Panorama | Fall 2016

panorama

Fall 2016

Fall Fungi Page 4

A Day at the Mews Page 6

Bats

Page 7

WELCOME

Autumn at Schlitz Audubon Throughout autumn monarchs, hawks, and other migrating birds pass by along the unique pathway of the lakefront. Nature’s bounty is everywhere at the Center: hickory nuts, fall flowers, and beautiful fall foliage of our hardwoods. There is so much to experience.

In this edition, you will learn about bats, the fascinating nighttime creatures that live communally.

Six of Wisconsin’s eight species can be found on the Center’s grounds. You can join our Citizen Science programs to bolster bat populations in Wisconsin. We also highlight the secretive life of fungi and its benefits to our ecosystem.

You’ll experience a day at the mews with the Raptor Program, seeing how volunteers and staff work together to enrich the lives of our feathered ambassadors. We introduce the Ray Team, the volunteer crew who work together behind the scenes to keep the Center polished.

In recent months, Center staff and volunteers have made great improvements to gathering places at Schlitz Audubon.

The Mystery Lake boardwalk now connects two wheelchair accessible trails, ensuring that guests with various considerations can experience more natural spaces. We are now transforming what was once compacted soil trails into planted habitat that will counteract runoff and erosion at Mystery Lake.

This means removal of the unofficial “desire trail” on the north side of Mystery. Building the boardwalk on the south side of the lake and recreating valuable habitat where this trail was, allows for both free and open access for visitors as well as the conservation of the species and ecological systems that make Schlitz Audubon special.

Schlitz Audubon is honored to host the 2016 State of Stopover Symposium on October 5 – 7. This is a Great Lakes-wide symposium on migratory bird stopover ecology and conservation of stopover habitats, presented by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. As an Important Bird Area, we’re thrilled to welcome those in the region who work to conserve and improve habitat.

We would also like to inform our members and supporters that during this season of change, Nathan Smallwood has resigned as Executive Director. His achievements are appreciated. The Board of Directors and leadership staff are working closely together to ensure the continued progress of the Center.

Without the people who pitch in at the Center to restore the land, help in the Preschool, care for the birds, or greet visitors, this wouldn’t be the organization you’ve come to know and love. Come experience autumn with us.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers John Grunau President Tim Gerend Past President Kevin J. Kane Treasurer Meg Kinney Secretary Jane B. Bell VP-Development John E. ‘Jack’ Gebhardt VP-Governance Board Aliah M. Berman Jonathan T. Bloom Shane Delsman Margarete R. Harvey Eva Osborne Justin K. Patrick Arthur T. Phillips Sanderson S. ‘Andy’ Read Benjamin F. Rikkers Mark Siler Carol Wolcott Mai Der Yang Past Presidents John H. Kopmeier, Jr. Philip R. Smith Dennis L. Fisher Terrence K. Knudsen Thomas J. McCutcheon Thomas B. Fitzgerald Randolph H. Dean Stephen F. Geimer Thomas J. Drought David K. Hoover John S. McGregor Margarete R. Harvey Honorary Directors Edwin P. Wiley Director Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)

Welcome to our newest Board Member Mark Siler Gardner Denver Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.

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Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS Visit the Center and discover the beauty of autumn!

MOYA MOWBRAY Naturalist

As our beautiful planet tilts away from the sun, photoperiods shorten, signaling plants and animals to prepare for the coming big chill.

The deciduous trees that make up much of our forest decrease chlorophyll production, revealing a showy display of fiery reds, bold yellows, warm oranges, and deep purples. A climb up our 60foot observation tower provides a spectacular view of this yearly phenomenon.

winter. Look for busy muskrats organizing their winter lodgings.

Watch for migrators, too. Several species of dragonflies, butterflies, and birds use the thermals created along our Lake Michigan Shoreline to speed southward. Other insects, reptiles, and amphibians are headed for cover under leaf litter, rocks, or tree bark.

Autumn at Schlitz Audubon is a varied and engaging treat for the senses. Stop by and soak in the beauty of this transitional season.

Fall is also a spectacular time to hike through the prairie. Sunflowers, Big Bluestem, Liatris, Joe Pye, Asters, and other prairie blooms form a beautiful living bouquet. Even after the blooms wither, the seedpods that remain through early winter offer a subtle, fascinating variety of forms, patterns, and even sounds rattling in the breeze.

