MN Projects at 12-Mile Praire & Monsanto

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How I Spent a recent Friday evening...by Kathy KingsleyPAGE 3

Pesticide Training Advised for MNs

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M A S T E R N A T U R A L I S T

focusfocusCALENDAR OF eventsn MASTER GARDENER OPEN HOUSES/EVENTS See p. 4n Back to the Basics: Seed Saving Centralia Public Library Sat, Nov. 14, 1–3 pmn Vermiculture & Vermicomposting Bond Co. Extension Office Wed, Nov. 18, 1–3 pmn Master Naturalist Movie & Meeting Centralia Public Library Sat, Nov 21, 1-3 pmn Thanksgiving Extension Offices Closed Thurs–Fri, Nov. 26–27n Master Naturalist Holiday Party Bretz Wildlife Lodge & Winery Tues, Dec 1, 6-8 pm n PSEP Training See p. 4

November/December 2015

Serving Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington Counties

On Friday morning, July 10th, 2015, a woman from Pierron, IL, was walking her dog along a farm road when she saw crude oil leaking from a pumping station into a ditch.

She placed a call to an 800 number for Plains Pipeline in Houston, Texas. This quick thinking may have saved the Highland Silver Lake watershed, which supplies drink-ing water to approximately 10,000 people.

The Madison County pump was shut down immediately. Plains All American Pipeline cleanup crews arrived on the scene within the hour, to contain the 4,200 gallons (ap-proximately 100 barrels) of crude oil which had been released from the pump station.

Facebook Spreads the Alert

Word about the oil release spread quickly by way of social media, as one resident in neighboring Grantfork, IL, captured video of an oil slick flowing down Silver Creek, heading for the Highland Silver Lake.

His video and the map he created to show the span of the oil leak circulated on Facebook. His map received 15 shares, and his video was shared on 415 Facebook pages.

Master Naturalists began looking for a way to volunteer time and energy toward protect-ing local water and wildlife resources. Daily

press releases and a Web site, created by the city of Highland, supplied transparency and updates; but it was Mike Buss, Supervisor of the Highland Water Treatment Plant, who became a valuable resource to the MNs and explained why their help was not needed:

“Thanks to the early morning phone call about the oil release, Plains All American Pipeline was able to immediately mobilize 200 contract workers from different compa-nies to help in the response.”

Catastrophe Averted by Team effort

Mike went on to explain that several other agencies also responded:

• USEPA: with 5 on-scene coordinators• IEPA: 2 Public Water Supply and 3 Emer-gency Response individuals• IDOT Pipeline SafetyAlso on hand were: County Emergency Response, Highland Public Safety, Highland DNR, and Highland Water. He says,

Pipeline Oil Spill Threatens Area Watershedby Eleanor Schumacher

Bond Co Master Naturalist

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Welcome to the first issue of the Master Naturalist Newsletter—where MN & MG contributions are always welcome. Got a story or event? We want to hear about it!

Submit to Sarah Lee buroak@mvn.net

Page 2 n MASTER NATURALIST focus

MNs Tackle Local Prairie ProjectsMaster Naturalists & MGs have adopted two exciting prairie restoration projects.12-Mile Prairie Project

The 12-Mile Prairie is a railroad remnant prairie hosting over 400 species of native plants, spanning Effingham, Clay, Fayette and Marion Counties. The prairie extends southeast along Route 37, between the towns of Mason and Kinmundy, IL, and serves as a “habi-tat corridor” through South Central Illinois’ agricultural landscape.

This prairie is managed by a

DNR rotation of controlled burns, but woody inva-sive species compete with native forbs and grasses.

IL MNs volunteer time to cut these woody invasives, preparing them for spot treatment by volunteers who carry a valid pesticide applicator license. They met for a 12-Mile Prairie Project work day Sept. 14. Under the supervision of IDNR Natural Heri-tage biologists, the team learned to I.D. invasive species & employ control

measures.To volunteer for 12-Mile Project, contact: Eleanor Schumacher MN (510) 285-7879.

Oil Spill Threatens Silver Lake Water Shed“There were contractors working for USEPA and a team of environ-mental scientists from Little Rock, Arkansas who were on site within hours, conducting samples of the water on an hourly basis. Plains continues to have monitoring samples collected at this time.”

While it was wonderful to witness local water and land infrastructure working so efficiently with other agencies, MNs still wondered:

“Just what is our role after a chemical spill? What is the appropriate, and most constructive way, to respond to a local industrial accident?”

Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP)

Established by the Illinois EPA in 1981, the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program is a way for citizens to observe the health of

their local lakes and ponds. In cases where a chemical or industrial accident could compromise a watershed, this program is a way for citizens to observe the health of their local lakes and ponds. Illinois Master Naturalists and other nature enthusiasts can get outdoors and gather information about particular inland lakes, while build-ing valuable relationships with stewards of the enviroment.

