9 7 0 1 W C o l l e g e A v e . F r a n k l i n , W I 5 3 1 3 2 4 1 4 - 4 2 5 - 8 5 5 0 w w w . f r i e n d s o f w e h r . o r g
Celebrating the Wehr Nature Center’s 50th Anniversary is a true pleasure, marking this significant milestone in the history of Milwaukee County Parks.
As your Parks Director, I am incredibly proud of the Wehr Nature Center, a vital resource that enriches our community This center stands as a testament to the importance of nature, especially in a vibrant urban center area like ours Having access to such a sanctuary is not just a luxury but a fundamental component of our well-being.
Throughout my career, the power of partnerships has always stood out. The Wehr Nature Center’s success is a shining example of what can be achieved when we work together. Thanks to our partners, volunteers, and the Friends of Wehr, we offer exceptional experiences that allow both our dedicated staff and the community to thrive
This past year, the Wehr Nature Center played an integral role in the Healthy County Challenge, a series of events spearheaded by County Executive David Crowley designed to promote health and wellness throughout our community. Our involvement in these events highlighted the Nature Center’s commitment to supporting accessible and healthy living options for all our residents.
Accessibility for all remains a cornerstone of our mission We are dedicated to ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Wehr Nature Center, making our parks welcoming to all
Personally, this place holds a special place in my heart I fondly recall lighting the way for families during Halloween Haunts, as they were greeted by an enchanting path of Jack O’ Lanterns Witnessing the delight on the children's faces as they experienced the magic of nature was truly heartwarming.
Over the years, witnessing the growth and evolution of the Nature Center has been nothing short of inspiring It has been remarkable to see how this center has continued to innovate and set standards for what a nature center can achieve
As we celebrate these first 50 years, let us also look forward with excitement to the next 50. With our continued commitment to innovation, leadership, and community support, I am confident that the future holds even greater accomplishments for this cherished place.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Let’s continue to nurture and grow the legacy of the Wehr Nature Center together.
at 2024, we certainly gave a big “cheers to 50 years!” I can confidently say this was our best year as a center yet. All special events broke records; we hosted our first-ever galathe Pollinator Brunch and held a community celebration in partnership with our neighbors at Retzer. The trails gave footing to more than 200,000 people (a new record!); a new welcome kiosk was installed, more than 100 trees and shrubs were planted, and we added a second all-terrain wheelchair which rests in the newly installed “Ability Corner” (adaptive tools available for free to all). Our school programs served h 8 000 d d h
The impacts of the 50th anniversary celebrations will be seen into the next 50 years. Exciting updates are coming with the completion of the 5-year site improvement plan This plan, which couldn’t have been possible without the support of Friends of Wehr, Milwaukee County Parks, and Graef will pave the way for the next chapter of Wehr Nature Center Improvements were generated by a collaborate team and include all aspects core to the center’s operations: trail improvements, secure storage of equipment, expanded teaching space, erosion control, and even a return of an owl enclosure.
As a non profit organization, Friends of Wehr supports and promotes Wehr Nature Center and its environmental education programs Thank you for supporting our mission throughout 2024 by joining or renewing your Friends of Wehr membership, shopping at the nature store, participating in fundraising events, volunteering, and telling your family and friends about this beautiful nature destination
During 2024, we celebrated Wehr’s 50th anniversary and had record attendance at all of our Friends of Wehr fundraising events, including: the 50th Anniversary Pollinator Brunch, N ti Pl t S l L di Ni ht O t
We broke records with Friends of Wehr memberships, Nature Store sales, and media outreach. In addition, we launched a new Friends of Wehr website and social media including Spanish as an additional language.
Thank you for supporting Wehr’s commitment to providing environmental education and sustaining an accessible nature destination for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. Your ongoing support will help Wehr continue to make a positive impact.
With gratitude!
