Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
6/10/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
For general information: Jason O'Brien, Department of Animal Ecology,
(515) 294-6440, jpobrien@iastate.edu
Skylar Hobbs, Lucas County Conservation Board, (641) 774-2438
Lisa Ralls, Winnebego County Conservation Board, (641) 565-3390
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
NatureMapping Workshops Offered in Two 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 are being held throughout Iowa this year.
The next two will be held:
Saturday, June 29 -- Lucas County, Pin Oak Marsh Education Center, 9
a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 27 -- Winnebego County, Thorpe Park, 9 a.m. - 4 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 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 300 people, representing schools,
businesses, agencies and other community groups have been trained. Over
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 http://www.extension.iastate.edu/naturemapping.
There is a $10 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.