Panorama | Spring 2024

panorama

Spring 2024

Ferns Page 4

Types of Bird Nests Page 5

Coarse Woody Habitat Page 9

WELCOME HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director

Welcome to the joys of spring! Enjoy hiking our trails as the forests wake up during spring migration and the blooming of beautiful ephemeral wildflowers!

In this issue of Panorama, discover numerous styles of bird nests, how birds make them, and some of the characteristics that make each type distinctive. Enjoy learning about a variety of ephemeral wildflower species you’ll likely encounter as you hike our spring trails. Engage with the story of ferns, their evolutionary history, and what makes them stand out among plants. Explore the next exhibit coming to our Art Gallery, as Milwaukee-native Heather Eiden displays ceramic tile artwork, called House Tiles, for her show Trees and Their Houses. We hope you join us on Friday, June 14 for our annual gala, Nature’s Tapestry: Growing Roots & Weaving Connections. Tickets are on sale now!

For many, birding is one of spring’s highlights. Enjoy a visit to the Center to take in the sights and sounds of migration! Our trails open at 7:00am for birding from April 22 through June 2. In June August, we will also be open for evening hours Monday – Thursday until 8:00pm.

Join us for our seasonal programs, including classes for both beginning and experienced birders.

Enjoy Birding Exploration, where participants take Sunday morning guided hikes led by experienced birders to learn about the identification, behavior, and ecology of resident and migratory birds. We are also hosting Introduction to Bird Photography, Spring Wildlife Hike, field trips, our annual Raptors in Focus Photoshoot, featuring our Raptor Ambassadors, and more! To see all our spring programs, check our online calendar.

The pavilion courtyard project, started in the fall, converted grassy space into a beautiful, multiuse stone courtyard that will soon be surrounded with thoughtfully designed gardens. This project promises to protect the bluff and create a place of tranquility and ecological sustainability.

This spring, we’re excited to create “The Gardens,” which will surround the stone courtyard. As part of our mission to conserve our land and educate visitors about our work, our conservation team has designed flowering gardens using a diverse selection of native Wisconsin plant species. The Gardens will be a fine example of regional native species landscape design that is colorful, pollinator-friendly, and inviting. The team designed the gardens for color, size, fullness, and to show flowers throughout the seasons. Planting will take place this spring, starting with pagoda dogwood and serviceberries which flower in the spring and later produce berries for birds.

Woodland habitat will be represented on the south side of the courtyard, which is covered by trees.

Here we will plant Dutchman’s breeches, foam flower, Jacob’s ladder, and more. On the west side, which is characteristics of savanna habitat, we will plant meadow species, including columbine, Michigan lily, and woodland phlox. Full sun conditions on the north side of the courtyard are ideal for a pollinator garden. A wide variety of insects will utilize purple milkweed, blazing star, and pale purple coneflower here. Staff and volunteers will then secure the habitat by installing 1,000-1,200 Pennsylvania sedge, a grassy sedge that will hold all the landscaping together.

We look forward to seeing you on the trails this spring!

Front cover: Red-winged Blackbird nest in a marsh near a Center pond.

Admission

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Benjamin T. Pavlik President Evan Kirkstein Treasurer Leia C. Olsen Secretary John Schaub VP-Governance Barbie Brennan Nelson VP-Development Directors Jane Bell Joseph A. Camilli Renee M. Clair Amy Giuffre Therese Gripentrog Jonathan T. Luljak Carrie Nichols Jeff Rusinow 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 Timothy J. Gerend John Grunau Aliah Berman Shane Delsman Director Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)

CREDITS FOR PANORAMA Director of Marketing & Communications Nancy Quinn Creative Lead Design & Photography Zoe Finney Communications Specialist Editing & Select Writing Craig Mattson

Hours

FREE admission to Members Adult: $10 | Youth: $7 (ages 3 — 17) 2 and Under: Free | Military: $7

Monday - Sunday | 8:30am-5:00pm

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

April 21 - June 2 | Trails open at 7:00am

Early Birding Hours Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS

Ephemeral Wonders: Celebrating Native Spring Wildflowers Left to right: Yellow trout lily, blood root, Virginia bluebell, skunk cabbage, wild geranium

JACEY BONAVIA MURRAY Weekend Naturalist

At Schlitz Audubon, a magical transformation unfolds as the landscape thaws and spring ephemeral wildflowers burst forth, painting the forest floor with fleeting brushstrokes of color.

