IAS Field School – Whiterock Conservancy

Registration is now CLOSED

We are pleased to announce that the IAS will be offering a Field School for IAS members at the Whiterock Conservancy, May 23-31, 2022. The Field School is open to all IAS members with preference given to those who wish to work on their Field Work and Lab Certifications. Participants will learn proper scientific excavation and data collection techniques, use of modern technology, how to record a site, and laboratory methods for processing and documenting finds.

We will be conducting test excavations at an ancestral Native American site, and surveying to record additional prehistoric and historic sites. Optional evening programs will include guest speakers presenting on topics related to their research specialties. There will be field trips to see the Pierce Mine and learn about early coal mining in the region and to learn about alluvial geomorphology and soils.

About Whiterock Conservancy

Whiterock is a 5,500 acre land trust, much of which is restored to prairie, woodlands and savannah with miles of trails. Canoeing and kayaking is allowed on 9 miles of the scenic Middle Raccoon River. Far from populated areas, the conservancy is one of the best places in Iowa for star gazing.

Field School Details

Dates: MAY 23-31, 2022 (participants choose one or more days to join in)
Place: Whiterock Conservancy, located near Coon Rapids, Iowa, with land in Guthrie, Greene, and Carroll counties.
Cost: $10 per day/per person – Registration is now CLOSED
Fees will help to cover the costs of expendable materials and travel costs for presenters. Individuals wishing to work on their IAS certifications are asked to commit to a minimum of three days, these need not be contiguous. The number of daily participants will be capped at 10 to allow for proper supervision and training for participants. Children 10 years old and up, accompanied by adults, are welcome to participate. There is a field for indicating additional registrants in the form below.
Accommodations: Participants are responsible for their own accommodations. Camping and lodging are available at Whiterock Conservancy. Camping is available, first-come-first-served, at three spacious campgrounds. Rental lodging is also available in several converted farmhouses. If you choose the farmhouse option, make your reservations early since these are popular and fill up quickly. For additional information and to make reservations, click here or call 712-790-8221.
Fieldwork schedule: We will begin working at 9 am until 4:30 pm, hours can be flexible for those wishing to commute.
Equipment: All equipment necessary for excavation, site survey, and lab work will be provided. If you have a favorite trowel or other tools feel free to bring them along.
Food and Water: Participants are responsible for bringing their own sack lunches each day. Water will be provided; however, to help reduce our environmental footprint we ask that you bring a refillable water bottle.
COVID Statement: We highly recommend that participants be vaccinated for COVID 19. Those who are not vaccinated will be asked to wear a mask during indoor activities and programs.

Register for the field school here!

Registration is now CLOSED

Complete these two steps for registration:

1. REGISTRATION FORM: Fill out the Google Form registration form in the embedded window below.
2. REGISTRATION PAYMENT: Pay $10 per person per day for each day you are participating. Your registration is not final until both the form and payments are complete.

If you have any questions about the field school or registration, please contact Cherie Haury-Artz.

Learn more about the IAS Certification Program!

Not yet an IAS member? Sign up here!

Registration Form

Scroll down through the form to complete all fields. Hover your cursor over the form to scroll down for additional fields. Click the gray “submit” button at the bottom when finished. To register an additional participant, a link to complete the form again will appear after you click “submit” for the first registrant.

Registration Payment

Registration is not yet open. We will circulate an announcement when registration is live!

Click on ADD TO CART* for each day you are participating. Note, the registration payment section is NOT linked to the Google form, so you’ll have to make sure you pay for the days you indicated as your participation dates on the Google form. You can click ADD TO CART on multiple days – please do this before you click VIEW CART. This will take you to your shopping cart and checkout page. If you are registering for more than one person per day, you must change the QUANTITY in your shopping cart to reflect the actual number of participants for that day. Review your shopping cart to make sure you have selected the accurate days and number of participants per day. Then click PROCEED TO CHECKOUT.