Panorama | Winter 2018

panorama

Winter 2018

Raptors & Nature Preschool Page 4

Woodpeckers Page 7

Wisconsin Master Naturalist Page 10

WELCOME HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director

Winter is firmly upon us and though the face of nature’s beauty has changed, it is just as compelling. In this issue, we’ll share some of marvelous experiences the season has to offer people of all ages and abilities throughout the Center.

Explore the world of woodpeckers and learn how these fascinating storytellers of the forest are our unexpected partners in conservation. The article showcases seven woodpecker species that can be found at various times throughout the year. The lovely Yellow-bellied Sapsucker that is featured on the cover is a spring migrant.

On the conservation front, you’ll read how the invasive Emerald Ash Borer is accelerating our efforts to increase tree diversity at the Center and how we are working to adaptively manage this challenge. Read about our plans for upcoming ADA-friendly trail improvements that will invite people to explore more of our land regardless of age or ability.

Our Raptor Program and our Nature Preschool are certainly, two of our signature programs. Learn how each one improves and informs the other creating an enhanced overall educational experience.

This fall, for the first time, we hosted the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Course which offers educational training for adults interested in becoming volunteer naturalists in their communities.

As you walk the trails, you may have noticed colored markers tied to trees. Orange markers indicate delineations of wetland extensions; this is determined by soil makeup and plant type. By understanding these boundaries, we can best work to improve both the beauty and sustainability of the land.

In the West Meadow, you’ve likely seen blue and pink markers; these indicate sensitive and crucial areas of native tree and/or shrub species. Beginning this winter, as land management staff uses the compact track loader to eradicate large swaths of Buckthorn, Honeysuckle, and other invasive species, they will work simultaneously to preserve these precious, demarcated plant communities.

Here in the Midwest, our changing seasons remind us of the ephemeral nature of every passing day.

These changes challenge us to delight in the nuances brought by each new sun. Join me in embracing the echoes of hooting owls, new tracks briefly visible until the next snowfall, and Great Lake Michigan resculpting our shore with each new wave.

Preschool Applications Now Available Summer Camp Registration Available Mid-January

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 Debra Katz Dennis Kois Eva Osborne Justin K. Patrick Benjamin T. Pavlik Arthur T. Phillips Sanderson S. ‘Andy’ Read Benjamin F. Rikkers John Schaub 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)

Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS

Visit the Center and discover the beauty of winter!

AJ GRILL Naturalist

As autumn has turned to winter, nature appears to have gone almost entirely to sleep, and some would say that winter is when our 185-acre property is at its most stoic. But rest assured, winter at the Center is beautiful, alive, and filled with discoveries for the discerning explorer bundled up to brave the brisk temperatures.

From the caw of an American Crow that breaks the crisp silence of a cold January day, to Chickadees feeding on the bright red fruit of the Staghorn Sumac, whose crimson is a splash of color in winter’s monochromatic landscape, the Center is brimming with life.

In addition to our local winter birds, such as Northern Cardinals, Dark-eyed Juncos, and American Tree Sparrows, be on the lookout for Pine Siskin and Common Redpoll, two finches that may be in higher population here this winter.

Evidence of life is uniquely laid bare by tracks in the snow, or even visible tunnels just beneath the surface where rodents scurry

between forage and sanctuary from predators. Owls roost in the trees and their calls and hoots echo on snow-swept winds through bare branches and evergreen conifers.

After a fresh snowfall, the landscape at Schlitz Audubon is as pristine as anywhere in the area. Enjoy the crunch of fresh snow beneath your boots or borrow snowshoes from the Center – they’re free for members. Stay warm on the trails by searching for tracks of the Wild Turkey that have been scratching away the snow and leaf litter to unearth precious acorns.

Great Lake Michigan changes daily with mix of mysterious grays, steely blues and distant emerald greens. Depending on the temperature, one can look forward to entrancing seasonal fog rising above the Lake, intricate ice formations that can change within the course of one day, and the story of frozen shoreline layers penned like pages in a book by each successive wave. After exploring the trails, warm up with us in the Great Hall.

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

3

RAPTOR & PRESCHOOL

Bonding With Birds of Prey LINDSAY OBERMEIER Raptor Program Manager

CATHERINE KOONS HUBBARD Preschool Director

Two distinct aspects of Schlitz Audubon are the Nature Preschool and our Raptor Program. Children who attend the Nature Preschool spend their days learning about wildlife, habitats, and the natural world. They also have the opportunity to learn from the birds of our Raptor Program. The Schlitz Audubon Raptor Program is comprised of 17 birds of prey and was created to educate the public about these dynamic birds, and their importance to the ecosystem.

