MS 619
Sylvan T. Runkel (1906-1995)
Papers, 1925-1998, n.d.

Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

Descriptive summary   |  Administrative information  |  Biographical/Historical note
Collection description  |  Organization  |  Description of series/container li

Descriptive summary

creator:

Sylvan T. Runkel (1906-1995)

title:

Papers

dates:

1925-1998, n.d.

extent:

18.2 linear feet (41 manuscript boxes and 1 oversized box)

collection number:

MS 619

 

repository:

Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Sylvan T. Runkel (1906-1995), Papers, 1925-1998, n.d., MS 619, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Biographical note

 
Sylvan Thomas Runkel was born in Jacksonville, IL on August 30, 1906 to C.A. and Myrtie Annabelle Barnett Runkel. He graduated from high school in Moline, IL in 1924 and received his B.S. (1930) in Forestry from Iowa State College (University). He worked as a forester in various capacities including as an extension forester and a forest type mapper until 1933 when he was appointed superintendent of the first Civilian Conservation Corps camp in Iowa, at Albia. In 1934 Runkel began his tenure with the United States Soil Conservation Service (SCS) as a forester technician, becoming a forester and conservationist in 1939.

Runkel served in the United Stated Air Force as a glider pilot during World War II and was wounded in the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy when his glider was shot down. For his wartime efforts he received a purple heart, an air medal, a bronze arrowhead, and a Presidential Unit Citation in 1944.

In 1947 Runkel rejoined the SCS in Ottumwa, Iowa as a soil conservationist, forester, and biologist. In 1952 he was transferred to Des Moines and became the State Biologist. He was appointed by the Governor to the State Preserves Board in 1969 and served for ten years, two as chairman.

After his retirement from the SCS in 1972 Runkel drafted four environmental impact statements for Iowa Watershed projects and co-authored five books: Wildflowers of the Iowa Woodlands (1987), Wildflowers of the Illinois Woodlands (1994), Wildflowers of the Indiana Woodlands (1994, with Alvin F. Bull), Wildflowers of the Tallgrass Prairie: the upper Midwest (1989) and Wildflowers and other plants of Iowa wetlands (1999, with Dean M. Roosa).

Runkel was active in several organizations; he served as president of the Iowa Chapter of the Soil Conservation Society of America, the Iowa Chapter of the Wildlife Society, the Iowa Chapter of the Society of American Foresters, and the Des Moines Audubon Society and was on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Academy of Science for two years. He was also particularly involved with the Boy Scouts of America.

Runkel has received many awards for his dedication to the natural world, including recognition as the Federal Civil Servant of the Year in 1965, the Iowa Society of American Forester's Frudden Award in 1967, election to the Iowa Conservation Hall of Fame in 1973, a fellow of the Soil Conservation Society of America in 1974, a fellow of the Iowa Academy of Science, the Oak Leaf Award from the Nature Conservancy in 1977 and State Conservationist of the Year in 1987.

After promoting conservation for many years by assisting numerous groups with talks, nature walks; slide programs, workshops, and developing a wildlife series for the Iowa Public Television Network Sylvan Runkel's name became synonymous with conservation in Iowa. He was recognized for his particular efforts in the Loess Hills by becoming the namesake for a state preserve in Monona County, Iowa in 1996.

Runkel married Beulah Skeie in 1930 and became a widower in 1949. He married  Bernadine Neff in 1952. He has four sons and two daughters.

Sylvan Runkel passed away in 1995.

 

 

Collection description

 
This collection consists of papers collected by Runkel and documents his enthusiasm and commitment to conservation. This dedication to the environment crossed personal and professional boundaries and therefore the division between his professional career as a biologist/forester/conservationist for the United States Soil Conservation Service (SCS) and the private time he spent spreading his ideas about conservation through various talks, workshops, and nature walks is blurred.

Runkel's retirement from the SCS in 1972 allowed him more time to dedicate to these pursuits and much of the collection reflects his activities after 1972, including the records from the five books he co-authored as well as the four extensive Watershed studies he conducted on a contract basis after leaving the SCS. There is also considerable documentation relating to Runkel's activity in numerous special interest organizations, including records from the Soil Conservation Society of America. 

In addition to more formal correspondence and other records, the collection also contains a substantial amount of often incomplete notes and writings that illuminate Runkel's perspective on several topics, including the relationship between man and nature, a subject he spend much time thinking about and discussing.