Each bloom, with its unique hue and habitat preference, plays a vital role in the intricate tapestry of the ecosystem. As you wander our trails, look for these beautiful and important flower species.

Yellow Blooms Marsh Marigold The marsh marigold illuminates wetland habitats with its radiant yellow flowers and heart-shaped leaves, offering essential nectar for early pollinators, especially hoverflies.

Yellow Trout Lily The yellow trout lily enriches the deciduous woodlands with its nodding yellow blooms and green and brownish-purple mottled leaves (which resemble trout). Keep an eye out for white trout lilies, too!

White/Pink Blooms Large-Flowered Trillium Symbolizing the balance of undisturbed ecosystems, the large-flowered trillium graces rich woodlands with its iconic single white flower with three triangular petals and three broad leaves.

Bloodroot The delicate white flowers of bloodroot, with their lobed, curling leaves and crimson sap, emerge early in the season, offering sustenance for pollinators and carrying a rich history of cultural significance.

Mayapple Hidden beneath umbrella-shaped leaves, the mayapple briefly reveals its white blooms in moist, shady habitats, providing habitat for small animals and stabilizing soil with its extensive root system.

Dutchman's Breeches Dangling like upside-down pants on a laundry line, Dutchman's breeches’ collections of small white flowers and fern-like leaves serve as a vital food source for early-season pollinators in moist, shady woodlands.

Blue/Purple Blooms Virginia Bluebell Adorning moist, shady woodlands with clusters of bell-shaped flowers in hues ranging from lavender to sky blue, the Virginia bluebell offers essential nectar for pollinators and stabilizes soil with its extensive root system.

Common Blue Violet Despite its reputation as a weed, the low-growing and resilient common blue violet supports local ecosystems with its bluish-purple, edible flowers and heartshaped, toothed, often-rolled leaves.

Maroon Blooms Jack-in-the-Pulpit Standing tall in shady, moist woodlands, the jack-in-the-pulpit boasts unique, maroon-striped hoods and provides essential sustenance for wildlife with its berries.

Skunk Cabbage Because of its ability to generate heat, the skunk cabbage is an early spring harbinger. It emerges with its mottled maroon hood and stinky flowers, attracting insects and other wildlife to wet woodlands and marshes.

Wild Ginger Nestled in shady woodlands, wild ginger reveals its brownish-maroon flowers beneath large heart-shaped leaves, supporting flies and ground-dwelling pollinators and stabilizing soil with its rhizomatous growth.

Lavender Blooms Wild Geranium Adding a touch of color to dry, shady woodlands, wild geraniums offer delicate pink- to lavender-colored flowers and deeply-lobed, coarsely-toothed leaves.

As spring unfolds, let us cherish these ephemeral wonders as they provide early-season food for pollinators, support biodiversity, and stabilize and enrich soil. Protecting them is crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems and preserving biodiversity. Each flower, fleeting yet profound, reminds us of life’s interconnectedness at the Center and beyond.

Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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EDUCATION

Ferns:

Our Living Fossils

AUBREY ELLICKSON FULSAAS Children’s Events Coordinator

Ferns, flowerless plants that have feathery or leafy fronds, have changed little since their prehistoric days. With fossil records dating back to the Devonian era 380 million years ago, ferns as a plant group predate seeds, grasses, flowers, and modern trees. While today’s image of ferns first appeared during the Cretaceous era 70 million years ago, ancient extinct fern species resembled giant trees and bushes. Once a main source of food for dinosaurs, they were among the dominant plant life forms on earth in those early days of terrestrial living.

Ferns are typically found in moist, shady environments that protect the leaves from drying out. In Wisconsin, they are common in shaded forest swamps, moist riparian zones near water, and even growing in rock crevices such as those along the Niagara escarpment or limestone bluffs of the Driftless region. Wisconsin is home to over 60 species of ferns, a tribute to the plant’s incredible diversity. An estimated 10,500 extant species of ferns exist worldwide, classified into 40 families. They are most abundant in tropical areas but can even be found atop mountains and in deserts and arctic habitats.

