panorama
Winter 2016
New Raptor & Raptor Exhibit Page 4
The Season of Snowshoe Page 6
Ecological Citizenship Page 7
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A Windfall of Beauty NATHAN J. SMALLWOOD Executive Director
Winter is a time of juxtapositions, that glorious season when we subtlety shake hands with the extraordinary. The sun is exceptionally bright, but not especially warm. Snow falls to the ground gently and soundlessly, even as it transforms the landscape with its heavy hand. Despite being the season of hibernation, winter is also the season to discover tracks. Snow gives testimony to the otherwise secretive activity of skunks, deer, and mice throughout the Center’s land.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers John Grunau President Tim Gerend Past President
In the following pages we explore the origins of one of civilization’s greatest inventions to get outside in winter: snowshoes. We also expound on other great ways families with young explorers can enjoy this season of contrasts. You’ll read about the striking discoveries that await you throughout the winter landscape.
Sanderson S. ‘Andy’ Read Treasurer Meg Kinney Secretary Jane B. Bell VP-Development
In this issue you will also learn about how volunteers come together to create enormous impact on the Center’s land. Having turned back decades of invasion from aggressive, non-indigenous plants, the sun now reaches soil it hadn’t touched in decades, nurturing native flora that will grow in ecologic balance as part of a natural system. I’m proud to say that with donor and volunteer support, 17 birds of prey now call Schlitz Audubon their adopted home. You’ll meet our newest resident raptor, a Broad-winged Hawk named Nicco. While Broad-wings are among the most numerous hawks native to northern forests, they are elusive and rarely seen up close. The minimalist and elegant design of our newly-completed Raptor Exhibit is deceiving. Below ground, the exhibit has a 5 foot deep solid concrete foundation to prevent burrowing animals from raiding. Before pouring concrete, Center staff meticulously hand built the necessary forms to hold the concrete, and a highly efficient below ground drainage system was installed to improve surface water flow for the immediate area, minimizing ravine erosion. That itself was possible only after soil had been painstakingly excavated to minimize vegetative disruption. Our staff studied the best outdoor bird exhibits nationwide and consulted many experts to develop this best in class exhibit now available to our community, and we hope you share our pride.
Board Shane Delsman John E. ‘Jack’ Gebhardt Margarete R. Harvey Kevin J. Kane Eva Osborne Cynthia Palmersheim Justin K. Patrick Arthur T. Phillips Benjamin F. Rikkers Nicholas H. Robinson 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)
The same way behind-the-scenes work created the necessary footing for the Raptor Exhibit, donor support provides the underlying foundation for the Center. Donors are sometimes the unseen, yet absolutely vital, foundation of Schlitz Audubon. The birds of prey in the exhibit will never know who provided their new home, just as visiting school children may never know how they arrived at this outdoor wonderland. But we know it is possible only through the generous foundation of support from our members and donors. Thank you for being an integral component of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society. 2
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
SEASONAL SIGHTINGS Visit the Center and discover the scenic beauty of winter! DON QUINTENZ Senior Ecologist
Many people who have never taken the time to hike the Center in winter are pleasantly surprised by how much there is to see and enjoy. Every month offers an array of unique opportunities to witness the beauty and fascination of nature’s mystical cycles. All you need is some curiosity to investigate and a piece of nature to explore. January is regarded by many as presenting the greatest scenic beauty of the year down at the lake shore. The colder and the windier, the better it will be - at least for the formative stages. The ice left behind is something to marvel at. Giant ice canos, sparkling ice caves, delicate icicles, and bobbing icebergs line the shoreline, along with a host of fascinating formations that are so rare they do not possess names. The power of the giant lake and its vast fetch is responsible for the genesis of these striking crystalline creations.
Greater Scaup and one Common Goldeneye on Lake Michigan.
Winter is also the one season when nature boldly reveals her animal life and their stories with the script written plainly in the snow. February is the premier month for providing the pages in the book. Hike the trails to take full advantage of the visible daily record of the comings and goings of our wildlife.