The collection consists of fourteen series: 1. Biographical Information, 1925-1998, n.d., 2. Appointment/address books, 1942-1992, n.d., 3. Awards, 1967-1993, n.d., 4. Writings, 1948-1991, n.d. (including three subseries: 4a. General 4b. Talks and 4c. Wildflower books), 5. Nature walks, 1951-1985, n.d., 6. United States Soil Conservation Service (includes one subseries 6a. Watersheds [post-retirement], 1937-1991, n.d.,  7. Iowa State Preserves Board, 1965-1996, n.d., 8. Conferences/workshops, 1955-1982, n.d., 9. Groups (including one subseries 9a. Soil Conservation Society of America), 1935-1997, 10. Subject files, 1935-1992, n.d., 11. Notes, 1942-1983, n.d., 12.  Images, 1938-1990, n.d. (divided into subseries  12a.  Personal/Biographical 12b.  Talks/Walks 12c. Plants/Wildlife 12d. SCS 12e.  Camps/Workshops/Conferences 12f.   Groups 12g.  Aerial 12h. Trips 12i. Miscellaneous), 13. United States Forest Service, 1936-1958, and 14. Correspondence, 1953-1992.

 

Organization

 

The collection is divided into fourteen series, some of which also include subseries. According to the content of each series, they have been arranged either chronologically or alphabetically (see below).

 
Biographical Information - alphabetically
Appointment/address books - chronologically
Awards - chronologically
Writings - alphabetically
General - alphabetically
Talks - alphabetically
Wildflower book
Nature walks - alphabetically
SCS - chronologically
Watershed (post-retirement) - alphabetically
State preserves - alphabetically
Conferences/workshops - alphabetically
Groups - alphabetically
SCSA - chronologically
Subject files - alphabetically
Notes - alphabetically
Images - chronologically
Personal/Biographical
Talks/Nature Walks
Plants/Wildlife
SCS
Camps/Workshops/Conferences
Groups
Aerial
Trips
Miscellaneous
Forest Service - chronologically
Correspondence - alphabetically

 

 

Description of series

 

 

 

Series 1

Biographical Information

1925-1998, n.d.

Extent:

.42 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

 

Description:

Series contains information about Runkel's personal life: his service with the CCC, his resumes as well as handwritten timelines of his life. Also included are artifacts, Runkel's chemistry lab notebook and articles written about Runkel.

 

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

42

OVR

Artifacts (personal)

n.d.

42

OVR

Mementos

1933-1987

1

1

Chemistry 503 lab notebook

n.d.

1

2

Chronology of life events

ca 1980

1

3

Civilian Conservation Corps

1940

1

4

Civilian Volunteer Defense Service form

1941

1

5

Larry Stone's proposal for Runkel biography

1998

1

6

Military service records

1942-1956

1

7

News clippings about Runkel

1948-1995

1

8

Personal letterhead

n.d.

1

10

Plans for retirement

1972

1

11

Resumes

ca 1979; 1989

1

12

Writings about Runkel

1925-1997

 

 

 

 

Series 2

Appointment/Address books

1942-1992, n.d.

extent:

1.26 linear feet (3 manuscript boxes)

 

description:

Contains Runkel's appointment books that often served more as storage than as calendars. He did keep them sporadically, however. Note that for some years there are several books. An early address book/diary and some loose appointment calendar pages are also included.

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

13

Address book & diary

1942

18

10

Appointment calendar pages

1962-1973

1

14

Appointment book

1970

1

15

Appointment book

1971

1

16

Appointment book

1973

1

17

Appointment book

1976

1

18

Appointment book

1985

1

19

Appointment book

1987

2

1

Appointment book

1987

2

2

Appointment book

1987

2

3

Appointment book

1988

2

4

Appointment book

1988

3

1

Appointment book

1988

3

2

Appointment book

1989

3

3

Appointment book

1989

3

4

Appointment book

1990

4

1

Appointment book

1990

4

2

Appointment book

1990

4

3

Appointment book

1990

4

4

Appointment book

1991

4

5

Appointment book

1991

4

6

Appointment book

1992

4

7

Appointment book

n.d.

 

 

 

 

Series 3

Awards

1967-1993, n.d.

extent:

5 folders

 

description:

Contains certificates and related documentation for some of the many awards Runkel received throughout his life.

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

4

8

Awards

1967-1986, n.d.

4

9

Lifetime honorary membership—Iowa Association of Soil Conservation District Commissioners

1971

4

10

Morningside Award—honorary Ph.D.

1990

4

11

Runkel-Roosa Natural History Research Award

1993

4

12

Iowa Academy of Science acceptance speech

n.d.

 

 

 

 

Series 4

Writings

1948-1991, n.d.

extent:

.42 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

 

description:

Runkel's musings on various topics both in article and speech format. Subjects covered range from SCS, conservation and regional issues to more private affairs such as his CCC experiences, the retirement of friends, and his time in the forest service.  Also includes manuscript drafts and other material related to the five books he co-authored. In addition, there is also correspondence about his writings and a list of publications.

 

 

Subseries  4A

 

General: 0.42 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

1956-1991, n.d.

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

4

13

Book review for "Wild Flowers of the United States – The Northeastern States, Volume 1, Part I & II"

1967

4

14

"The Control of Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation with Black Polyethylene Plastic"

1962

4

15

Correspondence

1961-1987

4

16

"Creating Environmental Integrity"

n.d.