Because they evolved before seeds and flowering plants, ferns use a unique form of reproduction. Small orange or brown structures called sporangia can be found on specialized leaves, known as fertile fronds. These sporangia are filled with spores. When mature, the fern releases these spores into the air, like a fungus. These spores land and develop into a small heart-shaped plantlet called a gametophyte. If water is present, this tiny intermediate generation can become fertilized and develop into a mature fern. Alternatively, many fern species can also spread via rhizomes underground, creating a close colony of many plants.

A clear identifying marker of some fern species is their fertile fronds. These typically develop and mature during the early summer months in Wisconsin and can sometimes look different from the sterile fronds. Some of the most common and conspicuous ferns found in shaded wet areas are ostrich ferns, aptly named for their large size with leaves towering up to six feet tall. But the fertile fronds are conspicuously smaller and dry to a dark brown when mature. The interrupted fern has similar looking sterile fronds to the ostrich fern but features a unique fertile frond. The small dark brown sporangia are located in the middle section of the frond, and “interrupt” the leaflet pattern, looking as if part of the leaf has withered away. Another common species, the goldie’s fern, develops sporangia on the underside of the fertile frond leaflets in organized rows. All three of these species can be found near our Pavilion at Schlitz Audubon.

In spring, watch for the new curled fronds sprouting from these perennial plants, which are known as “fiddleheads.” Summer is the time to search for the fertile fronds and developing sporangia. Wisconsin is even home to some evergreen species of ferns, like the wood fern along our Lake Michigan trail, which stands out with green fronds in the dead of winter. Take time to explore our forests and bluffs to find these fascinating ancient plants that have survived and thrived, virtually unchanged, for millions of years.

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Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

A Diversity of Bird Nests CRAIG MATTSON Communications Specialist With contributions from Michelle Allison, Laine Cotteleer, Zoe Finney, and Lindsay Focht

Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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FEATURE

T

he purpose of a bird nest is to hold the eggs of developing chicks. It protects the bird’s eggs from the elements, provides camouflage from predators, and gives fledging chicks a place to develop before they are independent. The type of nest used depends on the species.

Cup Nest

Robins construct the most common type of nest, called a cup nest. Generally, birds who make cup nests begin with a platform of twigs and grasses, including rootlets, dead grass, mosses, and occasionally man-made materials.

These are held together with a layer of mud, then lined with finer material, such as cattail fluff, spiderwebs, fur, and hair.

Robins may install their nests in numerous locations, usually in trees or shrubs, but they are sometimes placed on the ground, in thickets, or even on a porch or gate. They are built in the fork between branches or beneath heavy foliage, with the outside diameter between 8-20 cm, taking 2-6 days to finish. Males gather nesting materials while females construct the nest, and the pair remains monogamous at least through the breeding season. Nests can be reused or rebuilt, with birds returning to the same nest site, but a new nest is often used for each brood.

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, among the smallest of birds, also build cup nests, but they are much smaller than the robin’s nest. The nest is built near the tip or downward sloping part of a branch, taking 6-10 days, and measuring 4-5 cm wide.

The female hummingbird uses white plant down, bark shreds, and feathers for the outer layer, bound together with spider silk or the webbing from cocoons. The nest is often decorated with lichen, aiding in its camouflage, and can be reused, though not always by the original bird. Polygynous Ruby-throated Hummingbirds form no pair bonds, and males and females keep separate territories. Males can be highly territorial, defending nests with aggressive displays and vocalizations.

In addition to the robin’s cup nest, there are many other types of bird nests, variable in design and construction, some of which are listed here.

Weaving Nest

Birds create weaving nests by intertwining fibers using knots, loops, and hitches. The Red-winged Blackbird builds their nest near the ground near marshes, wetlands, and meadows, with the initial platform placed in between cattail stems. The outer structure is made from a platform and mud walls; inside they are woven

together with fine grass and vegetation, then plastered together with more mud. The nest takes 3-6 days to make and is about 12 cm wide.

Males are polygynous, defending a territory with multiple females. Males often help to care for nestlings, primarily with the first female mated. The Red-winged Blackbird is very territorial, and people should watch out for the birds when near their nests to avoid being divebombed! The nests are known to be a host for Brown-headed Cowbirds’ brood parasitism.

