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. We also worked with Dr. Rosburg on classes in 2022, and are planning more for 2023. We will also have a class with Dr. Cynthia Lane.
Recordings and other resources from previous classes are below.
Recordings and other resources from previous classes are below.
2023 Classes
Scroll down to each class to see the recording.
• January 26 - Introduction to Plant Terminology: The Secret to Identification with Dr. Cynthia Lane
• February 2 - Lactuca & Prenanthes (Wild Lettuces) ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• February 16 - Native Orchid ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg **Note date change from original posting**
• February 23 - Fire Ecology with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 2 - Native Fern ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 9 – Persicaria (smartweeds) ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 30 - Native Seedling ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg **Note date change from original posting**
All sessions are Thursdays at 7pm and will last about an hour.
Each class is $10 and pre-registration is required.
Registrants will receive the Zoom link on the day of the event.
Please note that classes are recorded and posted online afterwards. The class fee is for the live event with Q&A, and registration includes the class handout/slides.
• January 26 - Introduction to Plant Terminology: The Secret to Identification with Dr. Cynthia Lane
• February 2 - Lactuca & Prenanthes (Wild Lettuces) ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• February 16 - Native Orchid ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg **Note date change from original posting**
• February 23 - Fire Ecology with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 2 - Native Fern ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 9 – Persicaria (smartweeds) ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg
• March 30 - Native Seedling ID with Dr. Tom Rosburg **Note date change from original posting**
All sessions are Thursdays at 7pm and will last about an hour.
Each class is $10 and pre-registration is required.
Registrants will receive the Zoom link on the day of the event.
Please note that classes are recorded and posted online afterwards. The class fee is for the live event with Q&A, and registration includes the class handout/slides.
Class Recordings
2022 Classes
The following classes are scheduled for 2022. All will be on Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. Each class has a $10 registration (+Eventbright registration fees) 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. All programs will be recorded and posted for viewing afterwards at no cost (fees cover the live program & class handout). 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
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.
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.
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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.
Thursday, February 10
7:00-8:00pm
Learn how to identify some of the common native Fabaceae (legume/pea) species.
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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.
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.
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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.
Thursday, March 3
7:00-8:00pm
Learn how to identify some of the common native Salix (willow) species.
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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.
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.
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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.
Thursday, March 24
7:00-8:00pm
Learn how to identify some of the common native Rosaceae (rose) species.
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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.
Thursday, March 31
7:00-8:00pm
Learn how to identify some of the common native & non-native Cirsium (thistle) species.
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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.
Thursday, April 7
7:00-8:00pm
Learn how to identify some of the common invasive species and weeds found in the Midwest.
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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.
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.
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
*some common species in several genera in family Lamiaceae
Monday, February 15
7:00-8:00pm
Asclepias (Milkweeds) ID
Monday, February 1
7:00-8:00pm
Helianthus (Sunflowers) ID
Monday, January 25
7:00-8:00pm
Solidago (Goldenrods) ID
Monday, January 18
7:00-8:00pm
Symphyotrichum (Asters) ID
Monday, January 11
7:00-8:00pm
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.