How wonderful it is to witness the management of our local water and land infrastructure working so efficiently with the other agen-cies, and the pipeline company. Going to Silver Creek to see the clean up for myself, I was impressed with the crew’s careful respect for the plants and animals they were working to protect.

For more information about the VLMP, call Illinois EPA at (217) 782-3362.

joint MEETING

ask aMASTERNATURALISTWhy use locally collected seeds for Prairie Restoration?Answer by Marty Kemper, MNFirst, it’s a matter of basic survival.

Prairie plants adapt over time to survive local geographic conditions, often reaching optimal size only when grown in that locale.

Also, insects vital to that plant’s life cycle have adapted alongside the plants.When you move north to south, timing varies quite a lot, and that plant/insect can miss the effect if it’s life stage shifts a week.

Seeds brought from far- distant locations can produce plants that become invasive, crowding out natural species.

Lastly, BIODIVERSITY! Preserving local genotype is a key issue as biodiversity occurs among community, species, and genetics. Many good species in our area are becoming uncommon, now only to be found growing in ditches and along roadsides. The future of local genetic stock may be lost unless it is propagated.

Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners met together, September 12, at the Extension Office in Breese to brainstorm projects and upcoming events. Attending were, front row (from l): Gail DeVilbiss, Kendal Walker MG, Margaret Conley MG, Brenda Lyons, Kathy Kingsley MG/MN, Sarah Lee MN, Beth Meier MG, Alexis Weigel MG, Marty Garrett MG, Kathy Apple MG/MN. Back: Marty Kemper MN, Mike Claypool MN, Will Summers MG/MN, Dale Kingsley MN, Larry Brammer MN, Jackie Friend MN, Jeff Friend MN, Dave Stein MN, Barb Rinderer MG, Deanna Ratermann MG.

On the 12-Mile Prairie (from left): Eleanor Schumacher MN, Bob Edgin (IL Nature Preserves Commission), Terry Esker (IDNR District Heritage Biologists), Brenda Lyons (ANR Program Coordina-tor), Dale Spitler MN, & Larry Brammer MN.

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MASTER NATURALIST focus n Page 3

Collecting Prairie SeedHow I enjoyed a recent Friday evening....by Kathy Kingsley, MN|MG

I recently spent a few hours harvesting Gama Grass seeds, along with Master Naturalists Dale Kingsley, Sarah Lee, and Marty Kemper.

I first had to dress for the occasion. It was rather informal, so I chose to wear jeans, rubber boots, long sleeves, and topped it off with a garden hat. I totally forgot my work gloves, but did manage to wear eau de insect repellant. What really set the outfit off was wearing a bucket around my neck secured by bailing twine. It rather reminded me of an initiaion to some club or organization.

To start off with, Marty demonstrated how to spot Gama Grass, and the “do’s and dont’s” of harvesting its seeds.

Did you know Gama Grass is also called “watermelon grass,” because of how much cattle love to eat it? This self-seeding native IL prairie grass grows 3-10 ft. tall.The female part (seeds) grow on the end of long cane-like stems that towered over me.

You had to spot a stem, then carefully wade through other tangled plants (some with stickers, so much for the forgotten gloves). While moving in this thick growth, I gound myself having to make wide, long steps in order to push the other plants away from my spotted clump. As I approached it, I had to carefully guide that stem over the bucket (still around my neck) and gently separate and break the seed into my bucket.

The seeds didn’t look like what I had imagined: each seed half an inch or so long, tan, hard, in a string of segments that looked like elongated beads. Breaking them apart, I needed both hands, trying not to drop them onto the carpet of tangled vegetation where I’d never find them. Getting them into the bucket became a personal challenge...eventually I had several cups, as did the others, but after all it was not a competition. We dumped them all into a big bucket.

My Friday evening was not just about collecting, but of sharing a beautiful sunset, nature, and gaining knowledge.

Thanks for letting me share my experience with you! Kathy

what IS IT?

SCOOPING SHOCKED FISHMaster Naturalist Sarah Lee assists IDNR biologist Mike Hooe (right) by scooping “shocked” fish as part of the Pond Management Demonstration, July 30, at Kent’s Dairy Farm in Mt. Vernon. The technique is used to monitor the health of a pond, Hooe explained, as the presence and numbers of species present can tell a lot. The fish are stunned for a few moments, scooped and deposited in a holding tank on the boat where they are counted, then returned to the pond to swim back to their fishy business, none the worse for wear. Look for more about Pond Management next issue.

Pollinator-Wildlife Habitat Project

Monsanto Prairie Project

BCJMW Master Naturalists are assisting the Monarch Way Station/pollinator habitat project planned for Monsanto’s Centralia facility. Activities to date include site visits, planning meetings, and native seed collec-tion outings. The project team has included MNs Kathy and Dale Kingsley, Sarah Lee, Steve Modert, Eleanor Schumacher, Will Summers, Marty Kemper and Alexis Wei-gel MG. Extension leadership

has been provided by Brenda Lyons and Gail DeVilbiss. Objectives include: 1) provide

a restoration plan and map; 2) provide seeds from

locally sourced native tallgrass prairie spe-cies to enhance the prairie mix the site will obtain from Pheasants Forever; 3) help Monarchs and other native prairie wildlife; 4)

learn about prairie restoration and have

some fun! So Far, So Good. Next step:

complete a draft plan and present it to the landowner. To volunteer for Monsanto Prairie Project, contact: Marty Kemper MN (618) 327-4158.

