The Geological Society of Iowa will travel to Webster County this fall to examine the natural history of one of Iowa’s beautiful natural areas, Dolliver Memorial State Park.  As with all GSI natural history trips, we will examine the geology, history, archaeology, flora, and fauna of this park with some of the top experts in the field.  Dr. Ray Anderson (Iowa Geological Survey) will lead a team of Survey geologists in explaining the interesting geological features; Mark Anderson (Office of the Iowa State Archaeologist) will describe the pre-history of the region; John Pearson (Iowa State Ecologist, DNR) will discuss the prominent and endangered vegetation in the park; Daryl Howell (Senior Environmental Specialist, DNR) will discuss animal life in and around the park, and Dolliver Park Manager Kevin Henning will be on hand to lead the discussion of the history of the park itself .  As always, GSI field trips are free and open to everyone.

GSI Fall Field Trip participants will assemble in the picnic area just inside the north entrance to Dolliver Memorial State Park (see below) at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 29, 2007.  Following introductory remarks, we will consolidate participants into as few cars as possible to caravan to subsequent trip stops.  PLEASE BRING A SACK LUNCH AND DRINK FOR A DOLLIVER PARK PICNIC. 

All scheduled field trip stops will be completed around 4:30 pm, when participants are invited to travel to the Starlight Village Motel at the intersection of Highways 169 and 7 on the west edge of Fort Dodge (see map) for a 5:00 pm social hour and discussion of the field trip, posters, and other topics.  The GSI Fall 2007 Banquet and Annual Meeting will follow at 6:00 pm (reservations required - see newsletter for more information).  After a brief GSI business meeting , Dr. Chad Heinzel, the new Earth Science professor at the University of Northern Iowa, will discuss some of his research regarding geoarcheology in Sicily.