September. Our lakefront becomes the stage for thousands of migrating ducks beginning their journey north to summer nesting grounds. Many upland species also make appearances in late winter such as Turkey Vultures, American Woodcocks, Great Blue Herons, Eastern Bluebirds, Sandhill Cranes, Tundra Swans, and American Kestrels to name a few.
March brings the first signs of spring. It warms the heart with the promise of more and also the skin with sunshine equal to
Don’t be a recluse! Be one of the elite nature lovers that hikes regularly to dissolve the cabin fever blues.
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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RAPTOR EDUCATION
New Raptor & Raptor Exhibit!
DIANE VISTY Raptor Program Manager
Over the years Schlitz Audubon’s Raptor Program has grown considerably. Starting in 1983 with one Great Horned Owl named Aunt B, the Center presently houses and cares for 17 birds. One of the challenges has been how to have daily engagement between the birds and members, visitors, and the greater public. This goal has been realized through creating the outdoor Raptor Exhibit, a new structure on the pathway to the Center’s main building. The exhibit, generously funded by the Buchanan Family Foundation, features a mesh barrier designed to appear transparent to human viewers and raptors alike. For this reason, we will introduce birds to the exhibit using a visible barrier over the mesh to help them acquaint with the enclosure’s boundaries. Otherwise they might look past the barrier and fly into it. Once comfortable in this new space, birds will move freely inside the exhibit. Most raptors spend about 85% of their day perched, scanning their territory for prey, so you will probably find our birds at rest. The Center will have birds outside in weather appropriate to their climate requirements; a Snowy Owl or a Red-tailed Hawk in winter, and our new Broad-winged Hawk in spring. From 10:00am – 3:00pm every day, visitors can now expect to meet a raptor just
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outside of the Center’s main building. During the construction, we sought to add a new bird to our collection, one that would regularly spend time in the exhibit. We found Nicco, a recently rehabilitated male Broad-winged Hawk. Nicco hatched in the spring of 2014 and was found injured by the roadside in northern Wisconsin. He was brought to a local rehabilitator, who suspected a spinal injury. Although healed, Nicco’s injuries meant he was not releasable to the wild. As the first Broadwinged ambassador at the Schlitz Audubon, Nicco provides a unique opportunity to experience this sometimes elusive Wisconsin species. When you meet Nicco listen for his soft whistle. Broad-winged Hawks are the smallest of the Buteos, generally about the size of a crow. They are 14 to 19 inches long, with a wingspan of about three feet. Their relatively short wings and tail give the bird a chunky appearance in flight. They hunt in the canopies of deciduous forests of Eastern North America. Broad-wings have some of the most arduous of all migration flights, some traveling more than 4,000 miles. Stop by the Center and visit the new Raptor Exhibit!
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
RAPTOR EDUCATION
Nicco, Broad-winged Hawk
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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EDUCATION
The Season of Snowshoe TOM FINLEY Director of Education
For the adventuresome, myriad possibilities await you to discover the haunts and byways of active winter animals. It’s not necessary to travel far in search of adventure; Schlitz Audubon is the perfect place to explore while minutes from home. One of the best ways to immerse in the winter landscape is the time-honored tradition of snowshoes. Humans have strapped wood to their feet for over 6,000 years. Scientists believe that snowshoes were developed by people who crossed the Bering Sea Land Bridge into North America. Evidence suggests they arrived precisely because of their resourcefulness at constructing such footwear. Snowshoes distribute the wearer’s weight across the snow, allowing one to float instead of sinking. This is the same reason the cold weather Canada Lynx possesses cartoonishly large feet compared with the warmer climate Bobcat. Snowshoes are an example of biomimicry. Traditionally, pliable white ash frames were laced with rawhide. Designs reflect the terrain and distance of travel. Depth of snow, level incline, rocky or smooth terrain, and distance of travel all impact design. Four main traditional styles of snowshoes were developed, based on terrain and intended use. The Ojibwa design is long and pointed on both ends, good for carrying weight great, flat distances. The shape takes cues from another transportation device, the birch bark canoe. The Huron or Michigan/Maine is the best known style of snowshoe, shaped similar to a tennis racket. The Alaskan is also long, but narrow, with a rounded front, and built for long distances in deep snow. The Bear Paw is used in forested areas, its tailless design doesn’t catch underlying brush and is the easiest to turn. Modern snowshoes are mostly lightweight aluminum frames that are smaller and easier to maneuver. Lacing made from nylon or neoprene has largely supplanted rawhide. Bindings can be made from any material, so long as they affix the wearer’s boots to the snowshoe and allow movement while walking. Snowshoes are free for members or $10 for guests to use on Schlitz Audubon trails, and we have over 6 miles of them. Also see our event calendar for snowshoe programs on January 22 and February 13. Snowshoeing is as memorable as it is tranquil and challenging, and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of generations gone by.
