NEWS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA STATE MUSEUM

NOVEMBER theMammoth 2010 Life in the Past Lane

Celebrating 50 years of Nebraska’s Highway Paleontology Program The University of Nebraska State The exhibit, “Highway Paleontology: Museum and the Nebraska Department of Life in the Past Lane,” highlights spectacular Roads are celebrating 50 years of life in the fossil fi nds salvaged since 1960 through the HIGHLIGHTS past lane. A special exhibit opened at Morrill program. Read more about the exhibit, the Hall on September 30 to celebrate the program, and the Friends reception that IN THIS ISSUE 50th anniversary of the Nebraska Highway was held to commemorate the milestone on Paleontology Program, a collaborative effort pages 18-19. Beetle Mania betweenbetween thethe statestate agencies.agencies.

Sunday with a Scientist ...... 8-9 NaturePalooza Nebraska ...... 12-13 Astronaut Clayton Anderson ...... 14 Returns to Morrill Hall Parasitology Researchers...... 16-17 Continue Mongolian Expedition Highway Paleontology ...... 18-19 Program 50th Anniversary Ashfall Fossil Beds Hosts...... 20-21 ExplorOlogy Youth Program & MORE! Read The Mammoth Online! www.friendsofthemuseum.org

ABOVE:ABOVE: UniversityUniniversity ooff NNebraskaebraska SStatetate MMuseumuseum HigHighwayhwhway PPaleontologistsaleontolooggists SShanehane TucTuckerkeker anandd BBruceruce BBaileyailey remremoveove a fi eld jacket as construction is completed on the Gering SouSouthth proprojectject iinn 11999.9999. ((PhotoPhoto by CraigCraig Lind,LiLindd, NDONDOR)R) ININSET:SET: ShShaneaane TuTuckercker rremovesemoves sedimentsediment fromfrom a rare three-hornedthree-h “deer” skull in 2005. MORRILL FRIENDS UNIVERSITY OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS NEBRASKA HALL Mark A. Brohman, President STATE MUSEUM STAFF David Rowe, Vice President EX-OFFICIO CALENDAR Director: Priscilla C. Grew Mel Thornton, Treasurer Priscilla C. Grew Associate Director: Mark Harris AT A GLANCE Diane Pratt, Secretary Mike Madcharo

Informal Science Education: Judy Diamond, Curator Karen Amen ADVISORY COUNCIL Amy Spiegel NOVEMBER Marcia Hollestelle Judy Diamond Michael Leite Connie Pejsar Education Coordinator: Kathy French November 21 Curtis Mann Norm Smith Museum Associates: Ann Cusick 1:30-4:30 p.m. Lois Mayo Mike Zeleny Carrie Ford Sunday with a Scientist Keely Rennie-Tucker Cindy Loope “Ancient People & Their Killer Lynn Sobotka ASHFALL CHAPTER Ina Van der Veen Beans” Diann Sorensen Mark Brogie, Mark Sorensen President Research Partnerships Coordinator: Brett Ratcliffe Scientifi c Illustrator: Angie Fox DECEMBER Research Collections Staff Secretary: Gail Littrell CONTACT INFORMATION December 19 Anthropology: Alan Osborn, Curator 1:30-4:30 p.m. Director’s Offi ce (402) 472-3779 NAGPRA/Collections Assistant: Susan Curtis Sunday with a Scientist Museum Information Line (402) 472-2642 Nebraska Archaeological Survey: Alan Osborn “Nebraska Amphibians & Turtles” School Program Reservations (402) 472-6302 Friends Offi ce (402) 472-3779 Botany: Robert Kaul, Curator Mueller Planetarium (402) 472-2641 Collection Manager: Thomas Labedz JANUARY Nebraska Hall Offi ce (402) 472-2643 Collections Assistant: Linda Rader Ashfall Fossil Beds (402) 893-2000 January 7 Trailside Museum (308) 665-2929 Entomology: Brett Ratcliffe, Curator 5:00-8:30 p.m. Collection Manager: M.J. Paulsen University of Nebraska State Museum 140th Anniversary www.museum.unl.edu Geology: Samuel Treves, Curator Kick-off Celebration with Museum Geological Specialist: Karl Baumgarten National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore Invertebrate Paleontology: Roger Pabian, Curator Hosted by the Friends of the State Museum & the University of Nebraska Foundation CONNECT WITH US ON FACEBOOK! Parasitology: Scott Gardner, Curator Collection Manager: Gabor Racz *RSVP required by Dec. 23. Invitations will be mailed to current MORRILL HALL Vertebrate Paleontology: Ross Secord, Curator Friends members soon. Collection Manager: R. George Corner South of 14th and Vine Streets (402) 472-2642 Preparators: Gregory Brown January 16 University of Nebraska Robert Skolnick 1:30-4:30 p.m. Lincoln, Nebraska Ellen Stepleton Sunday with a Scientist Highway Salvage Paleontologist: Shane Tucker ‘Yellowstone Volcanic Hotspot” Open Year Around Highway Salvage Preparator: Nicholas Famoso Monday-Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Thursdays: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Open Late!) Zoology: Patricia Freeman, Curator FEBRUARY Sundays: 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Collection Manager: Thomas Labedz Closed Easter, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Affi liated Courtesy, Adjunct, and Emeritus Faculty: February 5 December 24-25, and January 1 Anthropology: Thomas Myers 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Planetarium Closed Mondays and NU home football game Saturdays Entomology: Mary Liz Jameson Dinosaurs & Disasters Day! Geology: Robert Diffendal Invertebrate Paleontology: David Watkins February 20 ASHFALL FOSSIL BEDS Parasitology: John Janovy, Mary Lou Pritchard Vertebrate Paleontology: Michael Voorhies, 1:30-4:30 p.m. 86930 517 Avenue (402) 893-2000 Sunday with a Scientist Robert Hunt, Jr. Royal, NE 68773 Zoology: Hugh Genoways, Paul Johnsgard “Parasitology” Located seven miles north of Highway 20 between Royal and Orchard, Nebraska. Ashfall Fossil Beds Superintendent: Rick Otto Museum Specialist: Sandy Mosel MARCH Open Seasonally. For schedule, visit ashfall.unl.edu Trailside Museum Staff Assistants: Susan Veskerna March 20 Pattie Norman 1:30-4:30 p.m. TRAILSIDE MUSEUM Accounting Clerk: Judy Ray Sunday with a Scientist Discovery Shop Manager: Leah Carpenter “Lasers & Photonics” PO Box 462 (308) 665-2929 Exhibit Design Specialist: Ron Pike Crawford, NE 69339 Graphics Design Specialist: Joel Nielsen Located on Highway 20 at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. Mueller Planetarium Supervisor: Jack Dunn museum.unl.edu Public Service Associate: Linda Beran for more event details! Open Seasonally. Public Relations Coordinator, Friends Liaison, & For schedule, visit trailside.unl.edu Mammoth Newsletter Editor: Dana Ludvik 2 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum FROM THE DIRECTOR

Jimmy Stewart was always my father’s favorite actor—my father was Princeton Class of 1929, and Stewart was right behind him in Class of ’32. There is a quote attributed to Jimmy Stewart that is particularly appropriate to life today in our State Museum: “Never treat your audience as customers, always as partners.” Partnerships are fl ourishing all around us in Morrill Hall – Lincoln Public Schools bringing all the city’s third- and fi fth-graders here for standards-based science programming; the Nebraska Department of Roads celebrating 50 years of partnership in recovering 200,000 fossils from road construction sites to be curated in the Museum for future scientists to study; our visitors who are our partners in learning –they learn from our exhibits and programs, as we learn from them about what works best to enhance lifelong learning in a natural history museum. Furthermore, almost all our large federal research grants involve partnerships of our curators and staff with scholars at other institutions both in the U.S. and internationally. Artist Missi Paul was one of those who partnered with us in presenting the Miss Mie Friendship Doll exhibit this year. When the delegation from Mie Prefecture in Japan fi rst visited Artist Missi Paul with her painting in the Miss Mie exhibit (Photo by P. Grew) UNL back in September 2008, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development, Prem Paul, and his wife Missi helped host a lovely dinner to welcome our visitors. A member of the delegation gave Missi a miniature doll pin as a souvenir, handmade from antique kimono silk. The little pin served as the inspiration for a wonderful painting by Missi, and when we were preparing for the Miss Mie exhibit this year, Missi kindly agreed to loan us her painting to enhance the show. We partnered with the Lincoln Downtown Rotary Club #14 on their community benefi t fundraiser in October. A gentleman in Lincoln agreed this past summer to sell me one of the original “Archie” mammoth sculptures by Nebraska artist Fred Hoppe that had been sold by the Friends of the State Museum back in the 1990s to raise funds for the installation of the life-size “Archie” who stands in front of Morrill Hall. Rotary gave us wonderful publicity for the Museum by advertising “Archie” as one of their live auction items both at their meetings and in the auction program at Lincoln Station. I was thrilled that the winning bid was submitted by Art Zygielbaum – both Art and Chris Zygielbaum are Friends of the State Museum. Art is affi liated with the UNL School of Natural Resources (SNR), and Chris is Past President of the UNL Faculty Women’s Club. Priscilla Grew congratulates Art Zygielbaum on his winning bid for “Archie” at the Rotary Auction on October 8 Kathy French, Museum Education Coordinator, put (Photo by Mailani Veney.) together a fantastic series of partnerships this year when she created the Museum’s popular new Sunday with a Scientist program. She has brought brand new programming to the Textile Society of America’s national symposium in Lincoln. Museum visitors on the third Sunday of each month – with Kathy French and Nancy Childs, visual art curriculum specialist for these partnerships we can extend learning even beyond the Lincoln Public Schools, partnered in the educational outreach for scope of our Museum research collections. In October, Kathy this exhibit. organized the fi rst “NaturePalooza Nebraska” with student Just look through this issue of the Mammoth: I bet you will and faculty volunteers from the School of Natural Resources. fi nd partnerships on every page. And don’t forget – please continue This fall we have enjoyed a marvelous Navajo weaving to partner with us in generously supporting the Friends and your exhibit in the Cooper Gallery that is the result of a partnership State Museum so that we can continue to recruit more partners for with Wendy Weiss, Professor of Textiles, Clothing and Design the future! at UNL. The Cooper Foundation provided a grant so that we could install this wonderful show and have it open during – Priscilla C. Grew, Director November 2010 3 FROM THE PRESIDENT

