Learn how climate change is super sizing summer storms on pg. 8
Thinking Like a Beaver
I was recently re-inspired to study the North American Beaver, Castor canadensis– master builder and land shaper. Wehr has been home to beaver families since they reestablished themselves around 2002. You can see their signs from the sideboards on the boardwalk to the tree sculptures along the trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll find one of their lodges or even glimpse one swimming in Mallard Lake. The dams these impressive creatures construct flood waterways and create ideal habitats that support not only themselves but also fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and insect species.
“Add up all those dependents, and you begin to comprehend why scientists consider beavers the ultimate keystone species. A keystone species is that rare organism that likewise supports an entire biological community.”
- Ben Goldfarb, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter
As we work to counter the impacts of climate change, we are thinking like a beaver by prioritizing efforts to improve water quality and best manage our 220-acre natural area. We are thrilled that staff from the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) will be surveying Mallard Lake this summer. You may notice their boat on the lake as they collect data on depth, sediment, aquatic plants, and water quality. Their results will help inform our ongoing efforts to protect Wehr’s wetlands and waters. These restoration efforts will get a boost from the start of construction for our new Stewardship Garage and Service Yard. The first project of our Five-Year Site Improvement Plan, this space will serve as a gathering area for our stewardship volunteer groups and securely house our work tools, Kawasaki Mules, and mowers. The garage will be located along the driveway on the edge of the maple woods, providing minimal disturbance. The style will match that of the Visitor Center to ensure uniformity and blend with the adjacent woods.
In June, we thanked and said goodbye to Mary Gaub, who retired from Wehr after 37 years of service. Read about Mary’s impact as an educator and volunteer coordinator on page 8. We are excited to welcome Sophie Detweiler as our new Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator. Sophie has a degree in Conservation and Environmental Scence from UW-Milwaukee and has worked as an educator at local nature centers, including Havenwoods State Forest and Lakeshore State Park. Sophie shared, “I’m eager to work with and grow the volunteer team in support of the incredible Wehr community and its vital mission.”
Wehr Nature Center Programmatic Service Yard Sketch
We also welcome three interns to Wehr for the summer. Environmental Education interns Marissa Baer (Univ. of Minnesota) and Kiley Komperud (UW -Stevens Point) are supporting our camp and summer youth programs and have developed a Trail Use Survey they will launch in July. Land Stewardship Intern Kayla Peirick (UW-Milwaukee) is working on our wetland restoration project and collecting data about Mallard Lake as part of the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network. The intern positions are supported by the Friends of Wehr and the Natural Resources Foundation Diversity in Conservation Internship program. As we find inspiration from the beaver, it is our honor to serve the community by sharing nature with people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. In this way, we aim to be a keystone venue for supporting a healthier Milwaukee County.
In service and with thanks, Carly Hintz
Friends of Wehr
President’s Note
As we move into the summer season, I hope you have a good time enjoying the warmer weather and the beauty of nature in full bloom at Wehr. This summer, there is an exciting line-up of Friends of Wehr fundraising events, featured below.
Another exciting announcement is the addition of Peter Hintze to the Friends of Wehr Board of Directors. Peter is a systems analyst at a local nonprofit organization. Born and raised in Franklin, Peter now calls New Berlin his home. A heartfelt thank you to all the Friends of Wehr board of directors, members, volunteers, and donors. Your contributions support Wehr, its environmental programs, and the goal to provide equitable access to nature for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. With gratitude, Cindy Lorentzen, Friends of Wehr President
Ladies’ Night Out
“Fabulous, Fun Finds with Friends!”
Tuesday, July 8, 5-8 pm
Enjoy a relaxing summer evening browsing jewelry, clothing,
handmade cards, whimsical yard art, and more from 30 local businesswomen. A fantastic raffle with vendor-supplied items will support the Friends of Wehr as they help expand accessible, inclusive programming and restoration of natural areas.
Fees: $8 per person; $5 per Friends of Wehr member. Pay at the door or pre-register.
Milwaukee Milkmen Game Benefiting Friends of Wehr
Wednesday, August 20, 6:35 pm
Location: Franklin Field 7035 S Ballpark Drive Franklin, WI 53132
Peter Hintze
Join us for a fun night and support the Friends of Wehr Nature Center by grabbing tickets to the Milkmen vs Cougars Game. “Swing” by the Friends of Wehr table, meet our ‘Animal Ambassadors’, and find out how you can support Friends of Wehr. Ticket sales support Friends of Wehr Nature Center.
