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F NA Ca l end ar o f E ven t s

Third Tuesday workdays with the Education Center stewards: Oct 15, Nov 19

1:30 pm to 3:30 pm, meet in the Lederman Science Center parking lot.

Sept 23 Seed collecting workday. 1 pm to 3 pm. Meet at Lederman Science Center parking lot.

Sept 28 Wetland & woodland seed collecting. 10 am to 2 pm, meet at the horseshoe shaped

parking lot in front of Wilson Hall (our 16-story main building). Please wear long

sleeves, long pants, closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather.

Oct 3 Fermilab ELM Committee meeting, Wilson Hall, One East, noon.

Oct 5 Prairie Seed Harvest, 10 am to 2 pm. Main Ring or Interpretive Prairie, follow

signs onsite. Picnic lunch provided. For details, see our article on page 2.

Oct 19 Habitat restoration work day. 9 am to noon. Meet at Science Center parking lot. Check

http://www.fnal.gov/pub/about/campus/ecology/prairie/habitat_restoration.html for info.

Nov 2 Prairie Seed Harvest, 10 am to 2 pm. Main Ring or Interpretive Prairie, follow

signs onsite. Picnic lunch provided. For details, see our article on page 2.

Nov 7 Fermilab ELM Committee meeting, Wilson Hall, One East, noon.

Nov 16 Habitat restoration work day. 9 am to noon. Meet at Science Center parking lot. Check

http://www.fnal.gov/pub/about/campus/ecology/prairie/habitat_restoration.html for info.

Please watch your email, FNA Blog, or Facebook for last-minute changes or additional events.

A M e s s a g e f r o m F NA P r e s i d e n t Ro d W a l t o n fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com or 630-840-2565

As summer winds down, FNA volunteers and our summer interns are working side by side with the Fermilab Grounds crew to fulfill all aspects of our mission. The summer is a time of intense "on-the-ground" work to im-prove the quality of the natural areas by collecting and spreading seed and controlling invasive species. This is also a time when summer students and the Betz interns (two this year!) gain knowledge about natural ecosys-tems and management techniques to conserve them. This month, we say good-bye to our interns and summer students. This issue also announces the annual prairie harvest, our long-running event that is the life blood of the prairie reconstruction project at Fermilab. Join us, and bring a friend, on Saturday October 5 or Saturday Novem-ber 2! Also in this issue, you can read about our efforts, in cooperation with the Fermilab Science Education Of-fice, to restore a small pond on the site. Finally, on page 4, catch up on the surprising diversity of our dragonfly and damselfly fauna. As usual, if you have any questions or comments for FNA, please email or call me at 630-840-2565.

FNA News Sept/Oct 2013

www.fermilabnaturalareas.org fermilabnaturalareas@gmail.com 630-840-4845

Fermilab Natural Areas (FNA), is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit

tax-exempt corporation formed in 2006. Our mission: To conserve, restore and study

the natural areas within Fermilab while encouraging employees and neighbors to

experience and enjoy Fermilab's natural beauty.

We envision a future:

* Where our natural areas and ecosystems are rich in biodiversity.

* Where conservation and restoration are sustainable activities.

* Where we are a regional leader in natural areas research.

* Where Fermilab's open spaces contribute to a high quality of life for the community.

www.fermilabnaturalareas.org Sept/Oct 2013 Pg 2 of 4

It’s Good-bye to FNA’s Betz Interns & Fermilab’s Summer Students for 2013 ...

The two FNA Dr. Robert Betz interns, Calvin Troyer and Elise Worthel, and the two FESS ecology summer students,

Zach Storc and Ellen Hanes have returned to their respective higher educations. Over the summer they were busy, in

Elise and Calvin’s words: “getting to know the biodiversity of the FNAL site, continuing the process of restoration by

seed harvesting and spreading, helping with a macroinvertebrate study of Indian Creek and stream investigation, control-

ling problem plants, and protecting saplings.” Whew - that’s a lot of work! We want to say “Thank you” to all four of

them for their hard work and inquisitive minds this year. They were a pleasure to have working with us and we know

they took away a lot too.

The Fermilab Prairie Seed Harvest - Our Premier Event!

On Saturday October 5 and Saturday November 2,

join us for our annual Fermilab Prairie Seed Harvests.

All ages and abilities are welcome, and greatly appreciated, to spend a day in

the autumn prairie at Fermilab, and help us collect the bulk of our seed for the

year. The harvests will be either in the Main Ring prairie or Interpretive Prai-

rie; parking is available at both sites. Please watch for directional signs as you

enter Fermilab.

On both days harvesting is from 10 am until 2 pm, with a break for a hot dog

lunch (for your comfort, porta-potties will be available). You don’t have to be a

plant expert to help us! Fermilab staff and volunteers will be there to show you

what and where to collect. If you have them, please bring your own gloves, clippers, and containers such as paper bags

(especially with handles) or buckets. Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and close-toed shoes or boots are always

highly recommended.

This is a great social event to enjoy the outdoors and learn a bit about the prairie. We can’t do it without you, so tell

your friends and family. Please let us know if you are bringing a large group

so we can be sure to accommodate everyone: email olah@fnal.gov. You

may enter Fermilab from either the east (Batavia Rd) or west (Pine Street)

gate, please have photo ID ready. Call the Fermilab switchboard in case of

bad weather, 630-840-3000. See you there!

