Golden Hills has worked with Dr. Tom Rosburg of Drake University, Chris Benda with Southern Illinois University, Dr. Cynthia Lane to host virtual programs about plant identification and ecology. We are continuing the classes with Dr. Rosburg in early 2024.
Recordings and other resources from previous classes are below.
Recordings and other resources from previous classes are below.
2024 Classes
2024 virtual plant identification class series.
All classes are on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm CST
February 12: ID and Ecology for Viola in Iowa
February 26: ID and Ecology of Iowa Native Shrubs
March 11: ID and Ecology of Elymus in Iowa
March 25: ID for Invasive and Native Look-alike Plant Species in Iowa
$15 per class (+Eventbrite registration fees)
Pre-registration required.
Registration is through Eventbrite, but the event will be held via Zoom (not Eventbrite). Registered participants will be emailed the Zoom link the day of the event.
Email [email protected] with questions.
Please note that classes are recorded and posted online after the series ends. The class fee is for the live event with Q&A, and registration includes a digital copy of the class handout/slides.
All classes are on Monday evenings from 7:00-8:30pm CST
February 12: ID and Ecology for Viola in Iowa
February 26: ID and Ecology of Iowa Native Shrubs
March 11: ID and Ecology of Elymus in Iowa
March 25: ID for Invasive and Native Look-alike Plant Species in Iowa
$15 per class (+Eventbrite registration fees)
Pre-registration required.
Registration is through Eventbrite, but the event will be held via Zoom (not Eventbrite). Registered participants will be emailed the Zoom link the day of the event.
Email [email protected] with questions.
Please note that classes are recorded and posted online after the series ends. The class fee is for the live event with Q&A, and registration includes a digital copy of the class handout/slides.
ID and Ecology for Viola in Iowa
Monday, February 12
7-830pm
$15 (+Eventbrite fees)
Register here.
Monday, February 12
7-830pm
$15 (+Eventbrite fees)
Register here.
ID for Invasive and Native Look-alike Plant Species in Iowa
March 25
7:00-8:30pm
$15 (+Eventbrite fees)
Register here.
March 25
7:00-8:30pm
$15 (+Eventbrite fees)
Register here.
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 [email protected].
- 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.
