New Docent Training Schedule - 2008
February 16, Saturday, 9:00 to 12:00 noon at Konza Prairie Biological Station Headquarters, Hulbert Center (Konza Lane off of McDowell Creek Road, ground floor of the ranch house). Orientation to Konza Prairie Biological Station (KPBS), the Konza Environmental Education Program and the Docent Program. Meet the education program staff and Former Director, Dr. David Hartnett. Learn about the mission and long-term ecological research (LTER) of KPBS. Please park in designated areas behind the lab building and barn.
February 23, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. More about the Konza Environmental Education Program (KEEP), and the "Schoolyard LTER" program (SLTER) and rules & regulations of KPBS. History of the Dewey Ranch with FOKP historian, Charlie Given.
Required Reading
March 1, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Meet at the Hulbert Center Conference Room. We’ll discuss a specific SLTER student research project started in 2001 at the same time as the LTER Fire Reversal Study. We’ll carpool to the site and make some measurements and observations. Afterwards we’ll learn about the equipment used by the Konza Burn Teams and participate in a demonstration of a prescribed burn (weather permitting). Bring an extra layer of clothes and hiking shoes. It is always windy at this site. We will be outside most of the morning.
Required Reading
March 8, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Hulbert Center (ground floor Education Center). We’ll finish learning how measurements are taken for the Fire Reversal activity. Dress accordingly.
Required Reading
March 15, Saturday. No training today! This is the first weekend of Spring Break.
March 22, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We’ll talk about how to "interpret" Konza to the public. More Schoolyard LTER: Macro-Invertebrates of Kings Creek. We will be outside at least half of the time unless the weather is really bad. Dress accordingly.
Required Reading
March 29, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. Park at the Trail Head & meet at the creek site on Konza Lane. Stream Geomorphology training for new and experienced docents. There will be follow-up training on the geomorphology photo stands. We will be in the creek. Bring your own rubber boots or wear a pair of ours.
Required Reading
April 5, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We will hike Butterfly Hill and Westloop Trails and discuss specific research projects associated with climate change, geology and water.
Required Reading
Spring training: As our experienced docents guide groups on the trails and work with us during the science activities, you will be able to observe our techniques as a required part of your learning experience. Dates will be arranged with each of you for observations with actual groups of students or adults as reservations come in for April, May, June, September and October.
April 12, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. We'll car pool to the Hokanson Homestead and talk about the social and natural history of this site, the renovation of the barn and the OWLS wildlife observation area. We also will be outside at the Hulbert Fire Demonstration Plots to collect data and discuss the process of science.
Required Reading
April 19, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Nature Trail Kiosk. Learn how we work with groups to give a true prairie experience on the trail. We will hike the entire trail (2.6 miles) so come prepared, rain or shine!
Required Reading
April 26, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We'll visit the "Below ground" Plots. Dr. John Blair will talk about the belowground research plots, which show the relationships between above and belowground processes on the prairie. He will also discuss the RaMPs Project on climate change and other Headquarters area projects. At the Education Center we’ll introduce you to a little basic plant identification.
Required Reading
May 3, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We’ll visit the artificial stream research site and Edler's Spring with Dr. Keith Gido, the Microcosm study and USGS water monitoring site with Dr. James Koelliker.
Required Reading
May 10, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We’ll hike the Kings Creek Trail (3.1 miles) and enjoy some new vistas. Emphasis will be on spring wildflowers and plant identification.
Required Reading
May 17, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at Gate #8. Shane Creek Hike. In-service. Come and enjoy the hike from the short side by entering at Shane Creek Lane (4 miles from the Kansas River Bridge) just off McDowell Creek Road.
May 24, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Education Center. We will caravan into the Bison Loop, stopping at several locations to discuss animals, plants and interactions as well as prairie management and research results.
Required Reading
June 1, Sunday, 5:30 p.m. at the Education Center. We will enjoy a potluck picnic and bisonburger barbecue. Staff, experienced docents, docents-in-training, family and friends are all invited!
June 8, Sunday, Annual FOKP Wildflower Walk on Butterfly Hill at 6:30 p.m. Several of our botanizing docents lead groups. You are invited to join the Friends of Konza Prairie membership and general public for an evening walk.
June 16-21, SLTER/PAK Teachers’ Workshop. You are invited to take part in this workshop with the teachers. There are lectures by researchers, discussions, hikes and outdoor SLTER science activities. Come for one event, one day or the entire workshop!
September: Assimilation into active docenting! Now you can try your wings by sharing a group with an experienced docent and as your confidence gains, go solo! Dates will be arranged as reservations come in.
September 6, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Hulbert Center. We'll learn how to identify the big 5 grasses and collect primary plant production (biomass) samples for drying.
Required Reading
September 13, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at the Hulbert Center. We’ll have fun with the SLTER Grasshopper Inventory, weigh our dried biomass samples and compare our data with other Prairies Across Kansas sites.
Required Reading
September 20, Saturday, 9:00 a.m. at Gate #8. We'll hike the Godwin Hill Trail, which is the last of the three Nature Trail loops. This will expose you to a trail we use for tours during biennial Visitors’ Day. Come and enjoy the hike from the short side by entering at Shane Creek Lane.
Required Reading
September 26, Friday at 5:00 p.m. at Konza Headquarters. Graduation! Celebrate your hard work as a trainee and receive recognition as a full-fledged Konza Prairie Docent in front of the Friends of Konza Prairie membership. A brief ceremony will be followed by the FOKP Annual Meeting and Barbecue. Staff, family and friends are invited. Put this on your calendar now!
September 27, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. KPBS Visitors’ Day, a biennial open house for the public. We will need all of you who can possibly help with the estimated 2000 visitors. There are many different jobs to sign up for from gatekeeper to trail guide to ticket sales. Special KEEP events for children! Put this on your calendar now!