Online donations accepted through September 25. Planting Event, Saturday, September 27, 9-11 am Help Us Purchase Trees and Shrubs to Restore Nature at Wehr Please support our land restoration efforts by donating money to purchase native plants that provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. Donors can choose which species they would like to sponsor and can even help plant their tree/shrub at our September planting event. Visit the website for details.
Scholarship winners (left to right): Cameron LaRoque, UW-Madison; Luke Osgood, UW-Madison; Deb McRae; Brady Weston, UW-Stevens Point; Damarian Spencer, Tuskegee University (not pictured). Congratulations to the four high school seniors selected to receive this year’s Debra McRae scholarship award. The scholarship committee was very impressed with their accomplishments and passion for the environment.
Friends of Wehr Present 43rd Annual Cider Sunday
Sunday, October 5, 11:30 am - 4:30 pm
Celebrate fall at this family-friendly event for all ages.
Join us to:
Listen to live music from The Bluegrass Allstars and The Sweet Sheiks.
Amble among autumn colors on a sensory scavenger hunt and an apple-themed Story Stroll.
Take part in an interactive live animal presentation by David Stokes.
Try your luck at winning our fantastic raffle baskets.
Participate in pumpkin bowling, children’s crafts, face painting, and more!
FREE for Friends of Wehr members; $8 per person, children 2 and under are free. No additional parking fee.
Cider Sunday is the Friends of Wehr Nature Center’s largest fundraiser and supports the center’s vision to be a regional leader in providing access to nature for all. Proceeds benefit the educational programming and land management that help make Wehr Nature Center a natural gem in southeastern Wisconsin.
Taste delicious apple treats, handmade apple cider, and homemade cider beer from the Milwaukee Beer Barons.
Sunday, September 14, 12 - 4 pm
Bugs Rule!
Creep, crawl, and flutter your way to fun at Wehr’s 19th Annual Bug Day!
Join us for a buggy bonanza as we celebrate the tiny creatures that help keep our planet buzzing. Whether you love ladybugs, dig dung beetles, or are just a curious critter-lover, there’s something for everyone!
Event Highlights:
Live Insect Zoo – Meet amazing bugs from all over the world—touch a tarantula, greet a giant roach, and more!
Creepy Crawly Café – Feeling brave? Try a crunchy cricket or chocolate-covered bug snack!
Larvae Land – Special play zone just for little bug lovers with hands-on fun and insect-themed games.
Bug Discovery Walks – Grab a net and go exploring! Hunt for bugs in ponds, prairies, and woods.
Pollinator Power – Discover how to make your backyard a buzzing paradise for butterflies and bees. g g g g g g
Ask an Entomologist – Ever wonder why fireflies glow or how ants carry so much? A real bug scientist is here to answer it all!
Come dressed as your favorite bug and join the fun! Wings, antennae, and buggy smiles welcome!
$7 per person (non-member)
$5 per person (Friends of Wehr member)
Free for children ages 2 and under
$5 per car nonmember parking
Skip the line and buy your tickets online or pay at the door.
Cricket Crispies
Donors
Thank You!
Your contributions to the Friends of Wehr are appreciated and always used with careful consideration.
Anonymous
Sue Alauf
Aon
Ruth Baer
Miriam Bartz
Emily Berens Temlitz
Marsha Berenson
Scott Bowe
Broadcom
Cassandra Bumbaugh
Patricia Casillo
Danae & Mike Christian
James Cieslak
Adam Conlin
David Czeszynski
Dianne Dakich
Katherine Dinauer
Cathy Drexler
Susan Gambetta
Eva, Leslie George
William Grenke
Karen Grudzinski
Harold Haase
Peter Hintze
Pamela Hunt
Kimberly Jacobson
Julie Ann Jensen
Steven Kammers
Cindy Kappel
Judith Kesser
Rachel Kesting
Paul Kinzer
John Kreznar
Nina Kuda
Jaynie Kutka
Debra McRae
Jeanne Meyer
Scott Meyer
Christine Milewski
MMSD
Annette Mueller
Carol Nelson
Sandy Nuhn
Deborah Olguin
Beth Ann Pietrzykowski
Jessica Pliska Ciesielski
Scott Pollen
Mary Pryor
Mindy Pyle
Carol Rakowski
Marlene Rausch
Ronald Rebernick
Ron Reese
Audrey Reineck
Kim Schulz
Kushal Shah
Jennifer Slonac
Gary Smieja
Eve Smith
Thomas and Yvonne McCollow Fund
Thrivent Choice
UHG
Vincent Vitale
Waukesha County
Community Foundation
WI Metro Audubon Society
John Wierschem
Nancy Wojnarowicz
Ladies’ Night Out Sponsor
Anonymous
Avenue Wine and Liquor
Bluemel’s Garden & Landscape
Colleen Resendiz-Hello Realty
Krause Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc.