Over the year, Preschool students form special bonds to a number of the birds, based on frequent interactions. By the end of September, every child has visited Sky Walker, the Center’s Redtailed Hawk that spends most days in the Raptor Exhibit. They have also met Baron Von Screech, a beloved Eastern Screech Owl that visits them in their classrooms with Lorrie Giessen, a long-time Raptor and Preschool volunteer.

Raptor Educators spend time with students talking about the birds, explaining why they live with us and how we can ensure their survival out in the wild. Raptor staff pass around feathers, giving children an opportunity to touch their softness and discuss how the colors and patterns aid in camouflaging their appearance. Often, Preschool students surprise Raptor staff with their already established knowledge of habitats and adaptations.

The deep hooting of Orion, our Barred Owl, resonates in the classroom and makes the students laugh with delight. When Dory, our Northern Saw-whet Owl comes to visit, children gasp with awe at her diminutive size, but still know that she is a powerful predator with sharp talons. Every year, the students also get to meet one of our Bald Eagles – who is as big as they are!

After spending the year becoming acquainted with the birds, each April, classes hike out to the Raptor Building for a behindthe-scenes tour of where they live and train. Students meet the Raptors up close, including eagles, owls, hawks, and one American Crow. They visit the mews and even get a peek at the kitchen, where they learn that a raptor’s daily diet is far different from their own.

The Preschool regularly hosts a Show and Share, during which students bring something from nature and explain why it is important to them. After a visit with the Raptors, one student arrived wearing a ski glove on her hand while carrying a Bald Eagle puppet. She explained that when she grew up, she planned to work with wild animals, in particular with raptors that could no longer live in the wild. As educators, these are the moments that make us proud.

4

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

RAPTOR & PRESCHOOL

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

5

CONSERVATION

Hazard Ash Tree Removal at Schlitz Audubon MARC WHITE Director of Conservation

Like many natural areas in our region, Schlitz Audubon is dealing with the effects of the invasive Emerald Ash Borer Beetle (EAB).

Part of our EAB response plan includes the removal of hazard trees. You may have noticed some trees at the Center painted with an orange “X.” This “X” does indeed mark the spot where a dying ash tree could pose a future hazard.

ways in which downed trees can be recycled and used on Center grounds. Young ash poles are already being used as fencing in the Preschool play space. Ash wood chips will be used to maintain the Center’s trails. Large diameter branches will add coarse woody debris to the forest floor – providing improved habitat for mole salamanders and a variety of native snakes.

Trees that pose potential hazards have been surveyed and will be cut down in order of greatest necessity. Areas of heightened concern are near buildings, along trails, parking areas and roads.

Trees marked with an “X” do not pose any immediate threat to Schlitz Audubon visitors, but in the interest of safety, we will proactively cut them down.

EAB will tragically cause the loss of four native species of ash and many native insects that rely on ash for all or part of their life cycle. 35% of the Center’s forest canopy is ash. In response, Schlitz Audubon has accelerated our diversification goals for the land.

Our woody plant restoration planting list is comprised of 138 native species, including 50 canopy and sub-canopy trees. We will plant 2,000 native trees and shrubs per year through 2026. This Ash trees at more remote locations, and which do not pose a diverse variety will better support native and migratory wildlife, threat, will be monitored and allowed to stand and die in place. and will strengthen the biological integrity of these 185 acres.

These trees will provide homes for innumerable insects, fungi, lichens, and birds. Dying ash trees will become nesting habitat for If you hear the sounds of chainsaws, or see signs indicating that trees are being cut down, please respect this temporary trail clowoodpeckers and many other animals. sure and do not go past signs. Hazard ash tree removal is the first Several options are being considered for how to best use the wood step toward creating a safer, more rich and resilient ecosystem. from ash trees that will be cut down. Our priority is to find

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

FEATURE

F

or some animals, humans have embedded a story within how we name their species. The simple name “woodpecker” is a starting point for how these birds spend a great deal of their time. The names of some woodpeckers, such as the Red-headed, Red-bellied, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, probably don’t need much further explanation.

