Snocross series returns

Snocross series returns to Grand Geneva

Annual event promises high-flying snowmobile racing

Grand Geneva Resort and Spa will again host the top snowmobile racers in the nation March 18-20 for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross National Series.

The track on Grand Geneva’s Mountain Top ski hill allows for both indoor and outdoor viewing of up close, high-flying snowmobile action.

Races start on Friday morning, March 18, and the official opening ceremony is at 7 p.m. Saturday racing starts at 8 a.m. with pro races from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday events start at 7 a.m. and the final pro races run from 12 to 3:30 p.m.

Advance ticket prices are $25 for Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A weekend pass is $45 in advance. Tickets are available online at snocross.com

Snocross, according to sanctioning body International Series of Champions, is the most exciting, fan-friendly form of snowmobile racing. It combines the big-air jumps and hotly contested action of motocross with the crisp winter environment.

AMSOIL Championship Snocross is the featured national series within ISOC Racing. The series brings together the professional and amateur athletes in the sport, and provides most technically challenging tracks in the world, according to ISOC.

For additional information and race schedules visit snocross.com.

The AMSOIL Championship Snocross National racing series will visit Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva March 18-20.

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SENO CONSERVANCY • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

that focused on sustaining forestry. She, along with her brother, planted an additional 50,000 trees.

In her estate plan for the farm, she included a monetary gift to renovate the barn so that it could be used for the educational classes she believed were important to educate people on the need to protect the land. Thus, the Seno Center was created.

Meanwhile Dr. Shirley Peterson who owned a vacation property about three miles from the Seno Center was of a like mind. She wanted to preserve her woodlands and wetlands, which she named Drumlen Farm, and encourage environmental education. She too donated her 83-acre farm to the foundation along with generous funds that were turned into an endowment to support environmental programming. Protecting 1,200 acres

In 2014 the Seno Foundation and the Kenosha Racine Land Trust merged and today as Seno K/RLT Conservancy the group protect more than 1,200 acres of land within Racine and Kenosha Counties.

“Some of the land is owned by the conservancy and other parcels are protected by conservation easements. The conservation easements protect the land in perpetuity from development while ownership is maintained by the individual,” Santiago said. “The conservancy offers the owners advice on care with guidance to protect the land.”

The Seno K/RLT Conservancy offers a variety of educational programs for both children and adults. Some of these programs are offered as community outreach programs with the Kenosha Parks Alliance. Many are held in Southport Park or other Kenosha and Racine parks, allowing local children to learn about nature while remaining in their own neighborhoods.

Many schools attend field trips held at Seno K/RLT Conservancy and the children sparkle in the natural learning environment. Their eyes widen as they discover bugs and “critters” up close. They enjoy the wonder of butterflies and nature at its best. Programs teach them many things about nature that those who spend their time in the cities never learn.

“One of our programs focuses on the five senses and is geared to children from 4 to 6 years of age. Science based programs, such as our Land of Ice and Fire program, for ages 11 to 14 years, looks at geology and glacial formation,” said Santiago. “Art in Nature for children 4-12 years can be a community outreach or as a field trip. The children focus on observation skills as they create an outdoor art project.” Maple sugaring season

Last year the Seno K/RLT Conservancy hosted a new program on maple sugaring. It was open to children and adults to teach the traditions of the annual spring ritual. Many children, and some adults are not aware that true maple syrup actually comes from the sap of the maple tree.

This year the same program will be presented on March 5 and again is open to children and adults – a perfect family outing. The program will focus on the traditional process of making maple syrup, a process that has been a part of Wisconsin’s history for centuries. The process itself goes back to the history of the Native Americans who lived in this area long before the European immigrants arrived.

Participants in the program will learn how to identify a maple tree, the first step in learning to tap a tree.

“They will also be taught when it is time to tap the tree. It is the time when there are still freezing nights and warmer days to allow the sap to flow when tapped,” Santiago said.

In addition to learning to tap the tree, they will also be taught the process of sap to syrup and the traditional sugaring techniques. The event will end with gathering around a fire and enjoying some storytelling.

For adults, registration is $7 and for children younger than

top: Students from the Boys and Girls Club work together to create a nature’s mandala as part of an Art in Nature Program. A mandala is a geometric configuration of symbols. above: Board President, Mark Lesko, shares information with members of the Sierra Club, Southeast Gateway group, during a guided tour of Seno Woodland Management Center Property.

top: This award-winning burr oak tree at Seno has been identified as being over 200 years old. above: A view from the trails at Seno K/RLT Conservancy. 13 its $5. Prospective participants are reminded to dress for the outdoor weather. If the weather is inclement due to rain or snow, the classes will be rescheduled and all registrants will be notified of the new date. Advance registration is required. Basketry program set

As the calendar turns to April there are some additional programs offered at the conservancy. On April 2, local artist Little John of Plant Based Services in Sheboygan will be on hand to lead a class in the art of creating Willow Basketry. The four-hour class from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. allows participants to add their own special touch to the basket they create.

Participants (the program is for adults) will learn willow basketry in the style of stake and strand weaving. Material selection will be discussed along with a variety of ways to embellish the basket to personalize it.

All materials have been freshly harvested and will be provided. Students only need to bring a sharp knife and scissors.

Registration is limited to 12 participants ensuring enough time for individual instruction. The cost of the class is $60 and registration is available online.

A variety of programs for adults and children are offered throughout the year. Check the website for additions to the schedule. Outdoor events

If you are looking for a unique setting for a private event, consider renting the buildings of Seno. The buildings and grounds are available for events such as showers, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries.

For weddings, the facility best accommodates 100 to 150 guests. Food must be catered as there is only a limited small kitchen, best for keeping items warm not for cooking. A tent can be setup on Memorial Field if there is a need to accommodate more guests. Parking becomes limited as the guest numbers increase. Riding together is always encouraged.

Contact Seno K/RLT for more information about holding an event on the grounds.

Seno K/RLT is a nonprofit corporation and as such is dependent on donations by both corporations and individuals to cover the costs of maintaining the conservancy and presenting the many programs that teach others about nature.

Memberships also help support Seno K/RLT. Members a newsletter that is published twice a year to keep up to date on all that is going on at Seno K/RLT.

Under the direction of new board President Mark Lesko, who has been both a long-term board member and Seno volunteer, the group is working together to provide more learning experiences for both while working to protect the natural spaces from development in perpetuity.

“To do this work we are always in need of volunteers,” said Santiago. “Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks. They do everything from actual work on the property to see that it continues to prosper, to suggesting tree and plant ideas. They may also work with the field trips and provide educational materials. “

One of the projects coming up is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, beginning at 9 a.m. This is a workday where volunteers will spend their time planting tree seedlings to replenish the wooded areas where trees have been removed due to disease or sustainable harvesting.

Volunteers are always welcome and needed.

As spring begins, take the time to visit Seno K/ RLT and enjoy the beauty of the area. It trails are open dawn to dusk. There is no fee but donations are gratefully accepted.

Seno K/RLT is located at 3606 Dyer Lake Road (Highway P), Burlington. Additional information is available by calling 262539-3222, or online at www. senokrlt.com.