Grotto of the Redemption to offer educational presentation Sept. 23

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
September 7, 2006

WEST BEND - The Grotto of the Redemption and the Iowa DNR will sponsor a free educational event focused on trumpeter swans and the geology of Iowa Sept. 23.

According to Rhonda Miller, executive director of The Grotto, the swan educational presentation will be held at The Grotto in two sessions at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each of these sessions include a 30-minute swan/wetland presentation, a unique opportunity to touch and view swans up close and a photo opportunity.

Dave Hoffman of the Iowa DNR will facilitate the sessions.

"It is a hands-on presentation. The kids will be able to feel their feathers," noted Miller. "Because trumpeter swans are endangered, this is really the only way that people could get so close and have the chance to touch one. Out in the wild, you wouldn't have that opportunity."

She pointed out that the trumpeter swan used to be throughout Iowa in the late 1800s but they were hunted almost to extinction.

"He goes through the history of the trumpeter swan and then explains about a restoration program in getting swans to nest naturally in the wild," noted Miller.

The Grotto received a pair of swans in 1995 and each year they have sygnetts. If people attend the Sept. 23 presentation, they will see that The Grotto has four sygnetts this year. The babies will be tagged in the spring and then will be released into the wild.

On the same day, Robert Wolf, author of Fossils of Iowa, will conduct an educational sessions at 12:30 and 2:15 p.m. that will highlight how fossils fit into Iowa's geological setting. This Fort Dodge resident has been the past president and treasurer of the River Valley Rock Hounds and has been a member of the Mid-American Paleontology Society and the Geological Society of Iowa.

The Grotto has been hosting the swan presentation for about five years. Last year was the first year they added a second educational presentation featuring a geological speaker. Last year's geological portion focused on how the DOT uses rocks in Iowa.

In addition to being a place where one can go to worship God, Miller mentioned that Father Paul Dobberstein "wanted it to be a preeminent place where people can come and learn about geology. That is a big reason why there are rocks from all over the United States."

While these education presentations will be offered one day only, The Grotto provides educational workshops on geology to school and other groups at various times throughout the year.

Miller anticipates that they will offer a lunch special in the Grotto Café on Sept. 23.