Hanging Nests

Also called pensile nests, hanging nests are a form of cup nest that are suspended by the rim from a tree.

Their design ranges from neatly woven, hanging cups, to enclosed pendulous structures.

Baltimore Orioles make hanging nests, placing them high up in cottonwoods or sycamores within deciduous woodlands and in residential areas. They consist of a deep woven pouch attached to thin, drooping branches or suspended by a small fork in a tree.

Males bring nesting material while females build the nest, using thin twigs and leaves, string, yarn, or bark strips for the outer wall, poking the material randomly to create knots. A middle layer of springy material is then lined with soft materials such as plant cotton, fine vegetation, and hair. The very sturdy nest measures about 9-21 cm in diameter, can take from one week to a month to build. The Baltimore Oriole builds a new nest for each brood, reusing the material from an older nest. The pair will return to the same tree if their breeding was successful.

Cavity Nest

Cavity nests can occur naturally in an existing hole in a live or dead tree or made by excavating an empty space within a living or a dead tree, log, or pole. Some species are excavators, while others, called cavity adopters, occupy already made cavities. Obligatory secondary cavity nesters rely on the nests excavated by other species to rear their young.

Cavity nests are more secure than cup nests, having higher fledgling rates than other nest designs.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker is an excavator, drumming into the side of a tree, dead log, or a wooden pole in a variety of woodlands, as well as suburban neighborhoods and parks. The nest’s height varies, with the opening about 6 cm in diameter, and is lined with woodchips. The Red-bellied Woodpecker returns to the same nest tree but will excavate

Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE a new cavity directly below the old one.

The Eastern Screech Owl is a secondary cavity nester, reusing nests made

by Red-bellied Woodpeckers. They may also find naturally occurring, deep tree cavities with a wide floor. The Eastern Screech Owls are permanent residents, forming lifelong pair bonds, and nesting away from larger owls.

Black-capped Chickadees also nest in a variety of woodlands, parks, and suburban areas. They excavate cavities in softer trees, such as birch and aspen, or use the already made cavities from a variety of species. Black-capped Chickadees form a solitary and territorial monogamous pair that stays together for several breeding seasons.

Cavity nesters will sometimes use nest boxes, which are human-made enclosures. Other nest box users include bluebirds, wrens, and Purple Martins, which populate towering, multi-unit nest houses.

Scrape Nests

A surprising nest configuration is the scrape nest, which is essentially a small indentation, hole, or divot dug into open ground in sand, dirt, or gravel. They are sometimes lined with soft material.

Many shorebirds and species like Wild Turkeys build scrape nests.

The Killdeer is a type of plover who scrapes a 7-9 cm wide nest on lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and even in parking lots, lining it with sticks, shells, or other softer material. Being in the open leaves the nest vulnerable to predation, but the Killdeer has developed an interesting strategy for protection. If a predator comes too close, the Killdeer will pretend it has a wounded wing, hobbling away from the nest to lure invaders away by following the seemingly injured bird.

Mud Nest

This form of cup nest is primarily made from mud and dirt. Mud nests are found on the sides of vertical structures, both human-made and on cliff sides.

The Barn Swallow builds mud nests on rafters, ledges, and beneath the rooftop of buildings. The male and female both build the nest, collecting mud or dirt and mixing it with grass to form pellets.

They first make a small shelf, then build up the walls, lining the nest with grass and feathers. When the pair reuses a nest, they will remove the contents and remake the mud rim. This species previously built nests in the cavities of trees and caves, but they are now well adapted to human development, having gotten the name Barn Swallow for making nests on barns. See their nests propped on the rafters on the sides of our Visitor Center’s roof.

Stick Nest

A stick nest is often large, placed on the tops of cliffs, but usually built on the top of a tall tree. It is constructed of larger sticks, then woven together with finer materials.

The Bald Eagle is a prime example of a stick nest builder, using a tall tree with a good view of the surroundings. They build it within a territory containing ample food resources near bodies of water. Males bring the materials to build the nest and females build it. It is made of sticks woven together with grass, moss, and cornstalks and lined with lichen, fine woody material, and a inner layer of downy feathers. It takes up to three months to build the nest, and Bald Eagles build two to three nests within a territory, inspecting the nests each year and choosing one to reuse. Eagles create the largest nests of the raptors, reaching up to 9 feet wide and weighing up to three tons.