V I S I O N S T A T E M E N T
Wehr Nature Center aspires to be a leading destination in the Midwest for providing equitable access to nature for people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
This goal is supported by the Friends of Wehr. Their mission, as a non-profit organization, is to support and promote Wehr Nature Center and its environmental educational programs.
STRATEGIC GOALS
2024 Goals adapted from Parks Strategic Plan
G O A L # 1
Publicly celebrate 50 years as a nature center by highlighting our legacy of leadership in inspiring all generations to explore and value the natural world into the next 50 years.
G O A L # 2
Equitably balance Wehr Nature Center to be more financially sustainable.
G O A L # 3
Advance Racial Equity and Enhance Accessibility for Audiences traditionally underserved or not-yet-served.
G O A L # 4
Invigorate Community Health and Wellness to Heighten Quality of Life while Balancing land use and recreation needs of the 220-acre natural area.
G O A L # 5
Actively Engage Community and Cultivate Creative Partnerships and Volunteerism.
G O A L # 6
Grow and retain a Diverse Workforce.
CELEBRATING IN STYLE
50th Anniversary Community Celebration
Wehr welcomed more than 200 community members to a public celebration held between 1-4 pm on Saturday, June 15th. Two County Executives (Milwaukee and Waukesha) and two County Board Supervisors were in attendance as well as community affiliated groups like Astronomical Society, Metro Audubon Society, Camera Club, and Access Ability Wisconsin. A staff reunion was held after the event. Impact stories were shared in the Gardner Room.
Sample Impact Stories
50th Anniversary Pollinator Brunch
The Friends of Wehr hosted their first ever Pollinator Brunch daytime gala on Sunday, September 15th raising more than $30,000 in support of accessibility and education.
ADVANCING RACIAL EQUITY AND ACCESS TO NATURE FOR ALL
Regional Youth Impact
The map to the right shows the school, youth group, and library programs that participated in Wehr Nature Center programs in 2024 These programs impacted ~24,000 people not including adults in 2024
S c h o o l s
D a y c a m p p a r t i c i p a n t s ( M P S )
S c o u t a n d Y o u t h G r o u p
L i b r a r y P r o g r a m
8,766
STUDENTS SERVED
566
LIBRARY PROGRAM ATTENDEES
391
SCOUTS SERVED
1,512 FAMILY PROGRAM ATTENDEES (EARLY CHILDHOOOD, FAMILY, BIRTHDAYS)
My students were able to experience nature in a new setting with an expert leading us through the trails, teaching us about animals and giving us the freedom to explore. It is an ideal field trip for a group of young city kids!
Thank you so much!
- Kristen L K5 Trowbridge Elem
Increasing access to the outdoors through Kids in the Park
36% of students received financial support to participate
1,632 STUDENTS
The greatest benefit of this program for our classroom was that the students had an opportunity to engage in a hands-on learning experience in nature. We have virtually no green space surrounding our school and we love coming to the WEHR nature center to provide them with the opportunity to learn about nature in nature
Since 2019, Wehr has partnered with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) Extended Learning Office to provide Nature/STEMfocused camps for Milwaukee children during spring and summer breaks at no cost to families. In 2024, over 45 campers ages 7 to 11 explored the wilds of Wehr with our naturalists, learning about rocks, rivers, critters, conservation, and much more while making friends and memories.
-Anne H. Rodger’s Street Academy, 4th
Adult Programming Highlights
Guided Forest Bathing Nature Speakers Bureau
Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program
2024 was our first full year offering guided forest bathing experiences We offered one public forest bathing walk once per month In addition to our monthly public walks, we led walks for the Forest Home Cemetery, Natural Resources Foundation, Sixteenth Street Community Health Center, as well as one private group walk. In addition, Naturalist staff hosted:
117 people participated IN FOREST BATHING
15 Nature Speakers Bureau PROGRAMS WERE HELD
26 Community Outreach EVENTS WERE ATTENDED
It was amazing how at peace I felt in the Hemlock Grove. As you mentioned, the effects are lasting. This was an amazing experience I will incorporate into other time I spend in nature
-Forest Bathing Participant
Wehr Nature Center provides presentations for adults on various naturalist topics through the Nature Speakers Bureau program In 2024, Wehr provided programs for two memory café’s, one memory care facility, four senior living facilities, two garden clubs, three church groups, three libraries, and one program for Friends of Sheridan Park and the Root River Wild Ones. Five Natural Resource Foundation walks were provided by Wehr Naturalist staff.
