Wow, what a river ride! I had the great pleasure of attending the Living Lands and Water classes on August 8 and 9 for Life on the Mississippi. How Chad Pregracke and crew can present so much information in two days is amazing. The first day, we learned about water sheds, had a personal concert from Ellis Kell as he explained how music came up the Mississippi, ate lunch on Beer Can Beach with a fun presentation on beavers with a chance to build our own beaver dam, took a wildflower walk on the Milan bottoms – and that was just the first day. Second day, we started with an archeology lecture, including artifacts, heard a great bird presentation by the Hawk, again had lunch on Beer Can Beach with fish appetizers fried to perfection by the commercial fisherman who later took us into the channel and explained his craft. We also had a chance to hear from a Corps of Engineers ranger on river lands and rights. We finished up the day on Chad's barge with lessons on clamming. All classes took place on their floating classroom with field trips on the Mississippi River in their aluminum plate boats; this was an experience I will not soon forget. Great memories, great fun, fantastic box lunches, and a novel learning experience. I heartily recommend taking any of the workshops that Living Lands and Water puts on. If you are interested in what is coming up, please visit www.livinglandsandwaters.org. You won't regret it.

- Julie Werthamnn

On August 15, Living Lands and Water had a class on the geology of the Mississippi. We met on the floating classroom for a lecture on the development of the River from the Precambrian to the present. The speakers were geologist "Skip" Nelson and Dave Malone. They did a great tag team job telling the story of the development of the Mississippi River. We then took a relaxing ride on a boat donated to Chad Pregracke by Deere & Company to the Buffalo Recreation Beach. There we boarded a school bus that took us down Route 22 to an outcropping where we could actually see what Nelson and Malone had described earlier. From there we headed for LaFarge North America's giant gravel pit, where we began with a safety meeting. We crossed the road in time to see charges set in the stone that exploded right before our eyes, and we then drove down into the gravel pit. We actually got to take home examples of brachiopods, crinoids, corals and bryzoans preserved in the limestone sediment that we had dug into with our picks. Living Lands and Water once again put on a class experience to remember. If you are interested in their future offerings, please visit their web site www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

Dates for the seminars will be November 9, from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and November 15, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. The programs will cover the same topics, which are: Pond Ecology, Aquatic Plant Management, and Fish Management

Each topic will be approximately 20-30 minutes each, presented by Natural Resource Educators.

Last month I wrote about a common fear, speaking in front of a group. This month let us consider another fear, writing for publication. Why fear writing? If I mess up a presentation, maybe a dozen fifth graders will know. If I mess up an article several dozen adults, including some people I see regularly will know.

There are several types of writing, let me try a short list. First, writing for myself or journaling, (this is the most fun, no one will see or judge it). Other types of writing include news articles, technical writing, interpretive/inspirational, persuasive, and interview reports. Today let us examine news and other reports.
Let us start with some general guidelines. When I was in High School, the English teacher had the class write a news story. It was to include the 5 W's and an H, Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Answering those questions help to keep the article single minded or focused on a goal or objective. That is the nature of a report.
Nine years ago I turned in the first chapter of my Master's Thesis. My adviser dinged me hard for using "hot button" words in a report setting. In a report, there is no room for persuasive words (words used to influence the emotion). It was not a "brutal attack on the environment," it was "an accident that appears to have damaged the pond." If you are seeking to persuade, label it opinion, not news.

Here is a list some things I have found to be helpful in making an article readable. Keep the sentences short. No more than 12 words per sentence.
No multi-line sentences. Keep your sentences grammatically simple. Complex sentences are hard to understand. Keep paragraphs short. As I am typing these words, no paragraph is longer than 5 lines.

Do not use contractions unless quoting someone (check this article). And, unless the topic is involved, keep the article short. Short articles are more apt to be read. Long articles loose their "punch." If possible break up the article with pictures.
See if you can find alternate ways to state the obvious. Everyone knows that Iowa and Illinois are "tall corn country." Find a different way of stating common facts. It keeps reading and writing more interesting.