When you explore, be on the lookout for animals constructing winter homes, and gathering provisions to survive winter in Wisconsin. Squirrel dreys, as well as other nests, are easy to spot in bare trees. Search for neatly piled cones under spruce tree stands, stored for much-needed winter meals. Stroll quietly to any of our ponds, and you will likely spot turtles and frogs catching the last rays of Autumn sun, before altering their metabolisms to sleep off

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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EDUCATION

Fall Fungi DON QUINTENZ Senior Ecologist

Fungi comes in many diverse forms, often in striking shapes and colors. Due to the moist air that Lake Michigan provides, Schlitz Audubon is blessed with more mushrooms than many other locations in the area. Two of our common fungi at the Center are perennial in their life cycle, but make new aboveground appearances every year.

Chicken-of-the-Woods, or Sulphur Polypore, is a striking bracket fungus that appears from May to August. It forms sulphur-yellow to yellow-orange horizontal shelves on the side of a tree, the margins of which are edible. They appear for many successive years from the trees they grow on. They are one of the heart rot fungi, which means they live on, and help decompose, the dead wood that lies in the central areas of the trunk and branches. This process is extremely important to many species of wildlife who need the tree hollows for protection, shelter, and reproduction.

The Shaggy Mane is a type of inky cap mushroom. This means shortly after appearing it starts to digest itself into a black ooze.

Prior to this change it is edible, but not after, and poisoning can also occur if consumed with alcohol. Our best patch usually appears in fall in the grass adjacent to the fire pit near the Pavilion, and because one fungus produces many mushrooms over a period of many days, there are mushrooms in the area over a much longer time period than one individual mushroom lasts. This group of fungi departs from the usual method of dispersing its spores by wind, and embeds them in a black fluid that is attractive to flies.

Flies then carry the liquid with them until it dries and releases the spores in a new location.

Never eat a wild mushroom unless you can be absolutely certain of its identity. There are instances of professors of mycology (the study of fungi) who have accidentally poisoned themselves. People can also have adverse reactions to them due to individual sensitivities or to other organisms that invade the fungus. The beautiful - but deadliest - Death Angel is occasionally seen at the Center!

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Above: Chicken of the Woods, an orange fungi can be found while hiking towards Mystery Lake.

Below: Shaggy Manes can be found near the Pavilion.

Although certain varieties can be edible, they serve important functions on the land, so we ask that hikers leave them where they are to perform vital ecosystem services at Schlitz Audubon.

If humans became extinct the world would function just fine, but the same cannot be said for fungi. They are so important in recycling nutrients and feeding so many plants, yet they remain largely a mystery. Fungi are the best wood decomposers. If they didn’t carry out this critical function, we would be tripping over the first generation of woody plants and not have the building materials for any new ones. The association of fungi with tree roots has long been known to be critical to the survival of the tree since this “mycorrhizal,” association, is what supplies the tree with water and nutrients. Each tree has hundreds of thousands of miles of fungal threads doing this.

Fall is the best time to see most of these marvels of mystery, so plan some hiking time at the Center in October. If we experience a wetter than normal autumn, you will see greater numbers and kinds of mushrooms. September showers bring October “flowers” of fungi!

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

POETRY

The Handle of a Rake DAVID KORR

Fists waist and shoulder high on the handle of a rake, custom sternly heeds the yearly call to clear a path for winter, and takes small note of the rasp of errant gravel, the mutter of gritty soil, the clutch of dying grass and skittish weight of mounded leaves conspiring to commend to cramped wrists and knotted back one of autumn’s gentle, cheerless lessons: This is not what nature does.

No more than will the clatter of an iron bridge and rumble of concrete thrown across an unused silence concede the seasons’ round of decay and renewal and decay do our tidied patches of earth, our disciplined shrubbery, our mannerly ranks of catalogued blooms take their order from the impartial, the brutal long scheme of life that has left us here, gazing about, rake in blistered hand.

Is it, melancholy wonders, merely narrowness of spirit — confined as we have built, sheltered on the leeward side of ownership — that ordains we rake and spray what falls or grows unbidden, hack and plant obedient to survey and geometry, fence and shear the whittled themes of vistas to fit our yardstick boundaries?

Or — a glance at distant hills suggests — perhaps our stepping wide of nature’s map, without a guide or clear intent beyond the accident of finding that we can, invites delusion greater than the wit to see the meaning of our paradox: When dominion outstrips understanding, dissonance insists our grip constrict to narrow rules and finical controls, a safer knowledge altogether, easing the disquiet of uncertainty. Perhaps it’s thus that landscaped virtue bends us to contrive the hedged-in plots, the orchestrated views, the birdbath havens and the soothing lie of mastery that says the natural laws we break are to us no more than leaves are to a rake. _________ David Korr is a writer and teacher of writing and filmmaking who lives in Bayside. He credits the provocative discussions and field trips in Schlitz Audubon’s Master Naturalist course with refreshing his wish to finish “The Handle of a Rake,” on which he’d given up his work years before.