My daughter and I took the Master Naturalist training together As a mom of an adult child with disabilities - I witnessed her joy and selfconfidence grow. This sparked my joy and true appreciation for Howard and Brooke They did a fantastic job and always made my daughter feel like a peer. I will be forever grateful.
-WI Master Naturalist Program
25 people graduated PLUS A VARIETY OF ADVANCED CLASSES WERE TAUGHT
A Second Chair and Trailer Expands Capacity to Serve People with Different Mobility Abilities
We celebrated our second anniversary of partnering with Access Ability Wisconsin and based on demand for Outdoor Access for All, added a second chair and trailer to our fleet of growing accessibility tools. The Ability Corner came into fruition and hundreds of people utilized tools to expand their ability to engage with nature.
147 DAYS RESERVED
54
INDIVIDUALS (28% INCREASE FROM 2023)
Operation Recon Nature & Spark! Programs for Veterans and Adults with Memory Loss (and their care partners)
Wehr continued to partner with the Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) Recreational Therapy program, Veterans Health Coalition, and others to provide 25 “missions” (hikes) for veterans.
155 VETERANS
What I appreciate about our hikes is the peaceful feeling I have for the rest of my day The ability to exhale and take note of sights, sounds, and the fresh air of nature
-ORN Participant
71 INDIVIDUALS
Spark! expanded to include a second session! 20 sessions were held.
The Wehr community of staff and volunteers have been a wonderful support for us on this journey of dementia.
-Spark! Participant
BALANCING LAND USE AND RECREATION
Guided by Wehr Nature Center’s 10-year Restoration & Management Plan, several land stewardship efforts were enacted in 2024 through the help of dedicated staff and volunteers.
60 acres
2,300 HERBACIOUS PLANTS PLANTED
125 TREES & SHRUBS PLANTED
1 PRESCRIBED BURN IN THE OAK
SAVANNA
Notable Partnerships
CES Capstone students explored management of the Creek Corridor.
Wehr became involved in the DNR’s Citizen Lake Monitoring Program to measure health of Mallard Lake
A grant from CS Besedny supports restoration along the lake. Additionally, several adult fieldtrips were held
Photo shows Nodding Trillium (Trillium cernuum), found in the past but not for many years Rediscovered after buckthorn and bittersweet removal
Conservation & Wildlife Monitoring
Wehr Nature Center monitors and records native vascular plants as well as several wildlife projects to help inform species richness on our 220-acre property.
The fourth year of acoustic monitoring found a variety of bird focal species as well as frog species including the endangered wood frog
Trails and Construction
In May 2024, Troop 540 (Jaden Reed) completed his Eagle Scout Service Project installing 430 feet of split rail fence.
1.5miles OF TRAILS WOODCHIPPED
Bluebird nest box monitoring hit an all-time record in 2024 with 20 Eastern Bluebirds fledged.
“Louise” the Animal Ambassador helped train Mequon Nature Preserve’s conservation dog on statethreatened Wood Turtle detection resulting in successful detection.
On September 12th, Mortenson Construction donated time and materials to reinforce one of the pedestrian footbridges at risk of failure due to erosion
Friends of Wehr Fundraisers are a fun way to raise money in support of the center.
