Lakeside Weekly: April 29th, 2025

Lakeside

Weekly

COURSE SPOTLIGHT:

Field Archaeology

“Lakeside gives me a really nice opportunity to drop out of my normal routine and focus more exclusively on teaching and research, and the great thing about field schools is they allow both things to happen simultaneously…”

Field Archaeology is a four week course that takes place each summer from mid-June to mid-July and is instructed by the State Archaeologist, John Doershuk. Students have the opportunity to get their hands dirty in the field, learning the basics of how to process artifacts, excavate units and document provenience.

Students will also learn about Iowa’s complex past before and during European contact and are invited along on field trips to sites such as Blood Run National Historic Landmark – a site that was inhabited by native Iowans as far back as 6500 B.C.E.

“I have had some field school students who then go on to become professionals, get PhD’s, get teaching positions, and that’s really fun to have mentored people into that role.” – Dr. Doershuk

Learn more about archaeology in Iowa:

https://archaeology.uiowa.edu/

Check out the Archaeology Class video produced and edited by Alumni, Jordan Barry:

SPRING CLEANING – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Pitch in to help us get campus ready for the summer!

Meet us at the Dining Hall on May 7th from 5-7 PM to help clean & sweep out cabins, cottages, & labs as we prepare to fill campus for the summer!

BYOCS – Bring Your Own Cleaning Supplies, if you can.

• Brooms
• Dust pan
• Surface cleaner
• Rags/Paper towels

We’ll provide the beer & snacks!

CLAMP

Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project

Summer is almost here and CLAMP will be starting to sample in June!

Since 1999 this citizen science program has relied on the help of volunteers like YOU to collect samples for testing at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory’s water quality lab. This information is used to monitor the health of all the different lakes in the area & to inform decision makers like those at the Department of Natural Resources.

This year volunteer training will be held on:

• Tuesday May 27th at 2:00 PM
• Wednesday May 28th at 10:00 AM
• Thursday May 29th at 6:00 PM.

Boat not needed to join!

Contact megan-vigdal@uiowa.edu or ashley-scheve@uiowa.edu for more information!

Join Northwest Iowa Habitat for Humanity in the construction of a 100-year flood resistant rain garden in downtown Spirit Lake!

This vital project is designed to protect two newly built Habitat homes and the surrounding neighborhood of future builds from future flood risks, while also

restoring critical natural habitat.

The rain garden will help absorb and filter rainwater runoff, serving as a natural flood defense while supporting native plants and pollinators in the heart of Spirit Lake. The event will continue with a Public Volunteer Planting Day on Saturday, May 31st – volunteers of all ages are invited to join and help plant the final wave of native species.

For more information or to volunteer: 712-363-3479 or

northwestiowahabitat@gmail.com

Doing some spring cleaning?

We’re always accepting donations of:

• Gently used furniture
• Appliances
• Cold weather children’s clothing
• Recreation equipment

Text or call 712-759-4227 to arrange a donation!

Study at Lakeside this Summer!

Summer 2025 Course Registration is still open! Courses include,

• Ecology
• Aquatic Ecology
• Field Archaeology
• Ecology & Systematics of Diatoms
• Environmental Nonfiction
• Wildlife Techniques

SUMMER UPDATES

WILD WEDNESDAYS

Wild Wednesdays are back, and with a new time! Wild Wednesday will now be at 5 PM in hopes that this new time will make it easier for families to attend! These free programs include fun, hands-on activities for families, kids, and kids at heart.

Programs begin June 4^th and run weekly through August 13^th. Wild Wednesdays are a great way to enjoy the outdoors, learn something new and meet other member of the Iowa Great Lakes community!

LAKESIDE LAB TREASURE HUNT

We will have a fresh new treasure hunt this summer! Maps will be available beginning Memorial Day weekend and can be found by the map in the parking lot, or in Waitt Lab.

Kitchen help wanted!

Come work in a fun laid back environment this summer! Iowa Lakeside Lab is looking to hire kitchen help for summer 2025.

Starting pay is $15 – $17/hr. We can accommodate to any schedule if need be. Positions could be 20-40 hours a week.

Call 712-260-1474 for more information or email Matt Fairchild at matthew-fairchild@uiowa.edu.

712-759-4227

friendsoflakesidelab@gmail.com

Iowa Lakeside Laboratory is located on the homelands of several Indigenous nations including the Báxoǰe (Iowa), Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha), Póⁿka (Ponca), Dakota/Lakota/Nakoda, and Sahnish/Nuxbaaga/Nuweta (Three Affiliated Tribes) and acknowledges the sovereignty and traditional territories of these people, the treaties that were used to remove them, and the histories of dispossession.