Date: July 19, 2013
Contact: Ryan Koepke, 219-395-1882
INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE: In 1913, pioneering ecologist Henry Chandler Cowles, led an international group of scientists on an exploration of the Indiana dunes. On Saturday, August 3, you can retrace their footsteps. Join the National Park Service and guest speakers for a full day of special programs and hikes in commemoration of the centennial of the 1913 International Phytogeographic Excursion.
The day starts with a Cowles Bog Hike led by national lakeshore staff from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meet at the south parking lot for Cowles Bog on Mineral Springs Road. At 1:30 p.m. join USGS scientist Noel Pavlovic at the national lakeshore’s Paul H. Douglas Center for a one-hour talk on British scientist Arthur Tansley, who attended the 1913 excursion. Tansley, like Cowles was a pioneer in the science of ecology. After the talk, follow Dr. Pavlovic on a guided hike of the national lakeshore’s Miller Woods, retracing the 1913 historic excursion. The hike length, ending around 4:30 p.m., will be determined that afternoon based on the weather conditions and participant ability.
If you prefer to make a full day of it, a workshop, hosted by the Dunes Learning Center, will provide bus transportation to all the day’s activities along with lunch and a program by Cowles biographer Victor M. Cassidy at the center’s Cowles Lodge. A copy of Cassidy’s book, “Henry Chandler Cowles – Pioneer Ecologist” is included with the workshop. There is a fee of $60 for the workshop to cover the food, book and transportation. Contact the Dunes Learning Center directly for details at 219-395-9555.
For more information on this or other programs at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, visit the park website at www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit or contact our information desk at 219-395-1882.
www.nps.gov/indu
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is part of the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.