4

17

"Discuss Place of Wildlife in Our County Soil Conservation Program'

1964

4

18

"Do You Hate Sparrows?"

ca. 1960s

5

1

"Don Schultz Story"

1962

5

2

"Don't Fish Hear!?  No…Fishing Allowed!"

ca. 1958

5

3

"Fish Pond Management"

n.d.

5

4

"Forest Communities"

n.d.

5

5

"Impact of Strip Mining on Iowa's land use"

n.d.

5

6

"Iowa Farm Ponds"

ca. 1956

5

7

"Iowa Farm Ponds are Becoming Major Water Resource"

n.d.

5

8

List of publications

ca. 1962

5

9

"Making Friends and Influencing Wildlife"

n.d.

5

10

"Natural Communities"

n.d.

5

11

"Natural Resources:  Now and in the Future"

1991

5

12

"No Hunting Allowed"

March 1956

5

13

"Odd Areas for Wildlife"

Jan. 1958

5

14

"Plants for City Dwellers and Birds"

March 1970

5

15

"Plants Labeled on Nature trail at Council Bluffs YMCA Camp

May 1968

5

16

"Poisonous Plants are Also Part of the Outdoor Scene"

July 1980

5

17

"Report of observations made in woodlands of the Iowa Army ammunition plant, Burlington, Iowa"

May 1973

5

18

Sac County soils

n.d.

5

19

"Sam Strong"

Oct. 21, 1948

5

20

"Significance of the Prairie"

n.d.

5

21

"Superior Service Award nomination for Frank H. Mendell

n.d.

5

22

"Troublesome Farm Pond Weeds Can Be Controlled With Black Plastic Sheets" (4 4x5" B&W prints)

ca. 1962

5

23

"Water Our Country's Life Blood"

n.d.

5

24

"Wild Foods About Us"

Nov 1964

5

25

"Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands

n.d.

5

26

"Wildlife Habitat News Release"

March 10, 1969

5

27

"Wildlife Habitats on Iowa Farms Following Application of Soil Conservation Practices"

1961

5

28

"Wildlife Management"

Oct. 1959

 

Subseries  4B

 

Talks: 0.84 linear feet (2 manuscript boxes)

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

5

29

Alpha Alpha fraternity – Soil conservation awards

n.d.

5

30

Are Gardeners Concerned About the Future as Well as the Past?

n.d.

5

31

 "Best of friends" – Don and Luella Reese / Loess Hills

n.d.

5

32

Browns Woods (Des Moines, Iowa)

1971

5

33

Chlorophyl and photosynthesis

n.d.

5

34

Chronology of conservation in Iowa 1930s

n.d.

5

35

Citizen of the natural community : Nature and God

n.d.

5

36

CCC experiences (Iowa)

n.d.

5

37

Clyde Frudden Award ceremony for Dr. Larson from Iowa State University (Iowa Chapter SAF)

n.d.

5

38

Commencement at Morningside College

n.d.

5

39

Community forests – A Chapter responsibility

n.d.

5

40

Conservation and Pollution

n.d.

5

41

Conservation Farming

n.d.

5

42

Conservation of Prairies

n.d.

5

43

Creating environmental integrity

n.d.

6

1

Cycle of Nature

n.d.

6

2

Doug (and Dot) Wade

ca 1980

6

3

Eagle court of honor for Jay Thompson

1976

6

4

Engineers Annual Meeting

1965

6

5

Environmental Conscience – at home and in the field

n.d.

6

6

Environmental Education

n.d.

6

7

Eulogy for Albert Bull

n.d.

6

8

Farm Pond Safety

n.d.

6

9

Fill in for George Thompson for Iowa State Conference

1983

6

10

The Flowers – Report of the Landscape Committee

n.d.

6

11

Flowers of the Forest

n.d.

6

12

Floyd Harrison

n.d.

6

13

The Forest as a Community of Plants and Animals

n.d.

6

14

The forest community

n.d.

6

15

 "Forest plant Communities – their value in Iowa" / Rational use of environment

n.d.

6

16

Frank Mullen's retirement

n.d.

6

17

God in Nature

n.d.

6

18

The Green plant – basis for life

n.d.

6

19

Head Table introductions – Iowa Federation of Chapters (?) event

n.d.

6

20

Heddon Collection Prints used at Environmental Protection banquet for new SCS and ISU employees

1975

6

21

Herb Plambeck's Farm

n.d.

6

22

History of the prairie

n.d.

6

23

Hog confinement's effect on Steel Prairie Preserve

1990

6

24

How many natural areas should Iowa have?

n.d.

6

25

How to increase church attendance / align God with study of nature

n.d.

6

26

How to use this area as an outdoor classroom

n.d.

6

27

How to work with SCS people!

n.d.

6

28

Howard Oaks retirement Party

n.d.