FEATURE
The place where community and ecological citizenship intersect. MARC WHITE Director of Conservation
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
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FEATURE
Some of our dedicated weekly volunteer land stewards.
Delicious soup and witnessing the capacity for cooperative human behavior have long been interests of mine. I get to experience both with Schlitz Audubon’s volunteer land stewards. When I’ll call them volunteer land stewards, but in reality I think of them more as friends. When I try to be funny they laugh, when I get bossy they patiently listen - the things friends do to save time and argument. If they think it might save time they’ll ask me a question, but left to themselves, they soon find an answer at least as good.
est challenges bring the greatest opportunities. So here’s the good.
We have a tremendous group of volunteer land stewards. They’re here every week in good weather and bad, sharing the task of healing the land. This story is about them, but before I can tell it, there’s something you should know.
had the perfect group
Although the land remains a source of great beauty and wonder, it’s no longer part of a self-sustaining ecological system. A city has grown up around the land. Isolated and damaged, species erode away more quickly than they return. Invasive species like Buckthorn, Garlic Mustard and Dutch Elm Disease have followed too closely on the impacts of saw, pasture and plow. This sounds bad, but sometimes the great8
Despite these challenges, Schlitz Audubon has become a great place and will become greater still because we have the capacity to grow ecological citizens.
“
The volunteer
coordinator said she
for me to join. That was 13 years ago and I’ve been here every Monday since.” —Volunteer Land Steward
Environmentalist Aldo Leopold understood that when people came to see the land as a community to which they belonged, they would treat it with love and respect. Ecological citizens understand that the land is a community to which they Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
belong. They willingly share and behave cooperatively toward other species and future generations. They cooperate because deep down it feels right. Or maybe they’ve discovered what ecologists are taught in school, that cooperation is the only type of interaction that benefits both. The challenges of Schlitz Audubon make it clear that a new ecological system is needed – a system in which people play a strong regenerative role. People need to be part of the land and heal it from within. To the extent that the land is separated from the system in which it evolved, conventional restoration approaches will fail. We don’t have the power to bring back the ecosystem of which the Center was once a part; that type of restoration is not possible. But fortunately when ecological citizenship is needed, ecological citizens evolve. We call these citizens volunteer land stewards. These volunteers strive to conserve and enhance beauty, biotic diversity, and ecosystem services. For our recently enacted 15 year land management plan to be successful, we need people who care deeply for the land and have fun doing it. Over the last year 546 people dedicated a portion of their lives to the goal of healing the land at Schlitz
FEATURE
Doing the Essential Work
A snapshot of some of the projects our volunteer land stewards completed in the last year.
