NOV. 9 & 10, 2001
AT MOUNT MERCY COLLEGE – HOST: NEIL BERNSTEIN
FRIDAY NOV. 9
An evening social was held at the Great Dragon Buffet in Cedar Rapids
and was attended by the following people: Neil Bernstein, Jim Christiansen,
Paul and Barbara Christiansen, John Pearson, Connie Mutel, Frank Olsen,
Jeff Parmelee, Jeff Tamplin, Randy Mercer, Jim Demastes and Terry VanDeWalle.
Tom Rosburg arrived after dinner.
Two excellent programs were presented after dinner at Mount Mercy College.
Randy Mercer gave a power point presentation on his research on Human Activities
and Their Effects Upon Mosquito Production in Northeast Iowa. Jim
Demastes presented a slide program on his research on the Coevolution of
Pocket Gophers and Sucking Lice in New Mexico.
SATURDAY NOV. 10 (AT MOUNT MERCY COLLEGE)
Chair Jim Christiansen called the meeting to order at 9:20. Jim
welcomed everyone and asked all in attendance to introduce themselves and
tell a little about what they do.
PRESENT: Jim Christiansen, Paul Christiansen, David Lyon, Neil Bernstein, Tom Rosburg, Jeff Parmelee, Frank Olsen, Dennis Schlicht, David Lyon, Connie Mutel, Mary Stark, Steve Johnson and Terry VanDeWalle
Jim Christiansen mentioned a few members who were unable to attend and encouraged all members to become involved in the group and recruit new members who are actively engaged in natural history research in Iowa.
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
Paul Christiansen made a motion to accept the minutes of the previous
meeting as submitted. Seconded by Neil Bernstein; Motion Carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Total balance in CDs -- $4,214.02 ($2,214.02, $1,200 and $800)
Total balance in checking -- $879.42
Total for all accounts -- $5,094.11
Current amount of total funds attached to Runkel-Roosa fund -- $412.00. Tom Rosburg reported that no Runkel-Roosa applications were received in 2001, therefore no award was given. Discussion was held regarding raising the amount of the Runkel-Roosa award from $200 to $250 in order to make the award more attractive to students. Neil Bernstein made a motion to raise the amount of the Runkel-Roosa award to $250. Seconded by Tom Rosburg. Motion Carried. Neil Bernstein provided an overview of the Runkel-Roosa award requirements.
Discussion was held concerning membership. Tom Rosburg reported that there were approximately 20 paying members, but he had received dues from several people that morning. The total income from memberships in 2001 is $472.71. Discussion was held concerning raising memberships dues. Jim Christiansen stated that he felt there was no need to raise dues at this time. All in attendance agreed.
Discussion was held concerning the balance of the bank account. Should the money remain in the account or should it be used to fund a project. In the past, money has been used to fund symposia, such as the to IAS Invasive Species Symposium. Jim Christiansen stated that the money could be used to fund a research project if the membership agreed on a project but Christiansen stated his strong opposition to using the funds for anything but the most deserving projects.
Neil Bernstein asked if the INHA had in fact written a check to the IAS for the Invasive Species Symposium. Jim Christiansen said that he assumed it had been done. Discussion was held concerning the amount of the donation, it was thought to be $100. Tom Rosburg checked the minutes and the checkbook and reported that the amount promised to the IAS was $250.00 and that it had not yet been paid. Jim Christiansen (reluctantly) asked Tom Rosburg to write a check to the IAS for $250.00.
Old Business
Accomplishments of the last year
Iowa’s Bayou Area - Jim Christiansen reported that discussions had been held over the past year regarding a research project in the area of backwater sloughs and wetlands in southeast Iowa along the Mississippi River. Jim reported that little interest had been shown in the project and it had been concluded not to pursue it at this time.
