Earthworms � Flower Flies (Syrphids) �

Freshwater Mussels � Mushrooms � Mosses

Cincinnati Museum Center introduces the fifth in aseries of natural history workshops in the EDGEe Projectthat teach the identification and ecological relationshipsof Ohio flora and fauna.

Workshops Overview

Series 5 focuses on five groups of organisms at theEdge of Appalachia Preserve. This series is a con-tinuation of EOA’s systematic study and catalogingof preserve resources and field training for thoseinterested in nature study. All sessions are taught byprofessionals in their fields and in many cases havewritten books or conducted research on their topics.

The workshops are open to all skill levels, althoughnaturalists, science educators, natural areamanagersand others in the natural sciences will find theseworkshops especially beneficial.

Workshops are held at the 13,000 acre Richardand Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve inAdams County, Ohio.

EDGEe Project Overview

The EDGEe Project (Evaluating Diversity–GrowingEarth educators) was conceived to interface sci-entific study and survey with education. Throughfield and classroom experiences, participants aregiven the tools and training to assist in EOA’s effortto evaluate the Preserve’s biological diversity and inturn share their knowledge with others.

With the distractions of the modern age and scienceprogressing towards microbiology and genetics,hands-on opportunities for intense field study arebecoming difficult to find. These workshops aredesigned to bring people back to the field byteaching identification and appreciation for theenormous variety of organisms in Ohio. Graduatesof these workshops are termed “Earth educators.”Educators are charged with sharing their knowledgewithothers toexcite andpromoteprotectionofOhio’sremaining natural areas–backyards and beyond!

E v a l u a t i n g D i v e r s i t yG r o w i n g E a r t h E d u c a t o r s

EDGEe Project

Advanced NaturalistWorkshops

TheRichardandLucileDurrell

EdgeofAppalachiaPreserveSystem

4274WaggonerRiffleRoad

WestUnion,OH45693

Series 5

Pink

heelsp

litter–

Potamilus alatus (Say)

Toxo

mer

us

mar

gin

atu

s(S

ay)–

Photo

cred

it:K

aroly

nD

arro

w

Earthworms May 8-10, 2009Dr. Sam James, Research Associate, KansasUniversity Natural History Museum and BiodiversityResearch CenterTake part in the first ever look at the Preserve’s earthwormdiversity. Little knowledge currently exists for earthwormdistribution in Ohio and the last known publication isHenry Olson’s The Earthworms of Ohio (1928). It’s knownthat worms introduced from Europe dominate glaciatedareas and that un-glaciated areas with alkaline soils arebest for native worm diversity. The preserve is south ofthe glacial boundary so there’s great interest to seewhether native worms still exist. Dr. James is a worldauthority on worm taxonomy and the perfect person tolead this workshop. The emphasis will be identificationbut information on ecology and life history will also bepresented. Over 100 species are known from NorthAmerica with twenty-four species recorded for Ohio.How many can we identify at the preserve?

Flower Flies (Syrphids) May 22-24, 2009Dr. F. Christian Thompson, Research Entomologist(retired), USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratoryand Smithsonian National Museum of Natural HistoryWhile bees receive all the press for their pollinationservices, flower flies go overlooked. They are pollinatorsof major significance andmany are exceptionally beautifuland their life histories amazing. They are common visitorsto flowers for mating sites and energy sources. Syrphidsare the masters of Batesian mimicry, many having strikingresemblances to stinging bees and wasps. Their larvaeare diverse in habits. Many are important predators ofpests, such as aphids, scales, thrips and caterpillars. Someare specialized predators in ant colonies and the nests ofbumble bees and wasps. Many are aquatic filter-feeders(rat-tailed maggots). Others breed in sap fluxes and thewood of trees. A few are leaf-miners, stem-borers orbulb pests. Don’t miss this chance to study this groupof insects with the world authority on theSyrphids.

