BOTANY WORKSHOP, Isle Royale National Park (Windigo)--September 7-11, 2016
Isle Royale is one of the least visited U.S. national parks, but one of the most re-visited. This botany workshop (September 7-11) is an opportunity to see why visitors keep returning to this amazing western Lake Superior island. Workshop sponsor: Isle Royale & Keweenaw Parks Association or IRKPA; info at irkpa.org <http://www.irkpa.org> This will be the 12th IRKPA-sponsored botany workshop to be held on Isle Royale. Who participates: This field-oriented workshop is open to any adult interested in learning to identify native plants of Isle Royale. Workshop participants should be able to walk up to about eight miles in one day with a light daypack on rocky, sometimes steep, trails. Info covered: Plant communities, rare species, ecology, invasive species, and use of dichotomous keys will be discussed during field trips to different island habitats including rocky ridges with amazing views, Lake Superior bedrock shoreline, and various wetland and upland plant communities. Flexible: Since this is the first (and perhaps the only) visit to Isle Royale for many participants, the workshop schedule is flexible and free time is available in the evening for plant review, hiking, attending a ranger presentation, watching a sunset, or exploring. There are always opportunities to take photos, bird watch, and sketch during the workshop hikes. Instructor: Botanist Janet Marr has taught 11 Isle Royale botany workshops and many other plant classes in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula. She is co-author of the IRKPA publication, Island Life: An Isle Royale Nature Guide. Registration: The workshop registration fee (US $699) includes instruction, round-trip ferry transportation from Grand Portage Minnesota, meals, user fees, group camping, Rite-in-Rain notebook, and two IRKPA publications. Alternate transportation from Houghton or Copper Harbor, Michigan is also available. A Windigo camper cabin at participant's expense may be available (contact IRKPA if interested in transportation from Michigan or the camper cabin). To register or to learn more about this workshop, please click here for workshop flyer <http://bit.ly/2909FmW> or contact IRKPA's Kristine Bradof at [email protected] or 906-482- <906-492-7860>*3627*. PLEASE NOTE: There is limited space on the Voyageur II boat from Grand Portage and a limit of 12 participants in the workshop so it's best to register for the workshop as soon as you decide to attend in order to guarantee a spot on the boat and the workshop. Interview about 2015 Windigo botany workshop: Anne McKinsey, a participant in last year's Windigo botany workshop, shared her workshop experiences during a recent interview on Minnesota's North Shore Community Radio (WTIP). Kristine Bradof (IRKPA Exec. Dir.) and Janet Marr (instructor) provided additional workshop info. The interview may be heard at www.wtip.org/isle-royale-workshops ______________________________ Janet Marr, Botanist and Workshop Instructor 23180 Highway Rd. Calumet, MI 49913 phone: 906-337-5529 email: [email protected] and [email protected]
