Post-conference Field Trips

Option 1: LaRue Swamp - Pine Hills Ecological Area, Union County, Illinois.

Along the bluffs at the western edge of Shawnee National Forest, the snake diversity and abundance at this site is impressive. In mid- to late-Spring, snakes representing several species complete a migration from their hibernacula in the rock out-croppings of the bluffs to a lowland habitat. Collecting any specimens here is forbidden without the appropriate permits, but the habitat and species diversity is quite awe-inspiring. We will provide round-trip transportation to/from TONEC for a 3.5-hour field trip on Tuesday afternoon immediately following lunch. Your belongings may be left at the Camp I Lodge while you are on the field trip. No collection of any wildlife will be permitted on this trip.

Option 2: Carlyle Lake, Clinton County, Illinois

Students in Chris Phillips' lab have a telemetered population of Sistrurus c. catenatus, but 9 other snake species are possible at this site. Because of the distance from TONEC, this will likely be a 1-way field trip. [But, if renting a car and flying out of St. Louis, it would be simple to continue on to the airport from Carlyle Lake at the end of that excursion.].

Option 3: Giant City State Park, Jackson County, Illinois

This is a self-guided trip to a 1600+ ha state park that is close to TONEC (< 5 km) - it will be convenient for those who have only a couple of hours, and their own transportation to spare on Tuesday afternoon. The site has several trails of varying lengths through a variety of deciduous forest habitats and impressive geological formations.