Metro Eye
ReAnn Holmes – Edward Jones
Sendik’s Food Market
Sherper’s
Stu’s Flooring
In-Kind
David Glenn
Mary MacLaren
Ladies’ Night Out Raffle
Vendor Donor
A Joyful Piece, LLC
Abstract by Melva Art by Karen Be That Jewelry
Beejeweled
Blank Slates
Button Flowers by Becky Country Bumpkin, LLC
Crafts by Shirley
Dance Around the Moon
Eco Evie Apparel
Essentially Jen
Fancy Free Buttonry
Forever Chocolate
Grape Twine Creations
The Friends of Wehr Nature Store has what you need for summer fun. Grab a Sibley Pocket Field Guide from our wide selection. Forgot your insect repellent? Pick up plant-based mosquito spray or wipes from the store before you hit the trails. Bring the kids to Wehr for an adventure and pick up nature-themed books for young readers.
Inspired Art
K + I Crafts
Lively By Samira
Oakwood Lane Crafts
Origaminoshi
Polished Patina
Positivity Catchers and River + Box
Pottery
Serenity Soapworks + Oak Hollow Acres
The Elegant Dahlia
The Fancy Bird
Third Coast Collections
Urban Blooms Wood Flowers
Wear Nature Designs
Zig Zagity
Land Management Grant
SEWISC
SPARK!
Patricia Bantz
Thank you to Jackie Crivello’s Wild Birds Unlimited for their continuing support in keeping our feeders full and our birds happy. Wild Birds Unlimited located at 4454 S. 108th St. Greenfield.
Your purchases help FOW support Wehr. FOW members receive a 10% discount. Open daily 10 am-2 pm (call to confirm).
WEHR WORDS - Editor: Bev Bryant
Contributors: Bev Bryant, Carly Hintz, Cindy Lorentzen, Mary Gaub, Emily Brown
50 Years of Volunteering Celebrated
On April 6, 125 Wehr volunteers and staff gathered to celebrate volunteer accomplishments. As part of our continuing 50th Anniversary Celebration, guests were treated to a trio of special guest speakers who spoke about “Wehr’s Volunteers: A Lasting Legacy.” Wehr’s past two directors, Mariette Nowak and Deb McRae, looked back at the many accomplishments of volunteers between 1974 and 2020. I even learned something new…Mariette was Wehr’s first volunteer!
New Volunteers Welcome! Are you interested in finding out more about joining Wehr’s volunteer crew? Visit https://friendsofwehr.org/volunteer/ to find out more and fill out an application. Or contact Sophia Detweiler, Volunteer Coordinator, at sophia.detweiler@milwaukeecountywi.gov or by calling 414-425-8550. We’d love to meet you!
Carly Hintz, Wehr’s current director, reviewed recent accomplishments and shared of view of ventures yet to come.
Over 17,000 hours were donated to Wehr in 2024. Unbelievable!
Barb Wallner, Jim Wroblewski, and Mary Joas were honored as Wehr’s top three volunteers for 2024, accumulating nearly 2,000 hours.
Special recognition was given to volunteer Bob Housey for being named a 2025 WI Invasive Species Action Award recipient. Bob has volunteered for many years, tackling invasive species. Congratulations, “Buckthorn Bob!” We can’t thank our volunteers enough for their dedication. Together we can do mighty things!
Halloween Haunts
A Haunting Tradition for 37 Years
October 16, 17 & 18, 6-8:30 pm
Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Online sales open Monday, September 22, at 9 am. Friends of Wehr members at the family level or higher can purchase tickets starting Monday, September 15, at 9 am.
$15 per person
$12 for Friends of Wehr members
Visit website to learn more and to order your tickets.
Don’t wait to purchase your tickets! Latecomers don’t have a ghost of a chance!
“Don’t ever lose your sense of wonder.” Rachel Carson’s words served as an inspiration for Mary Gaub throughout her naturalist career. Mary has always said, “When the time comes that you are not as excited and overcome with joy as the kids are, it’s time to move on.” Well, this moment never came for Mary, and after 37 years of service, it probably never will.
Growing up in Iowa, Mary was drawn to the outdoors. Spending time in the woods near her aunt and uncle’s farm and following her dad on hunting and fishing adventures connected her with the natural world. Mary attended a one-room schoolhouse, a unique experience that would later translate into her role as teacher “Miss Johnson” in Pioneer School and Prairie Days. As a young adult, Mary joined the Youth Conservation Corps, where she got her first taste of environmental education.