Aug 4, Planning Meeting at M

onsanto (from left): M

arty Kemper MN, Will Summers MN &

Mik

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Mon

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Master Naturalists proudly display Eastern Gama Grass seed collected from a native stand in Clinton Co., IL. (from left) MNs: Kathy Kingsley, Dale Kingsley, and Marty Kemper.

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Bond County925 E. Harris

Greenville, IL 62246

Clinton County1163 N. Fourth St.Breese, IL 62230

Jefferson County4618 Broadway

Mt. Vernon, IL 62864

Marion County1404 E. Main

Salem, IL 62881

Washington County9623 Wall St.

Nashville, IL 62263Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-Noon and 1pm-4:30pm

Find us online any time atweb.extension.illinois.edu/bcjmw

University of Illinois * U.S. Department of Agriculture * Local Extension Councils CooperatingUniversity of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

Pesticides are an important tool in pest management and land stewardship. In order to use pesticides legally and safely, there are a few things you must know.

Is a license needed?

The Illinois Pesticide Act states that if you apply pesticides in the course of your employment or on property you do not own such as a school or park, you must be licensed. If you own the land or if you lease the land, such as a community garden plot, you need a license only if the pesticide you apply is a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP). Restricted Use Pesticides will be clearly marked at the top of the product label on the container; you must be license to buy RUP products. General Use Pesticides (GUP’s) such as most of the products sold in garden centers or home improvement stores do not require a license unless they are applied to someone else’s property.

All types of applications count. Whether you spray the product or dab it on the leaves with a sponge, you are still making a pesticide application. Also, this means all pesticides, even the ones you use at your home without a license.

What about organic pest killers?

These products are still classified as pesticides by the US-EPA. If a product makes pesticidal claims, it needs to be registered with the EPA and will have a registration number on the label.

How to obtain a license.

You will need to take the General Standards exam (100 multiple-choice questions) and score at least a 70%. This will make you an “operator.” However, at least one person from your organization or proj-ect location will need to go one step further and become an “applicator.” Operators work under the direct supervision of the applicator.

An operator can become an applicator by scoring

at least a 70% on an appropriate category exam (50 multiple-choice questions). There are various cat-egories, including pest control in rights-of-way, turf, ornamentals, aquatic, fruit and vegetables; each is a separate exam. As your entire range of pesticide use must be covered by the categories on the applica-tor’s license, this could mean several exams.

Be sure to put some consideration into choosing your applications. Recommendations are General Standards of course. “Right-of-way” for prairie, “Demonstration and Research” for gardens, “Aquat-ic” for wetland applications or maybe even “Forest” for invasive species control there. Base your deci-sion on what projects you see yourself working on.

The costs involved.

There is a license fee and the license must be renewed every year with the Illinois Department of Ag. A commercial not-for-hire is $20 for an applica-tor and $15 for an operator. Public licenses do not require insurance, but if you decide to do pesticide applications for hire, then you must obtain a “com-mercial” license by paying a fee and providing a certificate of insurance. There is no charge to take any test, but there are charges for study manuals, workbooks, and training clinics. Each U of I office has training manuals and workbooks, or you may order your study materials online. Training clinics are offered through University of Illinois Extension and the cost is $50. Registration is now open at

http://web.extension.illinois.edu/psep/

Local training clinic dates:

December 14 & 15 (General Standards and Rights-of-Way) Holiday Inn Mt Vernon IL, 222 Potomac Blvd

February 24 & 25 (General Standards, Rights-of-Way, Ornamental & Aquatic) Gateway Center Collinsville IL, One Gateway Dr

Master Gardener

Open Houses & EventsMaster Gardener open houses are scheduled at local Exten-sion offices during November. Free to the public, MGs and staff will be on hand to answer questions and promote the up-coming MG training scheduled for January.

MGEvent/Open House dates:

n Marion Co MGs Photography in the Garden by Mike Claypool MN Marion County Extension Office Thurs, Nov 4, 3:30 pm

n Clinton Co MG Open House Clinton County Extension Office Thurs, Nov 5, 4–6 pm

n Jefferson Co MG Open House Jefferson County Extension Office Tues, Nov 17, 4-6 pm

n Bond Co MGs Vermicomposting Bond County Extension Office Wed, Nov 18, 1-3 pm

n Washington Co MG Open House Washington County Extension Office Thurs, Nov 19 11 am–1 pm

Words of Wisdom from the coordinator Pesticide Training Recommended for Master Volunteers

By Brenda Lyons, Master Naturalist Program Coordinator

For more information about the Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP) and other clinics available visit http://web.extension.illinois.edu/psep/