Biology 4350/8356

COLORADO FIELD TRIP NOTES

This is a series of notes to make sure that everyone knows what is essential for survival on the Labor Day Weekend trip to Colorado.  First, we will be staying for three nights at the University of Colorado Mountain Research Station near Nederland, Colorado (303-492-8841).  The station is located about 9,300 ft. in the mountains west of Boulder.  The evenings and morning hours will be cool with the chance of near freezing temperatures.  Cost with will be approximately $20.00/night/person.  We will be staying in very rustic cabins with shower and toilet facilities a short walk away.

 

 WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?

·     personal care items and changes of clothes

·     rain gear or poncho (we will be collecting regardless of the weather)

·        long pants for field work

·        sleeping bag and pillow (rustic bunk beds in the cabins)

·        towel, soap etc. for showering and cleaning up

·        flashlight

·        sturdy shoes or hiking boots for field work

·        a pair of old garden or work gloves

·     a change of shoes (in case one pair gets wet, and/or for traveling)

·     heavy sweater or wool shirt (a couple of extra "layers")

·       wind-breaker/jacket, especially for above timberline

·    mosquito repellent and suntan lotion (the latter especially for our time above timberline)

·    a hand lens (optional)

·    camera (optional)

 

          We will "grub box" lunches and breakfasts, and try to eat out "cheap" for dinner.  I will bring a cooler for soft drinks and other perishable items.  We will get a supply of bread, peanut butter, cheese, lunch meat etc... for noon meals and have cereal, sweet rolls, coffee, orange juice etc... available for breakfasts. If everyone pitches in $10.00 or so, we can collectively cover these meal expenses (breakfasts and lunches).   Everyone will be on their own for dinner expenses.  If there are any special diet requirements, let me know ahead of time.  To start out on the road on Saturday, pack a snack to share and a lunch for yourself.  We will probably stop at an interstate rest stop for lunch and other times for gas and snacks.  Dinner will be in a restaurant on Saturday night.  If you are careful, I am sure you can get through the four days easily on $50.00 + lodging expenses.

 

COLLECTING EQUIPMENT

 

          The major reason for the field trip will be to collect lichen samples which will form the basis of your required lichen collection.  We will visit sites at several elevations to get the greatest diversity of species possible.  Collecting lichens is not difficult, and the following items are essentially all one needs.  I will show you my equipment the first lab period.

 

• a couple of old laundry bags (or old pillowcases)

• a hammer

• an old “hunting knife” for collecting lichens off rocks and trees

•  a cold steel chisel with a blade between 1/4 and 3/4 inch wide

•  a small pack of some kind to carry this stuff in

•  a small notebook (preferably with the pages permanently attached or bound)

•  an old flat wood chisel (more useful on the Missouri trip later)

•  a small squeeze bottle for water (useful for wetting certain brittle lichens)

•  a couple of small (3x5") note pads of paper with consecutive numbers (starting with 1) written on each sheet in pencil or permanent ink

•  paper bags (#2) which I will supply for everyone

 

If you have any questions about these items or about anything I might have forgotten, just give me a call before we leave.  HOME: 1-402-483-7051. OFFICE: 554-2491.  E-Mail:  regan@mail.unomaha.edu

 

WE WILL MEET AT 7:30 A.M. on the west side of Allwine Hall under the radio/TV towers, Saturday, August 30th and will return after supper on Tuesday, September 2nd.

 

 

THIS IS A GREAT TRIP!  DON'T MISS OUT!