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RAPTOR EDUCATION

A Day at the Mews LINDSAY OBERMEIER Raptor Educator & Lead Trainer

While attending a Raptor Program at Schlitz Audubon, you get a ‘nose-to-beak’ experience with our wondrous birds of prey. Our Harris’ Hawk flies over your head, Bald Eagles cackle their greetings, and a tiny Northern Saw-whet Owl calmly observes the crowd from a few feet away. Unable to be released into the wild, 16 birds call the Center home and work tirelessly as feathered ambassadors to educate the public about their species.

A dedicated group of 3 staff and more than 40 volunteers ensure proper care of the birds on a daily basis. Animals, and their appetites, don’t take holiday or weekend breaks. So 7 days a week, 365 days a year, staff and volunteers tend to their needs. Every morning, the Raptor building wakes up with crow caws and Screech Owl trills, and Raptor staff respond, “Good morning!”

Daily chores may not be glamorous, but are necessary for the health and welfare of each bird. Raptors are carnivores, and their meals include quail, rat, rabbit, mice, occasionally fish, and are sprinkled with vitamin supplements to ensure a well-rounded diet. Fresh water is provided and their mews (outdoor enclosures) are cleaned of leftover food, feathers, pellets, and poop. Staff

and volunteers routinely weigh each bird to gauge and document its health and fitness.

After the dirty work comes the reward. Raptor volunteers work on bird handling: learning how to retrieve, crate, and move the birds and how to keep them safe and comfortable. Volunteers spend months with one bird on their glove, studying its behaviors and developing rapport.

Training and enrichment is an essential part of caring for our Raptors and each has their favorite activities. Valkyrie strengthens her wings flying between perches, Loki loves to retrieve and recycle bottles, Dory works on flying from a nest box, and Tallulah wrestles the tasty pulp from the inside of a pumpkin. Enrichment provides mental stimulation and increases the birds’ confidence and trust in their trainers, and also reinforces their innate behaviors and skills.

Days at the raptor facility are busy, enriching, dirty, and rewarding. This is how we keep soaring into the lives of so many people throughout Wisconsin!

Lorette, a Raptor Program volunteer, weighs Orion a Barred Owl. Weighing the birds daily allows volunteer and staff to determine their health.

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Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

BATS nightime heroes

CASSIE RINCON Naturalist

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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FEATURE

Sometimes the most vital, and often misunderstood, animals are the ones we rarely see.

Bats are an integral part of the environment and provide great ecosystem services, many that benefit humans. The bats of Wisconsin are insectivores, meaning that they only eat insects. A single bat can consume thousands of insects a night. Because of their diet, they help minimize insect damage to plants, and can reduce the number of insects carrying diseases.

In Wisconsin we have eight documented bat species, and during the 2015 BioBlitz at the Center we were fortunate to discover six species here on the property. Those species are Little Brown Bat (Myotis lucifugus), Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus), Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis), Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus), Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans), and Northern Long-eared Bat (Myotis septentrionalis). This was wonderful news, because, according to the Wisconsin DNR, the Little Brown Bat, Big Brown Bat, and Northern Long-eared Bat have Threatened status, the Silver-haired Bat is a Species of Special Concern, and regarding the Red Bat and the Hoary Bat there isn’t even enough data to determine a status in Wisconsin.

The largest bat species in Wisconsin, the Hoary Bat, has a body length of 2-4 inches and a wingspan of 15-16 inches. This bat has tan fur with frosted tips, a creamy yellow throat, and red to dark brown wings and tail. The Hoary Bat is a migratory species and does not roost in bat boxes or caves. While in Wisconsin in summer, they roost in trees. We are more likely to see the female Hoary Bats, since males tend to remain in the Southwestern United States.

The Silver-haired Bat also has frosted tips like the Hoary Bat, but its underfur, wings, and tail is dark brown to black. They are also a migratory species and throughout summer prefer to roost under bark, in shrubs, hollowed out trees, and occasionally in buildings.

The Red Bat derives its name from the color of its fur. Males have a brighter red to orange fur while the females are a subtle red. This is unique, because unlike birds, male and female bats are generally the same color. Both sexes have a white underbody and potentially white frosted tips, with red brown to dark pink wings and tail. This bat roosts at the forest edge, in open fields, or near streams. Unlike other bat species that give birth to 1 to 2 pups a year, Red Bats can have up to 5 pups annually.

The Northern Long-eared Bat looks very similar to the Little Brown Bat and the Big Brown Bat with the exception that its belly has a pale, almost yellow fur, and that its ears are much larger. This bat species is listed as Threatened at both the state and federal level. They hibernate in caves during winter and roost under bridges, in culverts, as well as under bark during summer.

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Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

The Big Brown Bat and the Little Brown Bat are the most common bat species in Wisconsin. They are nearly identical with brown bodies and darker wings and tail. The main difference is their size.

