Dear Teacher, Thank you for choosing the McHenry County Conservation District’s “Exploring Ecosystems” field study at Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake. The purpose of this program is to provide your students with a better understanding of prairies, savannas and ponds; field experience collecting and observing specimens from the pond and performing water quality testing; field experience identifying and aging native trees; a hands-on experience while collecting native prairie plant seed in our restored area; and a personal connection and sense of ownership for our Conservation District areas. Please make sure all teachers and chaperones attending the field study are aware of the following information.

1. This field study is generally 4 hours long. Please note your start and end time on the permit. We will begin with an indoor introduction followed by outdoor activities. We will be outside for most of the field study.

2. Teachers, chaperones, and students should dress for the weather and wear long pants and sturdy footwear for hiking.

3. After the indoor introduction, the students will take the bus from the Education Center to the pond, approximately ½ mile further down Behan Road. Students will explore the prairie as they hike back to the Education Center. Please arrange for your buses to stay for the first hour of the program to transport the students to the trail.

4. To assist the field study leaders in getting to know your class have the students wear secure nametags.

5. Encourage everyone to bring a waste-free lunch! Pack lunches in insulated, reusable containers and include items that can be eaten in their entirety, recycled or composted. Examples are whole fruits and vegetables, drinks in reusable bottles, snacks purchased in bulk and brought in reusable containers, cloth napkins, and reusable ice packs.

6. A teacher packet for this program is available to you on the Conservation District’s Website. This packet includes some background information, a map to Prairieview Education Center, a post-trip evaluation sheet, and pre-trip and post-trip activities. The pre-trip activities are designed to give students background information before they come to Prairieview. Please take time to do the activity because the information will be built upon during the program introduction. The post-trip activities are designed to provide the students with an extension to the activities provided during the program. -Download a teacher packet here: http://www.mccdistrict.org/rccms/index.php/school-programs/ -To request information be sent to your email or school address call Andy Talley at 815-479-5779.

7. In the event of inclement weather on the day of your field study contact us. While there is not much room to reschedule programs, we will try to accommodate your needs. We do have indoor facilities that can be used as necessary.

We are looking forward to a day of fun and learning with your class. If you have questions please feel free to call. Sincerely,

Andy Talley, Education Program Coordinator

Using a Dichotomous Key

Activity Objective: Students will learn how to identify tree species by the tree and leaf characteristics. Method: Students use a tree characteristics sheet and a dichotomous key to identify tree species by leaf.

A dichotomous key is a tool that allows the user to identify a plant or an animal. The user follows a series of choices between alternative characteristics until the species has been identified. The following activity involves using a dichotomous key to identify different tree species by their leaves. Below are some characteristics that make leaves different from one another. After reading about these characteristics, use the dichotomous key to identify 8 different species of trees by their leaf shape.

Coniferous Tree- Trees with needle-like or scale-like leaves. Broadleaf Tree- Trees with wide, thin leaves. Simple Leaf- A leaf that has only one leaf blade.

Compound Leaf- A leaf that has many leaflets.

Alternate Leaves: Leaves that grow along the branch, with space between each leaf.

Opposite Leaves: Leaves that grow along the branch directly across from one another in pairs.

Smooth Edges Toothed Edges Lobed Edges

Note that this key has been created for the identification of the illustrations included in the activity. This key may not identify tree species accurately in an outdoor setting.

Using the illustrations below and the dichotomous key, identify each tree species by its leaf. A. B. C. D. E. F. G.

Key 1. Leaf is compound…...……………………………………….....go to 2

Leaf is simple……..…………………………………………….go to 3

2. Five leaflets present….…………………………………………Shagbark Hickory More than five leaflets present…....…………………………….Black Walnut

3. Leaf is lobed…….……………………………………………….go to 4

Leaf is not lobed…………………………………………………go to 5

4. Leaf with rounded lobes…………………………...…………...White Oak Leaf with pointed tips on lobes….……………………………...Silver Maple

5. Leaf has smooth edges…………………….………………..…..Redbud Leaf has toothed edges…………………….…………..………..American Elm

Invasive Species in Illinois

Activity Objective: Students research different invasive species in Illinois, and determine the plant characteristics, how the plant negatively affects the habitat it lives in, and how to remove the plant. Method: Students use various resources to research an invasive species and record this information on BEWARE posters

Below is a list of invasive species that are commonly found in McHenry County. Students can work individually or in groups to complete the activity. Assign each student, or group of students one of the species from the list to research. Invasive Species List

• Bull Thistle • European Buckthorn • Garlic Mustard • Japanese Honeysuckle • Reed Canary Grass • Sweet Clover

Students should find the answers to the following questions:

1. What habitat is the species found in? 2. What does the plant look like? The height, color(s) and distinguishing characteristics

should be listed. 3. What time of year can this plant be found? 4. How does this plant negatively affect the ecosystem in which it grows? 5. Are there any current removal methods for this plant? If so, what are they?