But the four other woodpeckers found at Schlitz Audubon have marvelous stories within their names. The Downy Woodpecker has softer feathers than those of a bird that possesses a rougher tactile sensation, the so named Hairy Woodpecker. In Latin, the word pileated translates to cap, and the Pileated Woodpecker wears a brilliant red atop its head. The Northern Flicker has told us its name, as one of its calls sounds similar to, “Flick-a, Flick-a, Flick-a…”

zygodactyl feet, which means they have four toes; two pointing forward and two pointing backward. With this toe arrangement, they’re able to climb up and down and cling to the bark of a tree for long periods of time while drumming or pecking. Some woodpeckers then use their excavated wood chips to create bedding inside their homes. A theory for this behavior is that woodpeckers may clean up their construction sawdust to disguise their location from predators.

But perhaps the most incredible story is told by woodpeckers themselves, when we hear them echoing through the forest. Woodpeckers peck on trees for three main reasons. The first reason is called drumming, which somewhat takes the place of why male songbirds “sing” – to establish a territory, exclusive of other males of its species. This rapid and loud sound is distinct to woodpeckers. These sounds can also serve the alternate purpose of attracting females, but not always. Secondly, they peck to find insect larvae to eat beneath bark. How do they know which trees to peck?

Woodpeckers can hear the insects moving beneath the bark.

Woodpeckers possess four main adaptations that allow them to spend their life pecking away without incurring physical trauma. Most importantly, woodpeckers possess a hyoid, which is a spongy bone that helps to distribute the force throughout their skull.

They have a barbed tongue that is so long it wraps around their skull – up to five inches long. If our tongues were proportionate to that of a woodpecker, human tongues would be nearly as long as we are tall! While hard, their beak also has elastic and shock absorbent qualities. In addition, their brains are tightly packed inside their skulls, with minimal cerebrospinal fluid to transmit energy.

The third reason woodpeckers peck is to excavate a new cavity nest. When doing this they pack the most punch into their peck. Woodpeckers possess

In the animal kingdom, often times one can gauge the degree of involvement the male has in rearing the offspring by how colorful or ostentatious

Woodpeckers with the most curved beaks typically do the least drumming, as evidenced by the Northern Flicker, which is more of a ground foraging bird that dines on ants. All woodpeckers eat their preferred insects, then supplement diets with nuts and berries, as well as their less preferred insects.

Pileated Woodpecker

Red-headed Woodpecker

8

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

males are when compared with their female counterpart. The more similar the sexes of animals look in appearance, the more involvement males often have in the rearing of offspring. With certain woodpeckers, the only indication of sex is that males have a small red marking, and the males of those species are typically more involved in the early lives of their offspring. Males that diverge toward eye-catching colors are typically less involved. This bright coloring makes them more alluring to females, but also more vulnerable to predation.

Downy Woodpecker

As woodpeckers make their way through the forest, they have a unique style of flying. You can spot a woodpecker in flight by the way they undulate up and down as they beat their wings a few short times, then tuck them in against their body briefly before continuing to beat their wings. Woodpecker wings are specially adapted to fly in and out of densely packed forests.

cavity nest construction sites. Woodpeckers excavate a new nest every year, and dozens of animals will take advantage of last year’s real estate. Locations where dead and dying trees pose no threat to hikers on trails, roads, or built structures, Center staff will leave trees to decay naturally.

At Schlitz Audubon, 35% of our existing tree canopy is ash, and EAB accelerates our efforts to diversify our tree community. We have a dynamic Conservation Plan to best support native and migratory wildlife throughout these 185 acres, and we are evolving to cope with the realities presented by EAB. We are intentionally transitioning much of the Center’s land into Oak Savanna habitat in the wake of EAB. Prior to statehood, Oak Savannas covered about one fifth of what became Wisconsin. Presently, less than one tenth of one percent of that plant community still exists in Wisconsin. Oak Savanna habitat is so rare that it is listed as Globally Imperiled and just four small remnant Oak Savannas exist in Milwaukee County. Many woodpecker species prefer Oak Savanna for their habitat. As we gradually plant oak trees throughout the prairies and ash forests of yesterday, we can look forward to Red-headed Woodpeckers and many other animals that will one day call Schlitz Audubon their home.

One of the recent stories told by woodpeckers in our region is that of the Emerald Ash Borer Beetle (EAB). Woodpeckers fleck away at ash tree bark to feed on the beetle larvae beneath the bark. This flecking by woodpeckers often provides the first indication that a tree is infested with EAB. When it comes to EAB, woodpeckers are the town crier. In spring 2016, they told us EAB was affecting our ash trees. Over the next few years, while EAB plagues ash trees, we will likely see a spike in woodpecker populations.

Throughout the generally less flashy palette of winter, woodpeckers provide a subIt may seem counterintuitive, but strategi- tle dash of color to the landscape. Amidst cally leaving dead ash trees standing will freshly fallen snow, they continue to talk provide homes for innumerable plants, ani- about the forest to anyone that takes the mals, and fungi. Decaying ash trees provide time to enjoy their stories.

