LLCC Natural and Agricultural Sciences congratulates two colleagues’ on recent accomplishments. This last May, Jennifer Davis, laboratory coordinator and LLCC alum, graduated from University of Illinois Springfield with a Master of Science in environmental science. Karrie Prescott, administrative assistant, graduated from LLCC with her Associate in Arts in accounting. We’re proud of you both!
Category Archives: Natural and Agricultural Sciences
Rehoming plants from the Sangamon Greenhouse
LLCC Natural and Agricultural Sciences is looking for good homes for excess plants from the Sangamon Hall Greenhouse. Over time we’ve acquired multiple specimens of the same plants and are now making room for instructional space in the greenhouse. We have sansevieria, dumb cane, rubber trees, kalanchoes, polypodium, ferns, bromeliads, coleus, cacti, begonias, hoyas and several other species. Please contact Jennifer Davis (217-786-2307 or jennifer.davis@llcc.edu) to find out which specimens are available. Although not required, you are welcome to make a donation to LLCC’s Environmental Club for any plants you acquire.
In the news
Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy and agriculture program coordinator, was interviewed June 29 on the WTAX radio Morning Newswatch program regarding the new West Lake Nature Grove.
Spring 2023 bird banding highlights
Spring 2023 was LLCC’s 21st banding season (10th spring season) since the station’s inception (fall 2012). Below are a few of the highlights:
- We banded 1,488 birds of 82 species over 54 banding days. This translates into 27.6 birds banded per day.
- We also had 348 repeat captures (birds banded earlier during the spring 2023 season) and 130 return captures (birds banded during a previous season).
- One of the more interesting recaptures was a Blue Jay that was originally banded in fall 2013.
- Our highest one-day total for the season was 136 birds banded on May 4.
- The top five species banded (by abundance) for the season were as follows — species (# banded): Dark-eyed (slate-colored) Junco (184), Gray Catbird (128), White-throated Sparrow (116), Swainson’s Thrush (88) and Common Yellowthroat (57).
- The cumulative total number of birds banded (over 21 seasons) at the LLCC BBS is 34,360 birds of 135 species.
- We did add a new species this season to our cumulative station list: Mallard.
- We continue to host many volunteers and guests, including a number of LLCC biology classes, dual credit biology classes (Lanphier High School), UIS graduate students and employees from the Illinois Natural History Survey.
- Our fall banding operations are scheduled to begin Aug. 15, 2023.
If you are interested in following our daily/weekly banding activities, we have two Facebook pages you are welcome to follow: Lincoln Land Community College Bird Banding Station (daily reports/photos of our banding activities at LLCC) and Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders – LLABB (~ weekly reports/photos of banding activities at other sites throughout central Illinois).
Tony Rothering, professor of biology
LLCC dedicates new West Lake Nature Grove
LLCC dedicated its newest learning space yesterday, 2.1 acres of land at 2321 West Lake Shore Drive now known as West Lake Nature Grove.
The outdoor lab adjacent to the LLCC campus contains an apiary (beehives), fruit trees, bushes and other plantings, along with benches.
“This land was generously donated to LLCC by Robbie Robert Jr., president of Robert’s Seafood in Springfield,” said Karen Sanders, vice president of advancement and executive director of the LLCC Foundation. “Robbie donated the property in memory of his good friend, Lloyd Inslee Jr., who lived in a house here for more than 50 years. Lloyd was a great lover of nature and wildlife. In his honor, Robbie specified that this land be used to educate students, to carry forward Lloyd’s legacy.”
Brent Todd, LLCC dean of natural and agricultural sciences, noted the opportunity to use the Grove for various biology and agriculture classes. “The West Lake Nature Grove complements our existing curriculum by incorporating its amenities into science and agriculture labs. Apiaries, orchards, succession plots and pollinator gardens are just a few of the ways faculty are incorporating this living learning lab into their curriculum.”
Biology Professor Dave Cox partnered with local beekeeping groups to establish the apiary and harvest honey. “I see the West Lake Nature Grove as a community resource to promote education and awareness of agriculture and environmental topics,” said Cox. “Thank you to those who have assisted with the apiary, including the Prairie State Beekeepers, Lincoln Land Beekeepers Association and Steamship Bees, along with LLCC workforce students.”