Freshwater Mussels (Naiads) September 18-20, 2009Dr. Thomas Watters, Curator of the Mollusc Divisionof the Museum of Zoology, Ohio State UniversityFreshwater mussels have some of the most fascinatinglife histories on earth, yet so few people appreciatethem. Decidedly one of the most imperiled groups oforganisms on earth, freshwater mussels are literally the

“canaries in the coal mine” for the water quality in Ohioand beyond. Learn about their intimate association withfish and how some use amazing lures to attract fish tohost their young. Dr. Tom Watters is the recognizedmussel expert in Ohio and author of the soon to bereleased A Guide to the Freshwater Mussels of Ohio.He is the perfect person to lead us through identificationand life history of Ohio’s freshwater mussels.

Mushrooms October 2-4, 2009Dr. Michael Kuo, Illinois, Creator ofMushroomExpert.ComResearchers are just beginning to unravel the importanceof fungus in our natural systems. The Deciduous ForestBiome is intimately linked to underground mycorrhizalfungal communities for nutrient uptake and cycling,yet very few biologists or naturalists can put a name tothe fungal fruiting bodies—ormushrooms. This workshopwill be an introduction to mushroom identification andecology. Use morphology, smell, spore characteristicsand taste to recognize the major mushroom familiesand genera. Scientific keys and field surveys will be usedto try your hand with species recognition. Dr. Kuo is anEnglish teacher in Illinois and an amateur mycologist.He is the author of Morels (2005), and 100 EdibleMushrooms (2007), and is currently co-writing 100 CoolMushrooms for the University of Michigan Press.

Mosses November 6-8, 2009Dr. Barbara Andreas, Professor, Kent State UniversityStep into the Lilliputian world of the Bryophytes withthis introduction to moss identification and ecology.Mosses are often dismissed by naturalists as being “toohard” to identify. This workshop will work to dispel thisnotion by teaching participants how to systematicallyidentify this group of organisms with scientific keys.Naturalists and biologists alike will find that mosses canprovide year round study and interpretive opportunities.Adams County boasts the third highest moss diversityin the state with 184 of the 405 species recorded for

Ohio, so there’s no finer place to begin your journeyinto moss identification. Microscopes and hand

lens will be the norm for this workshop.Be ready to explore a world that will

simply amaze you with its beautyand intricate detail.

Registration InformationWhen: Workshops start Fridays at 7 p.m. and end Sunday at 1 p.m.

Lodging: The Rieveschl Chalet on the Rieveschl Preserve. Rustic andcomfortable with four beds to a room, private bathrooms with showers,air-conditioned and heated. Meals prepared by preserve staff. Beddingand towels not provided. Complete list provided with registration.Directions will be mailed upon receipt of registration.

Cost: $200 Includes relevant book or scientific keys, use of microscopes,two nights lodging, all meals, snacks and instruction. Maximumof 10 participants for each workshop.

Registration: Mail registration and payment to Edge of AppalachiaPreserve, 4274 Waggoner Riffle Road, West Union, OH 45693.Cancellations: Workshop fee (minus $25 handling charge)refundable up to three weeks prior to date of workshop. No refundswithin three weeks prior to workshop.

Information: Contact Preserve Director, Chris Bedel at (937) 544-2880or eoa@bright.net.

Special concerns: Preserve staff may collect specimens for documentation;no personal collecting allowed. Workshops are indoors and in thefield. Participants should be able to handle moderate hiking conditionsin rugged, unglaciated southern Ohio terrain and tolerate theelements, such as bugs and rain, with a smile.

Registration Form

name

address

city state zip

phone

e-mail

Please list any food allergies, dietarty restirctions or medicalconditions below:

Workshops Attending�Earthworms �Flower Flies �Freshwater Mussels �Mushrooms�Mosses

Total # workshops x $200 each =

Payment Information�Check (payable to Cincinnati Museum Center)

�Credit Card: Discover Mastercard AMEX Visa

card holder’s name

card no.

VIN code (last three digits in signature area on back of card) expiration

signature of card holder

Earthworms � Flower Flies (Syrphids) � Freshwater Mussels � Mushrooms � MossesSERIES 5

k

Diplocardia sp. – Photo by Sam James