Planted over 2000 trees and shrubs to restore forest diversity and prepare for the impacts of emerald ash borer Hand-pulled garlic mustard and dame’s rocket from 51.25 acres Removed buckthorn and honeysuckle from 11.89 acres Cleared fallen limbs and debris from 14.85 acres Helped perform controlled burns on 21 acres Audubon. They’ve donated 10,279 hours - comparable to the work of five full-time employees. A core group of volunteer land stewards do more than their share, and a number of them have been coming nearly every Monday since the late ‘90s. The group started on a January day when the weather was plus or minus three degrees. Starting with five, the all-volunteer group has grown to around 25. Today, the participants range from students to retired teachers, business professionals, and nature enthusiasts who all enjoy being outdoors and being a part of a unique community. From the beginning a meal was shared after the work. At first, the staff provided the soup, but the volunteers quickly realized that making the meal and sharing recipes was part of the camaraderie. As the snow falls and Buckthorn bonfires warm, a time comes to look back at what our land stewards have accomplished. Many acts of ecological citizenship are penned clearly across the land. The next time you drive into the center and look to the east, you’ll notice that your view is no longer blocked by a thick wall of buckthorn. Your eye will be drawn through the woodland by glimpses of sunlight in the eastern meadow. A thousand hours by a hundred volunteers has written this message of hope. But the highest acts of ecological citizenship may be those that go unseen. They require the ability to identify and address threats to the land before the damage is done. It’s a kind of stitch in time approach. One recent example is Wild Chervil, a regulated invasive plant in Wisconsin. A number of small clusters of Wild Chervil were recently found here. These clusters were
Join our team of weekly land steward volunteers and enjoy a shared pot of soup like the recipe above! Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Stevie Otap, for more information. sotap@schlitzaudubon.org or 414-352-2880 x144 far off trail in a forested area along our south boundary. Working in cooperation with our neighbors, our Volunteer Land Stewards were able to find and destroy all of the seed produced by this species in 2015. Identifying this problem early and dealing with it at the first opportunity has allowed us to manage this species without the need for herbicides and before this species can noticeably impact biodiversity. Our volunteer land stewards do hard work under challenging conditions. The work is strenuous and sometimes more than a little repetitive. I suspect it would be much more like work if they weren’t doing it with Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
friends - the kind of friends that you might ask in for a bowl of soup. If you saw them working out in the snow you would wave them in. You’d give them a bowl of soup and a slice of fresh baked bread - and maybe a lemon bar for desert. You may say the soup happened because it’s cold outside, and maybe you’d be right. But more importantly there’s soup because people see the land as a community to which they belong. They care deeply about the land and each other. It turns out that in our new ecological system there’s a need for soup and so soup evolved. There’s a pair of gloves, loppers, and bowl waiting for you. 9
PRESCHOOL
Discovering Winter in the Footsteps of Its Animals ELISE HANSEN Preschool Director
Winter is a cozy and inspiring season in the Preschool. We love when a fresh snow blankets the branches. Children head out on the trails and discover tracks indicating signs of life. We can learn so much about animals during winter since they are not as camouflaged amongst trees and plants. So many turkey and mice tracks crisscross our trails. If we stumble on deer tracks we all try to determine which way the deer were going. Sometimes they walk right along the people trails. We walk like deer, step over step in a single file, looking and listening like them by cupping our ears. Children learn about the importance of foraging and finding shelter by creating animal habitats in both outdoor and indoor play areas. Preschool classes tend to bird feeders and keep track of the birds that stay year round. Children examine the buds on tree branches so they can compare these as they grow in spring. In our wetland areas ice is particularly interesting so we test the thickness, discuss safety on frozen water and go boot skating only when the ice is ready. Some bright days feature dazzling shadow displays. We point out shadow shapes to one another and create our own shadow shows as the light of the sun shines across the prairie.
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A Favorite Winter Activity Freeze water and food coloring in various containers to make blocks and unique shapes of colorful ice. Stack the ice shapes to create ice sculptures in your yard.
On some days we hear the sounds of Lake Michigan from atop the bluffs. Other days we especially appreciate our many preschool parents and volunteers who help us make the trek down to the lake to view the ice canos. With all the varied nature surrounding us outdoors, we always take the time to consider the landscape. Parents can use some of our activities to inspire outdoor play in the colder winter months, whether at Schlitz Audubon or your backyard wonderland. Remember: there is no bad weather; only people who are poorly dressed for it. “It’s all in the gear,” as the teachers say. Dress well and venture out!