Mary attended Wisconsin Lutheran College and later UW Stevens Point, and after graduation, reunited with her soon-to-be husband, Mark, in Milwaukee, where she worked as a data entry clerk, newsletter editor, and interim secretary at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. Determined to break into the world of environmental education, she began volunteering with UW Extension’s Nature in the Parks. She was soon hired as a “NIPer”, doing nature education outreach, which would hold her heart for the rest of her career. It was the “collaborative spirit, independence, and creativity” that Mary loved most. “Every day was a different park, different kids, and a different program.” It was at this time that Mary’s mantra, “blessed are the flexible,” was truly cemented.
In the early years with NIP, library programs were a big focus, as well as outreach in community centers. Mary led the way in developing incredibly successful summer camps. Never one to take credit, Mary insists that everything is a group effort. Summer Camps ran for 15 years with over 300 kids per summer all over the county. In addition, Mary and others began programming at Betty Brinn and Barnes and Noble story time, as early childhood programming paired with a literacy component was in demand. Enter Earthroots, early childhood Environmental Education, a proud achievement of Mary’s career. Earthroots showcased a variety of hands-on activities, including movement, music, and art. Mary says what she loves most about these outreach programs is “the connections to teachers and being a consistent part of their curriculum.”
In 2003, Nature in the Parks moved from their office at Falk Park to Wehr Nature Center, where NIP and Wehr staff could be a single team. Later in 2013, when Volunteer Coordinator Jo Williams retired, there was a need for someone to step in. Mary bravely embarked on a journey that would become a giant contribution to Wehr Nature Center. Mary says she was immediately impressed by the dedication, passion, and skills of Wehr volunteers. She always puts volunteers first and ensures that they feel valued and appreciated and has taken pride in maintaining the vision of the staff and volunteers working hand in hand to accomplish Wehr’s mission. Through volunteer management and environmental education, Mary’s mark on Wehr will be felt for years to come. When asked what she hoped for the future of Wehr, Mary shared that she “hoped Wehr would not lose the passion for outreach and getting out into other parks and introducing members of the community to parks in their neighborhood.”
As for her hopes for the future, Mary looks forward to traveling (especially to Alaska), working in the garden, and catching up with her family. She will enjoy more visits with her son, Nathanael (Chicago), and her daughter, Stephanie (Madison). Of course, Mary would not be complete without some volunteering thrown into the mix. From all of us at the Wehr Nature Center, we salute your 37+ years of environmental education service to Milwaukee County, as well as your leadership in volunteer management. Your passion, curiosity, and creativity have been woven into countless programs and will continue to inspire generations to come.
- Emily Brown
Summer on Steroids
We love our summers in Milwaukee. Whether spending warm days by a lake or enjoying pleasant nights on the patio, we make the most of this short season.
But Wisconsin summers are changing. As the Earth warms due to climate change pollution, our summers are hotter, steamier, with more severe storms. Without action to reduce emissions, we are predicted to have sweltering summers similar to current-day Missouri by 2050.
MILWAUKEE
2024: Year In Review
Temperature:
1970
(June, July, August)
2024
HOTTEST ON RECORD
Precipitation: 12% WETTER than normal
Hotter Days and Nights
Summer 2025 is already breaking heat records, following the upward trend in extreme heat events seen over the past 50 years. Climate change is causing heat waves to occur more frequently and last longer. Heat waves are our deadliest weather event, with over 134 deaths in Wisconsin since 2010. We experience an average of 11 more days of 82 or higher than we did in the 1970s. Nights where we do not drop below 70 are increasing even faster, a trend that makes our heat waves even more deadly. Heat also impacts plants and wildlife by causing dehydration, increasing the spread of pests and diseases, and heat exhaustion in animals.
Damaging Downpours
Extreme rain events are becoming more common worldwide due to climate change. Think of the atmosphere as a giant sponge that absorbs water by evaporating moisture from the Earth’s oceans and land. Climate change is superheating the atmosphere, increasing the amount of water the “sponge” can hold and speeding the rate at which it fills, amplifying rain events.
Wisconsin is seeing this kind of change in precipitation. Six of our 10 wettest days recorded have occurred in the last decade. In summer, most of our rainfall now occurs during intense downpours. These extreme storms impact Wisconsin farms, roads, basements, and natural environments.
Birds and other wildlife suffer during heat waves. AVERAGE
Here at Wehr, intense rain events have significantly impacted our streams, wetlands, and lake. Flash flooding erodes stream banks and deposits sediment in our wetland and lake. This has caused Mallard Lake to become shallower and warmer, reducing water quality. Flooding is also damaging our piers, boardwalks, and bridges. Watch a flash flood in action and learn more about its impact on Mallard Lake in this blog.