The Big Brown bat has a body length of 2-3 inches with a wingspan of 13-14 inches, compared to the Little Brown bat with a body length of 1.5-2 inches with a wingspan of 8-10 inches.

Unfortunately, bat populations are in decline throughout the country. One cause for decline in certain species is White Nose Syndrome. This disease is caused by a cold-loving fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans. The appropriately-named destructans grows on the bats’ nose and other furless parts of the body, such as their wings. While P. destructans grows, it wakes the bats from hibernation, causing them to burn extra body fat needed to survive through winter. The bats can then die of either starvation or exposure. Organizations across the country are partnering to combat this disease. At the University of Georgia, researchers are using a bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodochrous, to stop the growth of P. destructans. Though more testing and research is necessary, some bats have been successfully treated and released back into the wild.

Another reason bat populations are declining is habitat loss. But fortunately, this is something that anyone can counteract. One way to help our winged friends is to provide shelter by planting trees and hanging bat boxes. There are different kinds of bat boxes including single chambered, multi chambered, and rocket box-

es. When considering what type of bat box you can either build or purchase for your property, many factors come into play such as location, amount of sun, and species. A fantastic resource is www. batcon.org.

At the Center we have a variety of bat boxes, built by volunteers, that can be found along the trails. The rocket box near Teal Pond was built in 2015 by a 6th grade class from Lake Bluff Elementary School. Students were learning about populations and ecosystems and their teacher decided to incorporate a service project. The class researched the bat species in Wisconsin and built two rocket boxes, then came to the Center for a field trip and learned more about bats.

The Wisconsin DNR is seeking more information about bat populations along the Great Lakes, and Schlitz Audubon is uniquely positioned to assist in gathering data. In the past year the Center has started acoustic bat monitoring as a part of our Citizen Science program. Utilizing the Anabat Bat Detection System, one donated by the Salmon family in 2011 and another on loan from the Wisconsin DNR, we record the sounds bats make for echolocation.

Through their sounds, this system uses GPS to document the exact locations of where bats are flying and hunting. We invite you to join our team of Citizen Scientists working to learn more about these precious animals. You can play a vital role in creating strategies to help bat populations flourish throughout Wisconsin.

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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PRESCHOOL

Six Months to Six Years

CATHERINE KOONS-HUBBARD Preschool Director

For the very young the smallest moments in nature can have lifelong benefits. Actions such such as separating a cap from an acorn or plucking a sunflower seed from the flower help develop fine motor skills. Climbing a tree, jumping in puddles, and many other outdoor activities help develop large motor skills. Sweeping an insect net through the prairie helps children to cross the midline, an essential aspect of brain development, which involves using both sides of the body. Being still in the presence of wild turkeys or watching waves crash on the beach helps teach children to be calm and patient. This invites them to derive comfort from nature; traits that will serve them well throughout life.

Physical activity in nature promotes health, no matter your age.

Studies show that children who are prone to anxiety or have symptoms of ADHD feel calmer and more focused while in nature. Hiking and playing outdoors combats obesity, and provides a necessary balance to indoor screen time.

The Nature Preschool at Schlitz Audubon creates an environment for children to have fun, but the teachers also realize that within their playtime, children are actively developing vital life skills.

These include critical thinking, compassion, and empathy- not just for nature, but for all living things. These experiences help set very young children on a path of lifelong learning.

Your child can benefit from our preschool even before they are preschool age or even if they do not attend all year long. The following early childhood programs are available to the public.

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Audubon Babies

This program is designed for children ages six months to two-anda-half years. Audubon Babies is as much for parents as it is for babies. Our goal is to show families simple ways to introduce nature into their daily lives, and to let babies and toddlers discover the natural world at their own pace.

Hand-in-Hand

Hand-in-Hand is perfect for those children who are aging out of Audubon Babies (ages two to four), but who may be too young for preschool. Children attend with an adult and spend the morning playing, singing, listening to stories, and hiking on the trails. Each lesson centers around a seasonal theme, such as butterflies, frogs, and leaves. The program is offered in two back-to-back sessions on Thursday mornings, twice a month. We will also be adding two Saturday Hand-in-Hand programs in the 2016/17 school year.

Nature Mondays

Nature Mondays is a seasonally-based series designed for ages four to six. Each topic runs for six weeks, on Monday afternoons.

Topics include: Autumn Afternoons, Winter in the Woods, Maple Sugar Mondays, and Springtime Transformations. Since the children in this program are older there are more opportunities to run and climb, to dip with nets, to conduct science-inquiry experiments, and to develop friendships with other children.

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Melanie Johnson is the new Director of Development at Schlitz Audubon. She comes to the Center with over 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector.