The State Museum staff has been very busy this fall. I was fortunate enough to attend the Highway Paleontology 50th anniversary celebration. I was aware of the program but didn’t SAVE THE DATE! realize how successful this program has been over the last 50 years and some of the incredible discoveries that have resulted University of Nebraska State Museum in salvaging these important artifacts and fossils as we have built 140th Anniversary and improved roads across the state. The Wildlife and Nature Photo Contest photos are on Kick-Off Celebration display at the Museum until December 1. There are some phenomenal photos of people, landscapes, wildlife and plants. The “Sunday with a Scientist” program continues to be a hit with Featuring National Geographic Photographer Joel Sartore the kids and their parents and it will continue every third Sunday Hosted by the Friends of the State Museum & of the month through December. I haven’t had a chance to see the University of Nebraska Foundation the Museum’s new Archie mascot in person, but I can tell from the photos that it is going to be a great success. Friday, January 7, 2011 On October 1st the Museum opened “A Turning Point: 5:00 - 8:30 PM Navajo Weaving in the Late 20th Century,” an exhibit with modern Navajo textiles. If you enjoy Native American designs, Morrill Hall you will love this exhibit. I had a chance to see the exhibit and found it very interesting. Invitations will go out to current Friends members in December with more details, including Board member nominations. RSVP will be required by Dec. 23. We have a very busy January shaping up as we plan to Dinner $15 per person celebrate the museum’s 140th anniversary and kickoff the Joel Sartore’s amphibian photo exhibit on January 7, 2011. That same evening we will hold the Friends’ annual meeting, a dinner event, and a lecture by National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore. UNL Service Awards 2010 Have a safe winter, The Friends of the State Museum Mark A. Brohman, Board President would like to congratulate the following Museum Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum staff for their many years of service to the Museum and the University of Nebraska. Thank you for your dedication! 25 years Tom Labedz, Collection Manager for Botany & Zoology Rob Skolnick, Preparator for Vertebrate Paleontology

20 years Judy Diamond, PhD, Professor and Curator of Informal Science Education Ellen Stepleton, Preparator for Vertebrate Paleontology

15 years Susan Curtis, NAGPRA Assistant and Collections Assistant for Anthropology

10 years Friends President Mark Brohman at the Nebraska Highway Paleontology 50th anniversary reception Shane Tucker, Highway Salvage Paleontologist and “Life in the Past Lane” exhibit opening Sept. 29.

4 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum CAMPAIGN FOR NEBRASKA

MUSEUM MEMORIES

Friends Board Member & Campaign for Nebraska Co-Chair Mark Sorensen shares what the Museum means to him.

My undergraduate class schedule included Professor Sam Trevis’ Introduction to Geology, meeting in the northwest corner of Morrill Hall’s fi rst fl oor. Continental drift theory warranted only a brief paragraph at the tail end of the second semester. It was viewed with deep skepticism by the profession at the time. The profi les of the land masses on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean, if moved together on a At the University of Nebraska State Museum northwest-southeast axis, were suffi ciently congruous to satisfy this naïve freshman of the validity of the From historic Morrill Hall – home to “Archie the Mammoth” concept. The movement of a jumble of tectonic plates, on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus -- to Ashfall proposed as the operative mechanism of drift, was Fossil Beds near Royal and the Trailside Museum at Fort tougher to accept. The size and shape of these plates might be defi ned by the increased volcanic and seismic Robinson, the University of Nebraska State Museum activity observed at their borders. enriches the lives of more than 100,000 visitors and Now fast-forward some fi fty years, and I’m students each year, creating lifelong memories and enjoying cocktails on the third fl oor of Morrill Hall inspiring a love of science and learning. at a July 2 reception celebrating the return of Miss Mie, the Friendship doll, escorted by her committee of The University of Nebraska is involved in a campaign to restoration from the Mie Prefecture of Japan. We have raise $1.2 billion to support students, faculty, research and all taken our positions near the podium for the formal programs. You can choose to help the museum by making a presentations, and quite by accident, I fi nd myself contribution to the Friends of the University of Nebraska standing by the kiosk illustrating seismic activity and State Museum Fund relative strength of quakes…around the world… . in the previous 24 and 48 hours. There, outlined To learn more about the museum and the campaign, beautifully in color and detail, are the tectonic plates, for all to see. And, as I stood, the kiosk trembled contact Connie Pejsar, [email protected], and emitted a soft rumble, registering the real-time 402-458-1190 or 800-432-3216. detection of yet another earth tremor. This, to me, is terribly exciting stuff. An interest, kindled in this To give online, go to nufoundation.org/friendsofthestatemuseum facility decades earlier, continues to enrich a life. As a repository of information, Morrill Hall remains a vital resource in many lives. Its value is inestimable, and its preservation and growth a top priority.

– Mark Sorensen, Friends Board Member & Campaign for Nebraska Co-Chair for the State Museum

SHARE YOUR MUSEUM MEMORIES & VINTAGE PHOTOS! Do you have fond memories or treasured old photos associated with the Museum that you’d like to share in honor of our 140th anniversary in 2011? Maybe a childhood trip to Morrill Hall that gave you a whole new perspective on the natural world? Or a memory of the fi rst time your grandchildren visited Ashfall Fossil Beds or the Trailside Museum at Fort Robinson State Park? How about a black and white photo of a mammoth being excavated on a Nebraska farm?

Please e-mail your favorite museum memories (100 words or less) & scanned photos to Dana Ludvik at [email protected] by January1. You may also mail them to: Dana Ludvik, NU State Museum, 307 Morrill Hall - UNL, PO Box 880338, Lincoln, NE 68588-0338. If you need assistance with photo scanning, phone (402) 472-3779.

November 2010 5 NEWS & INFO

A Turning Point: Navajo Weaving in the Late 20th Century Wildlife & Nature October 1 - November 30, 2010 Amateur Photography Exhibit Morrill Hall’s Cooper Gallery Visit Morrill Hall to see the winners of the Museum’s 2nd annual ‘Wildlife and Nature’ photography contest now through December 1.

The fi rst prize photo in the “Other Wildlife” category by amateur photographer Chris Davis of Valentine, Nebraska.

MEET MUSEUM MASCOT ARCHIE! (THE BIG MAMMOTH ON CAMPUS) Give the Gift of a HOLIDAY OUTING Museum Gift Certifi cate Package SALE! Gift Package Options Museum family pass & $20 shop certifi cate •Package price $25... You save $5 Museum family pass & $40 shop certifi cate •Package price $40... You save $10 Give the Gift of MEMBERSHIP Friends Memberships include FREE admission

year-long to Morrill Hall, Ashfall, & Trailside! The Museum’s new Archie mascot made his “offi cial debut” to the public outside Morrill Hall $45 family membership or $30 individual membership before the Texas vs. Nebraska football game Oct. 16. Archie will make appearances at several See more details at www.friendsofthemuseum.org events and Lincoln schools throughout 2011 in celebration of the Museum’s 140th anniversary.

COMING SOON: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER JOEL SARTORE’S “AMPHIBIANS: VIBRANT AND VANISHING” Morrill Hall •Cooper Gallery • December 2011 - October 2011

6 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum NEWS & INFO

HOTSPOT TELLS GEOLOGIC STORY OF YELLOWSTONE Museum Educator Cindy Loope shares her experience from the September ‘Earthscope’ workshop at Yellowstone National Park.