Why is the climate changing?
When we burn fossil fuels, such as oil, gasoline, coal, and natural gas, we release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. This rampant CO2 accumulates in the upper atmosphere, acting like a thick, heat-trapping blanket that superheats our atmosphere. This extra heat makes temperatures rise and disrupts our global weather system. Learn more at What You Need to Know About Climate Science.
What Can You Do?
• Keep water where it falls. Add a rain barrel, build a rain garden, and use native plants in your yard. Learn about actions you can take to prevent flooding from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District
• Reduce your use of fossil fuels. Weatherproof your home and choose energy-efficient appliances and vehicles.
• Share these stories of local climate impacts with people in your life. Don’t know how to start a conversation? Watch these videos from PBS and Action for the Climate Emergency for ideas.
• Support conservation efforts at Wehr and other natural areas by donating, volunteering, and advocating for their protection.
Mallard Lake’s health is declining due to increase run-off.
JULY
Programs offered by an affiliated organization are listed in orange
For more information call 414-425-8550 All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
Wehr Birders 8-10 am Ladies’ Night Out 5-8 pm Hike for Health
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Guided Forest Bathing Walk 9-11 am
Happy 4th of July! Visitor Center is Closed
Enjoy the Trails
Fireside Friday Firefly Fun 7:30-9:30 pm
Pop-up Nature 1-3 pm
Wehr Birders 8-10 am NatureNauts 1-2 pm 1 2 3 4 5
am Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Little Wonders for Twos 9:30-10:30 am Little Wonders for Threes 11 am-noon Friday Afield 2-4 pm
Wehr Birders 8-10 am Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
NatureNauts 9:30-10:30 am
July Highlights Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Moth Night for Adults
Saturday, July 19, 7:30-9:30 pm
Moths rule the night! Celebrate National Moth Week at this Community Science event. We will explore moths’ diverse and marvelous world and discover how their adaptations make them masters of the dark. After an indoor presentation, we will go outside to monitor moth bait stations and record our findings. $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 Friends of Wehr members. Online registration is required 2 days prior to the program.
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Free Parking Thursday
Operation Recon Nature 5-6 pm
Daytime Sky Viewing 12-4 pm
Moth Night for Adults 7:30-9:30 pm
ADA AnniversaryFree Parking for Persons with Disabilities All Abilities Yoga in the Amphitheater 9-10 am
Operation Recon NatureFamilies 3-4 pm
Fireside Friday: Firefly Fun
Fri., July 11, 7:30-9:30 pm
Discover the fascinating secrets of fireflies. We will hike to the prairie to search for fireflies and then return to the campfire to enjoy S’mores. Recommended for families with children 5 years and older: $ 12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents;$7 for Friends of Wehr members. Online registration is required two days before the program.
July Programs
Click on a program for more information and to register. SPARK! Nature programs for adults with memory loss and their care partner
Wehr Birders
Every Sunday, 8-10 am
Join us for a morning bird hike led by fellow birders. We meet every Sunday in front of the visitor center. All levels of experience are welcome. No fee or registration is required.
Pop-Up Nature:
Blooming Prairies
Saturday, July 5, 1-3 pm
Stop in for a “pop-up” program with a nature expert to get your adventure on! A seasonal naturalist-led activity is offered from 1-1:30 pm, followed by a self-guided walk. Get outside to enjoy all the sights and sounds of our prairie. We will learn about the importance of prairies and who lives there through a story, hands-on activities, and a scavenger hunt.
Recommended for children 5 years and older Free; no registration is required.
Ladies Night Out
Tuesday, July 8, 5-8 pm See page 3.
Daytime Sky Viewing
Saturday, July 12, 12-4 pm
Location: Wehr’s amphitheater
View the sun through a telescope with a special solar filter with experts from the Wehr Astronomical Society. Personal telescopes with a solar filter are welcome but not required. Cloudy skies cancel the event. Free. No registration is required.
Guided Forest Bathing Walk
Sunday, July 13, 9-11 am
Unplug, slow down, and de-stress from your daily routine. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, a certified forest bathing guide will lead you through sensory-based invitations designed to relax, restore, and deepen your relationship with the natural world. Fee: $35 per person (Includes Parking); $25 for FOW members Online registration is required two days before the program
Little Wonders
Crawly Caterpillars
Monday, July 14
For 2-year-olds, 9:30-10:30 am
For 3-year-olds, 11 am-12 pm
Toddlers will creep, crawl, and flutter as we learn how caterpillars transform into butterflies. Children will help tell Eric Carle’s story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, create caterpillar art, and meet some live caterpillars.