Her most recent role was with 89.7 WUWM and UW-Milwaukee. Melanie has managed all aspects involved with major and planned giving strategy, donor events, board governance, and grant writing. Melanie attributes her career in development to her desire to build and sustain longterm relationships. “I’m excited to be a part of the growth of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center,” says Melanie, “and to find innovative ways to restore and share these 185 acres with the greater Milwaukee community.”

MEZZANINE ART GALLERY

Raptors in Focus October 7 – December 31

Behind the Scenes with Ray Team

ED MAKOWSKI Communications Specialist

When the Raptor Department first imagined birds flying free in the auditorium, they recognized a need to protect birds from the open space in the ceiling. They approached Maintenance Coordinator Jonathan Boettcher and the Ray Team volunteers for help.

Within months the group designed and built a structure that both matches the building design and keeps the birds safe. Since then, viewers have been awed by indoor flight shows.

The Ray Team was started in the early 1980’s, and is named after beloved long-time volunteer Ray Jensen, who owned a construction company. Ray Team started as a group of people who volunteered to help with maintenance and large-scale projects.

Center staff cultivate an environment where every Ray Team member is valued. Everyone has unique preferences that are always respected. Many members enjoy working alongside fellow team members, while others prefer to work on individual projects. But everyone enjoys the camaraderie of coffee and donuts on Tuesday morning before getting to work.

Just like our diverse outdoor habitat, participating in Ray Team offers a wide range of challenges and experiences. One day members might work on carpentry projects or plumbing issues. Other days they might paint siding or fix a faulty door hinge. For these volunteers, their common thread is curiosity and the desire to make a difference.

This fall, Schlitz Audubon Gallery will exhibit photographs from the 2017 Schlitz Audubon Raptor Calendar. Calendar photographs are taken at the Center, each spring, during the annual Raptors in Focus event. This year more than 50 photographers participated and submitted images for consideration for the calendar. The images selected for the 2017 Raptor Calendar will be on display from October 7 through the end of 2016. Visit the gallery and join us in celebrating our fantastic feathered ambassadors!

You may not recognize the men and women of Ray Team, but they’re responsible for the work behind some of the Center’s most memorable family activities. In springtime members clean and prep the sugar shack stove for Maple Sugar season. They assemble and maintain the wonderful trail benches and wooden rocking chairs on the veranda.

Ray Team has a long and rich past, and we’re seeking new volunteers to help craft the unique experience Schlitz Audubon offers members, guests, and students. No matter your background - the trades, education, sales, the arts - your skills are welcome additions to Ray Team. Members can take pride in hiking around with their families, and point out the various projects they help build and maintain at Schlitz Audubon. Contact our volunteer coordinator to find out how you can become a member of Ray Team!

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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CALENDAR Adult Program Family Program Preschool Program Handicap Accessible Member Price Non-Member Price Pre-Registration

Pre-registration helps us prepare for our programs. There will be an additional $2.00 charge for walk-in participants attending a program that requires pre-registration.

Spark!*

Youth price is for those ages 3–17.

18 and up are charged the adult price.

Schlitz Audubon is proud to partner with Milwaukee Public Museum and the Alzheimer’s Association as the newest Spark! host site. This special program is designed for people going through cognitive changes, such as memory loss, to participate in alongside their caregivers.

Each session is devoted to learning about the simple beauty found in nature and how it enriches our lives. Programs are led by Director of Education Tom Finley, and take place indoors, but may include a brief outdoor component close to the building. Each month features a topic that focuses on the season.

Refunds will only be given to those who cancel 14 or more days before a program. If Schlitz Audubon cancels a program, refunds will be given.

Call 414-352-2880 x0 to register.

Beginning Tai Chi with Alice Kuramoto* Wednesdays, September 28 - November 16 4:00pm–5:00pm

This 8-week class is led by Alice Kuramoto, who has over 30 years of experience with Tai Chi. Tai Chi is a Chinese exercise based on slow, gentle movements, meditation, and breathing. Its health benefits include: improving balance, posture, muscle strength, and lowering blood pressure. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. If weather is appropriate, we will meet outside.

M: $80 NM: $96

Raptor Saturday

Saturday, October 1 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, December 3 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

October Who? Owls! These mysterious creatures of the night have always captured our curiosity, so join us as we separate fact from fiction in the all-important question, “Do all owls hoot?” Our resident owls will teach us about not only the sounds they make, but also their eyes, ears, and how they achieve silent flight.

December This Raptor Saturday is all about the gifts raptors offer the world. How do they make our world better, what ecosystem services to they provide to humans and other animals? In the season of giving, also learn how we can help raptors.