6

29

Incentives for good forestry in Iowa

n.d.

6

30

Iowa – Beautiful Land

n.d.

6

31

Iowa in pioneer times

n.d.

6

32

Iowa Soil

n.d.

6

33

Iowa's natural landscape

n.d.

6

34

Iowa Woodland Wildflowers

n.d.

6

35

John Maddy's retirement

n.d.

6

36

Landscape & Development Plan for the Headquarters Buildings of Soil Conservation

Dec. 1962

6

37

Life of a glider pilot in WWII

n.d.

6

38

List of experiences in 3 months on the lookout

n.d.

6

39

Loess Hills

n.d.

6

40

Man and His Environment

n.d.

6

41

Man and His Natural Environment

n.d.

6

42

Manfred Ellerhoff: A Tribute

1973

6

43

Members of the natural community

n.d.

6

44

Programs for miscellaneous events

1973-1988

6

45

Natural Communities and Iowa People

n.d.

6

46

Natural Plant and Animal Communities

n.d.

6

47

The Natural woodland Communities

n.d.

6

48

Naturalists

n.d.

6

49

Nature

n.d.

6

50

Opening remarks for an unidentified meeting

n.d.

6

51

The Open land as Prairie Community

n.d.

6

52

Organizational Study of SCS

n.d.

6

53

Our School Arboretum

n.d.

6

54

Our Woodland Home

n.d.

6

55

Pellett Memorial Woodland Dedication as a State Preserve

n.d.

6

56

People – Animals!

n.d.

6

57

Pesticide & Herbicide when to & when not to use

Jan.1973

6

58

Pine Lake Watershed Project dedication

n.d.

6

59

Poisonous Berries alert

n.d.

6

60

Pollution (DDT)

n.d.

6

61

Prairie Area dedication

n.d.

6

62

The Prairie Community 1786

n.d.

6

63

Prairies

n.d.

6

64

Presentation of Iowa Conservation Award of Merit to Robert C. Russell

n.d.

6

65

Preservation of Natural Native Woodlands

n.d.

6

66

Quality Environmental Recreation Area Planning

n.d.

6

67

Quality of the environment

n.d.

6

68

Remarks made by Runkel as an award recipient

n.d.

6

69

Remarks prepared for presentation at the "Preserves Symposium"

April 21, 1977

6

70

Retirement

n.d.

6

71

Retirement for two SCS Employees

n.d.

6

72

Retirement for "Art" an SCS employee

n.d.

6

73

Retirement for "Floyd" an SCS employee

n.d.

6

74

Retirement of Howard Oak

1972

6

75

Retirement of Mervin Danielson and Dewey Bondurant – "Danny and Dewey"

1979

6

76

Retirement of Walter Weiss

January 19, 1969

6

77

The Rhythm of the Flowers

n.d.

30

19

Notes: Runkel's experiences living in the forest

n.d.

7

1

 "The Significance of the Prairie" given at dedication of Rolling Thunder Prairie

1983

7

2

Spring in the Woodlands

n.d.

7

3

 "Statement to the Polk County Conservation Board concerning Brown's Woods"

1973

7

4

Teacher Conservation Camp

1970

7

5

This is Wildlife Conservation

n.d.

7

6

Trees for Profit

n.d.

7

7

Urbandale Northwood Park Woodland Area

May 30, 1970

7

8

Wildlife Habitats

n.d.

7

9

Wildlife Recreation and People

n.d.

7

10

Woodlands

n.d.

7

11

Woodland Values – for people

n.d.

7

12

The World Community of Scouts

1984

 

 

Subseries  4C

 

Wildflower Books: 2.52 linear feet (6 manuscript boxes)

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

7

13

Questions and Answers about book

n.d.

7

14

Book information

n.d.

7

15

Book requests

1979-1983

7

16

Book signings

1988

7

17

Correspondence

1972-1990

7

18

Correspondence between Al Bull and Sylvan Runkel

n.d.

7

19

Edible plant references

1943, 1979

7

20

Entries not used

n.d.

7

21

Financial records

1980-1990

7

22

Flower completion charts

n.d.

7

23

Format information for Mrs. Pratt

n.d.

7

24

Introduction drafts

n.d.

7

25

Iowa prairies brochure

1971

7

26

Legends to accompany slides for prairie grass

April 1968

7

27

Letters on retaining slides on hand

1974

7

28

List – Chronological order of prairie flowers

n.d.

7

29

List of major slide contributors

n.d.

7

30

List of wildflower seed and native plants

n.d.

7

31

List of wildflowers and photographers

n.d.

7

32

Natural communities

n.d.

7

33

Notes

n.d.

7

34

Official state flowers, birds, trees

n.d.

7

35

Open land and prairie plants list and research

n.d.

7

36

Orders

1988

7

37

People to contact for slides

1974

7

38

People who received complimentary copies

n.d.