Finally, let the article set a few days. Then reread it. Does it still make sense? Can you reduce sentence, paragraph, and overall length? Does the article flow? Have you said too much or too little? And the obvious, is the grammar and spelling correct? It is ok to ask for help. If you are taking the time to write, do it properly.

Know your purpose or goal for writing a news article. Keep sentences and paragraphs short. Do not use persuasive language in a report setting. Use different ways of saying the obvious. Check the spelling and grammar. Finally, let it set for several days and do a rewrite before sending it off. Then you will enjoy seeing your name on the byline!
Donald Bardole

- Donald Bardole

Thurs., Sept. 15 – St. Ambrose University: Introduction, Ethics and Philosophy
Thurs., Sept. 22 – Augustana College: Geological and Ecological Regions of IL
Thurs., Sept. 29 – Nahant Marsh: Soils and Biology (Emphasis on Aquatics)
Sat., Oct. 1 – Andress Prairie Rose Farm: Archaeology, GPS, and Prairie Restoration
Thurs., Oct. 9 – Niabi Zoo: Wildlife, Project Planning, and Art of Interpretation
Thurs., Oct. 13 – Mississippi River Visitor Center: Tour of Lock & Dam, and History
of Mississippi River
Thurs., Oct. 27 – Scott County Park: Forestry
Thurs., Nov. 3 – Black Hawk Park: Prairies, Backyard Conservation, and Genetics
and Conservation
Sat., Nov. 5 – Giant Goose: Geology, Fisheries Management, and Dutch Oven
Cooking
Thurs., Nov. 10 – Augustana College: Land Use and Land Management
Thurs., Nov. 17 – QC Botanical Center: Graduation Party!

The dead zone off the coasts of Louisiana and Texas is nearly the size of Connecticut and much larger than federal researchers had predicted earlier this year, according to a new survey.
An annual weeklong cruise led by researchers with the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium found an area of low-oxygen measuring 4,564 square miles and extending from the Mississippi River to the Texas border. On average, the dead zone has measured about 4,800 square miles since 1985.
The dead zone, also known as hypoxia, forms each spring and summer as fresh water enters the Gulf of Mexico and causes large algae blooms. The algae die and sink to the bottom of the Gulf, where they decompose, using up oxygen in the deeper, saltier water. Fish avoid the low-oxygen water, and bottom-living organisms are killed. The dead zone could in the long-term affect the overall health of the Gulf's marine species, said Nancy Rabalais, a leading hypoxia researcher with the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium. She said researchers are studying how the dead zone affects the growth and reproduction of marine species.
The dead zone could grow much larger this year - perhaps as large as 6,200 square miles - if major storms do not stir up the Gulf in the coming months, Rabalais said.
Officials are looking for ways to cut down on the amount of fertilizer and pollution in watersheds that flow into the Mississippi and end up in the Gulf.
The zone's size varies year to year. At 5,800 square miles, last year's was bigger than Connecticut. The record of 8,500 - about the size of Israel and a bit smaller than New Jersey - was in 2002.
Earlier this month, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had predicted a much smaller dead zone because the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers were carrying much less nitrogen and other nutrients than usual. NOAA predicted that about 1,500 square miles of Gulf waterbottom would likely be without oxygen this year.

The Two State Forestry Conference and Expo, being held September 8-10 at the Davenport RiverCenter, offers education and entertainment for the whole family.
Three days of interactive exhibits, demonstrations and educational sessions showcasing the latest in forestry equipment, landscape design, land owner programs, and forest research and conservation.
Entertainment to wow the entire family from wood carving demonstrations to an authentic lumberjack show complete with log rolling, axe throwing and sawing competitions.
Children's activities include the Interstate RC&D S.M.A.R.T. Bus, naturalist programs, and make and take arts and crafts.
For additional information or to register, visit on-line at www.twostateforestry.com,
or call 309-764-1486, ext. 4.

"Aware at last of our relentless drive for economic development and an ever-higher standard of living at the expense of dwindling resources, and the swiftly mounting degradation of environment and beauty of the natural scene, we are beginning to realize our future course can no longer be at the expense of quality in our lives. Only when we see ourselves as members of a balanced community can we live successfully."
Sigrid F. Olson,
Reflections from the North Country

This works great! Good for when all your family is together and no one has to wait for their special omelet.
Have each person write their name on a quart-size freezer bag with permanent marker.
Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2); shake to combine them.
Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.
Have each person add prepared ingredients of their choice to their bag and shake it. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.
Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed.
Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake or biscuits; everyone gets involved in the process and it's a great conversation piece.