DATE: FEBRUARY 3 Chili Cookoff
65
ATTENDEES
516 ATTENDEES
DATE: JUNE 1-2 Native Plant Sale
5,000
600 ATTENDEES
DATE: JULY 9 Ladies’ Night Out
871 ATTENDEES
DATE: OCTOBER 6
PLANTS SOLD RAISED
$9,542
DATE: NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 10
G R O W T H I N
Wehr Nature Center County staff host several events aimed at inspiring current and future generations to love and value the natural world through a variety of special events every year
Maple Sugar Days
468
ATTENDEES
DATE: MARCH 23-24
Bug Day
722
ATTENDEES
DATE: SEPTEMBER 8
Halloween Haunts
985 ATTENDEES
DATE: OCTOBER 17-19
DIGITAL ACCESSIBILITY CHANGES IN HONOR OF THE 50TH
In 2024, significant digital transformations were implemented to enhance awareness of the Nature Center and engage a wider audience. The website Wehrnaturecenter.com was launched, and friendsofwehr org underwent a redesign These changes aimed to provide visitors with a clearer understanding of the leadership roles and to distinctly differentiate between Friends of Wehr and the Wehr Nature Center.
JUNE
Redesign of friendsofwehr.org
wehrnaturecenter.com was launched
NOVEMBER
The center introduced a bilingual welcome kiosk
DIGITAL UPDATES AND PARTNERSHIP GROWTH
The Friends of Wehr Nature Center maintained a strong relationship with the local media.
MEDIA HITS 17
Wehr was also featured in OnMilwaukee, Urban Milwaukee, Milwaukee Magazine, Shepherd Express, among other several print publications and online sites.
Written By: Bobby Tanzilo
TV APPEARANCES
CBS58, Telemundo WI, TMJ4, FOX6, & Spectrum News
Wehr Nature Center and Friends of Wehr are actively enhancing their social media presence and community partnerships to successfully engage a diverse audience to promote Wehr's programs, events, fundraisers, and visitor activities.
wehrnaturecenter.com
wehrnaturecenter com/es
Wehr Nature Center
@wehrnaturecenter
friendsofwehr.org
@friendsofwehr friendsofwehr.org/es-mx
@Friends of Wehr Nature Center Inc.
MILKMEN GAME
WEHR NATURE CENTER YEAR-END FINANCIALS
County staff generate revenue to support the fiscal sustainability of the center by collecting fees for naturalist-led programming, facility rentals, parking, and permit fees. All revenue generated goes to ensuring Wehr Nature Center continues to be supported by Milwaukee County Parks.
Permits
$1,13700
ParkingFees
$29,468.00
Wehr Revenue in 2024 = $138,850
BuildingSpaceRental
$15,74400
TeachingFees
$92,215.00
FRIENDS OF WEHR YEAR-END FINANCIALS
Friends of Wehr maintained a healthy liquid asset of $548,864 that we can draw on immediately. Due to the financial uncertainty on Wall Street, we converted 85% of our investment portfolio into U.S. Securities. This gave us a 5.5% continual return on investment. There are no liabilities to speak of
REVENUE
Special Acknowledgement
An astounding and generous contribution of $350,000 (not included in the charts shown here) was bequeathed to The Friends of Wehr Nature Center from the estate of Constance and Edward Vidmar in 2024. These funds will be used by the Friends of Wehr to enhance special building projects at Wehr Nature Center in the future
EXPENSES
The makeup of our income is membership dues, individual and corporate contributions, fundraising activities and store revenue. FOW net income was $403,112, a 89% increase over 2023 (largely due to the estate gift).
The bulk of our expenses was on wages, education program materials, IT licenses and software, and memorial expenses
MEMBERSHIP
Friends of Wehr memberships hit an all-time record in 2024 with 2,143 members! Members help us provide financial support of every aspect of the Wehr Nature Center.
Wehr has been like a second home to me, a place to recover, learn, and experience the incredible beauty of nature
A membership makes you part of a living, breathing organization Our planet is dire need of interconnections
I think the much needed support of the nature center is very important to everyone in the community who loves nature, learning about it, and walking in it!
I believe in the work of restoring and keeping this wonderful natural space available for all to enjoy.