Written with contributions from: Don Quintenz, Marc White, and Zoe Finney

Hairy Woodpecker

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

9

MASTER NATURALIST

Wisconsin Master Naturalist Course MICHELLE ALLISON Nature Store Manager

This fall, Schlitz Audubon hosted a volunteer training course for the Wisconsin Mater Naturalist Program (WIMN). The statewide program, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, offers training to people interested in becoming volunteer naturalists in their communities.

Center naturalists, who are WIMN certified instructors, and guest presenters showcased the features of Schlitz Audubon and our surrounding region.

The course covered topics such as ecology, wildlife, water resources, and human influences, which gave an in-depth background of Wisconsin’s past, present and future.

Course participants learned about Wisconsin’s natural resources through classroom instruction, field training, and field trips to local natural areas. In addition to Center staff, guest speakers from other nature centers and state environmental agencies gave presentations and guided hikes, which illustrated conservation efforts throughout the state.

For more information: wimasternaturalist.org

While participants gained knowledge about the natural history of Wisconsin, they also became connected to a vast network of resources available to assist them in their volunteer service. Adults of various ages and backgrounds came together to attend this course, some looking for career development others interested in learning and volunteering.

This was the first time Schlitz Audubon offered the course as a host organization since its launch in 2013. Our location along Lake Michigan, along with our diverse habitats, provided the class with many unique hands-on experiences. Classmates worked both together and independently, connecting their direct observations to the ecological processes taught throughout the course. During a lesson on Wisconsin geology, participants discovered rocks and minerals at the beach, which led lessons on Great Lakes formation and the species that depend on them.

instructors demonstrated skills used for observing and identifying plants and wildlife, such as how to identify trees and wildflowers using a dichotomous key and strategies for birdwatching.

Before beginning their volunteer service, course participants are required to complete capstone projects in one of these three areas: environmental education, citizen science or land stewardship. The 2017 class presented these projects on the last day of class as part of their graduation. Their resulting work will be utilized throughout the community by schools with new bat houses and outdoor curriculum, as well as guided and interactive hikes at a variety of natural areas.

In the future, you may see WIMN volunteers at Schlitz Audubon assisting with citizen science monitoring, working as land stewards, and as Nature Ambassadors, educating the public about our land’s natural treasures. With their wider knowledge base, WIMN graduates are valuable community partners in both Off-site explorations led the class to participate in bird banding monitoring and educating the public about the ecosystems we all during fall migration, and a fish sampling survey in the Milwau- share. kee River with Wisconsin DNR staff. Throughout the course,

10

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

DEVELOPMENT MEZZANINE ART GALLERY

John James Audubon

More Trails for More People

Beginning February 5

Around 1820, John James Audubon declared his intention to paint every bird in North America in its natural habitat, in life-sized poses that illlustrated the identifying features of each species. The resulting Birds of America is a masterpiece of artistic and scientific merit. It was first published as a series in sections between 1827 and 1838 in Edinburgh and London.

Schlitz Audubon is proud to display prints of birds painted by John James Audubon. Audubon is synonymous with birds and bird conservation and his legacy on display in this gallery is made possible by the support of the Jeff Rusinow Family Charitable Foundation.

MELANIE JOHNSON Director of Development

A long-term goal at Schlitz Audubon is to expand our fully accessible trails that give all visitors more freedom to explore nature, regardless of age or ability. Over the past two years, we have grown this trail network. This fall we added an accessible boardwalk crossing over Mystery Pond.

Relocating this trail route also serves to secure the south ravine it leads to.

Since the opening of our Welcome Booth, we have recognized an opportunity to improve the entrance area for visitors who arrive by foot, wheelchair, or with a stroller. By creating a new trail that will roughly flank the entrance road, visitors can bypass vehicles waiting to check in.

This will create a safer entrance for both drivers and pedestrians. Once checked in, pedestrians can continue on the new trail segment to connect with the West Meadows trail loop, or in the near future, proceed directly to the main building on an additional new connector trail.

With the completion of the new entrance and connector trails, we will offer visitors a complete, wheelchair accessible loop leading from the entrance, to the educa-

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

tion center, and to Mystery Lake and the Amphitheater. This loop will extend more than a mile and lead visitors through prairie, savanna, and wetland habitats, greatly increase access for all visitors, and offer additional educational opportunities for school groups visiting on field trips.