The North American continent is moving southwest the Yellowstone, Snake River Plain, and Teton areas. An array of at a steady 3.6 cm per year! That may not seem very fast, but seismic stations started on the west coast and has been moved when you look at the past 15 million years (fairly recent in progressively eastward over the past six years. Currently they are geologic time) you can see how far the continent has moved by in a swath covering the area between North Dakota and Texas, looking at the location of the Yellowstone volcanic caldera. The including Nebraska. The data from these stations have given caldera formed above a hotspot in Earth’s mantle, far below geophysicists a better understanding of the dimensions of the the base of the North American Plate. Bruneau-Jarbidge, one plume that lies beneath Yellowstone and supports the idea that of the earliest volcanoes in the Yellowstone system, was located the plume is rising from the mantle beneath the crust. in north-central Nevada and southwest Idaho. Twelve million Another component of EarthScope is education. A years ago this volcano produced a supereruption that sent vast September workshop in Jackson, Wyoming brought scientists amounts of debris into the atmosphere. This material drifted together with educators, to explain the latest geologic ideas 850 miles east and caused the deaths of millions of animals, about the Yellowstone hotspot and the data that supports including a population near a waterhole in north central it. I was fortunate enough to be one of the thirty educators Nebraska - Ashfall. As the continent moved southwestward, the selected to participate in the workshop. After absorbing lots of volcano ‘moved’ northeastward. From Jarbidge to Yellowstone, detailed scientifi c information, the attendees worked on ways to volcano remnants are evident in what is now the Snake River explain the science to the general public. It was a stimulating Plain. The most recent supereruption occurred in Yellowstone and exhilarating environment, as scientists and interpreters 640,000 years ago. worked together to understand more about the geologic story Today scientists are studying the Yellowstone of Yellowstone that has affected Nebraska in the past and hotspot and its associated fault zones, trying to get a potentially will in the future. better understanding of the inner workings of our planet. To learn more you can check out the EarthScope EarthScope, a project funded by the National Science website (http://www.earthscope.org/), visit the Active Earth Foundation, has supported the deployment of numerous Display kiosk on the third fl oor of the Museum, or look for a stations containing instruments that measure and record station on the Yellowstone hotspot at the Museum’s upcoming motions of the Earth’s surface and of the seismic waves that ‘Dinosaurs and Disasters’ event on February 5. travel through the Earth. EarthScope’s latest efforts focused on – Cindy Loope, Museum Educator

Yellowstone station with a seismometer to measure ground movement during earthquakes, Map shows the track of the Yellowstone hotspot and the ash distribution. a Global Positioning System (GPS), which aids in understanding the movement of the continent, and a strainmeter, which measures the deformation of the Earth. November 2010 7 EDUCATION 'Sunday with a Scientist' events are held the 3rd Sunday of each month from 1:30-4:30 p.m. A Fam i ly at Morrill Hall. Join us to interact with scientists P

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AUGUST m “Beetle Mania” took over Morrill Hall at the University of Nebraska State Museum on 15 August 2010 for a BEETLE MANIA presentation for children and families that celebrates the beauty and diversity of beetles and other insects. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with scientists and ask questions about the insects they collect and study from across the globe for purposes of education and biodiversity research. Some children brought their small collection or a “backyard bug” for a scientist to identify. This program was part of the Museum’s monthly “Sunday with a Scientist” series. “Beetle Mania” was led by Dr. Brett Ratcliffe (Curator of the Museum’s Entomology Research Collections); Dr. M. J. Paulsen (Entomology Collections Manager); Dr. Mary Liz Jameson (Wichita State University) and her graduate student, Matt Moore; Steve Spomer (Research Technician, UNL Department of Entomology); and UNL entomology graduate students Jesus Orozco and Ken Miwa Exhibited were a small selection of the most colorful and striking beetles and other insects from all over the world. Included were large tropical rhinoceros beetles, metallic wood boring beetles, long horn beetles, stag beetles, and minute rove beetles. Other insects on display included giant silk moths, metallic blue morpho butterfl ies, giant spiders, and even insect candy. Specialty exhibits included live insects, insect musicians, and Nebraska’s endangered Salt Marsh Tiger Beetle and American Burying Beetle. The NU State Museum’s Division of Entomology research collections were begun in 1887 and are comprised of approximately two million pinned, fl uid-preserved, papered, and slide-mounted insects and arachnids, including the U. S. National Collection of Scarab Beetles from the Smithsonian Institution as part of an open-ended, off-site enhancement loan. Research programs of the lab, known as Team Scarab, focus on the biodiversity of tropical scarabaeoid beetles from Central and South America. A special Web page, Scarabs for Kids, was created in May to help youth discover more about beetles: http://www-museum.unl.edu/research/entomology/Scarabs- for-Kids/scarabs.html. – Brett Ratcliffe, Curator of Entomology

The highly popular “Beetle Mania” event, led by faculty and staff of the State Museum’s Photos by Brett Ratcliffe, Scott Gardner, Priscilla Grew, and Dana Ludvik Division of Entomology and UNL’s Department of Entomology, attracted over 300 visitors. 8 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum EDUCATION AUGUST SEPTEMBER BEETLE MANIA ANTHROPOLOGY

UNL Professor of Anthropology Peter Bleed demonstrated how to conduct an archaeological test dig outside Morrill Hall at the Sept. 19 “Digging into Anthropology” event. OCTOBER NATIVE AMERICANS

Visitors explored a 14-foot tipi and learned how to make traditional acron tops at the Oct. 17 “Native Americans: Tipi Life on the Prairie’s Edge” event led by Mark Awakuni-Swetland, UNL Associate Professor of Anthropology and Ethnic Studies (Native American Studies).

UPCOMING EVENT TOPICS

Nov. 21 - Ancient People & Their Killer Beans June 19 - Tissue Mechanics Dec. 19 - Nebraska Turtles & Amphibians July 17 - Fish Jan. 16 - Yellowstone Volcanic Hot Spot Aug. 21 - Climate Change Feb. 20 - Parasitology Sept. 18 - Plants Mar. 20 - Lasers & Photonics Oct. 16 - Fossils April 17 - Fruit Nov. 20 - Viruses May 15 - Extreme Weather Dec. 18 - Minerals

For more information on these and previous programs, visit www.museum.unl.edu. Hundreds of beetles and other insects from around the world were on display at the “Beetle Mania” event, just a fraction of the Museum’s two million specimens in the Entomology collections. November 2010 9 EDUCATION

GOBI WORMS CLASS GOES GLOBAL Google Earth satellite technology connects Nebraska students to parasitology researchers in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

From July 16-23, a group of students from the Elliott Community Learning Center (CLC) traveled around the globe with Scott Gardner, Cindy Loope and Kathy French. No, we didn’t have passports and plane tickets... but we did travel to the Gobi via technology! Scott Gardner, the Museum’s curator of parasitology, had just returned from fi eldwork in the Gobi, but his colleges were still there. We had daily conversations with the scientists thanks to satellites. Students were able to ask them about their research as well as those personal questions like ‘how many days has it been since your last shower?’ Google Earth provided the opportunity to track their route as well. The students were introduced to the science of parasitology as well as the importance of a biodiversity count over 6,000 miles away. The class spent time in the Manter Lab in Nebraska Hall viewing some of the specimens already collected and learning about a research facility. There was a daily Gobi Gazette newsletter, complete with stories about the researchers, images of life in the Gobi, so the students could become familiar with gers, sheep herds, camels, horses and the nomadic lifestyle. They not only learned science but more about the Mongolian culture. The class compared Nebraska’ s grasslands to the Gobi, realizing how much we do have in common with a country so far away. A student from Elliott Community Learning Center studies a – Kathy French, Education Coordinator parasite under a microscope during the Gobi Worms class.

NAVAJO WEAVING EVENTS CELEBRATE NATIVE AMERICAN ART Programs held in conjunction with Cooper Gallery exhibit, “A Turning Point: Navajo Weaving in the Late 20th Century,” educate Museum visitors about Navajo art in the past and present.

On October 7, 8 and 9, Native American weavers On Nov. 20, tapestry artist and life-long weaver Mary Martha Schultz, Melissa Cody, and Lola Cody, demonstrated Zicafoose of Omaha, Nebraska gave an informal demonstration their craft outside the Cooper Gallery at Morrill Hall. The on traditional Navajo weaving outside the Cooper Gallery at artists, representing three generations of one Navajo family Morrill Hall. She discussed the process of creating a handwoven based in Arizona, interacted with visitors and explained how tapestry, while giving visitors the opportunity to work on a they create contemporary weavings based on Navajo traditions. horizontal treadle fl oor loom. Visitors were also able to card and spin wool fl eece into yarn on homemade spindles. – Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator 10 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum EDUCATION

NEBRASKA TEACHERS LEARN EARTH SCIENCE FOR ‘KICKS’

Museum partners with Nebraska Department of Education again to educate school teachers on Nebraska’s geology and fossil history.