8

1

Plants (8 4x5" color prints and memo from Mark Wagner, 2 5x7" color prints, 2 color slides)

Oct. 1980

8

2

Prairie species lists

n.d.

8

3

Publicity

n.d.

8

4

Publishing contract – Wildflowers of Iowa Woodlands

Nov. 1979

8

5

Slides notices for use on a later date

1974-1980

8

6

Slide questions and letters

1974

8

7

Slides – color (22)

n.d.

8

8

Slides needed

n.d.

8

9

Slides returned

1974-1980

8

10

Wildflower of the month

n.d.

8

11

Common Iowa plant entries, index,    (A – C)

n.d.

8

12

Common Iowa plant entries (D – J)

n.d.

8

13

Common Iowa plant entries (L – U)

n.d.

8

14

Common Iowa plant entries (V – Z)

n.d.

8

15

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries A (Alumroot – Aster)

n.d.

9

1

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries B (Beardtongue- Buttercup)

n.d.

9

2

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries C – D (Calamus - Dwarf Cornel)

n.d.

9

3

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries F – G (False Coffee – Ground Nut)

n.d.

9

4

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries H- J (Harebell – Joe Pye Weed)

n.d.

9

5

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries L – R (Leather Flower – Rue Anemone)

n.d.

9

6

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries S – (Scarlet Cup Mushroom - Sweet William Phlox)

n.d.

9

7

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries T – V (Tick Trefoil – Virginia Waterleaf)

n.d.

10

1

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries W (White Baneberry – Woodland Sunflower)

n.d.

10

2

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Entries Y (Yarrow – Yellow Pimpernil)

n.d.

10

3

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies:  Entries A – Ho

n.d.

10

4

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Entries Hor - Rat

n.d.

10

5

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Entries R - Y

n.d.

10

6

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Contributors

n.d.

10

7

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Draft with corrections 1 of 2

n.d.

10

8

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Draft with corrections 2 of 2

n.d.

11

1

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Draft and notes page 133-192

n.d.

11

2

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Draft and notes page 193-258

n.d.

11

3

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Letter on cover color key proofs

1979

11

4

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Notes and corrections for the typist

n.d.

11

5

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Rough draft part 1 of 2

n.d.

11

6

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Rough draft part 2 of 2

n.d.

11

7

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Rough draft with corrections

n.d.

11

8

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Text with corrections from Ben Graham with letter (1 of 2)

n.d.

11

9

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Text with corrections from Ben Graham with letter (2 of 2)

n.d.

12

1

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Typed manuscript from R.V. Drexler (1 of 2)

n.d.

12

2

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Typed manuscript from R.V. Drexler (2 of 2)

n.d.

12

3

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Handwritten rough draft: Alumroot – Great Blue Lobelia 

n.d.

12

4

Wildflowers of Iowa, Indiana, Illinois Woodlands: Written rough draft: Green Dragon – Yellow Lady Slipper

n.d.

41 9 Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies n.d.

12

5

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Computerized draft with corrections 0027-0154  (1 of 3)

n.d.

12

6

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Computerized draft with corrections 0155-0277   (2 of 3)

n.d.

12

7

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Computerized draft with corrections 0280-0416   3 of 3

n.d.

13

1

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Draft

n.d.

13

2

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Draft, Agoseris – Lespedeza

n.d.

13

3

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Draft, Liatris – Zizia

n.d.

13

4

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Handwritten manuscript

n.d.

13

5

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: List of plants (correction copies of those sent to Deb)

June 1984

13

6

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: List of plants (Debbie and Marty's scratch copies)

n.d.

13

7

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Notes and draft (part 1 of 2)

n.d.

13

8

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Notes and draft (part 2 of 2)

n.d.

13

9

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Reference list, index draft with corrections, glossary draft with corrections

n.d.

13

10

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Typed and pasted entry with notes

n.d.

41

9

Wildflowers of Tallgrass Prairies: Bound draft with extensive notes (editor's name illegible)

n.d.

 

 

 

 

 

Series 5

Nature Walks

1951-1985, n.d.

extent:

8 folders

 

description:

Consists of trail guides and texts from a few of the many walks Runkel led through the woods.

 

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

13

11

"A walk in the woods"

Oct. 1977

13

12

Glenwood State School - nature trail

1969

13

13

Living History Farm - memorial nature trail          

1985

14

1

Nature trail guides

1969, n.d.

14

2

"Souvenir of Model Sawmill" - Iowa State Fair

1951

14

3

Stone Park Walk

1977-1978

14

4

Webster County Conservation field trip guide

1973

14

5

Wildflowers from Nature's Way

1985

23

21

A walk in the autumn wood

Oct. 1981

 

 

 

 

Series 6

Soil Conservation Service  (SCS)

1937-1991, n.d.

extent:

3.51 linear feet (5 manuscript boxes and one oversized box)

 

description:

Consists of work Runkel did while working for the SCS as well as the Watershed work he did for them as a consultant after retirement. Bulk is correspondence and subject files. 