Wonderful Water
Tues., July 15, 1-2:30 pm
Wed., July 16, 10-11:30 am
Water is essential to all life on Earth. Come explore what makes our big blue planet so special and how we can all care for this precious resource. No fee, but registration is required.
Friday Afield
Friday, July 18, 2-4 pm
Join us at Grobschmidt Park for an ecology walk through one of Milwaukee County Parks’ little-known wetlands. We’ll walk around Mud Lake, see wetlands, shrub-carr, and prairie, and identify many of the native plants found in these plant communities.(3751 W College Ave, Greenfield, WI 53221) Fee: $5 per person FOW Members; $7 per person Non-Members Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
All Abilities Yoga in the Amphitheater
Saturday, July 26, 9-10 am
Join us for a 60-minute, all-level, all-abilities vinyasa flow class in partnership with The Barefoot Haven in Greendale. Grab some friends and enjoy your morning in a serene nature-based setting. Dress for the weather. Learn more and register at: https://www. thebarefoothaven.com/schedule Fee: $15 per session
Operation Recon Nature for Adults
Friday, July 25, 5-6 pm
Operation Recon Nature for Families
Saturday, July 26, 3-4 pm
Veterans from all service branches - Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired personnel are invited to attend monthly walks held at Wehr Nature Center. For approximately one to one and a half hours, we will travel on the trails of Wehr Nature Center to share camaraderie and experience seasonal nature happenings. Families are invited to join their Veteran on Saturday. No fee but online registration is required. Contact holly.walz@milwaukeecountywi.gov with questions.
A program for toddlers and their favorite adult
NatureNauts
Eight-legged Acrobats
Sunday, July 27, 1 - 2 pm Monday, July 28, 9:30 - 10:30 am
Discover the fun of our eight-legged neighbor: the Spider! Make a spider craft, play the “spider game”, and learn how they’re not so scary after all. Meet live spiders including “Sammy the Cellar Spider”.
A program for 4 - 6-year-olds with an adult
Program audience key: Kids/Families; Adults; Special Event
Fees: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr (FOW) members, unless otherwise noted. A $5 parking fee applies for non-FOW members. Online registration at least two days prior to the program is required.
AUGUST
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Night Sky Viewing at the Overlook 8-11 pm
8 9
Brews & Botany 4-6 pm
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Little Wonders for Twos 9:30-10:30 am Little Wonder for Threes 11 am-Noon
Wehr Birders 8-10 am Operation Recon Nature 5-6 pm
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Wehr Birders
8-10 am
Guided Forest Bathing 9-11 am NatureNauts 1-2 pm
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Pop-up Nature 1-3 pm
Free Parking Day Thursday NatureNauts 9:30-10:30 am
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am Friday Afield 2-4 pm
Building Closed for Staff Development
August Highlights
Brews and Botany Saturday, August 2nd, 4-6 pm
Plants give us the drinks that make our mornings bearable and our evenings more enjoyable. Join us for an evening that will quench your curiosity about the botany behind your Brews. Sample unique beverages from local small businesses that are expanding our palettes with innovative plant-based drinks. Explore flavorful craft beer, kombucha, coffee, and tea –all available in a beautiful natural setting paired with live music and artisanal food trucks. Attendees will enjoy:
Night Sky Viewing at the Overlook 8-11 pm
Flow Yoga in the Amphitheater 9-10 am
Operation Recon Nature for Families 3-4 pm
Programs offered by an affiliated organization are listed in orange For more information call 414-425-8550 All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic samples from over six local businesses, and a local food truck. Botanical trivia about your favorite drinks
Live acoustic music by Frogwater Free parking for the evening (value at $5 per car)
Ticket sales are open now!
This event is for adults 21 and older.
$30 Non-Member, $25 Friends of Wehr Member Grab your friends and take advantage of the six-pack deal: $140 ($40 off for non-members)
August Programs
Click on a program for more information and to register.
Night Sky Viewing at the Overlook
Fridays, August 1 & 29, 8-11 pm
Location: Overlook parking lot on the east side of Mallard Lake Look through a telescope and learn about the night sky with experts from the Wehr Astronomical Society. Personal telescopes are welcome but not required. Cloudy skies cancel the event. Free. No registration is required.