“I will never look at Nebraska the same as I did” seemed to be the consensus of 21 teachers at the end of six days and 2,000 miles of traveling across the state in June. Ogallala, Ash Hollow, Valentine, Brule, and White River are no longer JUST towns and locations but also rock formations and groups! Shane Tucker, once again took the lead on the KICKS Earth Science trip. This was an intense week of learning KICKS teachers dive into a “table top” dig site, an activity from the Museum’s Elephant Trunk Kit, while visiting the Trailside Museum in Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, NE. science content for intermediate and middle school teachers from different parts of the state. The participants were able to learn about the principles of stratigraphy —superposition, lateral continuity, and original horizontality— by making close observations, hiking, sketching, taking fi eld notes and photographs, and other hands-on experiences. The Museum partnered for the second year with the Nebraska Department of Education and the KICKS (Keep Improving Content, Knowledge ands Skills) Science grant. KICKS is funded through Title II, Part B of the Math/Science Partnerships grant, a component of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) legislation. Kathy French, Education Coordinator and Jim Woodland, State Science Director, were also along to assist Group shot of the KICKS teachers taking a rest on their Scottsbluff Monument hike. with the teaching. Three vans of excited educators explored road cuts, gravel pits, blow outs, dig sites, Scottsbluff Monument, Toadstool Park, Trailside, Ashfall, Mammoth Site, Niobrara River, Smith Falls, Wildcat Nature Center, Chimney Rock, Agate, and the Nature Conservancy. We were also fortunate to have the ‘experts’ add rich content as we explored their sites. We met retired Museum V.P. curators Bob Hunt and Mike Voorhies, Museum V.P. preparator Ellen Stapelton, Mammoth Site Director Larry Agenbroad, and the Nature Conservancy Director Jim Luchsinger. The following teachers’ quotes from their evaluations describe this trip much better than myself: KICKS teachers ready to explore the past at Toadstool Geologic Park near Harrison, NE. -The trip was worth every minute, incredible experience Rhonda Ammon – Bassett Barb Jeffres – Ogallala -I totally loved it. I knew about oceans and fossils, but to go out Sharon Beavers – Gordon Rushville Mary Jensen – Ogallala with such knowledgeable people was a fantastic experience Alta Bohling - Cook Virginia Lester – Tryon -AWESOME! I so loved having the experts with us and Cindy Borland – Bartley Dan Maline – Elkhorn meeting other experts along the way – what a great investment Kathleen Boyce – Omaha Teresa Moses – LaVista Charlene Butterfi eld – Omaha Lyn Pahls –Omaha in teachers, students and education! Sabrina Clinebill – Tryon Ben Ragorshek – Ralston -I have a new appreciation for NE and can’t wait to share it Erin Dahl – Omaha David Rogers – Lincoln with my students Dayna Derichs – Omaha Kate Swartz –Omaha

2010 KICKS Participants2010 Rebecca Hamata – Ralston Gloria Waters - LaVista -On a scale of 1 to 10, this trip was an 11! Mary Jo Holdcroft – Omaha – Kathy French, Education Coordinator November 2010 11 EDUCATION NaturePalooza Nebraska

UNL School of Natural Resources provides family science day at Morrill Hall Oct. 2

On October 2, the University of Nebraska State Museum and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources held the fi rst-ever “NaturePalooza Nebraska” event at Morrill Hall. About 500 Museum visitors came out to learn the science behind Nebraska’s water, weather, and wildlife. Children and families explored the many hands-on stations throughout the Museum staffed by the school’s faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students. Interactive activities and games helped visitors better understand Nebraska’s rich natural resources and ways to help protect them. Visitors investigated birds, fi sh, plants, geography, conservation, climate change, and more. Children created birding journals to record species found in nature, planted soybeans, and took souvenir photos with “Pebbles,” the larger-than-life piping plover. They could identify different kinds of fi sh, as well as algae and insects that live in Nebraska’s lakes, ponds, and streams. Brave visitors had the opportunity to hold live reptiles and amphibians. Some were riveted by “The WATER Machine,” a 6-foot fl ow model that demonstrated ground and surface water movements. Children also explored drought, weather patterns, and mapping technology to learn about Nebraska’s climate. Scavenger hunts, giveaways, Planetarium shows, and a visit from “Archie” (the Museum’s new mascot) rounded out the event.

– Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator & Kathy French, Education Coordinator FROM TOP: Paul Hanson and ‘junior scientists’ investigate a model stream; Friends Board Member Diane Pratt (with “Pebbles” the piping plover) explains to a young visitor why it is important to protect Nebraska’s endangered terns and plovers. 12 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum EDUCATION

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Museum visitors were able to track water fl ow from the surface to groundwater, in the WATER machine; The challenges of foraging with various bill and beak shapes were understood after this activity; “Archie” poses with some new friends; Shannon Bell gives youngsters a chance to touch a snake; High Plains Regional Climate Center provided an opportunity to try out a real weather station. November 2010 13 MUELLER PLANETARIUM

ASTRONAUT CLAYTON ANDERSON RETURNS TO MORRILL HALL Over 200 museum visitors enjoyed a presentation and meet and greet with Nebraska’s fi rst astronaut August 17

Nebraska Astronaut Clayton Anderson appeared again at Morrill Hall on Tuesday evening August 17th, giving a program in Elephant Hall organized through the Mueller Planetarium. Anderson fi rst fl ew in space on Shuttle fl ight STS-117, being launched for a 5 1/2 month stay on the International Space Station in 2007. He returned to space back in April aboard Shuttle Discovery and STS-131. Anderson has logged 167 days in space, with 38 hours and 28 minutes of Extra Vehicular Activity on six spacewalks. Approximately 200 Museum visitors listened to Anderson’s accounts of his trips into space and inspiring personal history. Afterwards he signed autographs and chatted with our visitors. Anderson’s fl ights into space are the subject of a short planetarium fulldome feature created at Mueller Planetarium which was presented that evening Morrill Hall staff pose with Astronaut Clayton Anderson. FROM LEFT: Linda Beran, Kathy French, Marisa preceding the “Dawn of the Space Age” program. Kardell, Leah Carpenter, Clay Anderson, Cassie Etmund, Dana Ludvik, Maria Manning, and Jack Dunn. – Jack Dunn, Planetarium Coordinator

‘LASERFEST’ WEEKEND A HIT WITH PLANETARIUM AUDIENCES

Nearly 700 people attended music laser shows at Mueller Planetarium October 8-10

“Laserfest” was held Oct 8-10 at Mueller Planetarium to shows over the weekend, which included Laser Beatles, Laser Country, commemorate the 50th anniversary of the laser, which was Laser Fun (for youth and families), and Pink Floyd’s classic “Dark Side invented in 1960. With music ranging from pop to country to of the Moon.” – Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator classic rock -- there was a laser show for everyone during the one- time event. As a special treat, popcorn and soda were served for Planetarium audiences. Approximately 700 people attended laser

Museum employee Leah Carpenter serves popcorn and fountain pop to Planetarium visitors as A Planetarium audience patiently waits for the Laser Beatles show to begin. a special treat for the Laserfest event. Photos by Jack Dunn 14 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum RESEARCH

BESSEY HERBARIUM RECEIVES 3,000 PLANT SPECIMENS

Donations include recently collected plants not seen in Nebraska for more than a century.

Some of the more than Specimens are made so as to leave most of each plant in place, 3,000 specimens newly placed with only a few leaves and fl owers taken as vouchers. into the herbarium are of recent Other plants of unusual interest in Steinauer’s collections of plants not seen in collection are the second state collection of hook-spur violet Nebraska since the 1890s. One (Viola adunca), a beautiful, blue violet more typical of northern set is of special interest because and mountainous states. Pine-drops (Pterospora andromedea), it further documents the fl ora of grows in pine forests and is a member of the rhododendron Fairy Bell Lily remote places in the Panhandle. It family but lacks chlorophyll and gets its nutrition through was collected by Robert Steinauer of fungi in its roots. Lance-leaf cottonwood (Populus acuminata) Spokane, Washington (but originally was new to science when it was fi rst discovered in Nebraska in of Steinauer, Nebraska) and consists of 1,171 Panhandle 1891; it has been collected only a few times since, including in specimens collected in 2008 and 2009, including some real 2009. surprises. The fairy bell lily (Prosartes trachycarpa, illustrated) Another fi nding (and a different had been collected only once before in canyons of Sioux kind of excitement) is the herbarium County in 1892. It is common in mountains to the west but staff’s discovery of Eurasian water- rare in Nebraska. Mare’s-tail (Hippuris vulgaris), a strange milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) aquatic plant more typical of northern bogs, hadn’t been seen in a lake near Lincoln. This non- in Nebraska since 1893. native plant, declared noxious and Of the four orchid species he found, one, yellow illegal in many states, is a major coral-root orchid (Corallorhiza striata vreelandii), had not disrupter of aquatic ecosystems. It been seen in the state for 118 years after its only other sighting has been collected only a few times in 1890; its yellow fl owers are distinctive. He also found the in Nebraska since 1980, and perhaps spotted coral-root orchid (C. maculata, illustrated), which is Spotted Coral Root Orchid here it will not become the serious only slightly better-known. The coral-roots lack chlorophyll pest it is in other states. and get their food through symbiotic fungi in their thickened Other notable additions to the herbarium include roots (see arrow in fi gure). The rattlesnake-plantain orchid Roscoe Pound’s collection of native orchids from upstate New (Goodyera oblongifolia) had been seen only twice before. The York in the 1890s. These specimens had been in untended evergreen leaves of this strange, creeping orchid are unique cabinets in the herbarium since then and were long (120 years!) among Nebraska plants because of their bold white stripe, but overdue for formal accession into the collection. the fl owers are whitish, inconspicuous, and easily overlooked. – Robert B. Kaul, Curator of Botany

BOTANY RESEARCHER STUDIES MUSEUM’S HERBARIUM Associate Professor Gerard C. Adams of Michigan State University is currently studying the Museum’s plant collections as part of a long-term study.