Free with membership or admission Sponsored by:

Audubon Babies: Exploring Nature with the Very Young* Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday,

October 6 | 10:00am - 11:15am October 20 | 10:00am - 11:15am November 3 | 10:00am - 11:15am November 17 | 10:00am - 11:15am December 1 | 10:00am - 11:15am December 15 | 10:00am - 11:15am

Children are never too young to enjoy the wonders of nature. Come enjoy a hike on the trails filled with sensory explorations and meet new friends. We will start inside and venture out when everyone is ready. Dress for the weather; we explore rain or shine. Waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. If the weather is not appropriate to go outside, we will explore indoors.

M: $12 pair per program NM: $17 pair per program

Saturday Hand-in-Hand | Nature Sounds* Saturday, October 8 Session 1 | 9:00am - 10:15am Session 2 | 10:30am - 11:45am

Enjoy the music of nature during this special Saturday Hand-in-Hand program! Hike, play, sing songs, and have fun listening to and making music both indoors and out. Dress for the weather; we explore outside rain or shine. We recommend waterproof shoes or boots. This program is for 2 to 4 year-olds and their adult.

M: $12 pair per program NM: $17 pair per program

Citizen Science: Crayfish* Hand-in-Hand*

Thursday, October 6 | Who’s Been at the Pond?

Thursday, October 20 | Fall Leaves Thursday, November 3 | Bushy Tail Squirrel Thursday, November 17 | Turkeys Thursday, December 1 | Getting Ready for Winter Thursday. December 15 | Winter Snuggle Session 1 | 9:00am - 10:15am Session 2 | 10:30am - 11:45am

Explore nature with your little ones! Hike, play, enjoy art activities, and listen to a story. Dress for the weather; we explore outdoors rain or shine. We recommend waterproof shoes or boots. This program is for 2 to 4 year-olds and their adult.

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Saturday, October 8 | 10:00am - 12:00pm

Astacology is the study of crayfish: crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs.

Crayfish are small, lobster-like characters with a huge personality. These creatures without backbones have an extremely important role in freshwater ecosystems. Urban natural spaces are at a higher risk for damage. This workshop will prepare you to collect data as you become a Crayfish Citizen Scientist! Additional dates will be communicated to participants.

Free with membership or admission

Wednesday, October 11 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Wednesday, November 8 | 1:00pm -2:00pm Wednesday, December 6 | 1:00pm -2:00pm

Photo Club*

Wednesday, October 12 | 5:00pm - 6:00pm Wednesday, November 9 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm Wednesday, December 14 | 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate in monthly hikes. Center Naturalist Cassie Rincon guides participants to locations that offer unique photographic opportunities. Everyone works together to further their art, share photography ideas, and capture memories. Schlitz Audubon does not provide cameras. Participants 16 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Free with membership or admission

Bird Club*

Wednesday, October 12 | 6:30 pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, November 9 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Co-presented with Milwaukee Audubon Society. Please check our online calendar for specific topics for each month. November is our Annual Holiday party; all levels of birder are welcome to join, even if you have never been to Bird Club! We have no Bird Club in December.

Free to all

Fireside Conversations: Dream of the Earth* Friday, Friday, Friday, Friday,

October 14 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm October 21 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm October 28 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm November 4 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

Thomas Berry’s 1989 classic, Dream of the Earth, was re-released in 2015. Berry’s discussion of a wide range of environmental topics from a deep ecology perspective remains as timely today as ever. Over four consecutive Friday afternoons, we will discuss this extraordinary anthology of essays, which includes such compelling topics as the coming environmental age, nature spirituality, and eco-centrism. Discussion led by Tom Galten and Cathy Caetano

M: $12 pair per program NM: $17 pair per program

Free to participants and caregivers

Individual Sessions: M: $12 | NM: $17 All Four Sessions: M: $40 | NM: $60

CALENDAR Animal Movie Night*

Friday, October 14 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, November 11 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, December 9 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm

The fun starts with s’mores by the fireplace.

Then Jim brings out his live animal friends to touch and hold. Bring a pillow, blanket, stuffed animals, and whatever you like to get comfortable during movies. Check the Center’s website for what movie will play on each date.

M: Youth $5 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $15

Fall Colors Hike* Tuesday, October 18 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Join Senior Ecologist Don Quintenz for a stroll through the beautiful fields and forests of Schlitz Audubon while at their peak of color.

Learn how nature’s palette creates all the colors of the rainbow.

M: $7 NM: $12

Environmental Voices: The Shores, They Are A’Changing* Saturday, October 29 | 8:30am - 12:00pm

Anyone who lives near Lake Michigan will notice that the composition and form of the coastline varies. Many factors affect our shoreline, and not all changes are due to natural events. Beach erosion and bluff retreat will be discussed. Milwaukee geologist Jim Rosenbaum, along with David Mickelson, Emeritus professor from UW-Madison with a focus on shoreline processes, will guide us on an indoor and outdoor exploration of Lake Michigan shore variations.