Little Wonders
Turtle Time
Monday, August 11
Friday Afield
Friday, August 8, 2-4 pm
Join us at Bender Park (Bender Park Boat Launch) for an ecology walk through one of Milwaukee County Parks’ lakefront properties. We’ll walk the Oak Leaf Trail along the shores of Lake Michigan and through natural areas found here. The hike is roughly 1.5 miles. Fee: $5 per person FOW Members; $7 per person Non-Members Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
For 2-year-olds, 9:30-10:30 am
For 3-year-olds, 11 am-12 pm
Meet Wehr’s resident turtles as we learn about these gentle reptiles. We will count down as we read Turtle Splash! by Cathryn Falwell, make a turtle shell ink print, snack on favorite turtle foods, and stroll to the pond to spy sunbathing turtles. A program for toddlers and their favorite adult
SPARK! Nature programs for adults with memory loss and their care partner
Dancing to Nature’s Rhythm
Tuesday, August 19, 1-2:30 pm
Wednesday, August 20, 10-11:30 am
Join us as we explore the magical melodies of flamenco…from the clicking castanets to the staccato footwork, flamenco reminds us of the rhythmic heartbeat of all living things. It celebrates the cycles of nature in a vibrant, colorful display.
Flow Yoga in the Amphitheater
Saturday, August 23, 9-10 am
Join us for a 60-minute, all-level, all-abilities vinyasa flow class in partnership with The Barefoot Haven in Greendale. Grab some friends and enjoy your morning in a serene nature-based setting. Dress for the weather. Learn more and register at: https://www. thebarefoothaven.com/schedule Fee: $15 per session
Operation Recon Nature for Adults
Fri., August 22, 5-6 pm
Operation Recon Nature for Families
Sat., August 23, 3-4 pm
Veterans from all service branches - Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired personnel are invited to attend monthly walks at Wehr Nature Center. For approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours, we will travel on the trails of Wehr Nature Center to share camaraderie and experience seasonal nature happenings. Families are invited to join their Veteran on Saturday. No fee but online registration is required. Contact holly.walz@milwaukeecountywi.gov with questions.
Guided Forest Bathing Walk
Sunday, August 24 9–11 am
Unplug, slow down, and de-stress from your daily routine. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, a certified forest bathing guide will lead you through sensory-based invitations designed to relax, restore, and deepen your relationship with the natural world. Fee: $35 per person (Includes Parking); $25 for FOW members Online registration is required two days before the program
NatureNauts
Buzzy Bees
Sun., Aug. 24, 1-2 pm Mon., Aug. 25, 9:30-10:30 am
Discover the Buzz on Bees! Do the “Bee Dance”, make a craft bee, dress up like a beekeeper, and see live bees, safely, up close. Taste the sweet handiwork of our bee friends.
A program for 4 - 6 year-olds with an adult
Pop-up Nature
Investigating Insects
Sunday, August 31, Naturalistled program: 1-1:30 pm
Do you have a child who loves bugs? Bring them to Wehr to meet insects up close and personal. We will read Insects Are My Life by Megan McDonald before you take a self-guided insect scavenger hunt. Ziggy Explorer Packs are available for checkout.
Recommended for ages 5 and older No fee or registration required
Program audience key: Kids/Families; Adults; Special Event
Fees: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr (FOW) members, unless otherwise noted. A $5 parking fee applies for non-FOW members. Online registration at least two days prior to the program is required.
SEPTEMBER
Our Visitor Center is Closed Enjoy The Trails!
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Little Wonders for Twos
9:30-10:30 am Little Wonder for Threes 11am-Noon
Snapping turtle lays eggs 2018
Wehr Birders
8-10 am
Bug Day Noon-4 pm
Wehr Birders
8-10 am
NatureNauts
1-2 pm
Halloween Haunts Ticket Sale for FOW members 9 am
Wehr Astronomical Society 7-9 pm
Wehr Birders 8-10 am
Guided Forest Bathing 1-3pm
Halloween Haunts Tickets on Sale to Public 9 am
NatureNauts 9:30-10:30 am
1-2:30 pm
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am 28 29 30
Little Wonders for Twos
9:30-10:30 am Little Wonder for Threes 11am-Noon
September Highlights
Bat Night for Adults
Saturday, September 20, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Discover the fiction, folklore, and facts about bats, nature’s only truly flying mammal. Join us for some “bat math”, hold bat artifacts, and hear real bats on the walk. Learn how you can participate in Community Science projects to help your neighborhood bats. We will start inside and then use acoustic sensors during an hour-long “Bat Walk” through Whitnall Park.
Shine Bright Through the Night Walk 3:30 pm
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am Camera Club 9-11 am
10-11:30 am
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
WI Metro Audubon Society 7-9 pm
Hike for Health 10:30-11:30 am
Friday Afield 2-4 pm
Bat Night for Adults
7:30-9:30 pm
Programs offered by an affiliated organization are listed in orange.