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

42

OVR

Memory Book: Three-ring binder created for Runkel upon his retirement from the Soil Conservation Service

1972

14

6

Correspondence

1937-1942

14

7

Correspondence

1946-1957

14

8

Correspondence

Jan. 1955- Apr. 1958

14

9

Correspondence

May -Dec. 1958

14

10

Correspondence

Jan. - June 1959

15

1

Correspondence

July - Dec. 1959

15

2

Correspondence

Jan. -March 1960

15

3

Correspondence

April -June 1960

15

4

Correspondence

July - Dec. 1960

15

5

Correspondence

Jan. - May 1961

15

6

Correspondence

June -Dec. 1961

15

7

Correspondence

1962

16

1

 

Correspondence

Jan. - April 1963

16

2

Correspondence

May - Dec. 1963

16

3

Correspondence

Jan. - June 1964

16

4

Correspondence

July - Dec. 1964

16

5

Correspondence

1965

16

6

Correspondence

1966

16

7

Correspondence

1967

16

8

Correspondence

1968

16

9

Correspondence

1969

 17

1

Correspondence

1970

17

2

Correspondence

1971

17

3

Correspondence

1972-1973, 1978,1979

17

4

Correspondence

n.d.

17

5

Certificate of merit

1972

17

6

Forestry Project – tree planting, Timber Improvement Record – Ottumwa camp area

1935-39

17

7

Farm forestry work plans and related materials

1938-1942

17

8

Maps of Iowa counties

1940's-1950's

17

9

Instruction sheets from SCS bulletins

1940, n.d.

17

10

News clippings and news releases

1941-1972

17

11

Woodland planning – hardwoods

1941-

17

12

Soil and tree site information – charts

1947-1957, n.d.

17

13

Mendell, Frank "Ten years of Soil Conservation in Iowa"

1949

17

14

Tree planting trials

1950-1965

17

15

Handbooks and specifications

1952-1956, n.d.

17

16

Work plan

1953-1954

17

17

State field research committee recommendations on Iowa water research needs

1954

17

18

Tree farm information

1954-1988

17

19

Woodland management reports

1954-1960, n.d.

18

1

Accomplishments to date (Iowa Counties)

June 30, 1956

18

2

Woodland Planning

1956-1963

18

3

Committee for planning an Iowa forestry movie

1957

18

4

Training – Woodland and wildlife

1957-1970

18

5

Minutes of vegetative specialist meeting

Oct. 1959

18

6

Statistical maps of Iowa (15)

1959

18

7

Brush and weed control information

1960-1965, n.d.

18

8

Woodland conservationist correlation meeting minutes

1961

18

9

Activity schedules

1962-1972

18

11

List of 1961 publications by SCS biologists

1962

18

12

List of SCS Woodland Conservationists

1962

18

14

Retirement speeches and arrangements

1963-1988, n.d.

18

15

Tree farm committee records

1964-1981

18

16

List of SCS field biologists

1965

18

17

Iowa plant materials annual plan of work

1966-1969

18

18

Nomination form to interagency board of U.S. civil service examiners

1967

18

20

River basin study records

1969

18

21

Iowa - Cedar Rivers basin task force records

1970-1972

18

22

"Forestry work in soil conservation service in Iowa"

May 1972-1973

18

23

Retirement – Sylvan Runkel

1972

18

24

List of SCS retirees in the Des Moines vicinity

1983

18

25

Membership directory – association of retired SCS employees

1985

18

26

Windbreak demonstration area – Homer Calkins CRP area

1991

18

27

Belva-Deer outdoor classroom

n.d.

18

28

Dedication talks

n.d.

18

29

Humor

n.d.

Subseries  6A

 

Watersheds: 0.63 linear feet (1.5 boxes)

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

19

1

Archaeological study of four Iowa Watersheds

1974

19

2

Big Wyacondah Watershed, Davis County, Iowa

1961-1973

19

3

Classification of Channel Work

1971-1972

19

4

Deer Creek Watershed, Worth County, Iowa

1964-1974

19

5

Forest site index study

1973

19

6

Indian Creek Watershed, Van Buren County

1971-1974

19

7

Little Sioux flood prevention project

1970-1972

19

8

Little River Watershed, Decatur County, Iowa

1967-1974

19

9

Little Sioux River Watershed environment statements

1952-1973

19

10

Missouri River Watershed, review of the report on the Little Sioux River Watershed, Iowa

1955

19

11

Mull Creek Watershed Mills County, Iowa

1954

19

12

Neustrom Sub Watershed, Little Sioux Watershed, Woodbury County, Iowa

1970

19

13

Pierce Creek No. 2 Watershed, photos (5 3x5" color; 5 slides)