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
DEVELOPMENT NEW BOARD PRESIDENT We are proud to announce our new Board President, John Grunau. Along with his father, Gary Grunau, John is part of the Schlitz Park Development group; they are known as “movers and shapers” of Milwaukee’s commercial re-development, maintaining the best of Milwaukee’s past.
Soaring with the Raptor Program KATIE SPARKS Director of Development
Interactions with birds of prey have the power to create truly transformative experiences. The birds in our Raptor Program provide environmental education to youth and the public in a way that other teaching methods cannot. Our philanthropic partners in the Raptor Program make a huge impact as program fees cover less than half of our total costs to nurture and provide a habitat for our feathered educational ambassadors. Without donors and volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to care for and house our 17 resident birds onsite year-round.
Since 2009, John has served on Schlitz Audubon’s Board of Directors helping spread our mission of environmental education, conservation, and our amazing Raptor Program. Regarding his new role, Grunau said, “I am excited to lead this organization into a growing, thriving force for environmental education and conservation in our community.” John and his wife, Adrienne, co-own Grunau Wines. They have three children; their oldest son is a Schlitz Audubon Preschool graduate, their daughter currently attends, and their youngest son will enroll in the near future. John proudly serves as the historian for the Schlitz Park development. He is carrying on the Schlitz name both professionally and in this volunteer role.
SAVE THE DATE Annual Gala Friday, June 3, 2016
Last year a group of 51 dedicated individuals volunteered 6,285 hours to the Raptor Program! These hours were spent providing daily care for the birds by feeding them, cleaning the mews, weighing the birds to check their health, and maintaining their home. Volunteers also assist with educational programs at the Center, in schools, and in our public outreach. It is through their hard work that we’re able to share these spectacular birds with our community. One Raptor Training Workshop participant was greatly touched by her experience. “The training session was priceless and the flight training was the experience of a lifetime. I’ll never forget it. Inter-species connection is a powerful gift. When I arrived home, I saw the chickadees and cardinals at my feeder and was surprised by how intensely I felt about them. And I think that’s going to last a long, long time.” As the region’s most comprehensive raptor education program, our program reached over 160,000 people of all ages at our Center and throughout Greater Milwaukee in 2014. This included 54 programs in schools, plus 354 programs that were open to the public, including the Center’s weekly Word with a Bird, our monthly Raptor Saturday sponsored by We Energies, daily programs during the Wisconsin State Fair, and participation in Eagle Days in northern Wisconsin. These birds promote environmental health and sustainability, teaching people about their wild relatives, their habitat concerns, and issues facing raptors today. One family who attended a program called it, “An amazing experience! Seeing the power and beauty of the birds of prey up close brings a new appreciation for these animals and the people who work to help them.” Thank you to our donors and volunteers, who help share these birds with the public. You can invest in the future of these incredible birds of prey today by making a gift to the Schlitz Audubon Raptor Program directly, or by adopting your favorite bird.
Winter 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. 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.
Destination Hike: The Winter Beach* Monday, January 11 | 1:00pm - 2:00 pm
This new hike series, lead by Don Quintenz, spends the majority of time in a particular part of the Center. In January we explore the spectacular ice formations at our Lake Michigan Beach. Like snowflakes, no two days at the winter beach are ever the same.
M: $7 NM: $12
Bird Club* Raptor Saturday
Saturday, January 2 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, February 6 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm Saturday, March 5 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
January We focus on beaks and talons, with the special adaptations of each of the hawks, owls, and falcons presented. We start at the top of their heads and finish with talons. You’ll be amazed by the differences between the species! February Love is in the air! It is difficult to imagine anything more captivating than seeing a pair of raptors in their sky dancing courtships. This presentation explores all that goes into the necessities for a happy home: nest building, providing delicious delicacies to your mate, and we answer the question: who keeps those eggs warm, anyway? March This program explores the genius details about feathers! Light feathers, fast feathers, camouflage feathers, and warm feathers abound. Participants will be able to learn and feel the difference! Of course a few of our “feathered ambassadors” will sport the latest feather fashions.