Throughout the fall semester, Gerard C. Adams, an Associate Professor in the Departments of Plant Pathology and Plant Biology at Michigan State University, will be visiting the Museum’s Bessey Herbarium under an invitation from Professor and Botany Curator Robert B. Kaul. He will be examining a number of important herbarium specimens of fungi including type specimens as part of a long-term study of the genus Valsa and the asexual forms known as Cytospora species. These fungi cause diseases, known as cankers, on many angiosperm and gymnosperm woody plants. Following publication of a book on the genus in 2005, Gerry has published further works centered on various genera of trees, including trees of South Africa and Eucalyptus spp. At the Museum he will be striving to complete works on the fungi prominent in two recent mass mortalities of American trees, in particular, the recent extensive decline and mortality of alder (Alnus spp.) in the Rocky Mountains and Alaska, and Associate Professor Gerard C. Adams of aspen (Populus tremuloides) in the Rocky Mountains. Unidentifi ed Valsa species were the primary poses with an Armillaria specimen. pathogens present in both of the epidemics. Gerry is re-evaluating the identifi cation of these and other Valsa species with morphological studies integrated with a 4-gene phylogenetic analysis. November 2010 15 RESEARCH

PARASITOLOGY RESEARCHERS CONTINUE MONGOLIAN EXPEDITION Mongolian Vertebrate Parasite Project: Year 2

Members of the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology (Division of Parasitology) of the State Museum returned to Mongolia this past summer, continuing their investigation of the parasites and their vertebrate hosts in this far away land. This was the second trip of this three year project to explore the biodiversity and evolutionary history of the vertebrate animals and their parasites living in the unique desert and mountain habitats of southern Mongolia. The fi eld team once again included researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the National University of Mongolia, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Kansas, with the addition of a member to the crew this year from the National Museum of Natural History of France. This group included parasitologists, mammalogists, ornithologists, and herpetologists, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, working together to conduct a comprehensive survey of the fauna of the region. The parasitology division was represented by Scott us to have a trailer built for our L. Gardner (curator), Gabor Racz (collections manager), David Russian transport truck. The heavily Tinnin (doctoral student), and Terry Haverkost (post-doc). The constructed, steel reinforced trailer crew was slightly smaller this year, with a dozen people in the fi eld worked great behind the transport as opposed to last year when we exceeded 20 people at times. truck which was designed as a towing Last year’s expedition concentrated in the mountains vehicle. We only had to rebuild and and desert basins of the Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park in the re-weld the trailer once. Road, or lack south-central part of the country. This summer we traveled further thereof, and extreme conditions put south approaching the Chinese border to work in six little-traveled a constant strain on the vehicles and and never researched areas of the deserts and mountains of the roadside repairs and in-camp rebuilds were a recurring sight. Gobi desert. Along with our base camps, we also set out satellite In addition to the transport truck, called a GAZ after camps and spent numerous nights conducting road surveys in the manufacturer, we again had a Russian microbus and Toyota order to study the heterogeneous habitats in the region. Two of Landcruiser in our convoy. The furgon, as the microbuses are the sites were stark desert areas most notable for the excessive heat, known, are tough, little four-wheel drives that can go just about sand, desert pavement, and rampaging hordes of ticks. Normally, anywhere. It comfortably, or at least roomily, seats seven with space ticks hide out waiting for a host to wander past. This variety in left for cargo. In a pinch in the fi eld, or as public transportation as the southern Gobi comes charging across the ground in a massive seen in the capitol, they can fi t up to 15 passengers. assault whenever one stands in one place. Our next two sites were The Landcruiser, with its greater speed and smoother spring fed oases surrounded by dunes and desert shrubs. Rumor ride, served us as a scouting and rapid transport vehicle. When on has it that the Zulganai Gol oasis was once a stop on the ancient the road, the Landcruiser crew would frequently run ahead into Silk Road. It is currently inhabited by Pzrewalski’s Wonder Gecko, approaching towns to fi nd owners to open the gas station, order Siberian shrews, and the ubiquitous variety of desert dwelling lunch, or just to get directions to the next destination. It was also jerboas. The occasional freezing rain at the two mountaintop used to scout out localities, fi nd the routes, or to make runs to town sites towards the end of the trip had us fondly remembering the for food or supplies. We had radios in the vehicles so we were able heat of the desert and pondering what ancient Mongolians used to know when one was running out of gas or a breakdown had to waterproof their gers before the invention of plastic tarps. occurred. This saved hours of time as we were not always able to Alpine meadows, forests of larch and birch, icy cold streams, and stay in visual contact when driving. mountain fauna such as elk and red-backed voles were a sharp Our satellite phone was used to communicate with contrast to the desert basins. families and friends, and with the Gobi Worms class, which was The weather experienced last year, particularly the taught for one week in Morrill Hall (by Kathy French and Scott constant wind and occasional sand storms made us reconsider our Gardner) to 6th graders from Lincoln schools. Generally the phone choice for a lab tent. Knowing it would not withstand another would ring around 10:00 at night (Mongolia time) and the class, year in the fi eld, we replaced it with a ger (to be honest it didn’t via a speaker phone in the Museum classroom, would ask questions survive the fi rst year). The Mongolian gers, round with wood like: what the crew was doing, what the food was like, and what lattice frames and felt walls and roof, are sturdy, comfortable, kinds of animals were being collected or seen. and can withstand the incessant high winds. Unfortunately, what Once you leave the capital, Ulaan Bataar, the variety and they are not is light and easily portable. The addition of a lab ger availability of food, supplies, and other resources, such as vehicle to our small kitchen ger and the rest of our equipment required parts, drops drastically. Most of the stores in the countryside are 16 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum RESEARCH

more like what we would think of as small convenience stores. Staples like fl our, pasta, and cooking supplies are generally available. Small amounts of vegetables were occasionally available, but rarely anything but potatoes, carrots, and onions. They often also have general merchandise and clothing, as well as snack foods such as the ever-present Choco-Pies and Sprats (Russian smoked sardines). Most people in the countryside are herders and so subsist largely on the meat and dairy products they themselves produce. So, to a large extent when in the fi eld, we ate traditional Mongolian fare. Staple dishes include a variety of steamed or fried meat fi lled dumplings, meat and noodles, shish kabob, or blood and organ sausage. Additionally, cheese, yogurt, home-made noodles, and fried fl at bread make up a large part of Mongolian cuisine. After this summer’s work we returned home with a craving for salad, a great suntan, over 500 mammals, 250 birds and reptiles, but, alas, no amphibians this year. Members of the Manter Laboratory are currently sorting, cataloging, and working on identifying the over 1000 samples of ectoparasites (fl eas, ticks, lice, and mites) and endoparasites (nematodes, tapeworms, trematodes, intestinal and blood borne protistans) from this year’s work. One of the very interesting fi ndings from the work this past summer was the great diversity of parasites in both the mammals and birds in the middle of the Gobi. Cestodes were common in most of the non-passerine birds we examined, and acanthocephalans (thorny headed worms) were locally common. One interesting comparison with previous work in the Neotropics, especially Bolivia, is that in the Gobi we found none of the small intestinal nematodes called trichostrongyles that are so speciose in the various ecological zones PAGE 16: The parasitology crew erects the lab ger. Over this wooden frame are layered the in the Neotropics. thick felt walls and roof, with a fi nal cotton covering; Przewalski’s Wonder Gecko. The nights We are already beginning our planning and preparations at this oasis were alive with glowing lights from the eye shine of geckos in and around camp. for next summer’s expedition. We are contemplating working PAGE 17, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: The overnight campsite as we traveled between further west in the high mountains of the Mongolian Altai and localities. Our Russian transport truck and new ger trailer is in front, with the Russian desert steppes of the Valley of Lakes, and calculating how many cans microbus and Toyota Landcruiser in the background; UNL’s Terry Haverkost and Mongolian of dehydrated eggs we can get into our carry-on luggage. University undergraduate D. Darmaa explore a pond fi lled with aquatic invertebrates during Eggs were just not available in the countryside in Mongolia this past a pitstop on our return from the Gobi; Roads in Mongolia are frequently just the tracks of summer. For more information on this expedition, visit previous travelers heading to the same destination. In this case, they led across one of http://lamarck.unl.edu/mongolia/index.html. the rivers fl owing into Boon Tsagaan Nuur Lake; Extracting and preparing parasite require – David S. Tinnin, Curatorial Assistant, Harold W. Manter delicate hands and good sight (Terry Haverkost pictured.) Laboratory of Parasitology, Division of Parasitology November 2010 17 RESEARCH 50th Anniversary

NEBRASKA’S Highway Paleontology Program University of Nebraska State Museum & Nebraska Department of Roads Est. 1960 Former Museum Highway Paleontologist Bruce Bailey excavates at Millennium’s End Quarry near Gering, Nebraska.

