Cyperaceae Identification Workshop
Tuesday, July 17 from 10am-6pm
Wednesday, July 18 from 8am-6pm
Thursday, July 19 from 8am-2pm
Cost: $150 after June 17 (was $125 prior to June 17); $50 for students
Online Registration is now Closed.
There are a couple spots left, please contact the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Jessica Bolser at 319-523-6982 with questions or to register.
Download Event Flyer to Register by Mail
Dr. Tom Rosburg (Drake University) and Dr. Bill Norris (Western New Mexico University) are offering a three day Cyperaceae Identification Workshop on the Carex genus and larger Cyperaceae (sedge, bulrush, spike-rush, nut sedge) and Juncaceae (rush) families. Students will engage in hands-on exercises to build understanding of descriptive botanical terminology and the ability to correctly use plant keys. Field work will address topics in Cyperaceae ecology, plant species habitats and distribution, plant adaptations and interactions, and plant collection and voucher preparation. Tom and Bill have presented many of these workshops for over 20 years and work hard to provide a high quality experience for students.
Key learning goals include:
1) Use floristic keys to correctly identify species in the Cyperaceae family
2) Diagram and label the morphological characteristics of vegetative and reproductive stages in Cyperaceae
3) Sight identification of genera and species in Cyperaceae and Juncaceae
Workshop participants will use dissecting scopes to study morphology and to gain practice keying specimens. Potential field trip sites for field work and plant collection include Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge, Swamp White Oak Preserve, Red Cedar Area, Big Sand Mound, Mississippi River wetlands in the Odessa Wildlife Area and Nahant Marsh.
The course is designed to accommodate beginners as well as provide an advanced curriculum for professional conservationists (NRCS, FWS, NPS, ACE) and avid amateurs. Guided course work will increase participants’ recognition and ability to identify plant species and conduct field assessments for wetland delineation. Field work will be conducted in several ecological communities including floodplains, oak savanna, forests, marsh and sedge meadow communities and sand prairie.