Creation of our fully-accessible, ADA-friendly trail loop will also allow us to retire older trails that tend to become saturated and muddy. By restoring these habitats with native plants, we will reestablish the ability of the soil to absorb water, helping to increase biotic diversity and ecosystem functions.

When reconsidering our trails we have opportunities to improve our visitor experience while improving native habitat.

We already have these additional projects scoped and planned; however constructing trails is time intensive and costly. You can help build the trails for present and future generations of explorers by donating to Schlitz Audubon. To learn more about how you can help us blaze new trails, contact Melanie Johnson, Director of Development at 414-352-2880 x152.

11

CALENDAR Adult Program Family Program Preschool Program Wheelchair Accessible Member Price Non-Member Price Registration Required

Registration helps us prepare for our programs.

Youth price is for those ages 3–17.

18 and up are charged the adult price.

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.

Hand-in-Hand*

Session 1 | 9:00am - 10:15am Session 2 | 10:30am - 11:45am Thursday, January 4 | Gently Falling Snow Thursday, January 18 | Owl Babies Thursday, February 1 | Red Like a Cardinal Thursday, February 15 | Maple Sugaring Thursday, March 15 | Splish and Splash

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 2-3 yearolds and their adult. Note: There is no Handin-Hand on March 1.

M: $14 pair per program NM: $19 pair per program Additional child, age 1 and up: $10

Spiritual World of Nature: Nature Mysticism*

Friday, January 5 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm Friday, January 12 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Nature mysticism has roots as far back as the ancient Egyptians, and has appeared in various forms in virtually all of the world’s religious traditions. But what is nature mysticism? What are the unique ways a nature mystic might conceive of union with the divine or the deep self ? Can nature be an opening to a deeper dimension of consciousness? Discussion led by Thomas Galten, therapist and theologian. Price is per session.

M: $7 NM: $12

Hangin’ with Hyatt: Family Snowshoe* Saturday, January 6 | 9:00am - 11:00am

Join Jim Hyatt in trekking across the Center’s frozen landscape while looking for animal signs and winter phenomenon. Schlitz Audubon provides snowshoes, although they may not fit those under age 10. Have the children wear their boots to join in the fun.

12

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

Raptor Saturday

Saturday, January 6 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, February 3 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, March 3 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm

January Come help us celebrate Save the Eagles Day! Learn as we compare our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, to other eagles around the world and to other charismatic raptors of Wisconsin. We’ll discuss how far conservation efforts have come, and how we can continue to help protect eagles and their friends.

February Do you eat like a bird? If so, which one? Some birds are picky about what they eat, and others can be gluttons. A wide variety of raptors and adaptations indicate a wide variety of diets and hunting strategies! Join us as we compare the eating habits of some of our resident raptors, and learn about how those feeding behaviors affect our ecosystems.

March The coming of springtime means nesting season, and just-hatched birds of prey will soon be out and about for us to see. A few of our resident birds will take you along a raptor’s life story through nesting, fledging, their impressionable juvenile years, and finally becoming a parent themselves.

Free with membership or admission

Sponsored by:

SPARK!*

Tuesday January 9 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday February 13 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm Tuesday March 13 | 1:00pm - 2:30pm

This program is intended for both people experiencing cognitive changes such as memory loss and their caregivers. Led by our Director of Education Tom Finley, each month is devoted to learning about the simple beauty found in nature and how it enriches our lives.

Programs take place inside the Auditorium and may include a brief outdoor component, close to the building, so dress for the weather.

Themes are seasonally based and change each month.

Free to participants and caregivers

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Cozy Corners*

Wednesdays | January 10 – March 21 1:00pm - 3:00pm

Come enjoy our beautiful indoor and outdoor classrooms during this special program designed for adults and children to experience together. We will participate in maple sugaring, read books by the fire, play outside, and enjoy time being together in nature. For children ages 3-6 and their adult. Note: There is no program on Wednesday, February 28.

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

Bird Club*

Wednesday, January 10 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, February 14 | 6:30pm - 8:30 pm Wednesday, March 14 | 6:30pm - 8:30 pm

Co-presented with Milwaukee Audubon Society. Please check our online calendar for specific topics for each month. Young adults and birders of all interest level are welcome to join this free drop-in program on the 2nd Wednesday of each month.

Free to all

Animal Movie Night*

Friday, January 12 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, February 16 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, March 16 | 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 which movie plays on each date.

Movies begin playing at 7:00pm.