The University of Nebraska State Museum and the Nebraska Department of Roads are celebrating 50 years of life in the past lane in 2010. The special paleontology exhibit, “Life in the Past Lane,” opened September 30 at Morrill Hall to honor the 50th anniversary of Nebraska’s Highway Paleontology Program, a collaborative effort between the state agencies. The exhibit highlights spectacular fossil fi nds salvaged by the Program over the last fi ve decades A private reception hosted by the Friends of the State Museum was held September 29 at Morrill Hall to celebrate the exhibit opening and the long-standing partnership. The event was attended by Nebraska Department of Roads employees, Museum employees, Friends members, various University Deans and Directors, and other special guests. Remarks were given by Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy, Museum Director Priscilla Grew, Museum Highway Paleontologist Shane Tucker, Director of the Nebraska Department of Roads Monty Fredrickson, Roads District 5 Engineer Craig Lind, Museum Highway Paleontologist Shane Tucker works in a quarry near Gering, Roads Highway Environmental Program Manager Len Sand, and UNL Nebraska. More than 1,000 skulls, jaws and bones were collected from this Interim Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ellen Weissinger. project. Paleontologists make detailed notes about each fossil before it is Craig Lind and Shane Tucker gave illustrated presentations about the removed from the ground. history of the program and the remarkable discoveries that have been made since 1960.

FROM LEFT: Museum Highway Paleontology Assistant Nicholas Famoso, Director Priscilla Grew and Nebraska Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy shared their Museum Vertebrate Paleontology Collection Manager George Corner, and gratitude for the Museum’s Highway Paleontologists and Department of Roads Museum Highway Paleontologist Shane Tucker stand in front of one of the employees for their ongoing efforts to preserve Nebraska’s prehistoric past. displays in the new paleontology exhibit at Morrill Hall. 18 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum RESEARCH ABOUT NEBRASKA’S HIGHWAY PALEONTOLOGY PROGRAM

Nebraska’s abundant fossil record is critical to the the Nebraska Panhandle south of Gering. In 1968, highway interpretation of climate and life history in North America. realignment through the Wildcat Hills exposed a 20-23 Whenever highway construction disrupts the Earth’s surface, million-year-old river deposit. Museum paleontologists there is a possibility that fossils will be uncovered. Since 1960, the salvaged a few fossils during construction and revisited these Nebraska Department of Roads, the University of Nebraska, and road cuts for 30 years until another major improvement project the University of Nebraska State Museum have worked together associated with the Heartland Expressway uncovered a treasure to prevent the destruction of these irreplaceable scientifi c trove of fossils through this stretch. In 1999, paleontologists treasures. Backed by state and federal legislation, Nebraska’s collected approximately 600 bones, a third of which were Highway Paleontology Program was established Oct. 1, 1960, to skulls and jaws, in a six-week period. Scrapers carried 70,000 protect fossils threatened by highway construction. The program cubic yards of sand and gravel through excavated portions of was the fi rst of its kind in the United the quarry as they worked. Sixty States. different species were recovered “We are very proud of “It is hard to fathom the amount from this project, including our cooperative relationship with turtles, snakes, birds and the University of Nebraska and of information that would be lost if mammals. the university’s State Museum on “After we fi nished, our highway salvage paleontology this program didn’t exist.” contractors smoothed up the program,” said Monty Fredrickson, lanes and were completed in less Director of the Nebraska Shane Tucker, Museum Highway Paleontologist than 30 minutes,” said Shane Department of Roads. “For the last Tucker, Museum Paleontologist. 50 years, the Roads Department “It is hard to fathom the amount has carried on its mission while sharing its work sites with the of information that would be lost if this program didn’t exist.” university, its students, and its experts, for scientifi c exploration The state agencies are proud of the program’s past, and study.” and excited to see what the future holds. Each day leads to new With support from Roads Department staff, museum discoveries that can be shared with the scientifi c community paleontologists excavate fossil remains as they are revealed by and future generations. equipment -- conserving the state’s rich prehistoric past without “The university takes great pride in creating causing construction delays. Typically less than 1 percent of partnerships with outside agencies that benefi t the citizens of the annual highway projects produce fossils. In the past 50 Nebraska. We are honored and privileged to have this long- years, more than 200,000 specimens including the remains of standing relationship with the Nebraska Department of Roads,” a camel, rhinoceros, long-jawed elephant, giant land tortoise, said UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman. “The Museum and its large carnivore, and sea lizard have been curated into the State Highway Paleontology Program exemplify the university’s Museum’s permanent research collection. Several animals new to research and service missions through its dedicated work and science have been discovered, including a new species of mouse, outreach efforts throughout the state. The knowledge gained Stratimus strobeli, named in honor of former Roads Department during the past 50 years has stimulated curiosity and inspired director Jerry Strobel for his long-term support of the program. students of all ages to learn more about Nebraska’s rich natural More than 80 projects have produced scientifi cally heritage.” – Shane Tucker, Museum Highway Paleontologist signifi cant specimens with the most noteworthy locality in & Dana Ludvik, Public Relations Coordinator

EARLY EFFORTS TO PROTECT NEBRASKA FOSSILS “HIGHWAY PALEONTOLOGY: The legal foundation for the legislation that created the Highway Paleontology Program extends LIFE IN THE PAST LANE” back to the 1906 American Antiquities Act, which protects objects of “historic or scientifi c interest” EXHIBIT on government-owned lands. In 1937, the state’s Standard Specifi cations for Highway Construction On display until September 30, 2011 required the contractor to promptly notify the Department of Roads engineer whenever Morrill Hall, 2nd Floor archeological and paleontological remains were uncovered so these objects could be preserved. Tom Middleswart, engineer in the Nebraska Panhandle from 1919-1968, frequently informed the The exhibit features rare specimens salvaged Museum of these discoveries. In 1956, the Federal-Aid Highway Act, which initiated the interstate from highway road projects, including the remains highway program, set aside federal funds for the protection and recovery of historic, archeological of a six-foot-tall fl ightless bird, a 40-foot-long and paleontological resources threatened by highway construction. This legislation generated the plesiosaur, a lion 25 percent larger than the framework for state legislation in 1959 (LB 314), which allowed the Roads Department to enter modern African lion, a giant land tortoise into agreements with the appropriate state agencies for the salvage of historical, archeological, discovered by the program in 2009, and more! and paleontological remains. In the subsequent fi ve decades, additional legislation has further protected fossil resources on state and federal lands. November 2010 19 ASHFALL

ASHFALL HOSTS ‘EXPLOROLOGY’ SUMMER PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

Oklahoma high school students experience 5-days of hands-on paleontology in June

This past June, the Ashfall Fossil Beds hosted a fi ve-day program for a dozen 9th-11th grade students from Oklahoma as part of an ExplorOlogy Paleo Expedition Program sponsored by the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman Oklahoma. The Whitten-Newman ExplorOlogy Program is a series of programs designed for Oklahomans of all ages to engage in science through outside, hands-on experiences. This year’s Paleo Expedition Program provided a unique opportunity for the Sam Noble Museum and the University of Nebraska State Museum to work together to further an understanding and knowledge of paleontology for young participants. – Sandy Mosel, Ashfall Fossil Beds

The ExplorOlogy participants’ time at Ashfall and surrounding areas consisted of a variety of activities beginning with just getting to know the Ashfall site. Here, Mike Voorhies gives a lesson on stratigraphy at the park. Students also had ample time to explore the Visitor Center and Hubbard Rhino Barn before other activities began.

As part of the program, the Oklahoma students shadowed Ashfall Interns as they went about their daily activities. Intern Rachel Short demonstrated techniques and answered questions as students tried their hand at cleaning and preparing fossils in the prep lab.