For more information call 414-425-8550
All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
Meet the Trees
Sat., Sept. 27, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Join us to enjoy the splendor of Wehr Nature Center’s forest trails while learning how to use a simple tree identification key to call the trees by name. Held entirely outdoors, this program will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. For ages 13 and older.
Operation Recon Nature 5-6 pm
Night Sky Viewing at the Overlook 7:30-10:30 pm
FOW Tree & Shrub Donation Planting Event
9-11 am Flow Yoga in the Amphitheater 9-10 am
Meet the Trees 9:30-11:30 am Operation Recon Nature for Families 3-4 pm
Fee: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for members of Friends of Wehr. Online registration is required two days before the program
September Programs
Click on a program for more information and to register.
Shine Bright Through the Night 10th Anniversary
Celebration & Walk!
Saturday, September 6, 3:30 pm
Hosted by Wehr Nature Center in support of MAACO
This accessible 2-mile fundraiser walk along Wehr’s trails supports the mission of Michelle’s Action Angels Community Outreach to help people with disabilities live fulfilling lives.
Registration includes:
T-shirt Nature Walk Glow Sticks Games
Sensory Space Creature Meet
Children’s Nature Craft Face Painting
S’mores Making Scavenger Hunt
Cake Music… and more!
Available for purchase: •BBQ •50/50 Raffle •Bucket Raffle
Little Wonders
Insect Adventures
Monday, September 8
For 2-year-olds, 9:30-10:30 am
For 3-year-olds, 11 am-12 pm
Insects are cool! We will listen to UGH! A Bug by Mary Bono, meet some insects and go for a bug hunt along Wehr’s trails. They will learn to not to let bugs bug them!
A program for toddlers and their favorite adult
SPARK! Nature programs for adults with memory loss and their care partner
Friday Afield
Friday, Sept. 19, 2-4 pm
Masters of Flight
Tues., Sept. 16, 1-2:30 pm Wed., Sept. 17, 10-11:30 am
All aboard as we travel through time exploring animal flight. From the first flying insect to human-invented flight, our imaginations will soar on this aerial adventure.
Join us at Greenfield Park for an ecology walk through one of Milwaukee County Parks’ exceptional native plant communities. We’ll walk through a southern mesic forest where we’ll identify flora and fauna along our 1-mile hike. (12021 W Lincoln Ave, West Allis, WI 53227) Fee: $5 per person FOW Members; $7 per person Non-Members Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
NatureNauts
Fungus Among Us
Sunday, Sept. 21, 1-2 pm
Monday, Sept. 22, 9:30 - 10:30 am
This program will grow on you as we learn how fungi are fun! Join us for an outdoor fungus hunt as we discover how fungi keep nature in balance. NatureNauts will take home a craft mushroom.
A program for 4 - 6-year-olds with an adult
Operation Recon Nature - Adults
Friday, September 26, 5-6 pm
Operation Recon Nature - Families
Saturday, September 27, 3-4 pm
Veterans from all service branches - Active Duty, Reserve, and Retired personnel are invited to attend monthly walks at Wehr Nature Center. For approximately one to one and a half hours, we will travel on the trails of Wehr Nature Center to share camaraderie and experience seasonal nature happenings.
No fee but online registration is required. Contact holly.walz@milwaukeecountywi.gov with questions.
Flow Yoga in the Amphitheater
Saturday, September 27, 9-10 am
Join us for a 60-minute, all-level, all-abilities vinyasa flow class in partnership with The Barefoot Haven in Greendale. Grab some friends and enjoy your morning in a serene nature-based setting. Learn more and register at: https://www.thebarefoothaven.com/schedule Fee: $15 per session
Guided Forest Bathing Walk
Sunday, September 28, 1-3 pm
Unplug, slow down, and de-stress from your daily routine. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, a certified forest bathing guide will lead you through sensory-based invitations designed to relax, restore, and deepen your relationship with the natural world. Fee: $35 per person (Includes Parking); $25 for FOW members Online registration is required two days before the program
Little Wonders
Little Pumpkins
Monday, September 29
For 2-year-olds, 9:30-10:30 am
For 3-year-olds, 11 am-12 pm
Bring your little pumpkin out to learn about these enchanting and edible fruits. We will read Pumpkin, Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington, and create a Jack-olantern from a tiny pumpkin.
A program for toddlers and their favorite adult
Program audience key: Kids/Families; Adults; Special Event
Fees: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr (FOW) members, unless otherwise noted. A $5 parking fee applies for non-FOW members. Online registration at least two days prior to the program is required.