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

Mammals have Fur* Saturday, January 13 | 9:30am – 11:00am

Wisconsin is home to more than 70 different types of mammals. Join Education Specialist Shelly Rollins and discover the many unique adaptations and characteristics that make mammals special. We will read mammal related stories, view mounts of various species found in our region and enjoy a hands-on experience looking animal artifacts. Then it’s time to go and look for these animals while hiking. This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children. Adults attend free.

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

CALENDAR After School Adventure Club*

Tuesdays, January 16 – February 20 4:00pm - 5:30pm

This after school program is ideal for students ages 5-8 without accompanying adults. Join us every week for 90 minutes of outdoor exploration. Center naturalists will lead students on guided hikes to popular destinations.

Each week will include hands-on activities and outdoor play. Come dressed in warm layers and insulated boots, ready for the cold winter weather!

M: $7 NM: $12

Audubon Babies* Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday,

January 18 | 10:00am - 11:15am February 1 | 10:00am - 11:15am February 15 | 10:00am - 11:15am March 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, but if the weather is not appropriate to go outside we will explore indoors.

We recommend warm, waterproof shoes or boots. This program is for babies 6-24 months with their adult.

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

Preschool Open House for 2018-2019 Prospective Families Saturday, January 20 | 9:30am – 11:30am

Are you interested in enrolling your child in our nationally recognized Nature Preschool?

Come explore our fantastic indoor and outdoor classrooms! Parents and children may drop in anytime during the open house to visit the classrooms, ask questions, and pick up application forms. Anyone is welcome to attend; upcoming registration takes place for the 2018/19 year only.

Free to all

Veterans Hike* Saturday, January 20 | 10:00am - 11:15am

Join one of our naturalists on a guided hike to visit some of the best sites the Center has to offer. We’ll explore the areas with the most natural activity, beginning with the wheelchair-accessible trail through the woods and to Mystery Lake.

Free to all military veterans and active military personnel, as well as immediate family members.

Community Archaeology at Schlitz Audubon*

search for shed antlers – if you find one, you get to keep it!

Saturday, January 20 | 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Learn about the Center’s new community archaeology project. Dr. David Pacifico of Cardinal Stritch University and Schlitz Audubon Director of Conservation Marc White will present preliminary findings from historical research and superficial exploration of our property. Dr. Pacifico will discuss the significance of these clues with respect to Milwaukee history, how early residents experienced life here, and the relationship between people and their environment.We’ll also explore the basics of how archaeology works and discuss the future of community-driven archaeological research at Schlitz Audubon.

Free with membership or admission or student ID

Author Appearance: Robert Root Walking Home Ground: In the Footsteps of Muir, Leopold, and Derleth* Sunday, January 21 | 2:00pm–3:00pm

Many visionaries of the conservation field have lived in Wisconsin throughout their lives. In his book Walking Home Ground: In the Footsteps of Muir, Leopold, and Derleth, Robert Root explores the terrain these writers once called home. At this event Root will talk about the changes of these landscapes over the past two centuries and the impact humans have had on natural areas throughout Wisconsin.

By exploring a city located where a glacier once was, a parking lot that had been a forest, Root encourages us to see evidence of the human history that was at one time filled with nature.

Free with membership or admission

Nature Mondays | Maple Mondays* February 5 - February 19 | 1:00pm - 3:30pm

This three-week series is hosted by the Preschool and is designed for children ages 4-6.

We meet once a week on Monday afternoons.

Preschool teachers focus on nature experiences that are age appropriate, and make use of the Preschool’s indoor and outdoor classrooms. Register for this program by downloading and completing the required forms on our website under Education/Preschool/ Nature Mondays. Please contact the Nature Preschool with any questions at 414-3522880 x154.

M: $100 NM: $150

Hangin’ with Hyatt: The Search for Antlers* Saturday, February 10 | 9:00am - 11:00am

Join us as we search for the signs and sounds of this annual competition of the White-tailed Deer. Learn about antler formation, how to decode a deer trail, deer ecology, and so much more! Then we’ll head out on the trails and Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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

Hand-in-Hand: February Fun* Saturday, February 10 | 10:00am - 11:15am Celebrate the season during this special Saturday Hand-in-Hand program. Hike, play, and have fun exploring the trails and outdoor play spaces. Come dressed for the weather. We go outside rain or shine. This program is for 2-3 year-olds to share with an adult.

M: $14 pair per program NM: $19 pair per program

Snowshoe Discovery Hiking* Saturday, February 10 | 1:00pm – 2:00pm

This is the one season when animals boldly reveal their stories, with the script written plainly in the snow. The strategies that have become part of the DNA of plants to survive and even flourish in the harshness of winter will be investigated. Don Quintenz will lead us in exploring the science of ice and snow, and how the unique qualities of water protect and nourish the living communities. Snowshoes are included.