ExplorOlogy staff member, Dr. Nicholas Czaplewski, holds a premolar of the rare sabre cat, Ashfall intern, Amanda Millhouse (center with sunglasses), and Sam Noble Museum paleontologist Barbourofelis, found while excavating at a ranch site near Ashfall. Nick was born and raised Nick Czaplewski (right), help students screen for microfossils from the sandstone beneath the in Nebraska and is currently a curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Sam Noble Museum of ashbed. Amanda’s Ashfall internship was funded through the ExplorOlogy program. Natural History on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman. 20 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum ASHFALL

Discoveries at the nearby site were encased in plaster fi eld jackets. Here, two Oklahoma Mike Voorhies instructs students as they excavate a fossil site a few miles from Ashfall. Proper students work through the process of taking strips of burlap dipped in plaster to form a fi eld fi eld techniques were emphasized as students participated in excavation, fi eld-jacketing and jacket around a fossil to prepare it for removal. removal of fossils.

ExplorOlogy participants celebrate the discovery and successful excavation of a probosidian Ashfall Superintendent, Rick Otto, helps a student accurately record fi eld data on a fossil being tusk that appears to be from the shovel-tusker, Amebelodon. Excavation of the site near removed from the dig site. Ashfall was of signifi cant scientifi c importance as the remains of six additional species were added to the list of fossils found there. ASHFALL IS CLOSED FOR THE WINTER SEASON. The smiles on the faces in this IT WILL RE-OPEN group photo attest to the fun the ExplorOlogy participants had during MAY 3, 2011. their visit to Ashfall and nearby Operating Schedule: sites. Several of the students had May 3 to Memorial Day weekend: never before been out of the state of 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday Oklahoma so the Nebraska experience (Closed Sunday and Monday) was especially meaningful to them. Ashfall staff and ExplorOlogy staff Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day: alike appreciated a chance to work 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday together to provide the Oklahoma 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday students with the educational opportunity of a lifetime. Labor Day to 2nd weekend in October: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday (Photos courtesy of UNSM (Closed Monday) and Sam Noble Museum Staff.) November 2010 21 CURRENT FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP

Abel Foundation Kenneth & Tracy Crouch Karla & Scott Hartz Shizu Li & Yongmei Chen Jeff & Melissa Abele Eileen Cunningham Bill Haru & Chris Schuerman-Haru Tali & Yair Liberman Christine Abraham & The Curry Family Bryce & Sandra Hilsabeck Hastings Ryan Liebig Mark Weddleton The Curtiss Family The Hastings Family Lincoln Gem & Mineral Club Bambang & Caroline Adiwijaya The Cusick Family Bill & Edith Hayes Jim & Gail Linderholm Jerry & Ora Adler Dan & Nikki Konz Kristin & Scott Heaton Nellie Littrell David & Alicia Admiraal Dan Keigert & Taresa Furnas The Hedrick/King Family Jerry & Marie Lodwig Eval & Irit Alkalay Dancing Leaf Earth Lodge Carey & Michelle Hennig The Loope Family Karen Amen Elizabeth A daSilva Patricia & Brian Herbel Loup Valley Gem & Mineral Society Steve and Carol Andersen Janell & Shaye Daughenbaugh Amber Herrick & Patrick Timmer Mark & Nola Luttich Jim & Karin Andersen Amit & Adi David Ellen Walsh High Ronit & Matias Machtinger Harold W Andersen The Davies/Jones Family Davina & Karsten Hiller Lori Mack Heather Andersen & Jeff Larson Amber & Jason Davis Sally & Mike Hillis Mary Ellen Macomber & Drs. Robert & Kathy Anderson Amber Davis & Susan Howard Ernie & Jane Hines Shirlee Vinton Marci & Jon Anderson Rebecca & John Dean Elizabeth & Brooks Hitt Mike & Kelly Madcharo Mark & Linda Anderson Manqi Deng & Qiong Wang D.J. Hogan Laura & Jeremiah Maher Betty & Bruce Anderson The Dickhaut Family Mary Hogan Borakove & Dr. Eugene I Majerowicz The Andrews/Sawyers Family Robert & Anne Diffendal Andrew Borakove Shari & A. Malgieri Lindsey & Michael Anker Dan & Sha’mene Dixon Larry & Dee Hogya Curtis Mann Ramond Arter & Kate Ratigan Brian & Sara Dorn Cliff & Marcia Hollestelle Maria Manning Shiri and David Attia Krassen Draganov Theresa J Holtzen Jennie & Ryan Martin Tiffany & Rex Baker Sara & Keith Dubrow The Hrabik Family The Massengale Family The Baker Family Mary & Frank Dupuis Ted & Colleen Hubbard Tamara & Mike May Kate Barrow & Mary Churchill Lauren & Paul Durban Robin R Huebner Lois & Z.B. Mayo The Basch/Kaden Family Werner & Leslie Dziuvenis Barbara C Hughes Jennifer & Jason McHargue The Baumfalk Family Mr. & Mrs. Don C Eakins The Hutchins Family Carrie & Anthony McKenzie Tim & Jennifer Bausch Brandon Earnest Sarah & David Hwang Marj McKinty Mary G. Beavers Deb & Troy Eberspacher Mark & Mae James Jeff & Heather McNear Brendelyn & Chris Beck Nick & Sandra Egger Pat Janike & Lora Carpenter-Janike William & Tanya McVay The Beecham Family The Elram Family Karen & John Janovy Jenny & Charlie Medinger The Bell Family Tom & Holly Emberson Greg Jensen The Meier Family Ann Benson & Dean Suing Talia & Yoni Engelhart Matt & Amy Jewell Edith A Meints The Berthold Family Ronen & Narkis Engler Rose & Ken Johnson Noit & Dror Meiri Marjorie Birkmann Cynthia Epley Palmer & Shirley Johnson Kevin Menefee & Joy Strayer The Bishop Family Aaron Epps Clayton & Lois Johnson Karen & Charles Messenger Jodi Biskup & Carlos Blanco Amy & Diane Eriksen Rhonda & Martin Jonas Jordan & Angela Messerer James & JoAnn Bitner The Essink Family The Jorgensen Family Lisa & Chad Michel The Blahak Family James & Nancy Estes Hye-Kyung Jung & Xiaoyuan Gu John E Millington James & Rachel Blake Yaniv & Eiselle Etzion Jay & Stacie Jurrens The Missionary Benedictine Sisters Kathy & Brian Boes Duane Eversoll Ying Fen Kao & Chi-Kuo Hu Chanin & David Monestero Ray Boice Grace & Jed Fehrenbach The Kaspar Family Melissa & Andy Monnich Tracy & Kate Boman G. Steven Ferris Elizabeth Katt & Harry Bullerdiek Trey & Cathy Moore Diana L Borysenko David & Stacey Field Shari & Victor Kelemen Jeremiah Moore & Rita C Brennan Tranda S Fischelis Robert & Ann Kelley Leah Powell-Moore The Brestel Family Gary & Marilyn Fitch Yupin & James Kendrick The Morales/Nunez Family Norma J Brockmoller Thaddeus & Michelle Fonck Alice & Lee Kenitz Jason & Renae Morehead The Brogie Family Tom & Linda Fowler Kevin & Susan Gustafson Brian & Abbey Moreland

NIVERSITY MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA STATE Mark & Anessa Brohman Barb & Charles Francis Pat & Heidi Kile The Morgenson Family Rick & Leslie Bronaugh Mark & Mary Freitag Emily & Owen Killham Rosalind Morris U Theodore J Browne Susan & Edward Furman The Kincanon Family Ronald & Virginia Morse Melissa & Paul Buckbee Mary Ann & John Gabel Roger & Helga Kirst The Moser Family The Burkey Family George & Joyce Gallu Mary Klein William and Christine Moser Shane Cahoon & Laura Clevenger Nir & Doron Galpaz Kevin & Diane Klein Daniel & Tamara Moskowitz Tom Callahan Lawrence & Andrea Gardiner Jennifer & Esteban Klor The Moy Family of the Jessica & Damon Cammarano Michal & Joshua Garren Ted Kooser & Kathleen Rutledge Robert E. Muller Leah Carpenter Jennifer & Sean Gavin Lisa & Lon Kopecky The Mundhenke Family Stephen & Tamara Cass Christina Gerard & Ralph Krause & Muslimin/Widiastuti Family Douglas & Pam Cast Brian Kleinknecht Elizabeth Kernes Krause Joel & Louise Myers Rebecca & Carl Cederberg Sheri & Greg Gillham The Krohn/McEntarffer Family Tim & Tara Mykris William Cenovic Joe Gilvary Kunz Family Michal & Eran Nadler Melvin & Linda Cerny Cris & Mike Gittins Laura & Shun Kwong John & Ann Neal and Aletha Biggs The Chaffi n Family Joyce Gleason Michael & Carol LaCroix Benjamin & Marsha Neff Douglas Chapman Carole Goebes David & Melissa Lair Marjorie M Neill Carrie & Peter Clarke Ori & Miri Gordin The Lang Family Raymond & Bernita Neujahr Tim & Colleen Classen Emily & Steven Graffi us Joseph M Larson Diana Nevins Mr. Haldane Cleminson, III Sheila & Kenneth Green Melissa & Benjamin Lass Mark A Nickolaus Robert G Coble Alana Greene & Jennifer Eddington The Laursen Family Dan & Regina Noble Jason & Theresa Codr Priscilla C. Grew Quang Le & Sherri Pham Ben Ami & Rama Novogrodsky Leigh F. Coffi n Perry Grossman & Carrie James Avi & Serit Lebenthal Elaine Nowick Denise & Joe Cole The Gutshall Family The Leija Family Kathleen Oberg The Coleman Family Mark & Jennifer Hammer Jeffrey Lentsch & Megan & Brady Ockander Morris & Aleta Collier Tim & Anna Hanway Kimberly Mercure Lentsch James & Ruth O’Gara Jim & Laura Commers The Harden Family Bob Levin The Okamoto Family Mr. & Mrs. James R. Cook Mira & Stefan Hariskov Amelia Montes & Emily Levine Curtis Olson Philip & Hannah Corey Norm & Bernice Harris Lou & Rose Leviticus Angela & Brian O’Neal FRIENDS The Cowan Family Jane & Corina Harrison Shirley & Yong Li Allen & Virginia Overcash 22 T H E M A M M O T H Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum CURRENT FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP

