Loess Hills Prairie Seminar

The Loess Hills Prairie Seminar is held annually during the first weekend in June. The event, sponsored by the Western Hills Area Education Agency, celebrates the natural history of the Loess Hills region. The weekend is filled with lectures, nature hikes, and hands-on activities which would appeal to all members of the family.

As a landform the Loess Hills extend from Plymouth County, north of Sioux City, to Mound City, MO. They were formed 31,000-12,000 years ago when silt from the then glacial-fed Missouri River was deposited by prevailing westerly winds east of the river valley. Although loess is found throughout the plains and Midwest, here it is in deposits thick enough to determine the character of the landscape. The Loess Hills Seminar is held in the central locations of Onawa and the Loess Hills Wildlife Area.

Among the sessions scheduled for 2002 are: 

Among last year's (2001) facilitators were Briar Cliff biologists, J. Stephen Munzinger and Brian T. Hazlett.  Dr. Munzinger featured "Neotropical Treasure Walk" and "A Trip to the Past" while Dr. Hazlett lead "Woody Plants for Beginners".  

Briar Cliff students have the opportunity to attend the Loess Hills Seminar and earn either mini or IR credit. Among the objectives of this course are to

  • study and acquire an appreciation of the Loess Hills environment and its geology and ecology that make the hills a unique part of Iowa.
  • Experience in the field what has been heard, read, or studied in class about the environment and its biota.
  • Enjoy a group of people whose interest is studying, preserving, appreciating, and living in the Loess Hills.
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