M: $10 NM: $15

Winter Concert Series

Sundays, February 11 - March 25 2:00pm - 3:00pm February 11 | Jose Leal February 18 | Twila Jean February 25 | The Hard Sell March 4 | Ryan Meisel’s Spiritual Currents: World Sound Explorations March 11 | Milwaukee Classical Guitar Society March 18 | Digbii Trio March 25 | David Drake “Blowing in the Wind”

Join us on Sunday afternoons after Word with a Bird for live music. Performances take place in our auditorium and feature a variety of music appropriate for the whole family. Warm beverages provided. Come for a hike and stay for the music!

Free with membership or admission

Hootenanny* Saturday, February 17 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We plan on heating up the night with our very first hootenanny! Bring the whole family to groove on the dance floor to live music. We will have a caller to teach some easy dance steps, or you can just tap your toes and enjoy the music of Frogwater. We will have food and a “who’s who” of owls here, too. Join us – we’ll have a hoot!

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

13

CALENDAR Frog Watch USA*

Nature Mondays | Mondays in March*

Thursday, February 22 | 3:30pm - 6:30pm

March 5 - March 19 | 1:00pm - 3:30pm

FrogWatch USA is a citizen science project that invites participants to learn about local wetlands and identify frogs and toads by their calls. Aszya Summers, Conservation Education Manager and Paul Mueller, Primary Reptile Keeper at the Racine Zoo will teach us how to identify species by call, locate and register a wetland site, and collect and submit observations. You don’t need to be an amphibian expert to participate - all you need is an interest in frogs and toads and desire to learn.

Free with membership or admission

Sustainable Mushroom Cultivation at Home* Saturday, February 24 | 2:00pm – 3:30pm

Join Steve Shapson, president of Wisconsin Mycological Society, to learn how to cultivate edible mushrooms in the urban and rural setting. He will teach you how to grow Shiitake, Oyster, and Wine Cap Stropharia mushrooms using tools to inoculate logs and mulch.

M: $10 NM: $15

M: $100 NM: $150

Animal Myths: Fact or Fiction?*

Saturday, March 10 | 9:30am – 11:00am

Are bats blind? Are snakes slimy? Join Education Specialist Shelly Rollins as she debunks myths about animals that live here at the Center. Through stories, activities, live animals and a hike, we will learn the truth about these myths and why they came to be.

This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children.

Adults attend free.

The Moon: Our Nearest Neighbor*

Planet Earth has just one satellite - an oddity in our solar system. Historically, the moon has been revered as a god, reviled as a god of madness, and respected as a light in the night before there were night lights. Explore the origins of the moon and humanity’s evolving relationship with it. Learn about it’s features, phases, myths, and lore. If weather permits, we’ll view the moon through telescopes. Dress warmly.

Forest Conservation: The Legacy of the CCC in Wisconsin*

Monday, February 26 | 7:00pm - 8:30pm

M: Youth $5 | Adult $7 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $12

Tai Chi*

Wednesdays, February 28 to April 18 4:00pm – 5:00pm

This is a continuing class of Tai Chi, 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.

M: $80 NM: $96

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

Winter is coming to a close, so come warm up with your sun loving friends like snakes, turtles, and frogs. Jim will have you ready for froggin’ season by practicing their calls.

14

This three-week series is hosted by the Preschool and is designed for children ages 4-6. We meet once a week on Monday afternoons. In this series, Preschool teachers focus on nature experiences that are age appropriate, and make use of the Preschool’s indoor and outdoor classrooms. Register for this program by downloading and completing the required forms on our website under Education/Preschool/Nature Mondays. Contact the Nature Preschool with any questions: 414-352-2880 x 154.

Free with membership or admission

Free with membership or admission

Monday, March 12 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm

During the Great Depression, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camps sprang up in all 48 states and by the end of 1933 Wisconsin had 17 camps with 3,400 boys and young men enrolled. Glendale residents James and Scott Henderson, father and son authors, will provide an overview of the CCC in Wisconsin including camps in the Milwaukee area. They will discuss the operation of Camp Tomahawk to illustrate how these camps carried out their forest conservation mission.

M: $7 NM: $12

Hangin’ with Hyatt: Snake Patrick Day* Tuesday, March 13 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Shake hands with a snake and celebrate with a piece of green cake. Learn about Saint Patrick and the story of snakes in Ireland. Celebrate Snake Patrick Day with your human and animal family!

