Advanced Training Updates

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Ogallala Commons

OGALLALA COMMONS PRESENTS:
23RD ANNUAL SOUTHERN PLAINS CONFERENCE

BEYOND THE WINDSHIELD:
DWELLING IN THE NATURAL WORLD
Commonsgallala
FEBRUARY 8TH & 9TH, 2012

MULESHOE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE & BAILEY COUNTY COLISEUM

MULESHOE, TEXAS
Conference Overview

Beyond the windshields of our vehicles…outside the windows of our homes, schools, and workplaces where we spend

much of our time…what is happening to the landscapes, plants, animals, and soils of the Southern Plains? Such a question

may seem irrelevant in a society where we live so disconnected from wildlife-- and ignorant of the natural world. But

that way of living has come to an end. Long-term flourishing (or survival) in the 21st century demands that humans take

account of and exercise care for the natural world--through actions that are more embodied, practical, knowledgeable…

and more complex. Our future depends on a “living with” and not just a “living from” the lands we inhabit.

To foster knowledge and action, this year’s Southern Plains Conference will be held over two days. On Feb. 8th, we will

participate in workshops at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge that take us beyond the windshield: walking on the

escarpment, among the playas and grasslands, out in farm country to see, hear, and make observations. On the second

day, we will deepen our experiences through presentations and discussions, to acquaint ourselves with what is required

for dwelling in a shared Earth.

Conference Schedule

February 8, 2012

11:30am Welcome & Overviews -- Bailey County Coliseum

La Pista de Agua Vida: The Migratory Life

Andy Wilkinson, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX

Living as a Naturalist

Susan Tomlinson, Ph.D., Texas Tech University, Lubbock

Julie Hodges, MS, Ogallala Commons Ed. Coordinator, Lubbock

12:20 Lunch

1:30pm Tours & Workshops at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

(10 outdoor tours and indoor workshops--adjourn at 5:30pm)

6:00pm Evening Soiree at St. Philip Neri Church Hall in Pep, TX

Buffet featuring locally-produced foods and beverages

Featured Presentations:

“An Agricultural Revolution: Causes, Effects, and Aftermaths”

Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, Director, Chapman Center for Rural Studies

Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

“Wind Turbines & Transmission Lines”

Performance by Laura Zak with music by Andy Wilkinson

8:30pm Adjourn

February 9, 2012

7:45am Registration, Exhibits and light refreshments

(Silent Auction Opens)

8:20 Welcome and Overview

Darryl Birkenfeld, Director, Ogallala Commons, Nazareth, TX

8:40 Evolultion of Landscape & Underground Water

Kevin Mulligan, Dept. of GeoSciences, Texas Tech University

9:10 El Llano Estancado: Playas as Keystone Ecosystems

David Haukos, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Manhattan, KS

9:40 The Great Transformation: The Logic of Plow-Up & Pump-Down

Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, Director, Chapman Center for Rural Studies, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

10:15am Break, Exhibits & Silent Auction Viewing

11:00 Oral Transmission of Plant/Animal Lore, and its Uses

Nita Pahdopony, Harry Mithlo, Caryn Borchardt

11:30 Walking Activity: Seeing, Touching, & Experiencing

Julie Hodges, Ogallala Commons

12:10pm Lunch (locally-produced and prepared)

1:00pm The World We Lost & the World We Inhabit: Biological Evidence

Dr. John Zak, Texas Tech University

1:30pm Overcoming the Fracture: Re-Visioning Stewardship

Kim Barker, Walnut Creek Farm, Waynoka, OK

2:00pm Break (Silent Auction Closes)

2:15pm Dwelling in a Shared Earth: Panel Presentation

Tish McDaniel, Southern Shortgrass Prairie Project Coordinator, The Nature Conservancy

Jude Smith, Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

(Other Panelists To Be Announced)

3:15pm Evaluation of the Conference & Introduction of Next Year’s Theme

3:30pm Adjournment

Registration
This years conference will consist of three events:

February 8th - Lunch and 10 Tours at the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge

February 8th - Evening Soiree at St. Phillp Neri Church Hall in Pep, TX

February 9th - Conference at the Bailey County Coliseum in Muleshoe, TX

The cost of each event is $40 per person or $120 to cover all three events. We are offering an Early Bird Discount of $100 per

person! To get the discount, register online or by mail for all three events by Jan. 20, 2012. Ogallala Commons must receive

payment by Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 for the early bird discount to apply. Students wishing to attend all or part of the conference

are eligible for special prices, to inquire about student pricing, contact: Darryl Birkenfeld (806) 945-2255.

Participants can register online after Jan. 3rd at www.ogallalacommons.org under the Events --> Southern Plains Conference

Anyone registering online must also pay online with credit card.

Bailey County Coliseum in Muleshoe, Texas (2206 West American Boulevard, Muleshoe, TX):

The Bailey County Coliseum is located on U.S. Hwy 84/70 in Muleshoe, Texas.

From Amarillo, take US-87 S to Canyon. Exit onto US-60 W toward Hereford. In Friona, turn left onto Grand

Ave, continue onto TX-214 S. Turn right onto N 1st Street in Muleshoe, turn right onto W. American Blvd (Clovis

Highway/US-84 and drive 1.5 miles, the Bailey County Coliseum will be on your right.

Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge:

From Muleshoe, take Highway 214 south 20 miles. Go west on Caliche Road for 2.25 miles to refuge headquarters.

From Morton, take Highway 214 north 18 miles. Go west on Caliche Road 2.25 miles

Questions? Call Darryl Birkenfeld at 806-945-2255

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Texas Panhandle Water Conservation Symposium:

The Dollars and $ense of Water Conservation

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Grand Plaza, Amarillo Civic Center

401 S. Buchanan Street – Amarillo, Texas

http://www.texaswater.org/index.html

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CCC Symposium: The Civilian Conservation Corps in the Texas Panhandle
Saturday Feb 18 - 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The panel will consist of local researchers, historians, and the CCC coordinator from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Our speakers will discuss the historical and environmental aspects of the Civilian Conservation Corp projects within the Texas Panhandle.

RSVP by Thursday, February 16 to Elaina at (806) 651-2258 or ecunningham@pphm.wtamu.edu

Panhandle Plains Museum

2503 4th Avenue

Canyon, Texas 79015

806-651-2244

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Hummingbird Workshop
February 18, 2012

Join our Texas Master Naturalists workshop, hosted by Mark Klym.
Mark is coordinator of the Texas Wildscapes and Texas Hummingbird Roundup programs at Texas Parks and Wildlife.
1-5 PM at Southwest Branch Amarillo Public Library - Free

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Native Plant Society

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Caprock Canyons