There is about a foot and a half space between the driveway and the retaining
wall that holds back the hill
that creates a flower bed.
And in that space,
the birds are the landscapers–
depositing all manner of seeds,
letting rain and sun do the rest.
Their flower bed is flourishing,
with strawberries and coneflowers,
herbs and blanket flowers.
We pull grass out of their garden
from time to time,
but otherwise, the birds are in charge.
Just as they are on the other side of the
driveway,
planting a sunflower forest
on the once clear open space of pebbles.
Co-creators of gardens,
I like to think we work as a team–
the birds and the two-leggeds
tending a place we both call home.
Chris Heeter, The Wild Institute

The Governor's Conference on the Illinois River System, slated for October 4-6, 2005 at Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria, Illinois, is designed to bring together concerned citizens, agricultural, conservation and environmental organizations, industry and government representatives, educators and resource management professionals.
The conference theme is "The Illinois River: Progress and Promise," and includes presentations on Sediment Removal and Uses, Nature-Based Tourism, Watershed Planning and Implementation, Wetland Restoration Efforts, Volunteer Stewardship, 21st Century Resource Assessment, US Army Corps of Engineers' Projects, Community Economic Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation Techniques. Also featured will be numerous exhibits from the various organizations and agencies.
Registration materials are available from sponsoring agencies or on the Web at http://www.heartlandwaterresources.org. Registration for the three-day conference costs $125, which includes six meals and a copy of the Proceedings. Daily rates are $85 for Wednesday and $55 for Thursday. Registrations submitted after September 17 will requires a $20 late fee.
An all-day conservation tour on October 4 costs as additional $20 and includes a guided, air-conditioned motorcoach tour of rural and urban sites in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, and Putnam Counties as well as lunch at The Landings on the Henry riverfront. Tour attractions include the Hennepin Hopper Lake, Marshall County State Fish & Wildlife Area, Island Dredging & Construction, the Perdew Museum, Henry Lock & Dam, Consolidated Grain & Barge Company, Powley Sand & Gravel, IL River Gauging Station, CREP and EQIP sites, Breadbasket Barge Business, and the Chief Senachwine Burial Site.
University of Illinois Extension is one of more than 60 federal, state, regional and local agencies and groups working together to co-sponsor the tenth biennial Conference on the Management of the Illinois River System. For more information, contact the Heartland Water Resources Council, ph. (309) 637-5253, or Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Extension, Natural Resources Management, ph. (309) 694-7501. Ext. 226 or email rfrazee@uiuc.edu.

River Action is offering a series of workshops on these topics for professionals and the general public. Each workshop will be led by a professional with experience in the design and construction of passive stormwater projects. Workshops will be limited to 30 registrants each.
The solution to reducing the Quad Cities' stormwater runoff lies in increasing the permeability of home, business, and industrial properties. One of the best ways to achieve this is by designing and installing projects like bioswales, rain gardens, native prairies, French drains, permeable paving, and green roofs.
Quad City communities are assessing stormwater utility fees based on the amount of impervious surfaces on properties. As these communities begin to offer monetary credits for projects that reduce stormwater runoff, it will be increasingly important for individuals and professionals to know about the range of available project options and how to install them.
Workshop topic - Location
Passive Stormwater MitigationSt. Ambrose University
Sept. 14 – 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Permeable Paving 101: Small-scale projectsCordova Public Library
Sept. 22 – 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Permeable Paving 101: Large-scale projectsLock & Dam 15 Visitor Center
Oct. 21 – 9:30 a.m.-noon
Non-refundable fee of $10.00/person for each workshop. Send check to: River Action, 822 E. River Drive, Davenport, IA 52803. Inquire about CEU and professional development credits.

