Idaho Museum of Natural History fieldtrip to explore Camas Prairie June 9 has buses leaving from Boise, Pocatello

On Saturday, June 9, 90 participants from across Southern Idaho, on buses leaving from Boise and Pocatello, will converge on the Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh to experience camas lilies in bloom while learning of their importance to the lifestyle of Idaho’s Native peoples and the natural ecosystem.

The theme of the fieldtrip is "A Splash of Blue, A Marsh of Green, Wings on the Wind: Exploring the Camas Prairie."

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and has a $60 registration fee. Field trip participants will enjoy a multi-disciplinary approach to develop an understanding of the history of the prairie and Idaho’s Native peoples. Lunch will be provided.

Camas prairies throughout Idaho became meeting places for the Nez Perce, Kootenai, and Shoshone-Bannock tribes, who gathered to interact in games, dances, and storytelling during their annual spring migrations. On the beauty of the Camas Prairies, explorer Meriwether Lewis noted in his journal on June 12, 1806, "The quamash is now in blume and from the colour… at a short distance it resembles lakes of fine clear water, so complete is this deseption that on first sight I could have swoarn it was water."

Activities planned include:

• Camas Gathering: Rick Williams and Janet Bala will lead the participants in the identification of camas and other plants, then introduce the harvesting process.

• Visual Arts: Printmaker and educator, Linda Wolfe will guide participants in transforming their observations of nature into charcoal drawings and watercolor paintings

• Ornithology: Terry Gregory will work with participants to identify waterfowl and shorebirds by their physical characteristics, habits, and songs

• Tribal Migrations and Social Interactions: Amber Tews and Drusilla Gould will focus on the history of the Bannock Trail, literature and comparative religion through social activities

The Idaho Museum of Natural History actively nurtures an understanding of and delight in Idaho’s natural and cultural heritage. The Museum aims to develop an enlightened citizenry that will learn from the past, think critically about the present, and provide leadership to enrich the future in a diverse, global society.

This event is funded in part by a generous grant from the Idaho Humanities Council. The IMNH is pleased to partner with Community Access Television, the Idaho State Historical Society and Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

To learn more or register, phone Mary Moses at the Idaho Museum of Natural History at 208-282-3168, or write Rebecca at thorrebe@isu.edu.

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