Free with membership or admission Sponsored by:
Hand in Hand*
Thursday, January 7 | Gently Falling Snow Thursday, January 21 | Oh, Deer! Thursday, February 4 | Owl Babies Thursday, March 3 | Maple Sugar Time Thursday, March 17 | Rabbit Hop Session 1 | 9:00 - 10:15am Session 2 | 10:30 - 11:45am
Explore nature with your little ones! We will hike, play, create art, and listen to a story. Dress for the weather, we explore outdoors rain, snow, or shine. Waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. This program is for 2-4 year olds and their adult.
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M: $12 per pair per program NM: $17 per pair per program
Hangin’ with Hyatt: Family Snowshoe* Saturday, January 9 | 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.
M: Youth $5 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $15
Audubon Babies: Exploring Nature with the Very Young*
Wednesday, January 13 | 10:00am - 11:15am Wednesday, February 10 | 10:00am - 11:15am Wednesday, February 24 | 10:00am - 11:15am Wednesday, March 9 | 10:00am - 11:15am Wednesday, March 23 | 10:00am - 11:15am
Children are never too young to experience nature. Hike on trails packed with sensory exploration and make new friends. Dress for the weather- we explore outdoors rain, snow, or shine. Waterproof shoes or boots are recommended. If the weather is not appropriate to go outside we will explore indoors. This program is for children 6 months to 24 months and their adult.
M: $12 per pair per program NM: $17 per pair per program
Mammals Have Fur*
Wednesday, January 13 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm Wednesday, February 10 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm Wednesday, March 9 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Bird Club is presented in conjunction with Milwaukee Audubon Society. During winter we will talk about bird sightings and each meeting will be different! Depending on the temperature, we may hike outside for a short time. All levels of birder are invited to join and binoculars are available. Young adults welcome. Please check our online calendar for specific topics for each month.
Free to all
Animal Movie Night*
Friday, January 15 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, February 12 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm Friday, March 11 | 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, and stuffed animals to get comfortable during the movie. Check the Center’s website for which movie will show.
M: Youth $5 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $15
Spiritual World of Nature: Evangelical Christianity and the Environment* Saturday, January 16 | 10:00am - 11:00am
Wisconsin is home to over 70 different types of mammals. Shelly Rollins shares the many unique adaptations and characteristics that make mammals special. We will read related stories, view mounts of various species, and enjoy a hands-on experience with furs, skulls, and feet. Then we’ll hike outside while seeking these animals. This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children. Adults are free.
Does Evangelical Christianity provide a basis for environmental conservation or environmental degradation? Does it lead necessarily to the denial of anthropogenic climate change? In this talk, Dr. Jonathan Hanes, a geographic researcher, educator, and Evangelical Christian, addresses these questions by examining common evangelical perspectives on conservation and climate change and what the Bible states about the environment and humanity.
Saturday, January 9 | 9:30am - 11:00am
M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
M: $10 NM: $15
CALENDAR Lake Michigan Full Moon Snowshoe* Tuesday, January 19 | 6:30pm - 8:30pm
We visit a scene that is one of the most beautiful of all seasons, and while under the spectacularly bright stars of January. Experience the ever-changing ice formations of Lake Michigan beneath a magical full moon. We finish with hot drinks by the fire in the Hearth Room. Snowshoes provided. If there is no snow we will hike on foot.
M: $15 NM: $20
Environmental Voices: Milwaukee County Greenhouses & Domes Tour* Thursday, January 28 | 8:45am - 12:30pm
Step into summer as we tour the new Milwaukee County Greenhouses and the Mitchell Park Domes. This behind-the-scenes tour features the sustainability initiatives of the impressive new greenhouses and the history and architecture of the Domes. Learn how the staff prepares the plants for the Domes displays and for the county parks. Paula Zamiatowski, Conservatory Interpretive Educator, will guide our tour, followed by a self-guided tour of the tropical and desert domes. Transportation provided.