M: $10 NM: $15

Autumn at Audubon* Saturday, October 29 | 10:00am - 12:00pm

Experience the wonders of fall at the Center. We will start inside with an educational presentation and then break into small groups.

In small groups we will play games and learn about what is happening during this colorful season. Discover why leaves change color, how animals prepare for Winter, and how plants move their seeds! Participants 12 and under need to be accompanied by an adult.

M: Youth $6 | Adult $8 NM: Youth $11 | Adult $13

Environmental Voices: The Buzz on Native Bees* Wednesday, November 2 | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

An estimated 500 native Wisconsin bees provide vital pollination services for nearly one third of the foods we eat. UW-Extension Master Gardener Jennifer Lazewski teaches us about these fantastic creatures from her firsthand perspective. Enjoy a sampling of foods possible thanks to bees. Ney Collier, author of Healing the Earth in Milwaukee, will be on hand as an additional resource on native gardening.

M: $10 NM: $15

Turkey Time* Saturday, November 12 | 9:30am - 11:00am

Join Education Specialist Shelly Rollins in exploring the world of Wild Turkeys. We’ll start by reading turkey related stories, looking at turkey artifacts, and taking part in other turkey related activities. Then we’ll take a nature hike looking for wild turkeys and the signs that they leave behind. An adult must accompany child/ children. Adults are free.

M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth

Spiritual World of Nature: Native American Energy Healing* Monday, November 14 | 1:30pm - 2:30pm

Experience a powerful group healing session through Dennis King, carrier of the Bear Medicine. Bear Medicine is rarely seen off the reservation. Feel and hear the bear breathing and growing as true healing power surrounds you. Dennis comes from a lineage of healers from the Oneida Nation.

M: $10 NM: $15

Destination Hike: The North Beach* Wednesday, November 16 1:00pm - 2:00pm

We’ll explore the north beach extending to Donges Bay in its full autumn splendor. Destination hikes spend the majority of time in particularly remote parts of the Center and are led by Senior Ecologist Don Quintenz. After a brisk walk we will uncover the life forms that live in the area, why they choose to be there, and how they relate to one another.

M: $7 NM: $12

Repamphibiantile Sunday Sunday, December 4 | 12:00pm - 1:00pm

The days are getting shorter and so is your chance to see reptiles and amphibians. Hold a snake and marvel at salamanders. Bring the whole family to gain a deeper understanding of these often misunderstood creatures. This is an interactive and educational program for all ages!

Spiritual World of Nature: Beyond Our Differences* Tuesday, December 6 | 7:00pm - 8:00pm

We will view portions of the PBS documentary Beyond Our Differences. In this program religious leaders, politicians, and luminaries in their fields give voice to the potential for healing our ailing planet by putting aside differences and embracing the universal teachings for well-being. The film also puts forward innovative strategies to translate that vision into action. Don Quintenz will lead a discussion on how we might do our part locally.

M: $10 NM: $15

Fairy, Gnome, and Hobbit Homes* Saturday, December 10 | 9:00am - 11:30am Have fun designing forest wands, herbal potions, and miniature houses formed from natural materials. Be prepared to go outside, where we will look for signs of tiny hidden homes among the roots and grasses. This Preschool workshop is designed for parents and children to enjoy together! The cost includes all materials for crafts. For ages 3 – 7, adults attend free.

M: $12 NM: $17

Spiritual World of Nature: The Lore and Legends of the Plants of Christmas* Wednesday, December 14 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

The celebration of Christmas was embedded in the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia to disguise the early believers’ association with Christ. This ancient Pagan tradition was associated with the darkness of winter and the desire to bring light and life back into the world.

Using samples of evergreens, author Maida Silverman will share the Christian and Pagan legends connected with them, and some interesting early American customs and medicinal uses.

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Free with membership or admission

M: $10 NM: $15

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CALENDAR Fun in the Winter Sun*

Wednesday, December 28 Thursday, December 29 Session 1 | 9:00am - 11:30am Session 2 | 12:30pm - 3:00pm

Come to the Center over winter break and see some great mammal firs and skulls, make an animal track to take home, and meet a live animal friend. We’ll head outside for a hike to see who is active and awake this time of year then come back in for hot chocolate. The program is the same for each date and time and is intended for children ages 6 - 12. Parents attend free.

