[SOS-PCA] Educational Opportunity

Wed Aug 7 14:47:22 CDT 2013

GRASSLANDS: A NEW FRONTIER FOR TUCSON AUDUBON’S ADULT LEARNING INSTITUTE

INSTITUTE OF GRASSLAND ECOLOGY

OCTOBER 3-6, 2013

APPLETON-WHITTELL RESEARCH RANCH, ELGIN, ARIZONA

Tucson Audubon and National Audubon are offering the first Institute of
Grassland Ecology - an experience of a lifetime! Housed in the same format
as Tucson Audubon’s flagship environmental program, the Institute of Desert
Ecology, you will be immersed in the subtle, understated beauty of one of
the Earth’s most threatened ecosystems. From October 3-6, 2013 you will
explore a globally important habitat, encounter unique flora and fauna,
engage with enthusiastic, expert faculty, participate in a national
conservation project, camp in the golden, rolling grasslands of Elgin,
Arizona, eat healthy, local produce from the kitchen of Dish for Dosha AND
make new friends!

EXPLORE THIS AMAZING ECOSYSTEM WITH OUR EXPERT FACULTY:

Mammals: Ronnie Sidner, Ph.D.; Ecological Consultant Reptiles and
Amphbians: Roger Cogan; Conservation Coordinator, Appleton-Whittell
Research Ranch

Botany:  Linda Kennedy, Ph.D.;  Director, Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch

Birds: Ron Pulliam, Ph.D.; Regents Professor Emeritus, Eugene P. Odum
School of Ecology, University of Georgia

Insects: John Palting, Ph.D. Candidate; University of Arizona Biogeograpy
and Climate Change: Greg Barron-Gafford, Ph.D.; Assistant Professor,
University of Arizona, Biosphere 2

SPECIAL TOPICS INCLUDE:

The Role of Ft. Huachuca in Grassland Protection: Sheridan Stone, Wildlife
Biologist, Fort Huachuca Grazing and Land Management: William Schock,
President, Santa Cruz Natural Resource Conservation District Land Ethics:
Trica Oshant Hawkins, Education Director, Environmental Education Exchange
Grasslands Ethnobotany, Wildlife Tracking, Star Gazing: Vincent Pinto,
Naturalist/Wildlife Biologist, Raven’s Way Wild Journeys Southeastern
Arizona Pronghorn Enhancement Project: John Millican, - Southeast Arizona
Projects Manager, Arizona Antelope Foundation Grassland Bird ID: Homer
Hansen, President, Aplomado Environmental, LLC

CONTRIBUTE TO GRASSLAND CONSERVATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL:

As a wrap up activity to the Institute, you will work together with staff
from the Borderlands Habitat Restoration Initiative, to collect the seeds
of native grasses as a part of a national seed collection program
established by the Bureau of Land Management, called *Seeds of Success*.
There are over 13,000 native seed collections in this national bank. A
portion of your collection will be held in a long-term storage facility for
conservation and the remaining will be returned to the Research Ranch for
restoration efforts.

MEALS:

Ample, tasty meals will be catered onsite by Dish for Dosha. Head chef,
Cecilia Arosemena, was trained in ayurveda at the Chopra Center for
Wellbeing, in culinary arts at the Art Institute of Tucson, and in China
with a master chef. She was recently hired as a cook at Canyon Ranch and
has spent 14 years as a server and menu consultant at Tucson’s Café Poca
Cosa. Her thoughts on the Institute - “I am delighted for the opportunity
to serve my community in this natural, magical environment and share the
sweet nectars of the Sonoran Desert with you - mesquite breads, prickly
pear lemonades, and cooling nopalitos are coming your way!” – Chef Cecilia

Options to accommodate vegetarians and other dietary considerations (i.e.
vegan, gluten free) will be presented.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants should be at least 18 years of age and in good
health. Anyone with an interest in natural history and grassland ecology
can participate.

FOR PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENTS: Continuing education credit is available
for participants who teach within the Tucson Unified School District.
University of Arizona credit is also offered.

SCHOLARSHIPS: Limited scholarship funds are available. Donations are
welcomed and are tax deductible.

FEE AND REGISTRATION: $560 per person ($525 for Tucson Audubon Members).
Fee includes expert instruction and all meals from dinner on Wednesday,
October 2nd to lunch on Sunday, October 6. You must register separately for
the camping fee, which is $40/person for the duration of the program.

REGISTER TODAY! Visit www.tucsonaudubon.org/ige or contact Institute
Director, Bete Jones, at (520) 209-1812 with any questions. Deadline for
registration is September 1, 2013.

*________________________________________________________________________*

*Bete Jones| Education Program Coordinator | bjones at tucsonaudubon.org*

300 E University Blvd,  Ste 120 | Tucson AZ 85705|520-209-1812

Tucson Audubon’s Mason Center |3835 W. Hardy Rd |Tucson AZ 85742|

*tucsonaudubon.org <http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/>** |
tucsonaudubon.blogspot.com*

* *

Megan Haidet
Seeds of Success
National Collection Curator
Seeds of Success
202-912-7233

www.blm.gov/sos
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