M: $20 NM: $25
Hangin’ with Hyatt: The Great Antler Search* Saturday, January 30 | 9:00am - 11:00am
Winter Family Camp-In*
Winter Concert Series
This is your chance to “camp out” inside the building! Enjoy a fun indoor program followed by a night hike. We’ll have a warm fire in the Hearth Room complete with s’mores and a bedtime story. A light breakfast starts the next morning. Bring blankets, sleeping bags, pads and tents. Space is limited, so call soon for available rooms. Larger rooms can accommodate more than one family. Please direct questions to Tom Finley (414) 352-2880, x157.
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. Please check our online calendar for specific musicians for each week.
Friday, February 5 – Saturday, February 6 6:00 pm – 9:00am
M: $80 per family NM: $100 per family
Environmental Voices: Urban Wilderness with Eddee Daniel* Saturday, February 6 | 2:15pm - 3:15pm
Join Eddee Daniel, artist, writer, and teacher, as he speaks about exploring wilderness in an urban setting. Eddee’s book, Urban Wilderness: Exploring a Metropolitan Watershed, focuses on the Menomonee River, its history and redevelopment as an urban wilderness, and celebrates the joy of discovery. His work has been exhibited both locally and nationally and has received both artistic and conservation awards.
M: $7 NM: $12
I Love Winter!* Saturday, February 13 | 9:30am - 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 search for shed antlers – if you find one, you get to keep it!
Celebrate what you love most about this beautiful season! Shelly Rollins shares a beloved wintertime story before we put on our gear and head out to experience what winter has in store. This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children. Adults are free.
M: Youth $5 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $15
Winter Discovery Hiking: Animal Stories*
M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth
Winter River Snowshoe* Saturday, February 13 | 1:00pm - 3:00pm
We will hike the trails in search of animal activity and signs. This is the one season when nature boldly reveals her stories with the script written plainly in the snow. We are certain to see many tracks and other signs and, with some luck, we might locate less common mammals such as the ermine or the possum.
Join Don Quintenz for a hike along the Trinity Creek Wetland and the adjacent Interurban Trail in Mequon, where we search for animals and the signs they leave behind in the journey to fulfill their needs. Snowshoes are provided, no experience is necessary. Maps will be sent out just prior to the program. If there is no snow we will hike on foot.
Tuesday, February 2 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
M: $7 NM: $12
M: $18 NM: $23
Sundays | February 14 - March 20 2:15pm - 3:15 pm
Environmental Voices: Rishi Tea, a Milwaukee Treasure* Tuesday, March 1 | 12:30pm - 3:00pm
Since 1997, Rishi Tea has provided Milwaukee with quality teas through its direct trade and organic supply chain. This tour follows the life of their sustainably harvested leaves through receiving, quality control, warehousing, and production. The tour completes with a brief intro to tea and a “cupping” (tasting). Transportation provided.
M: $20 NM: $25
Repamphibiantile Sunday Sunday, March 6 | 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.
Free with membership or admission
Environmental Voices: Natural Burials* Saturday, March 12 | 9:00am – 4:00pm
Learn the wisdom of the past by returning loved ones’ remains to Earth using the ageold practice of natural burial. In this all-day workshop local professionals share their experiences, explain current local possibilities, and provide resources. The day will include a screening of the film, A Family Undertaking, followed by a Q&A session. Lunch is included.
M: $40 NM: $50
Animal Myths: Fact or Fiction?* Saturday, March 12 | 9:30am - 11:00am
Are bats blind? Are snakes slimy? Through stories, activities, live animals, and a hike, Shelly Rollins explores 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 are free.