Bill Harmon, LLCC agriculture program coordinator, uses the Grove in ag and horticulture classes. “Illinois is an important producer of more than 64 vegetable and 15 fruit crops on more than 100,000 acres, with an annual sales volume of close to $400 million dollars. Illinois leads the nation in production of pumpkins and is 10th in peaches and 19th in apples. This project will allow LLCC to demonstrate the importance of bees to the pollination and production of these crops. As a result, our students will have a wider understanding of specialty crops and their potential as a part of a profitable business.”
Among the attendees at the ceremony were several young men from the Outlet, who sponsored and decorated one of the beehives.
Enhancements to the land were made possible through the Kreher Farm Perpetual Charitable Trust within the LLCC Foundation.
Following the ceremony, an open house was held at the college’s newly constructed greenhouse, adjacent to the Kreher Agriculture Center, also made possible by the Kreher Trust.
In the news
Karen Sanders, vice president of advancement and executive director of the LLCC Foundation, and Bill Harmon, LLCC agriculture program coordinator, were interviewed by WICS about the dedication of West Lake Nature Grove and its use in education at LLCC.
Harmon was also interviewed by Ag News Daily about LLCC’s ag program and opportunities for students.
Becky Parton, dean, LLCC Academic Innovation and eLearning, has published “Transforming Higher Education: Online Education Lessons Learned from the Pandemic” in the July 7, 2023 edition of Educational Technology Insights. The article is being featured in the publication’s eLearning special edition.
Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, wrote today’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “Naked or breaded.”
Invitation to today’s dedication of West Lake Nature Grove
The ag bus will serve as a shuttle starting at 10 a.m. from Kreher Agriculture Center for any LLCC employees who would like to attend the dedication ceremony.
In the news
Matt Crow, LLCC Ag student, was interviewed June 22 by The Source about the 10-day Ireland agricultural industry tour he participated in as part of LLCC’s agriculture program.
Welcome Liz Bland
Liz Bland joined the college June 1 as agriculture program specialist. She earned an associate in science from LLCC and a bachelor’s degree in crop and soil science from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Liz previously worked in ag recruitment at SIUC.
She can be reached at elizabeth.bland@llcc.edu.
Welcome Liz!
LLCC students study ag in Ireland
(l-r) front row: Pierce Gwinn, Logan Armstrong, Liz Hayden, Peri Andras, Shaylee Maddox, Morgan Black, Grace McCurdy, Kaitlyn Zeedyk, Kylie Schakel, Maggie McClelland, Maycee Cordes, Caedyn Finneran; middle row: Matt Crow, Wyatt Mahoney, Mallory Bowers, Genesis Stockton, Hadley Broadwater, Morgan Edwards, Elisabeth Lee, Natalie Lavin, Lizzy Hoppe, Brittany Slightom, Luke Adams, Blaine Gilley, George Jacaway IV, Wes Bland; back row: Cole Repscher, Alex Sidener, Will Jenkins, Klayton Komnick
Thirty LLCC students participated in a 10-day agricultural industry tour in Ireland May 13-23.
Tour stops included Kilkenny Mart to watch a sheep and dairy cow sale, visits to local farmers’ beef and dairy operations, and Castlecor Potatoes where a father-and-son team showcased their farm and packaging facility for potatoes and onions. Students had the opportunity to see Macroom Buffalo, which is the only water buffalo milk farm in Ireland, watched as the buffalo came in for milking and sampled the farm’s cheese products. Students also visited Fernville Connemara Pony Stud, which specializes in the Connemara Pony Breed, and toured an aquaculture company dedicated to the cultivation of abalone.
The trip also included visits to iconic locations and historic sites including the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel, the Blarney stone at Blarney Castle, Clonmacnoise and EPIC – the Irish Emigration Museum. The immersive and educational experience totaled over 1,000 miles and allowed students to see agricultural, cultural and historical sites in Ireland.
The LLCC Agriculture study abroad experience was made possible by the Kreher Agricultural Trust.