Pam & Mark Overman Kerensa & Tait Rowley Nick & Diane Steinke Valerie Walker Carol & Mark Pace The Rudolph Family Sara Stephenson David & Rose Wallman The Papproth/Seaton Family The Russ/Ramirez Family Jane & Matt Stricker Charles & Betty Watt Timothy Parsons Carole & Ronald Russell Jo Struempler Dr. Donald C. & Diane Weldon Gira Patel & David Euler Lynne B Ruth The Suckerman Family Linda & Vance West The Patterson Family Amie Sabatka & Chris Campbell Nidia Morales Suleiman & Don & Mary Westerlin Keith & Ruth Pearson Ronald & Susan Samson Dawood Salman Suleiman The Weyeneth Family Linda & Jennifer Pearson The Sanner Family Daniel & Christina Sweeney Robert & Deborah Wigton Bryce & Nadine Pearson Kim & Chris Santora James B Swinehart Linda Willard Gorden Peden Tom & Sandy Sawyer Katie Taddeucci David & Dixie Willats Michael & Carol Pedersen Larry & Lois Schaffer Elad & Galit Taig Ann Willet & Mark Butler Connie & Steve Pejsar Marilyn McDowell & Ed Schmidt Idith Tal-Kohen & Gabriel Kohen The Williams Family The Peterdi/Molnar Family Tim & Pam Schneider The Tamir Family Susie Wilson & Steve Hill Kent & Susanne Peters Carroll E. Schnurr Ron and Lynn Tanner William & Barbara Woito Jerry & Mary Ann Petr Iris & Chen Schor Katherine & Bagher Tarkian Lisa & Gary Wolterman Jimeal & Angie Phillips James & Angie Schorn Liz & Harold Tarr The Wood Family Deanna S Pierce Sue Schreiber Susan & Mike Tatum Colleen & Tim Woolard Marian Pierce The Schryver Family Tobie and Zak Tempelmeyer The Worth/Richards Family Mike & Kari Pierson David Lind Scott Kristin & Danny Vela Michal & Nir Yacovi Yana Piralkova & George Naumov Bill & Ruth Scott Craig & Lyla Thompson The Yigal Family Karen & Lewis Plachy Daniel See & Stephanie Devor Daniel & Martha Thomson Rose Yonekura & R. Tamio The Plano Clark Family Perry & Janeanne Severson Mel & Rosemary Thornton Margo Young & Richard DeFusco Ruan E Pohlman Vern & Cindy Shad Mary Lou Thornton Kathleen L Young Heidi & Charles Pospisil Maerav & Amir Shahal-Schiffer Janet Thurman Shezhina & Giorgos Zacharia Tom & Diane Pratt Iris & Gev Shai Erica Timperley Ron Zalkind & Krista & Roy Prebble The Shavelsky Family Irit & Amir Tirosh Karin Sharav-Zalkind Robert Pribil Tal & Anat Shomrat Scott & Jennifer Tomka Ora & Adam Zawel Mary Lou H. Pritchard The Shoop Family The Toohey Family Mike Zeleny Brad & Katie Provancha Dan L. Shoop II & Jeffry Dwight Richard Toren & Sara LeRoy-Toren Donal Ziegenbein Shannon & Jake Quible Dror & Ruth Shouval The Trutna Family Inbar & Eyal Zimlichman Mary Rabenberg & Richard Allen Robert & Margaret Sieber Shane Tucker & Don & Millie Zimmer Rositza & Kiril Rachev Kris Sieckmeyer-Hajny & Keely Rennie-Tucker Shari Zinnecker Jessica Rantz & Dominic Badousek Mark Johnson Morrie & Amy Tuttle Marcus & Amy Zinsmaster Russell & Charlene Rasmussen Rachel Simpson & Guy & Bina Vachtel Staci & Joel Zuerlein Neal & Izen Ratzlaff Donald Umstadter Dorothy Van Brocklin Arthur & Christine Zygielbaum The Rees Family Ruthelen Sittler Erin & Mike Van Cleave The Reesman Family Robyn & Tom Slunecka Kristin & Jonathan Van Meter LIFETIME FRIENDS MEMBERS Jeremy Rehwaldt & Lisa Alexander Norman & Judith Smith Stephanie Vap-Morrow & Tom & Janette Reifenrath Tom & Jennifer Smith Kirk Morrow Bill & Ruth Scott Roger & Karen Reynolds Michael J Smith Grace A Varney David Lind Scott Tom Richter Randall B Smith Natasha Vavra Douglas & Pam Cast Frederick & Margaret Rickers Lynn Sobotka The Villa Family Morrie & Amy Tuttle April & Jeff Rimpley Renee & Matt Sobotka Larry Voegele & Cristina Thaut Betty & Bruce Anderson Audra & Tony Ringenberg Mark & Diann Sorensen Marlene Vogel & Mary Walsh Palmer & Shirley Johnson Lydia & Roberto Rivera Bill & Betty Splinter Ken & Erny Von Bargen Raymond & Bernita Neujahr Holly Robey Thomas & Denese Stalnaker Michael & Jane Voorhies James & Nancy Estes David L Rogers The Stander Family Ben Vrana Norm & Bernice Harris The Rohrs/Hudson Family Kevin & Sarah Steele John A. Wagoner Lifetime memberships are awarded for David & Martha Rowe Donald & Susan Steinegger Dick & Doris Walker exemplary service to the Friends Organization.

Your membership in the Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum helps to support Museum development, exhibits, and programs both at the Museum and around the State. Thank you! BENEFITS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS ˚ Unlimited FREE admission to Morrill Hall, Trailside Museum of Natural History, and Ashfall Fossil Beds (Note: Each visit to Ashfall Fossil Beds & Trailside requires a park Basic Membership Levels: Individual $30 OR Family $45 entry permit: $4 one-time / $20 annual.) (Family memberships include two adults with their children or grandchildren under age 18.) ˚ Free subscription to The Mammoth, the Museum’s quarterly newsletter ˚ 10% discount on purchases from our gift shop Donor Membership Levels (includes Individual or Family membership): ˚ 10% discount on Museum birthday parties ˚ Discounted Planetarium admission (Adults $2.50, Kids $2) Tusker’s Club – donations between $60 and $99 ˚ Invitations to our Annual Meeting, events, and exhibit openings Fossil Funder – donations between $100 and $249 ˚ Your name listed in Friends publications Nautilus Club – donations between $250 and $499 ˚ Free or reduced admission and/or discounts at thousands of museums belonging Scarab Society – donations between $500 and $999 to the Association of Science- Technology Centers (ASTC) “Passport Program.” Mammoth Circle – donations $1,000 and above Visit www.astc.org for a current list of participating institutions. *Special incentives are included at each donor level. Visit us online for details! ˚ In addition, many museums belonging to American Association of Museums (AAM) offer discounts. Visit www.aam-us.org for a list of accredited museums. Add membership with the Ashfall Fossil Beds Friends Chapter: $10 / year

For more information, visit www.friendsofthemuseum.org, call (402) 472-3779, or email [email protected]. Remit dues to: Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0357.

November 2010 23 Non Profi t FRIENDS OF THE US Postage STATE MUSEUM PAID UNL Friends of the University of Nebraska State Museum 307 Morrill Hall PO Box 880357 Lincoln, NE 68588-0357

HELP US GO GREEN! If you would like to support the Museum and the environment by receiving the Mammoth electronically, please send an e-mail with your name and preferred e-mail address to [email protected] or phone (402) 472-3779.

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