The Governor's Conference on the Illinois River System, slated for October 4-6, 2005 at Holiday Inn City Centre in Peoria, Illinois, is designed to bring together concerned citizens, agricultural, conservation and environmental organizations, industry and government representatives, educators and resource management professionals.
The conference theme is "The Illinois River: Progress and Promise," and includes presentations on Sediment Removal and Uses, Nature-Based Tourism, Watershed Planning and Implementation, Wetland Restoration Efforts, Volunteer Stewardship, 21st Century Resource Assessment, US Army Corps of Engineers' Projects, Community Economic Development, and Monitoring and Evaluation Techniques. Also featured will be numerous exhibits from the various organizations and agencies.
Registration materials are available from sponsoring agencies or on the Web at http://www.heartlandwaterresources.org. Registration for the three-day conference costs $125, which includes six meals and a copy of the Proceedings. Daily rates are $85 for Wednesday and $55 for Thursday. Registrations submitted after September 17 will requires a $20 late fee.
An all-day conservation tour on October 4 costs as additional $20 and includes a guided, air-conditioned motorcoach tour of rural and urban sites in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Marshall, and Putnam Counties as well as lunch at The Landings on the Henry riverfront. Tour attractions include the Hennepin Hopper Lake, Marshall County State Fish & Wildlife Area, Island Dredging & Construction, the Perdew Museum, Henry Lock & Dam, Consolidated Grain & Barge Company, Powley Sand & Gravel, IL River Gauging Station, CREP and EQIP sites, Breadbasket Barge Business, and the Chief Senachwine Burial Site.
University of Illinois Extension is one of more than 60 federal, state, regional and local agencies and groups working together to co-sponsor the tenth biennial Conference on the Management of the Illinois River System. For more information, contact the Heartland Water Resources Council, ph. (309) 637-5253, or Bob Frazee, University of Illinois Extension, Natural Resources Management, ph. (309) 694-7501. Ext. 226 or email rfrazee@uiuc.edu.

Deserted main streets, endless strip commercial development, car-clogged highways, meadows turned into subdivisions – is this what we want for America?
How does a small town . . . a county . . . a state . . . or a nation reverse the twin blights of suburban sprawl and urban decay? This question became the focal point of a crusade by Pennsylvania newsman Tom Hylton in the mid-1980s, as he watched his lovely small town decline while the surrounding countryside was paved over for a jumble of roads, stores, parking lots, and tract housing.
The crusade led to a Pulitzer Prize, a year-long planning fellowship, an influential book, a public television documentary, and finally, to the charitable corporation Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, Inc.
A growing number of Americans have grown disgusted with a throw-away culture that allows once-magnificent cities and towns to wither away while treasured landscapes are ruined by feckless development. They're tired of the constant driving, the ugliness, the feeling of isolation brought about by sprawl. They yearn for safe, verdant, walkable neighborhoods.
But reversing 50 years of car-dominated sprawl will not be easy.
Save Our Land, Save Our Towns was founded by Tom Hylton to facilitate change - change in private attitudes, change in public policy. Through education and advocacy, the non-profit champions the use of:
regional planning
growth boundaries
traditional town design to protect rural areas and encourage the redevelopment of cities and towns that house people of all ages,
races and incomes.
WHEN IS THE SYMPOSIUM?
There are two sessions September 16, 2005
(Both sessions are the same program).
8:30-11:30 AM (Registration at 8:00) or 1:30-4:30 PM
(Registration at 1:00)
WHERE IS THE SYMPOSIUM?
Best Western Steeplegate Inn, 100 W 76th Street, Davenport, IA
WHAT IS THE COST?
The fee for the program is $25.00. Fees include course materials and a copy of Tom Hylton's book, Save Our Land, Save Our Towns.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THIS PROGRAM?
Contact ISU Scott County Extension at 563-359-7577 to register, or for further information.

Here are some actual comments left last year on Forest Service registration sheets and comment cards by backpackers completing wilderness camping trips:
"A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."
"Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."
"Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."
"Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spiderwebs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
"Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."
"Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to the wonderful views without having to hike to them."
"Instead of a permit system of regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."
"The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."
"Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."
"Need more signs to keep area pristine."
"Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."
"A McDonald's would be nice at trail head."
"The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."
"Too many rocks in the mountains."