this group, it was the first time on a trail in the woods. And you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This is when our job as educators, parents, grandparents, adults, and kids could make or break a person s attitude about our natural world. I am not sure how many students or adults actually discovered their connection to Earth that day, but I have to believe some did. That is why our center is here; that is why our staff is here. Throughout the day I kept thinking, I wish this school could visit more often. It was a very rewarding day. Some days you see that wide-eyed discovery of our connection to nature and Earth, and some days you see it many times! But, each day, whether one or many discoveries, you go home thinking about that one phrase a student said, or a question that you had never heard before. When I think of these things, my hope is that a connection was made. A connection that mentally brings them back to this day. A connection that makes them remember the Showy Orchis the next time someone is swatting bees, or makes them want to go to a park for a hike, or maybe one that will drive their dreams, and actions their whole life! My hope is, years from now, they will remember that very moment they realized they have a connection to Earth. Very similarly to how I remember my first connection to horses. Attention Kids!! Become a Junior Naturalist If you like to: Dig in the dirt. Collect insects. Go for walks in the woods. You can become an Iowa Junior Naturalist! All you have to do is attend three different nature programs offered at the Osborne Center and do two independent activities such as reading a nature book or camping. After completing all five tasks just bring in your completed list to the Osborne Center. For all of your hard work you will earn: One of seven COOL patches. An official certificate declaring you a real Iowa Naturalist. For more information, contact the Osborne Center or look on our website: 2

3 Clayton County Conservation Up Coming Events & Programs Sounds of Spring Frog and Toad Hunt/Survey Friday, June 8, 7-9pm Osborne Pond Hop through the forest and dive into a pond in search of Iowa s amazing amphibians. On this ribbiting night, learn how to identify frogs and toads by the sounds they make and help record their location for the IDNR. Remember to wear old shoes and be prepared to get muddy! Garlic Mustard Removal at Motor Mill Saturday, June 9, 10am-3pm Motor Mill Historic Site Reservations Required! Spend the day helping the land by pulling an invasive plant called garlic mustard. With the help of volunteers, the CCCB hopes to remove this fast growing plant and replace it with more native vegetation. Participants will spend the day pulling and learning about the oak savanna restoration currently underway at Motor. Lunch provided. Kleve-Schneider Fen Walk July - Specific date and time to be announced. The Kleve Schneider-Fen is a very high quality fen with many unique plants on site. It is located 3.5 miles south of Postville on Aspen Ave. Thomas Rosberg of Drake University will lead the walk and talk of the rarity of this wetland community. For date and time, please call mid June. Lavender Wreath Making Workshop Friday, July 27, 6:30-8pm Cost: $5 - Reservations Required! Spend an evening in the air conditioned nature center making a six inch lavender wreath. Taught by Horticulturist Bob Hauer, this workshop will provide participants with fresh lavender boughs and wiring equipment. Participants must bring own hand pruners. Ecology of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake In Iowa Tuesday, August 7, 7pm Terry VanDeWalle, Senior Environmental Scientist of Natural Resource Consulting in Independence, IA will present results of a study on the ecology of the eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake along the Upper Wapsipinicon River. Populations have undergone a serious decline in the state and currently listed as endangered in Iowa. 3 Emerald Ash Borer Invasion Thursday, August 9, 6:30-7:30pm Discussions will be held on the Emerald Ash Borer invasion into North America and how to stop the infestation on local ash trees. Examples of the bug will be shown along with bark of infested ash trees. All participants will receive an EAB identifying card to take home. II Annual Tidying the Turkey River Clean Up Saturday, August 18, 10am-6pm Motor Mill to Garber Reservations Required! Join the Clayton County Conservation Board for the second annual Turkey River Clean Up. Last year over two tons of garbage were removed from the river. This year the float will be even bigger and better, beginning at Motor Mill and ending at Garber. All volunteers will receive a t-shirt and lunch. Thank you to the Compton Family for donating funding for this project in honor of John H. Ulrich. Osborne 5K Off Road Fun Run/Nature Walk Saturday, September 15, 9am Runners run 3.1 miles on hiking trails, crossing the Volga River. If preferred, some walkers can take to the dry trails and answer trivia questions along the way! More information and registration form on website. Hunter Education Osborne Registration for June classes begins May 30 June pm June pm June pm June 23 7:30am-1pm Registration for August classes begins July 5 August pm August pm August pm August 18 7:30am-1pm Participants must be 11 years or older in order to register and must attend all classes in the session. For more information on any of these programs, call or visit our website at: The Osborne Center is located 5 miles south of Elkader, Iowa on Hwy 13.