Once students have completed their research, they should complete the BEWARE poster on the following page. The box is space for a drawing of the plant. Students can share their research with the rest of the class, and use these posters to spread awareness to others.

Species Name: ____________________________________________________________ Habitat: __________________________________________________________________ Why am I a problem:

__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ How can I be stopped:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Water Quality Test Results Complete this activity using the water quality test results from the pond study performed on your class field trip. What is the dissolved oxygen level of the pond? __________________ Using the chart below, determine the health of the pond based on dissolved oxygen. __________

Dissolved Oxygen Results 0ppm Poor 4ppm Fair 8ppm Excellent

What is the pH of the pond? __________________ Using the chart below, determine the health of the pond based on the pH. __________________

pH Results

4 Poor 5 Poor 6 Good 7 Excellent 8 Good 9 Poor 10 Poor

What is the nitrate level in the pond? __________________ Using the chart below, determine the health of the pond based on the nitrates? __________________

Nitrate Results 5 ppm Fair 20 ppm Poor 40 ppm Poor

What is the phosphate level of the pond? __________________ Using the chart below, determine the health of the pond is based on the phosphates? _________________

Phosphate Results 1 ppm Excellent 2 ppm Good 4 ppm Fair

What is the turbidity level of the pond? __________________ Using the chart below, determine the health of the pond based on the turbidity? __________________

Turbidity Results

0 JTU Excellent >0-40 JTU Good >40-100 JTU Fair >100 JTU Poor

Water Quality Testing Vocabulary List

During the pond study on your field study, we will be performing some water quality tests to learn more about the health of the aquatic environment. Review the vocabulary list below to

prepare your students for the tests.

Dissolved Oxygen- The oxygen dissolved in a body of water. Plants and animals that live in the water need dissolved oxygen in order to survive.

Nitrates- Minerals in the water that are needed by plants. If nitrate levels in bodies

of water get too high they can cause a high level of algae growth. These algae blooms need dissolved oxygen, and this can cause the level of dissolved oxygen to become too low for other plants and animals in the body of water. Sewage and fertilizers carried by water runoff can add nitrates to bodies of water.

pH- The measure of acidity in a body of water. The pH of a body of water can

affect the health of the aquatic animals living there. pH is measured on a scale of 0-14, with 7 being neutral. Items that are acidic have a pH of less than 7, and items that are basic have a pH of more than 7. If the pH of a body of water is too low or too high, it can be harmful to, or even kill the animals that live in that water. Below is a chart that shows the pH of a few common items.

Lemon Juice Normal range for natural water Soapy Water 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Phosphates- Minerals in water that are needed by plants and animals. If phosphate

levels in bodies of water get too high they can cause a high level of algae growth. These algae blooms need dissolved oxygen, and this can cause the level of dissolved oxygen to become too low for other plants and animals in the body of water. Sewage, soil erosion and fertilizers carried by water runoff can add nitrates to bodies of water.

Turbidity- The measure of water cloudiness. Cloudiness can be caused by floating

materials and small animals that live in the water.

From Route 176 turn south on Buhl Road. Continue on Buhl Road until it turns east and 

becomes Behan Road.  The entrance to the center is on the north side of Behan Road. 

 Prairieview Education Center 

McHenry County Conservation District 2112 Behan Road 

Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815‐479‐5779 

CRYSTAL LAKE 

ROUTE 14 

CARY 

OAKWOOD HILLS 

PRAIRIE GROVE 

ISLAND LAKE 

LAKEMOOR 

MCHENRY 

ROUTE 17

6 

ROUTE 31 

ROUTE 120 

ROUTE

 12 

BEHAN ROAD 

BUHL RO

AD 

PRAIRIEVIEW EDUCATION CENTER 

SNAP‐ON TOOLS 

HOW TO GET TO PRAIRIEVIEW EDUCATION CENTER 

Thank you for participating in a McHenry County Conservation District field study with your class. The Education Services Department wants to make sure the field studies are the best they can be, so that you meet your classroom goals. We sincerely appreciate your feedback on the field study you attended. School Name __________________________________Grade ____ Teacher’s Name _____________________________________ Name of the Program _____________________________________ Date of Field Study___________________________________ Conservation District Leader Name(s)___________________________________________________________________________

1. Did you choose to receive your field study packet by mail, email, or did you download it from our website?

2. How was the field study packet helpful in preparing you and your class for the program? What activities did you use? How could the packet be improved?

3. What were your goals for the field study? Were they met? How could the program better serve your goals?

4. Were the activities and information educational and stimulating for the children? What activities do you recall that worked especially well? What activities could use revision?

5. Was your leader well informed about the subject matter and enthusiastic about working with the group?

6. Would you participate in another Conservation District field study?

7. Do you have any additional suggestions, comments, or remarks?

If you would like to receive our Environmental Education Opportunities Teachers’ Guide electronically (Adobe pdf format)

please provide an email address here. _______________________________________________

Field Study Evaluation

Mail or fax your form to: Education Services Manager, Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake IL 60014 Tel 815-479-5779 / Fax 815-479-5766