Golden Hills worked with Dr. Tom Rosburg of Drake University and Chris Benda with Southern Illinois University to host online classes in early 2021 about identification of native plant species. Recordings and other resources from the classes are below.
The following classes are scheduled for 2022. All will be on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. Each class has a $10 registration fee and pre-registration is required. Registration for each event closes at midnight the day before, or when registration is full. Registered participants will receive Zoom information on the day of the event via email. Questions should be emailed to lance@goldenhillsrcd.org.
The following classes are scheduled for 2022. All will be on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. Each class has a $10 registration fee and pre-registration is required. Registration for each event closes at midnight the day before, or when registration is full. Registered participants will receive Zoom information on the day of the event via email. Questions should be emailed to lance@goldenhillsrcd.org.
- February 3 - Plant Family Identification
- February 10 - Common Fabaceae (pea family) Identification
- February 24 - Plant Evolution & Diversity
- March 3 - Salix (willow) Identification
- March 10 - Designing Seed Mixes
- March 24 - Common Rosaceae (rose) Identification
- March 31 - Cirsium (thistle) Identification
- April 7 - Weeds & Invasive Species Identification
2022 Class Details & Registration
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Plant Family Identification
Thursday, February 3 7:00-8:00pm Sight recognition of plant families is the first step to identifying a plant. There are over 125 plant families represented in the Iowa flora. This class will help you learn to identify half of them. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Common Fabaceae Identification
Thursday, February 10 7:00-8:00pm Learn how to identify some of the common native Fabaceae (legume/pea) species. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Plant Evolution & Diversity
Thursday, February 24 7:00-8:00pm The evolutionary story of the Plant Kingdom and its diversity will be featured. We will also touch on nomenclature and the history of plants in Iowa. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Salix (Willow) Identification
Thursday, March 3 7:00-8:00pm Learn how to identify some of the common native Salix (willow) species. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Designing Seed Mixes
Thursday, March 10 7:00-8:00pm The most crucial step in reconstruction is designing a seed mix. This class address several important principles in how to get it right. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Common Rosaceae Identification
Thursday, March 24 7:00-8:00pm Learn how to identify some of the common native Rosaceae (rose) species. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Cirsium (Thistle) Identification
Thursday, March 31 7:00-8:00pm Learn how to identify some of the common native & non-native Cirsium (thistle) species. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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Common Weeds & Invasive Species of Iowa
Thursday, April 7 7:00-8:00pm Learn how to identify some of the common invasive species and weeds found in the Midwest. $10 fee and pre-registration required. Register here. |
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2021 Class Recordings & Resources
Coefficient of Conservatism
Monday, March 29
7:00-8:00pm CST
Learn about plant conservatism and its use in evaluating the quality of plant communities. Moreover, see how to obtain a professional evaluation of the conservation value of ecosystems.
Coefficient of Conservatism class handout.
Monday, March 29
7:00-8:00pm CST
Learn about plant conservatism and its use in evaluating the quality of plant communities. Moreover, see how to obtain a professional evaluation of the conservation value of ecosystems.
Coefficient of Conservatism class handout.
Winter Tree Identification with Chris Benda
Monday, February 22
7:00-8:00pm
Please note that this class was not recorded. The handout below was provided by Chris Benda.
Monday, February 22
7:00-8:00pm
Please note that this class was not recorded. The handout below was provided by Chris Benda.
Chris recommends the following books for tree identification:
- Forest and Shade Trees of Iowa 3rd ed. by Peter J. Van Der Linden and Donald R. Farrar
- Shrubs and Vines of Iowa by Peter J. Van Der Linden and Donald R. Farrar
- Winter Tree Finder by May Theilgaard Watts and Tom Watts, Nature Study Guild Publishers, 1970
Lamiaceae* (Common mints) ID
*some common species in several genera in family Lamiaceae
Monday, February 15
7:00-8:00pm
Lamiaceae key handout.
*some common species in several genera in family Lamiaceae
Monday, February 15
7:00-8:00pm
Lamiaceae key handout.
Asclepias (Milkweeds) ID
Monday, February 1
7:00-8:00pm
Asclepias key handout.
Helianthus (Sunflowers) ID
Monday, January 25
7:00-8:00pm
Helianthus key handout.
Solidago (Goldenrods) ID
Monday, January 18
7:00-8:00pm
Goldenrod key handout.
Symphyotrichum (Asters) ID
Monday, January 11
7:00-8:00pm
Native Aster key handout
Liatris (Blazing Star) ID
In addition to Golden Hills' classes, Dr. Rosburg taught a Liatris (Blazing Star) identification session at the Iowa Prairie Network's 2021 virtual Winter Meeting. You can view that class recording here, starting at about the 19:00 mark.