Loess Hills Project - Jim Christiansen gave a brief overview of past INHA work in the area and the need for future work. Jim stated that he felt the INHA needed to present a proposal, possibly to the National Park Service, DNR or the Loess Hills Alliance, to survey the flora and fauna of the Loess Hills 25 years after the original Loess Hills study. Discussion followed. Neil Bernstein noted that most of the property in the Loess Hills is in private ownership and suggested that someone talk with the Loess Hills Alliance to see if a projects are even possible or if there is even interest. Tom Rosburg reported that the NPS recommended a local grass roots approach and possible designation of the area as a National Landmark instead of creating a new national park or other entity. Paul Christiansen suggested contacting the NPS to see if they would be interested/willing to provide funding for a biological survey of the area. Jim Christiansen suggested also contacting other possible funding sources, such as TNC and the INHF. A Loess Hills Committee was formed, consisting of Jim Christiansen and Paul Christiansen, to investigate the possibility of funding a study. Jim Christiansen will contact the NPS and Paul Christiansen will contact the Loess Hills Alliance.
Honey Creek/Rathbun Project - Jim Christiansen gave background information on the project and an update. To date, four T&E species (1 herp, 1 butterfly and 2 plants) have been found at the project site. Jim Christiansen reported that this project is the first example of this organization putting together a group of experts to work on a project with funding. Tom Rosburg, Dennis Schlicht, and Jim Christiansen provided a description of current site conditions and the DNR’s plans for the site. Jim Christiansen suggested that the Friday night program at next year’s meeting be a progress report on this project. All in attendance agreed.
Wapsi River Project - Jim Christiansen reported on a request for proposals from the DNR to conduct plant and animal surveys at several public areas along the Wapsipinicon River in Clinton and Scott counties. A group of INHA members have submitted a proposal to complete the surveys. A copy of the proposal was passed around for the attendees to review.
Invasive Species Symposium Proceedings - Neil Bernstein reported on the progress of the proceedings. The proceedings will not be published by UI Press due to cost and other factors but will instead be published as a special edition of the IAS Journal. The issue will be the December 2001 edition but will most likely be out in January 2002. Topics that will not be covered include mammals, zebra mussels, leafy spurge biocontrol and a Wisconsin program overview. Since the symposium, the Invasive Species Council has been formed, met twice and taken one field trip; a brochure on garlic mustard is being developed; the purple loosestrife law went into effect on July 1, 2001; Eurasian milfoil is now considered to be a noxious weed; and it is now realized that fish are a particular problem.
NEW BUSINESS
Connie Mutel read a letter she had received from Gene Gaellner and
suggested that INHA members send Gene and his wife a note. They would
appreciate hearing from their old friends. Gene’s address is: W4593
2nd Ave. Spooner, WI 54801
Potential Iowa Research
Several potential research projects were discussed.
Loess Hills – Discussed under old business.
Changes in Iowa’s Wetland Flora and Fauna - Jim Christiansen suggested a research project that would look at what changes have occurred in the state’s wetland plants and animals. This could possibly be done in conjunction with Lakeside Labs. Discussion was held concerning what role, if any, Lakeside Labs could play. Neil Bernstein and Tom Rosburg discussed some of the problems associated with using Lakeside Labs, including lack of baseline data and inexperience of students.
Farm Ponds - Jim Christiansen suggested a research project to look at what effect the construction of farm ponds has had on the biota of the state. Possibly look at farm ponds vs. natural wetlands. Neil Bernstein suggested contacting Laura Jackson (UNI) whose current research is in a related area.
Changes in Mussel Populations in Iowa Streams - Dave Lyon suggested a project that would look at changes in mussel populations. Discussion was held concerning what types of projects might be conducted. Jim Christiansen suggested a symposium. A mussel committee, consisting of Dave Lyon and Dennis Schlicht, was formed to look into the possibility of hosting a symposium at the 2003 IAS meeting. Discussion was held regarding who is conducting mussel research in the state. Three names came up: John downing (ISU), Kelly Arbuckle (IDOT) and Jim Eckblad (Luther College). Dave Lyon will contact John Downing and Jim Eckblad and Terry VanDeWalle will contact Kelly Arbuckle. The committee will report back to the membership at the next meeting.
Proposed Changes to the Iowa DNR Threatened and Endangered Species List
Neil Bernstein asked whether the INHA as an organization should comment on the proposed changes or should members comment individually. Discussion was held and it was decided that each member should comment individually based on his or her specific expertise.
Future meeting
The next meeting will be an informal social gathering at the 2002 IAS meeting. More information on this to follow.
Jim Christiansen reiterated his request that current INHA members try to recruit new members with expertise in areas currently lacking within the membership.
The meeting was adjoined at 12:00
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED – Terry VanDeWalle, Vice-Chair/Secretary