CONFERENCE AGENDA
FRIDAY, May 1
5-6:30 p.m. Friday Evening Social / vendor table set-up
6:29 p.m.. Introduction from moderator Angella Moorehouse
6:30-7:10 p.m. "Why are Hill Prairies So Special" -- Dennis Schlicht
7:10-7:30 p.m. "Overview of Hill Prairie SWG Project" -- Diane Tecic
7:30-7:50 p.m. "Status of Hill Prairies and the INAI" -- Randy Nyboer
SATURDAY, May 2
7:30 a.m. Setup for vendors, display tables, posters, etc.
8:00 a.m. Breakfast social (coffee, juice and rolls)
8:30-8:45 a.m. Welcome and outline of events -- Organizing Committee: Bohdan Dziadyk, Marilyn Andress
8:49 a.m. Introduction from moderator Christy Trifone (Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation)
8:50-9:10 a.m. First Plenary Session. Chrissy McAllister (Principia College) "Genetic Diversity in Hill Prairie Plants: Effects of Fragramentation on an Endangered Ecosystem"
9:10-9:30 a.m. Second Plenary Session. Vern LaGesse (LaGesse and Associates) "Management Case Study of Revis Hill Prairie, Mason County, Illinois"
9:30-9:50 a.m. Third Plenary Session. Jesse Bennett (Driftless Land Stewardship) "Prescribed Grazing: Are Herbivores the "Natural" Choice?"
9:50-10:10 a.m. Mid-morning break
10:10-11:30 a.m. Panel discussions (four breakout sessions, see below)
11:30-1:00 p.m. Lunch
11:30-2:00 p.m. Posters/vendor hall open
12:00-12:45 p.m. George Olson presentation / painting, sale of book
12:45-1:00 p.m. Conference evaluation (discussion/forms); field trip logisitics; closing
1:00-2:00 p.m. Poster authors and vendors available for questions; book signing
2:00-5:30 p.m. Field trip to Indian Bluff and Lindahl hill prairies
5:30 p.m. Conference concludes
PANEL DISCUSSION TOPICS
SLASH: How to achieve desirable vegetative response to brush clearing? Impact of brush clearing on microclimatic and soil conditions.
Moderator: Chris Kirkpatrick, Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
Invited panelists: Bob Edgin, Illinois Nature Preserves Commission; Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University; Bryan Cross, Kaskaskia Research Contractor; Clayton Wooldridge, Tallgrass Restoration LLC
BURN (Insects): Use of large-scale seeding of insects to restore diversity. Can we restore the invertebrates and still manage the native vegetation?
Moderator: Sue Dees, Illinois Department of Transportation
Invited panelists: Adam Wallner, University of Illinois;
Jim Wiker, Illinois State Museum; Ted McRae, Monsanto; Bill Handel, Illinois Natural History Survey
BURN (Plants): How to use fire more effectively to sustain openings without losing flora or fauna through timing, intensity/ignition methods, and patch burning.
Moderator: Michelle Simone, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Invited panelists: Mike Ingram, Prairie and Woodland Restoration Service;
John Taft, Illinois Natural History Survey; Mark Phipps, Illinois Department of Natural Resources; Bill Kleinman, The Illinois Nature Conservancy
GRAZE: Utilization of goats or other livestock to control brush. Positive and negative impact of grazing on flora and fauna.
Moderator: Ed Anderson, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Panel: Jesse Bennett, Driftless Land Stewardship; Sean Jenkins, Western Illinois University; Ryan Harr, Iowa State University; Jim Pierson, Mossouri Department of Conservation; Deb Finch, Iowa Meat Goat Association.