When visiting the Center to view nests or observing them in your neighborhood or other natural area, it is important to respect nest etiquette. Avoid getting close to active nests so as not to disturb breeding birds. In sensitive species, disrupting a nest could cause nest failure. Migratory birds use a lot of energy to build nests, often having just travelled hundreds or thousands of miles to find a breeding territory, build a nest, and create a family. To get a close look at nests, approach them in winter when the birds are not using them.

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CONSERVATION

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Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

EDUCATION

The Importance of Coarse Woody Habitat CRAIG MATTSON Communications Specialist

When visitors hike our Central Wetlands Loop, Elizabeth Trail, and our other forested areas, you may notice some fallen trees laying on the ground. There’s a good reason for these trees to be there. Collectively, they are termed coarse woody habitat, and they provide an essential service to the surrounding ecosystem.

Coarse woody habitat consists of a fallen tree with or without branches, left on the ground to decay over time. The tree can be beneficial anywhere it falls, such as in the prairie or woods, and serves an important role to numerous species of flora and fauna.

HABITAT FOR MAMMALS, BIRDS, AND AMPHIBIANS In a fallen tree, there is space for nests, dens, and burrows. Mammals use fallen trees for shelter as they provide cover for predators and protective cover for prey.

Chipmunks, raccoons, and mink find homes in the hollowed-out section of the trunk. Underneath the log, amphibians will thrive, including salamanders and frogs. Woodpeckers make nest cavities in the logs, and birds that are low-level nesters find shelter there.

Coarse woody habitat provides nutrition to many species. Insects eat the dead tree, and in turn become food for birds. Woodpeckers eat ants, which form colonies and are important for adding organic matter to soil. Resident and migrating birds benefit from having the insects as a food source.

NUTRITION FOR WILDLIFE AND THE FOREST Decaying wood provides organic matter to the soil, which is important for regeneration of forest. Dead wood, like all living organisms, also releases nitrogen and phosphorus, essential nutrients that act as fertilizer. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria aid in the tree’s release of additional nitrogen to the soil. Some fungi rely solely on the fallen log to grow. Fungi digest the decaying tree’s nutrients, and release them to soil when they die, fall off the log, and decompose. Lichen, which are a species of fungi and blue-green algae living in a symbiotic relationship, thrive on fallen trees and add nutrients to the soil.

STORMWATER RETENTION Coarse woody habitat is an important tool for stormwater retention. It’s one of the big reasons our conservation team leaves fallen trees on the ground. A fallen tree absorbs 250 % of its weight in water, reducing the amount of water flowing on the ground during heavy rain. This stabilizes the soil and helps to prevent erosion caused by stormwater runoff. Many of the fallen trees in the North Ravine accomplish this, working in conjunction with the system

put in place for our Stormwater Wetland & Ravine Restoration Project.

Many of the trees that are down at Schlitz Audubon are fallen ash trees, the result of an influx of the Emerald Ash Borer. EAB eats into the nutrient transport system on the outer layer of the tree trunk, killing the tree in the process. Our conservation team responded to the EAB with a robust plan to remove trees that affected our trail system, leaving the rest to lay where they fall.

When visitors view the Schlitz Audubon property from the intersection of Lake Drive and Brown Deer Road, they will notice several standing dead trees. As part of our Hardwood Swamp Restoration Project, 82% or 456 ash trees were cut down. The remaining 18% have been selected to fall and become coarse woody habitat.

WHEN TO LEAVE THE FALLEN TREE There is a balance when deciding whether to leave or remove dead trees. While fallen trees provide the habitat and nutrition needed to regenerate the forest and help wildlife, our conservation team considers the conditions needed for understory plants as well.

Fallen trees can block some of the sunlight understory plants need to grow, so care is taken to determine which fallen trees should remain and which to remove from the property to allow for the healthy and abundant growth of plants on the forest floor.

Homeowners can use our conservation team’s practices as a guide to best manage the forest on their own small, wooded lots.

We strive to provide the most conservation value in our methods, which help our forests and their resident wildlife to flourish.

Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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ART GALLERY

Trees and Their Houses | Heather Eiden June 1 - August 31 Heather Eiden, a Milwaukee-based artist who creates fine art ceramic tiles, will display her current exhibit entitled Trees and Their Houses. The show will be displayed in our Art Gallery from June 1 – August 31. It is comprised of a body of artwork called House Tiles, which feature an ebb and flow of buildings and nature carved out of clay, uncovering relationships between shape and texture. House Tiles attempt to balance organic and geometric rhythms of lines made with carving tools. Heather is drawn to how these designs can tell stories, and her inspiration for tile themes comes from daily life events.

This collection of tiles is an evolution of artwork she calls Everyday Icons and Story Tiles, which were previous iterations of her fine art ceramic tile work. Heather discovered tile making as an artist in residence in public and private schools, where she started making community tile murals. She said

she loves working with clay to feel connected with the earth and believes that artwork made from clay can’t really be separated from it. She is an advocate for outdoor art classrooms, where she often has held classes for children.

Heather’s artistic influences include Antonio Gaudi’s mosaiced architecture, Frida Kahlo’s boundless expression, and Georgia O’Keeffe’s affinity with nature. Heather uses strong black outline in her work, like a cartoon, and said that cartoon images can be found throughout the history of art. “I’m trying to capture how a line might take a walk and become a story,” Heather said.

Heather’s education includes a degree from the fine arts department at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, and an art education degree from Concordia in Mequon. She also studied architectural tile making at Anderson Ranch Art School in Snowmass, Colorado.

In Memory Of

In Honor Of

Bonnie Behee-Semler Robert Amich

Lane Mudra Vicki & Robert Marx

Janine Arseneau-Warehouse Art Karen Tibbitts

Bebe Berkoff Ascension Wisconsin Leadership Team Paul & Sharon Burnstein Merle Cowin Rob & Barrie Henken Dick Kahn & Sue Freeman Andrew Rosen Caroline & William Schulhof Thomas & Meredith Scrivner Richard & Susan Strait Jenny Sturino & Eric Baum James Volberding Laura Martin Vuchetich

Judith Newman Michael & Ann Jorgensen

Joseph Camilli Theresa & Peter Camilli

Valdis Ozolins Helen Bolgrien Marilyn Bontly Katie & Doug Fisher

Richard & Charlotte Halfman Brad & Nancy Halfman

Dorothy Fowler Erika Fowler & Richard Harbecke Charles Ingwersen Geri & Marvin Olson Dorothy Kagen Singer Catherine Singer Barton Libal David Baumgarten Jodi & Hussein Kanji Michale Minzlaff Scott Minzlaff & Karen Vanalken Dale & Christine Pecard

Jean Pagel Henry & Judy Eckstein Vanessa Peltz Rami Peltz Matt Singer Elizabeth Singer Marion Trost Lisa Trost Melissa Zopp Royal Publishing, Inc.

Wedding Ceremony Trees Allison Friske & Bryan Flannery Douglas LeClair & Jocelyn Thomas Cole Syslo & Larry Sysrud

Janet Lutze Victoria Dargis 10

Spring 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Judith Huf Holly Tamm Terrence Knudsen Dan & Kay Esposito Tim Lewis Jennifer Gingerich Laurie Lukaszewicz Ryan & Kathryn Hanley Genie & Tom Smith Sharon Haws Susan Strecker Christine & Norman Littig Amanda Zarder Lauren Zarder

Gifts listed in this issue were received between 10/1/23 – 12/31/23

DEVELOPMENT Animal & Raptor Ambassador Sponsorships Eddie – Ornate Box Turtle Herb Zien & Liz Levins

In Honor of a happy young camper Bobby Rolfs In Honor of Elise Hildreth Bob & Martha Jermé In Honor of Minnie the Turtle Sister Joyce Durgerian In Honor of Owen Myers Careyann Myers In Honor of Chase Noegel Jeff & Diane Carlin-Bartel In Honor of Otto Quadracci Kelly Quadracci In Honor of Sam Danielle Wagner In Honor of Oliver A. Sippel Claudia Prunuske In Honor of David A. Weber Sally Weber

Emerson – Common Snapping Turtle Robby DeGraff Molly Muldoon Betts Sheryl St. Ores Caroline VonAsten