Free with membership or admission

Author Appearance: Scott Freeman and Susan Leopold Freeman Saving Tarboo Creek* Monday, March 19 | 7:00pm

With human impacts, Tarboo Creek in Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula had become little more than a drainage ditch.

The Freeman family made it their mission to restore the waterway to once again be a Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

stream that could nurture salmon. Throughout Saving Tarboo Creek, author Scott Freeman entwines their family experiences of healing the land with universal lessons about the Earth and our place within it. Join Scott Freeman and Susan Leopold Freeman (who is Aldo Leopold’s granddaughter) as they share photographs and a presentation about their family undertaking to restore Tarboo Creek.

Presented with Boswell Book Company.

Free with membership or admisison

Conservation Hike* Saturday, March 24 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Conservation of our land is an effort that is continually evolving. Join Marc White, Director of Conservation, in exploring important conservation areas at the Center. Participate in the discussion of on-going progress and learn about upcoming initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the land and gain a deeper understanding of our conservation focus.

Free with membership or admission

Citizen Science Spring Kick-off*

Tuesday March 27 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm

We are looking for eager community volunteers to help monitor conservation efforts at the Center! Learn more about our new and ongoing Citizen Science projects. Discover how you can participate in monitoring in the field, data collection and entry. Refreshments and light Hors d’oeuvres will be available. Whether you are a scientist by trade or a curious lover of the outdoors – we will have projects to pique your interest!

Free to all

Word with a Bird

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

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.

Free with membership or admission

Hatha Yoga Class*

Every Monday from 5:30pm – 6:45pm

Start your week and year right. 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. Stretch and de-stress in the beginning of the week. The first class is always free!

M: $100 for 10 weeks NM: $120 for 10 weeks

THANK YOU THANK YOU In Memory Of

In Honor Of

Raptor Sponsorships

Daniel S. Berry Diane Jakubowski

Ryan Spence and Lauren Sherman Racheal and Jason Faulks Lavern N. Gaynor Mary Hancock and Samuel Paque Ken and Wendy Simons D. Gaynor Spence

Athena – Barn Owl

JoAnn Bonk Susan LeVine and Kevin Mackey Michael Boomsma Helen Boomsma Lorna Cadmus Mary Fitzgerald Joe and Lorna Hilyard Chris and Tina Melchiori Bruce G. Newman David and Sarah Stokes Ilene and Jeff Wasserman John Christiansen Karen L. Davis Devora Gelin Jeremiah and Elizabeth Goldberger Gabriel Hoffman Howie and Rhonda Levin Rebecca Paulson Judy and Norm Skurnick Susan and John Wilkerson

Penny Urben and Rick Goodson Bernadette Berdes Michele R. Butz Susan M. Gramling Maureen E. Mallo Michelle L. Merrell Arati Pati

In honor of Alex Castroverde Sue B. Holcomb

Malary – American Kestrel In honor of Karen Arcara Sue B. Holcomb

In honor of Lindsay Obermeier, Sara Sloan, and Maddy Sislow Sue B. Holcomb

Tucker – Eastern Screech Owl

In memory of Herb and Alina Ellis Carine Krull

Myra Van Uxem Jean Downie Jacqueline Weber Marjorie Sutton Craig Zetley Anonymous

Winifred and Robert Couchman Richard and Frances Arbetter Bruce Luetzow Suzette and Steven Kappes Jean Pagel Andrew and Donna Barnes Miriam M. Schrager Marv and Geri Olson

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 | Winter 2018 Marketing Manager Nancy Quinn Design | Illustration | Photography Zoe Finney Editing | Select Writing Ed Makowski

Winter 2018 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

15

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

U.S. Postage

1111 East Brown Deer Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168

WINTER 2018 PANORAMA

Nature Center

Celebrate the sweetest of seasons:

It’s Maple Sugar Time!

Saturday, March 17 | 10:00am - 12:00pm or 1:00pm - 3:00pm Here comes the melting snow, muddy shoes and MAPLE SUGAR! Bring your big boots and sweet tooth, and we’ll do the rest. We will begin inside with a story of how maple sugaring may have been discovered. Then travel outside through the stages of making maple syrup, from tapping trees to boiling sap with the sugar farmer at the evaporator.

Top the morning off with REAL maple syrup over silver dollar-sized pancakes.

Registration is required. Please call 414-352-2880 x0 to reserve your spot!

Members: $8 Non Members: $13 This is a family program directred towards 5-10 year olds and is wheelchair accessible.