M: Youth $12 NM: Youth $17

Hatha Yoga Class*

Word with a Bird

Every Monday | 5:30pm - 6:45pm

Saturdays and Sundays | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Enjoy the cool, crisp fall evenings with our yoga instructor Claire Stillman. Classes are designed for all levels of students, they are therapeutic in nature, and will be challenging at times. All students are taught to observe their body and breath, and to practice within their capacity. De-stress the beginning of your week.

The first class is always free!

M: $100 for 10 weeks $15 for single class NM: $120 for 10 weeks $20 for single class.

Each Word with a Bird program focuses on the specific skills, traits and adaptations that make that bird such a unique creature. Meet a different bird each time! While visiting the Center make sure to spend some time outdoors on the trails. There will be no WWB or bird in the Outdoor Raptor Exhibit on Sunday, November 6, the day after Xtreme Raptor Day. Free with membership or admission

Saturday, November 5 9:00am – 4:00pm Adult $10 | Youth $5

Celebrate Raptors at Schlitz Audubon!

Xtreme Raptor Day is sure to get everyone soaring. All proceeds from this event support the care of our resident raptors.

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Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

THANK YOU THANK YOU Memorials Margaret Chmela Anonymous Evelyn Morris Day Dr. and Mrs. Harry Easom Hunt Eldridge Janie and Cliff Asmuth Laszlo Foldi Stephan and Joanie Achs Kevin Matthew Haslee Dick and Dayle Dieffenbach Dorothy Hoch Larry S. Chess John and Patricia Megan Jerry and Janis Gradisnik Irena Macek Jasun and Jill Macek Mike and Karen Schanon Bonnie Mayer Mary Kay Schuknecht Tom and Mike Milner Don and Kathryn Boileau William Knitter Steve Milner Jean Pagel Marilyn Bontly Cynthia Boock and Stephen Scheil Thomas and Catherine Borneman Joe and Karen Branch Sandra L. Broehm Joseph and Mary Burke Joan and Ron Cook H. Lou and Jacqueline Davit Henry J. Eckstein Family Dennis and Janet Guagliardo Laurie Haig Dorothy J Hall Marilyn Hauer Linda Hentzen Robert and Charlotte Hinson John Hoff Rita and Phillip Hulstedt

Honoraria Continued Fran and Eliot Huxley Joann and Stephen James Jackie and Al Keltner Kenneth and Margaret Kircher Konet Roland and Vickie Lascola John and Marti Laubach Don and Lynda Lybeck Jill and Jasun Macek Vincent and Susan McBride Mary Mowbray and Roland Schroeder Dan and Maryanne Niesen Steve Pagel Cynthia Pan and William Crelin Donald and Mary Peetz Brian Peterson and Deidre Gaynor-Peterson Nancy Quinn Roseann Reideman John and Anita Richter Jeff and Nancy Riedeman Jennifer and Mark Riedeman Roger and Ann Riedeman Jim Rosenbaum Bob and Gloria Santilli Thomas and Cheryl Sapinski James and Linda Schneider James and Kathleen Scholler Michael and Pamela Schudrowitz Joseph and Kathleen Schuster Patricia Shires Terry Smith Thomas and Joan Weber

Jack K. Collison Christopher Kasper

Mark Steven Stabo Pat Bakula

Cysco – Harris’s Hawk Kathryn Hawkinson (In honor of Rosie Marotz)

James Wood Margaret Sullivan

Carla Donahue Jessica Huston Margarete Harvey Anonymous Lynda B. Curl Margaret Martin & Gary Kaze Jamie Bruchman Jack Smallwood Althea Thomas Gary & Marci Taxman and Family Kristy Altland Myra Van Uxem Carol Grundman Kay Josten Nancy L. Notely Kathy Schneider Carolyn Wells

Raptor Sponsorships Barley – Barn Owl Sue B. Holcomb (In honor of Sara Sloan, Liz Aelion, Ann Lucht)

Dory – Northern Saw-whet Owl Janice and Lloyd Chastant (In honor of Adelais Burkholder) Talulah – Turkey Vulture Joyce Wolburg Valkyrie – Bald Eagle Matthew Dougherty (In honor of Thomas R. Dougherty)

Join us on social media!

Admission

FREE admission to Members Adults: $8 | Youth $5 (ages 3 — 17)

Hours

Open 7 days a week 9:00am - 5:00pm

1111 East Brown Deer Road | Milwaukee, WI 414-352-2880 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Credits for Panorama | Fall 2016 Marketing Manager Nancy Quinn Design | Illustration | Photography Zoe Finney Editing | Select Writing Ed Makowski

Fall 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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Schlitz Audubon Nature Center 1111 East Brown Deer Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217

U.S. Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168

FALL PANORAMA

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 | 10:00am-4:00pm at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center All members $5 Non-members Adult $10 | Youth $5 Fall Market | Scarecrow Row | Guided HIkes American Indian Hoop Dancing