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
Free with membership or admission
M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth
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CALENDAR Spiritual World of Nature: Be Part of the Solution* Wednesday, March 16 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Be a part of a local model for how we can approach solving the world’s great problems. The August Scientific American gives insight into the ultimate power we have, which was used originally to conquer the planet, but now is needed to save it. Join a discussion with Don Quintenz as we analyze what humanity must do to become inspired to make the known necessary and feasible sacrifices the environment requires and how to accomplish this goal.
M: $10 NM: $15
Hangin’ with Hyatt: Snake Patrick Day* Thursday, March 17 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Who’s up for some Family Fun? Jim is bringing his cuddly friends out for a party. Shake hands with a snake while eating green cake. Snuggle a salamander while nibbling a cookie. Celebrate Snake Patrick Day with your human and animal family!
Free with membership or admission
Destination Hike: The Research Area*
Hatha Yoga Class*
Tuesday, March 22 | 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Every Monday from 5:30pm – 6:45pm
This new hike series, led by Don Quintenz, spends the majority of time in specific remote parts of the Center. In March we will visit a large off trail area in the southwest corner of the property referred to as the Research Area. After a brisk walk we explore 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
Dazzling Ducks of Spring*
Thursday, March 31 | 9:00am - 4:00pm Cold/rain date Thursday, April 7 | 9:00am 4:00pm
Known to only a few are the beautiful and diverse waterfowl that migrate north early in spring or overwinter. This tour, led by Jean Strelka and Don Quintenz, visits select hot spots that have had good waterfowl activity. We will stop for lunch at a restaurant, so be sure to bring along cash. Transportation and interpretation provided.
De-stress this winter 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. Join the camaraderie and chase the winter chill away. The first class is always free! M: $100 for 10 weeks | Single class $15 NM: $120 for 10 weeks | Single class $20
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. Members can check out snowshoes to use at the Center.
Free with membership or admission
M: $52 NM: $60
2015 National Audubon Society
Photography Awards Exhibit On display at Schlitz Audubon | January 10 - January 30 Free with membership or admission Visit www.schlitzaudubon.org for more details
Melissa Groo/Audubon Photography Awards 14
Winter 2016 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
THANK YOU THANK YOU Memorials Lilias “Lil” Bruce William & Patricia Alverson Kenneth Barczak Burton & Carla Bartlett Deanna Braeger Mrs. Barbara B. Collings Tom & Bette Drought Julianna Ebert & Frank Daily Pamela Ellis Anne and Dean Fitzgerald Ellen Holtgers Penny Howland Arthur & Nancy Laskin Earl & Mary Lillydahl David & Helen MacGregor Danny & Rosalind Markstein Jere D. McGaffey Diane McGauran Michael Best & Friedrich LLP MLG Capital LLC Susan Nichols Katherine Paulsen Lew & Bev Perlson Harriet Resnick Allen & Pat Rieselbach Eleanor Seaman Jane J. Shero Barbara Sullivan Deborah Van Dyke Kathryn A. Van Dyke George & Ann Whyte Raymond Young
Raptor Sponsorships Robert L. Deckert Geri & Marvin Olson Helen Paulos Knutson Geri & Marin Olson John LeMoine Susan & Adolph Krebs Philip & Lou Ann Schils John & Ann Schneider Nell Schneider Joe Martin Dave Sunderland Faith Miller Richard J. Miller Gail Seefeldt Paul Barribeau Don & Pat Engelbert
Barley – Barn Owl Sue B. Holcomb (In honor of Maureen Vento; Lorette Russenberger; Lora Loke) Malary – American Kestrel Matt Markuson Tskili – Great Horned Owl Kathy Fuller Tucker – Eastern Screech Owl Emily North Wind Chill McCloud – Snowy Owl James R. Butz and Family (In memory of Hedwig) General Raptor Program Aki Norton
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 2016 Marketing Manager Nancy Quinn Design | Illustration | Select Photography Zoe Finney Editing | Select Writing Ed Makowski
Winter 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
WINTER PANORAMA
Nature Center
Activities Include: Sleigh Rides Maple Sugar Demo Snowshoeing Guided Hikes Live Animals and more! Visit www.schlitzaudubon.org for details.