In Honor of Tristan Agacki Andrew & Patricia Agacki In Honor of Kaitlin Armstrong-Meyer Troy Meyer In Honor of Cyrus Brundage Peter & Jessica Brundage In Honor of Piper, Ian & Amelia Faust David & Carolyn Faust In Honor of Alexander Hetrick Andrew Hetrick In Honor of Emmy Lalor Leah Lalor In Honor of Hudson Lau Andrew Lau In Honor of Emerson Loroff Elizabeth Loroff In Honor of Michael Manning Molly & Paul Manning In Honor of Pat McGonigle Erin McGonigle & Nick Ketchum In Honor of Tess Mehigan Patrick & Piper Mehigan In Honor of Remy Oakes Carly Borchert In Honor of Jo Powers Biddle Jude A. Rathburn In Honor of Paxton Edwin Thaves In Honor of August Quadracci Kelly Quadracci In Honor of the Asher Rubin Family Patricia Frost In Honor of Tall Guy Culinary Team Tall Guy Front Office Team

Harley – Spiny Softshell Turtle In Honor of Rachel deHartog Karen deHartog

In Honor of Ginny & Dean Graves James Quirk In Honor of Ruby Strickler Magnolia & Lucy Judy

Piglet - Hognose Snake Edie Goldstein

Athena – Barn Owl

Sara Alter Laura Braza & Geoffrey Vitiello Jade & George Cashman Karyn Gimbel Youso Jon Neubeck Alex & Abby Rothstein Kim Schleicher In Memory of Barton Libal Cynthia & Howard Davidson

Atlas – Red-shouldered Hawk Jennifer Behnke Erin & Terrance Cram Sarah Ernst

Baron von Screech – Eastern Screech Owl Jennifer Behnke Katie Linehan & Bob Gerber Denise Schmitt James & Annette Volberding Vickie Walter Amanda & Christopher Zarder In Honor of Adam Brendle Lynelle Clark

Gimli – Eastern Screech Owl Kathleen & Richard Brehmer Kristin Cabranes Audrey & Mo Chowdhury Claire & John Harty Jon Neubeck Jeff Slattery Andy Tisdel Vickie Walter In Honor of Wynne Treco Brian Brandstatt

Glory – Bald Eagle

Kathleen & Richard Brehmer Marcel De Ridder & Sandra Heim Sarah Ernst Jim & Cathy Toohey In Memory of BJ Jaeckels Lauren Kelly

Loki – American Crow

Laura Braza & Geoffrey Vitiello Shannon Cooper Michelle & William Darby Julian Vincent & Sheena Wrigglesworth

Nicco – Broad-winged Hawk

Otis – Peregrine Falcon Jennifer Behnke Michelle & William Buerger Audrey & Mo Chowdhury Matthew Guenther Sean O'Connor

Perseus – Barred Owl

Keke Lewandowski Chad & Krista Pankop Alex & Abby Rothstein Bill Stout James & Annette Volberding In Honor of Gary Locke Jennifer Locke

Sky Walker – Red-tailed Hawk Marcel De Ridder & Sandra Heim Claire & John Harty Maggie Medicus-Bringa Bill Stout

Tallulah – Turkey Vulture

Laura Braza & Geoffrey Vitiello Barbie Brennan Nelson & Chad Nelson Michelle & William Darby Dave & Monica DeBrot Craig & Susan Kuhlenbeck Kristi Richter-Duff Heather Schultz

Tucker – Eastern Screech Owl

Michelle & William Darby Denise Schmitt Julian Vincent & Sheena Wrigglesworth Vickie Walter

Valkyrie – Bald Eagle

Jade Goodhue Mariah Hewitt & Todd Clapper Kat Larson Tracy Olson

Willow – Northern Saw-whet Owl Jennifer Behnke Jade & George Cashman Dottie Diggs Catherine Maerzke Genie & Tom Smith Phillip Starr Alexander & Sarah Starrett Bill Stout Vickie Walter

Zari – Great Horned Owl Jennifer Behnke Angela Cotteleer Antony Ludwig Cody Robinson Bill Stout

General Raptor Support Erwin Gross Michelle Hofmeister Renee Kodner Amina Merchant

Keke Lewandowski Alexander & Sarah Starrett Danielle Strauss

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

SPRING 2024 PANORAMA

U.S. Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168