I've hiked the trails at Wehr for many years and was pleased to be able to join an organization that supported this beautiful place. I wanted to help support all that Wehr has to offer. Knowing I am active in supporting this place is a tremendous value. I also appreciate the free parking and the discount at the gift shop
FRIENDS OF WEHR NATURE STORE
Profits from the Nature Store provide financial support for Wehr Nature Center
The Friends of Wehr Nature Store offers a diverse selection of products suitable for individuals of all ages The store buyers ensure that the inventory aligns with the changing seasons. The product range is designed to appeal to a wide variety of customers.
INDIVIDUAL DONOR LISTING
$350,000
Constance and Edward Vidmar
$15,000 - $20,000
Mary MacLaren
$2000 - $5999
Ted & Kathy Bosch
Kathleen Caveney
Judy & Wooly Dimmick
Harold Haase
Zoltan Kekesi
Barbara Nickel
Audrey Reineck
Betty A. Storey
$1000 - $1999
Anonymous
Roger Hoene
Judith Kesser
Mary Koziboski
Allen & Sharon Marifke
Ronald & Barb Rebernick
Pamela Shefchik
Gary Smieja
Chris Zeitler
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Thomas Agazzi
Gary Brummeyer
Pamela Galasinski
Gregory Gebel
Jennifer Lazewski
Jim Lubner
Daniel Martin
Jeanne Meyer
Colleen Resendiz
Jaden Rose
Joe Roubik
Randy Sannes
Carlen Schenk
Dave Soike
Geri Von Brauchitsch
Lehman Waller
Barbara Wallner
Cari Weber
Jerome Weis
Marilyn Weyher
$250 - $499
Paul & Pat Brings
James Cieslak
Ann & Dan Diliberti
Stu's Flooring
Barbara Garnier
Amy Giovannoni
Susan Gordon
Robert Koebert
Jean Kovac
Jaynie Kutka
Cynthia Lorentzen
Andrea Ogden
Janice Panek
Adam Ryan
Marie Sandin
Ken Schoberg
Cheryl Schwark
Mary Zaborski
$1- $249
876 donors
IN-KIND DONATIONS $1000 AND GREATER:
Beer Barons of Milwaukee
Doug & Susan Kowalski
Mary MacLaren
Wild Birds Unlimited-Milwaukee
CORPORATE DONOR LISTING
Aon
Bader Philanthropies
Baird Foundation, Inc.
Borman Family Foundation
Colleen Resendiz-Hello Realty
Culver's of Franklin
Festival Foods
Franklin Tourism Commission
Franklin Village
Franklin Village Shopping Center
Graef
Hickory Fund
Kohl's Cares
Krause Funeral Homes and Creamation Services, Inc.
Mary Warrell Knight Chapter, NSDAR
Menomonee River Wild Ones
Michelle's Action Angels
Moneywise Planning Group, LLC
Natural Resources Foundation
Nature Conservancy
Northwestern Mutual
Orthodontic Experts Management
Safeway Pest Management Co Inc
SEWISC
Stu's Flooring
Terminix
The Nature Conservancy
The Todd Wehr Foundation
UHG
Waukesha County Community Foundation
We Energies Foundation, Inc.
Wehr Camera Club
Westpoint Financial Group
Wild Ones Natural Landscaping
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Completed 5-Year Site Improvement Plan
We are excited to share our 5-Year Site Improvement Plan, which was generated with inputs from a committee made up of staff, Friends of Wehr volunteers, and Milwaukee County Parks representatives, as well as a survey of Wehr visitors. The plan was created to proactively address the needs of the nature center which has grown in its programming, visitation, and rentals significantly throughout the last several decades.
Photos shared are conceptual designs only. Visit www.friendsofwehr.org for current plans.