1962-1972

20

1

Pony Creek Watershed, Mills and Pottawattamie counties, Iowa

1960-1972

20

2

Ralston Sub Watershed, Little Sioux River Watershed, Ida, Cherokee, and Woodbury counties, Iowa

1966

20

3

Simon Run Watershed, Pottawattamie County, Iowa

1967

20

4

Three Mile Creek Watershed, Adair and Union Counties, Iowa

1960-1961

20

5

Troublesome Creek Watershed, Audubon, Cass and Guthrie counties, Iowa

1972

20

6

Upper Iowa River basin

1940

20

7

Waterman Spring Sub Watershed, Little Sioux River Watershed, Cherokee and O'Brien counties, Iowa

1960

20

8

Watershed maps (Iowa)

1944-1972

20

9

Watershed work plans

1960-1971

20

10

Waubonsie Creek Watershed, Fremont and mills counties, Iowa

1967

20

11

West Butyric Creek Watershed, Webster County, Iowa

1972-1974

20

12

White Breast Watershed, Clark and Lucas Counties

1974

20

13

Wolf Creek Sub Watershed, Little Sioux River Watershed, Woodbury, Iowa

1969

 

 

 

 

 

Series 7

Iowa State Preserve Board:

1965-1996, n.d.

extent:

0.42 linear feet (1 manuscript box)

 

description:

Materials collected by Runkel during his ten-year tenure on the Iowa State Preserves Board. Of particular note is his general rules for managing a state preserve.

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

20

14

Agendas and minutes

1970-1996, n.d.

20

15

Annual reports

1972, 1976

20

16

Brochures

n.d.

20

17

Budget

1965-1978

20

18

Coldwater Cave: A proposed state preserve

n.d.

20

19

Correspondence

1967-1973, n.d.

20

20

Correspondence

1974-1988

20

21

Dedication statements for areas declared to be in the preserves system

1966-1976

20

22

Future of the state preserves program within a department of natural resources

1986

20

23

Historical preserves (draft)

1976-1977

20

24

Iowa State Preserves Advisory Board (ISPAB): Correspondence

1969

20

25

ISPAB grant applications, guidelines for preserves research

n.d.

20

26

Loess Hills

1978

20

28

Position statement on proposed reorganization of preserves system

1977

21

1

Records book

Sept. 1965- July 1969

21

2

Report: "Muscatine Pecan Grove, Iowa State Preserve"

1976

21

3

Runkel's general rules for management

n.d

21

4

Talk: First meeting by Runkel

n.d.

21

5

Travel

1972-1977

 

 

 

 

Series 8

Conferences/Workshops

1955-1992

extent:

1.05 linear feet (2.5 manuscript boxes)

 

description:

Consists of material relating to Runkel's involvement in or attendance of various workshops, camps, and conferences.  Many are related to environmental education and wildlife.

 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

21

6

24th Annual conference for soil conservation district commissioners of Iowa

Sept. 1970

21

7

33rd Annual conference of the Conservation Education Association

Aug. 1986

21

8

15th Annual mid-continent parks and recreation "issues of the 1970's"

Feb. 1971

21

9

Back to basics

Oct. 1984

21

10

Conference related correspondence

1973-1986

21

11

Conservation program, Yale University

1955

21

12

Camp Walm

May 1984

21

13

Conservation youth leadership camp

June 1976

21

14

Ecology/Geology spring workshop

April 1978

21

15

Environmental education

April 1975

21

16

Environmental education in the classroom

June 1979

21

17

Environmental education youth conservation camp

July 1974

21

18

Ecology/Geology field experiences and campout

May 1984

21

19

Forest plantation field study

July 1958

21

20

Governor's environmental and conservation education conference

April 1977

21

21

Harmony of land and people

Sept. 1984

21

22

Ideas to action

Oct. 1972

21

23

Iowa Conservation Education Conference

April 1956

21

24

Midwest Conservation education Conference

Oct. 1958

21

25

Midwest Conservation education Conference

1971

21

26

Midwest Regional Environmental Education conference

1992

21

27

19th Midwest Wildlife conference

Dec. 1957

21

28

20th Midwest Wildlife Conference

Dec. 1958

21

29

21st Midwest Wildlife Conference

Dec. 1959

21

30

23rd Midwest Wildlife Conference

Dec. 1961

22

1

24th Midwest Wildlife Conference

Dec. 1962

22

2

29th Midwest Wildlife Conference (Madison, Wisconsin)

Dec, 1967

22

3

Midwestern States Natural Areas Preservation workshop

Oct.-Nov. 1974

22

4

Mines of Spain autumn seminar

Oct. 1982

22

5

Multiple county institute – water, our country's life blood

1949

22

6

33rd National Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference (1 of 2)

March 1968

22

7

33rd National Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference (2 of 2)