To see photos of the Nov 2012 harvest, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?

set=a.452366938132591.93154.207827679253186&type=1

Here’s the flyer to share :

ht tp: / /www.fnal .gov/pub/about /campus/ecology/prair ie/pdfs/

Volunteer_Harvest_flier2013.pdf

www.fermilabnaturalareas.org Sept/Oct 2013 Pg 3 of 4

Managing a Pond for Education Sue Sheehan, FNA/Lederman Science Center education program leader

Every fall, middle school students net for invertebrates in the

pond by the Lederman Science Center (photo at left). Students

decide whether or not the pond is healthy by noting what

“critters” they find.

This summer, plants such as elodea, pondweed, and Eurasian

water milfoil covered about 95% of the pond (photo at right).

To ensure the survival of the pond so that it could be a viable

test area for students, and efficiently handle parking lot runoff,

something needed to be done!

Three options were discussed:

- apply chemicals to kill the plant material

- stock the pond with triploid grass carp to eat the plant material

- cut and remove the plant material by hand

After research and thorough discussion with Fermilab’s Ecological Land Management (ELM) committee, it was decided

that the third option was the best choice. Let the handwork begin!

Three Education Office docents and two FNA stewards volun-

teered to “get down and dirty” by using a pond weed cutter and

rakes. In three hours, the volunteers cleared about 25% of the

invasive plant material. Note the improvement in the photo

below. The second day of cleanup produced even more suc-

cess. Ten volunteers plus two Roads and Grounds employees

cleared the pond of more unwanted aquatic plant material and

weeded the east edge.

Pictured above, not afraid to battle pond scum for

science education, are (left to right):

Sue Dumford, Sue Sheehan (FNA steward),

Lori Haseltine (FNA steward), Mary Jo Murphy, and

Dee Huie.

www.fermilabnaturalareas.org Sept/Oct 2013 Pg 4 of 4

Membership/Donations

http://www.fermilabnaturalareas.org/membership.html by U.S. Mail or online

Help us enhance Fermilab's ecology. Members receive the FNA Newsletter via email, are invited to special

events, and get a discount on FNA merchandise. FNA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization. All

donations to FNA are tax deductible, and can be made in memory or honor of a friend or loved one.

Fermilab employees can donate online via the Employee Self Service website.

Name: _______________________________________

Address: _______________________________________

City: _______________________________________ Donation $ _________________

State: ____________________ Zip: _____________

Email: _______________________________________

Please mail your check or money order to: Fermilab Natural Areas

P.O. Box 500, MS 444

Batavia, IL 60510

For Sale by FNA Call 630-840-4845, or go online to see all of our items, and order:

http://www.fermilabnaturalareas.org/shop.html

Rain barrels are on sale! Buy now and avoid the springtime rush! Assembled by us, these recycled food-grade plas-

tic barrels have an overflow connection on top, a spigot with hose bib on the bottom, and metal mesh covering the big

hole in the removable lid. Barrels are black, brown, or terra-cotta, but other colors may be available (please call). We’ll

also include 3 concrete blocks to use as a stand. Sale price of $65.

Tan baseball-style caps with our embroidered logo, made in the USA of sturdy cotton twill material,

with adjustable Velcro strap. Only $12 for FNA members, $15 for non-members.

FNA long-sleeved or short-sleeved t-shirts are natural organic, with our logo printed in front, web ad-

dress across the back. Short-sleeved tees are $15, long-sleeved are $18. Sizes from Small to XXL.

Benefactor $2,500 and up

Patron $1,000

Supporter $500

Donor $250

Sponsor $100

Contributor $50

Member $25

Student/Youth $15

Odonate observations at Fermilab, Summer, 2013 Mark Donelly, FNA

The survey of dragonflies and damselflies on site continued this year, resulting in the addition of ten species to Fermi-

lab’s list (see below), bringing the total to forty-three. Initial sightings of three of these were reported by Gail Chastian,

Jacques Hooymans and Ryan Campbell. Last year’s observations were primarily from lake and pond habitats due to the

early heat and drought. This year, vernal ponds persisted well into summer, and streams flowed throughout the season.

Most of the new species were seen in those habitats. The Cyrano darner and sweetflag spreadwing are uncommon in

Dupage county, while the river bluet is rare, being listed as imperiled in the state.

This year also included a noontime FNA field trip through the habitats near the Lederman Science Center and east to-

ward Wilson Hall. On a warm June day after a cool spell, the odonates were almost too active, flying madly and rarely

landing, making detailed observation of individuals difficult. The highlight was the first sighting of the Cyrano darner

which, thankfully, did perch briefly. Expect another field trip next season, and look to our next newsletter for photos of

this summer’s odonate highlights.

Species newly observed in 2013 -

Dragonflies:

Calico Pennant, Whitefaced Meadowhawk, Ruby Meadowhawk, Cyrano Darner, Swamp Darner, Shadow Darner

Damselflies:

Azure Bluet, Emerald Spreadwing, Sweetflag Spreadwing, River Bluet