Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
1/30/02
Contacts:
For general information: Jason O'Brien, Department of Animal Ecology,
(515) 294-6440, jpobrien@iastate.edu
Buchanan County: Sondra Bell, Buchanan County Conservation Board, (319)
636-2617
Marshall County: Diane Pixler, Marshall County Conservation Board, (641)
754-6303
Cass County: Andria Consoluto, Cass County Conservation Board, (712) 243-3542
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NatureMapping Workshops Offered in Three Locations
AMES, Iowa -- To help the state's wildlife populations continue to thrive, Iowa State University Wildlife Extension has established the NatureMapping Program. Started in 1999, the program teaches citizens how to collect information on common wildlife species.
"There are not enough professionals, time or funding to conduct an inventory of all the nation's flora and fauna," says Jim Pease, Extension Wildlife Specialist and Director, Iowa NatureMapping. "One way to achieve the needed inventory is to involve an interested public in helping us." Wildlife professionals use the information to establish management plans for the state's wildlife.
Ten NatureMapping workshops will be held throughout Iowa this year. The first three will be held:
Feb. 16 -- Buchanan County, Fontana Nature Center, 9:00
a.m. -4:00 p.m.
March 2 -- Marshall County, Marshalltown Community College, 9:00 a.m.
-4:00 p.m.
March 16 - Cass County, Anderson Conservation Area, 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
The program provides hands-on environmental education. "Involving the public in 'finding the pieces of the puzzle' is what NatureMapping is all about," says Jason O'Brien, Coordinator, Iowa NatureMapping. "Trained NatureMapping volunteers are a vital to wildlife management efforts in Iowa. Currently, we are concentrating on amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds of Iowa." He added that the goal is "to keep common wildlife common."
"Citizen involvement to date shows that Iowans are dedicated to protecting and enhancing our state's wildlife," O'Brien says. Since its inception, more than 280 people, representing schools, businesses, agencies and other community groups have been trained. Nearly 9,000 species reports have been entered into the Iowa NatureMapping database. "Volunteers can provide much needed data by recording wildlife observations around their home and feeders, when hiking or doing other wildlife-related activities. School participation can vary depending on the size and scope of the projects chosen," Pease adds. "It can fulfill a valuable service to their community, while engaging students in a related project of data collection and analysis."
For registration information, contact O'Brien at (515) 294-6440, at jpobrien@iastate.edu or visit the NatureMapping website at www.extension.iastate.edu/naturemapping. There is a $10.00 cost for each workshop. Lunch is available for an additional charge.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.