STEWARDSHIP GARAGE & SERVICE YARD
Purpose:
•Secure equipment storage
•Positioned discreet of the Visitor Center
•Provides a gathering area for volunteers
Estimated Completion: 2025
NATURE EXPLORE AREA
Purpose:
•Provide off-trail area to engage with nature
•Compliments early-childhood play space
•Encourage outdoor skills for lower/upper elementary
Estimated Completion: 2025
TRAIL IMPROVEMENTS
Purpose:
•Increase accessibility for hikers of all abilities
•Minimize compaction and erosion
•Improved wayfinding signage
Estimated Completion: 2025-2027
#1 All Abilities Loop Extension
#2 Prairie Trail Erosion Management
#3 Creek Corridor (Lake Loop) and Important Bird Habitat Trail Development
OUTDOOR CLASSROOM
Purpose:
•Grow capacity for programmable space to fulfill the center’s mission
•Increase fees from rentals
Estimated Completion: 2027
AMPHITEATER SHADE COVER
Purpose:
•Protection from sun over seating
•Protection over stage
•Increase fees from rentals
Estimated Completion: 2028
OWL HABITAT
Purpose:
•Participate in bird of prey education
•Generate increased visitation
Estimated Completion: 2029
EROSION CONTROL
Purpose:
•Reduce volume of water and sediment from entering Mallard Lake (flowing into Root River)
•Protect infrastructure assets such as accessible boardwalk
Estimated Completion: 2030
VOLUNTEERS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
The key to Wehr’s success rests in our volunteers who embody the spirit of greatness by saying, “Yes I can,” and doing it The staff and 200,000 people who visit Wehr each year gratefully thank the volunteers
This year was another record year of volunteerism!
Mary Gease and Ronelle and Mary Imp volunteer service to Wehr spans generations and decades.
17,419
VOLUNTEER HOURS SERVED (17.3% INCREASE)
8 FULL TIME STAFF EQUIVALENT
Barb, Jim, and Mary were top hour volunteers contributing nearly 1,900 hours collectively.
The theme of this year's Volunteer Celebration held on April 6 was “50 Years of Volunteers”. Mariotte Nowak, Debra McRae (Wehr’s past 2 directors), and Carly Hintz, the current director were the keynote speakers looking both backwards and forwards at volunteer accomplishments at Wehr.
INTERNS GROW THE CENTER
Environmental Education Intern Cassidy Kahn-Pettigrew and Land Stewardship Intern, Emma Holder both played a vital role in growing the center’s mission by supporting three weeks of camp, family/community programing, and managing invasives Special thanks to the Friends of Wehr for supporting the internship program
309
INDIVIDUAL VOLUNTEERS
18 VOLUNTEER GROUPS
61 NEW VOLUNTEERS
FRIENDS OF WEHR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cindy Lorentzen – President
Ted Bosch – Vice President, Land Management Chair
Liz Terasek – Secretary, Ladies’ Night Out Chair
Jim Wroblewski – Treasurer, Nature Store Manager
Lucas Amell – Cider Sunday Chair
Paul Brings
Melissa Deutsch
Greg Joers
Paul Kohlmann
Emily Laak-Loeding – Development Chair
Rebecca Lane
Jennifer Lazewski – Plant Sale Chair
Timothy McCollow – Marketing Chair
Joe Roubik – Membership Chair
Amy Shambarger
Joe Schwark
FRIENDS OF WEHR STAFF
Carol Howard - Executive Assistant
WEHR NATURE CENTER STAFF
Carly Hintz – Director
Howard Aprill - Park Naturalist
Jan Alexander - Front Desk Receptionist
Breeann Behrendt - Office Manager
Emily Brown - Park Naturalist
Bev Bryant - Park Naturalist
Mary Gaub - Volunteer Coordinator/Naturalist
Brooke Gilley - Park Naturalist
Carol Howard - Naturalist
Andy Karpek - Park Maintenance
Justin Propp - Park Maintenance
Sarah Stokes - Front Desk Receptionist
Holly Walz - Park Naturalist
Jeff Veglahn - Land Manager
Jessica Del Toro - Marketing & Communications Assistant