March 1968

22

8

North American Wildlife and Resources conference

1960

22

9

27th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources conference

March 1962

22

10

28th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources conference

March 1963

22

11

21st North American Wildlife Conference

March 1956

22

12

23rd North American Wildlife Conference

March 1958

23

1

North Central Audubon Council

May 1974

23

2

6th Northern Illinois Prairie Workshop

March 1984

23

3

Prairie river rendezvous (Rockfalls, Iowa)

Aug. 1983

23

4

Private lands fish and wildlife workshop

Feb. 1971

23

5

Short courses

1960-69

23

6

State foresters conference at McGregor

Oct. 1958

23

7

A Symposium on Oaks

Aug. 1971

23

8

Tri-State Biology Workshop, Paoli, Indiana

Sept. 1967

23

9

Walnut Management short course for landowners

Dec. 1970

23

10

Wildflowers in the yard and wild

May 1984

23

11

Williamsburg Advanced Biology Symposium- Environmental Pollution

May 1985

23

12

Winter Solstice an environmental education workshop

Jan. 1980

23

13

Winter Solstice an environmental education workshop

Jan. 1982

23

14

Winter Solstice an environmental education workshop

Jan. 1985

23

15

Woodland Conservation workshop

Sept. 1957

23

16

Woodland Conservation Workshop, Cornbelt states

1961

23

17

Woodland Conservation Workshop Cornbelt states

Sept. 1963

23

18

Workshop -  Ecology/Geology

May 1979

23

19

Workshop – Land use and cropping system

1959

23

20

Workshop SCS - ISC – technical materials

Oct. 1955

 

 

 

 

Series 9

Groups/Organizations

1935-1997, n.d.

extent:

1.47 linear feet (3.5 manuscript boxes)

 

description:

This series document's Runkel's involvement in several different groups and organizations. Many are related to conservation, the environment and wildlife, but others include the WWII Glider Pilot Association and the Sigma Pi Fraternity. Runkel was very active in the Soil Conservation Society of America (SCSA) and those materials can be found in subseries 9A. 

 

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

23

22

American Camping Association – Iowa section

1978

23

23

American Fur Trade

n.d.

23

24

American Society of Agronomy

1971

23

25

American tree farm system

1984

23

26

American tree farm system: Diploma

n.d.

23

27

Aquatic Weed \Control Society

1961

23

28

Association of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics

1992

23

29

Association of Retired Soil Conservation Service Employees

1986-1989

23

30

Audubon Society

1971-1974

23

31

Boy Scouts of America

1979, 1983

23

32

Boy Scouts of America: Diploma

1986

23

33

Children's Forest, Ewing Park, Arbor Day tree planting

1963-May 1971

23

34

Conservation Education Association

n.d.

23

35

The Conservation Foundation

1968

23

36

United States Department of the Interior

1969

23

37

Des Moines Audubon Newsletter: The Warbler

1997

23

38

Disabled officers association/Retired officers association

1972

23

39

Environmental Action

1970-1975

23

40

Friends of Greenwood Park

n.d.

23

41

German American club

1991

23

42

History of Pioneer Mother's Memorial Forest

n.d.

24

1

Iowa Academy of Science

1961-1993

24

2

Iowa Arboretum

1967-1981

24

3

Iowa Archaeological Society

1974-1977, n.d.

24

4

Iowa Association of Game Farms and Hunting Preserves

n.d.

24

5

Iowa Conservation Commission

1954-1985

24

6

Iowa Conservation Education Council

1970-1987

24

7

Iowa Conservation Education Council: Diploma

1985

24

8

Iowa Conservation Education Council: Plaque

1979

24

9

Iowa Department of Agriculture

1961

24

10

Iowa Emergency Conservation Work - Correspondence

1935

24

11

Iowa Farm Safety Council

1959

24

12

Iowa Forestry Association

1955

24

13

Iowa Natural History Association

1988

24

14

Iowa Natural History Association - Newsletter

1984

25

1

Iowa Nut Growers Association

1965-1968

25

2

Iowa Ornithologists Union

n.d.

25

3

Iowa Sawmill Operators

1959

25

4

Iowa State Association of Soil Conservation District Commissioners

1950

25

5

Iowa State College- Department of Forestry

1953-1990

25

6

Iowa State College – Department of Geology

1958

25

7

Iowa Tree Farm System

1987-1988

25

8

Iowa Wildlife Federation

1967

25

9

Izaak Walton League, (6 3x4 b&w prints, 3 b&w negs)

n.d.

25

10

Jack Daniels' Tennessee Squire

1991

25

11

Kiwanis Club

1956-1957

25

12

Living History Farms

1986-1987

25

13

Lynchburg Coonhunters Club

1974

25

14

Missouri Conservation Commission

1959

25

15

The Morton Arboretum Quarterly

1965

25

16

National Association of Retired Federal Employees

1979-1990

25

17

National Wildlife Federation

1958

25

18

Natural Areas Association