4 Welcome 2007 Seasonal Summer Staff Cassie Miller, Volga, IA - Office Kayleen Keehner, Guttenberg, IA - Naturalist Megan Eastman, Garnavillo, IA - Naturalist Jeremy Bergan, Elkader, IA - Maintenance Brian Mueller, Postville, IA - Maintenance Devin Voss, Monona, IA - Maintenance Matt Wilke, Elkader, IA - Maintenance Motor Mill 2007 Weekend Schedule - June 9-10 August 4-5 June August July 7-8 September 1-3 July September September The Motor Mill Site will be open: Saturdays 9am-5pm Sundays 12-5pm Holidays 9am-5pm Staff will be available for tours and to answer questions. Site includes the historic 1860 s mill, related buildings, town site and restored savanna. If you would like to schedule a group tour, or need more details, please call the Clayton County Conservation office at or check out the Motor Mill website at Directions to Motor Mill: From Hwy 13, outside Elkader, follow C1X (Grape Road) 4 miles. At the top of a hill turn right onto Galaxy Road. Continue 3 miles to Motor Mill. Stop in and check out the many Iowa made products and nature related items! Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 8am-4pm Sunday 12pm-4pm CAUTION!! Emerald Ash Borer Beetles have destroyed 20 million ash trees and billions are at risk! Do not move firewood, buy it at your destination! See page 5 4

5 For several years, homeowners and landscapers in Southeast Michigan were concerned about the loss of their ash trees to ash yellows, thinking that the problem was due to a combination of disease, drought, pollution, acid rain, and poor soils. The trees were showing: a top-down dieback yellowing leaves dense sprouting from roots and trunks One-third to one-half of the affected trees branches died within in a year, and most of the canopy was dead within two years. The emerald ash borer (EAB) was identified as the culprit. It is a very small but very destructive beetle. Metallic green in color, its slender body measures 1/2 inch in length and 1/8 inch wide. The average adult beetle can easily fit on a penny. Native to China and eastern Asia, the EAB probably landed in North America hidden in wood packing materials commonly used to ship consumer goods and auto parts. Although no one can say for sure when the EAB arrived in southeastern Michigan, it is now believed the beetle went undetected for up to 12 years, based on its wide spread distribution and destruction. EAB was officially identified in the summer of This beetle is currently known to be responsible for the death or decline of more than 15 million ash trees in a 20-county area near Detroit. EAB has also impacted various communities in Ontario, Canada. Canadian officials estimate that between 100,000 and 200,000 ash trees are infested and will die in Essex County. It has had a devastating impact on communities that now face tremendous tree removal costs. EAB currently has infestations in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland, and discovered 40 miles west of Chicago in Illinois on June 9, This is very close to Iowa! Imagine all the ash trees in your town gone. In terms of the range and extent of the EAB infestation in North America, the human element is of particular significance. Unknowingly, people s behaviors associated with everyday living and commerce have greatly contributed to the spread of EAB. The movement of any ash tree products (branches, logs, woodchips, nursery stock, and firewood) advance the spread of EAB. Studies have been ongoing since the discovery 12 years ago. Scientists have discovered that in a temperate Emerald Ash Borer The Green Menace Information from the US Dept. of Agriculture 5 climate, the beetle can develop from egg to adult in as little as one year. From May to August, adults emerge from over wintering sites under bark and mate. Females lay eggs in bark crevices and the eggs hatch in about 10 days. The eggs develop into wormlike larvae which tunnel under the bark to feed and grow throughout the fall. This activity eventually kills the tree. Larvae lay dormant during the winter and emerge from trees in May as adults, leaving a unique D-shaped exit hole. Quick Facts What We Know: On this continent, EAB attacks only ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) and all ashes green, white, black, etc. are at risk, except the Mountain Ash, which are not true ash. We cannot count on natural predation to control EAB. The beetle has no known predators in North America, although woodpeckers will eat them. EAB infestation is always fatal to ash trees. Infested trees will decline from the top down and will be dead in 1-3 years, even if the trees were healthy before being attacked by EAB. Detection, control, and eradication of EAB is a huge undertaking. Cooperation between Federal and State government agencies, municipalities, universities, the greening industry, and the public at large is essential to eliminate the pest. Here are some things you can do NOW to lessen the likelihood of EAB s becoming established in the United States: Do not move firewood. Humans unknowingly contribute to the spread when they move firewood. Play it safe: don t move any firewood and you won t move any beetles. Visually inspect your trees. If you see signs of the beetle, call immediately. Spread the word. Talk to neighbors and friends. Websites with more information: If you would like to see a sample of wood with the D-shaped exit hole, an Emerald Ash Borer specimen, or an ID card to take home, please stop by the Osborne Center during normal work hours or attend the EAB meeting Thursday, August 9, 6:30-7:30pm at the Osborne Center.

6 Conservation Board Members: Jim Langhus, Monona.. Chair Larry Stone, Elkader....Vice-Chair Deanna Krambeer, St. Olaf....Secretary Joe Ihm, Guttenberg.Member Noretia Wilcox-Kramer, St. Point...Member Staff: Tim Engelhardt Director Marty Mulford...Operations Supervisor Tucker Anderson..Ranger/Special Proj. Wally Reichstadter...Maintenance Tech. Harry Luster....Office Manager Joyce Schoulte..Secretary/Receptionist Julie Brazell...Naturalist Angi Reid.. Naturalist Hours Monday-Saturday 8:00am - 4:00pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm Native Wildlife Exhibit Hours Everyday 10am-dusk Clayton County Conservation Board meetings are the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm in the Osborne Center Auditorium. Meetings are open to the public. The mission of the Clayton County Conservation Board is to promote the health and general welfare of the people and to encourage preservation, conservation, education, and recreation through responsible use and appreciation of our natural resources and cultural heritage. Clayton County Conservation Osborne Rd, Elkader IA (563) The Clayton County Conservation Board does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, national origin, age or handicap. If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to such discrimination, he or she may file a complaint alleging discrimination with either the Clayton County Conservation Board or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Dept. of Interior, Washington, D.C