May/June - Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Center Focus
May/June 2013
Conservation Education
and Action
By Don Quintenz, Director of Education
www.SANC.org
Reforesting a Forest: a Project Update
By Matt Smith, Land Manager
We are embarking on what must ultimately prove to be the greatest age for
human triumph because we are facing
the greatest challenge mankind has ever
witnessed. The world is in a condition
that it never was before. People all over
the world have become anxious about
what our collective future may hold. The
generative heart of this ominous cloud
is the exploitation and resulting degradation of earth’s physiological systems.
How long does the earth need to testify
that we are conducting our affairs in an
unsustainable manner? How long will we
wait to act to save what ultimately will
save ourselves? What can an individual
who desires to help the world heal do?
The staff and board of the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center have made a mutual
covenant to expand both our educational programming in conservation and
provide more volunteer opportunities
to monitor or restore native plants and
animals and their necessary environment.
The core of this new initiative is the
new educational series “Environmental
Voices” which will give you practical ideas
for accomplishing this and spark your
motivation.
Continued on page 3
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
1111 E. Brown Deer Road
414-352-2880 • www.sanc.org
Open 7 Days a Week
9:00am - 5:00pm
Summer hours to begin in May
$6 Adults, $4 Children
FREE Admission to Members
The forest restoration project area is highlighted in yellow.
Notice the expansive sedge meadow within also to benefit from invasive removal.
In the January/February 2013 newsletter, we discussed the beginnings of a 10 acre
forest restoration project in our northwest corner. This area is a heavily ash-dominated
forest, expected to lose nearly the entire canopy due to the Emerald Ash Borer. Our
project left the ground in February of 2013 when we used a forestry implement known
as a forestry mower to mow all of the invasive buckthorn and honeysuckle within
these 10 acres. We kept a thin veil of understory vegetation along East Brown Deer
Road in order to maintain wildlife cover and provide a visual screen for our visitors
until we are able to plant new vegetation. This beginning stage took roughly 35 hours
in the forestry mower. The vast majority of invasives mowed were buckthorn shrubs
with an average diameter of 3 inches and a height of 12 feet. The largest invasive
mowed was a buckthorn: 49 years old, 15 inches in diameter, and 16 feet tall. Areas
with younger invasive populations were mowed relatively fast.
This area is at a very photogenic stage with an open-woods aesthetic and pleasant
view-sheds. We are encouraged by this progress, but our work here is not done. There
are a few major steps before the area is on a healthy trajectory:
1.Starting in August of 2013, the resprouts of the buckthorn and
honeysuckle will be treated over two seasons with an EPA-approved herbicide dosage, which will vanquish the majority of the invasive shrub resprouts.
Continued on page 3
From The Director
Nathan J. Smallwood, Executive Director
How do we get more out of the longer, warmer days of spring and summer?
How can we fit in more time outside? We asked our staff and members. And
we listened. From your input we have come up with extended hours and
programs, beginning in May.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Margarete R. Harvey
President
For the birders (like me!) the grounds will be open at 7:00 am beginning May
1st until June 15th. This gives extra viewing time for the spring migration.
Paul Boyer will lead bird walks on three Saturdays in May on the 4th, 11th,
and 18th. Just meet in the parking lot at 7:30am. Evening birding time will
also be available starting May 12th. I’ll be in search of warblers especially –
join me!
John S. McGregor
Past President
Stuart D. Findlay
Treasurer
Timothy J. Gerend
Secretary
Want to take an evening hike–no problem! Beginning on Mother’s Day, May 12th and ending on
Labor Day, September 2nd, we will be open Sunday through Thursday until 8:00 pm.
Jane B. Bell
VP-Development
Board
On Tuesday evenings we will feature music at the Pavilion. Just bring your blanket or lawn
chairs with a picnic supper and enjoy the show. On Wednesday evenings our incredible Birds of
Prey and their trainers will provide bird presentations at the Amphitheater. Why the Amphitheater? Because it is a good setting for free flight demonstrations –something few nature centers
attempt. Thursday evenings we will be offering guided twilight nature hikes with an Audubon
naturalist. And on the last Thursday of each month will be “Tales to Trails” for families with
young children. See page 11 for the details. All programs are free for members and will begin at
6:30pm. Just remember: Tuesday’s Tunes, Wednesday’s Avian Evenings, and Thursday’s Trails.
Flavio Almedia
Robert C. Bourgeois
Leo D. Freeman
Jack Gebhardt
John W. Grunau
Jill Pedigo Hall
Todd M. Herbert
Meg Kinney
Nick Pabst
Cynthia Palmersheim
Justin Patrick
Cathy Schulze
Jane Segerdahl
Jeff Thorston
Carol Wolcott
To kick start the evening season we will be hosting a block party on Sunday, May 19th starting
at 5:00 pm for all our friends and neighbors. If you like, bring a picnic supper and eat on the
grass by the Pavilion overlooking Lake Michigan. We will have some surprises for all who attend,
including more detailed information on the summer programs. For those who cannot make the
party check out our web site weekly at www.sanc.org for the most current information.
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
I have been told that Wisconsin has two seasons – winter and “under construction”. Here at SANC
we have winter AND warm weather fun. Join us and be part of the fun!
Director Active Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier
Honorary Directors
Polly H. Van Dyke
Edwin P. Wiley
Executive Director
Nathan J. Smallwood
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Bird Hikes With Paul Boyer
Saturdays, May 4, 11, & 18
7:30 AM – 8:30AM
Meet in Parking Lot
Tuesday Tunes
Tuesdays, May 14 through August 27
6:30PM – 7:30PM
Pavilion (If Rain, Auditorium)
Wednesday Avian Evenings
Wednesdays, May 15 through August 28
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Meet at Amphitheater (If Rain, Auditorium) Thursday Trails
Thursdays, May 16 through August 29
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Meet in Exhibit Hall
All programs are free for members. Non members pay Center Admission
No programs the week of July 4th.
Center Focus • May/June 2013
Notes From Nature
May/June 2013
Reforesting A Forest... Continued from page 1
2.In winter of 2013 into 2014,
hazard ash trees along trails, roads, and within tree planting areas will either be removed, reduced, or left whole depending
on the trees favor, wildlife and educational value, and local site conditions.
3.By fall of 2014, the invasive plant density will be low enough to
manage indefinitely, and we will then bring diversity back onto this portion of our land by planting many native trees and shrubs.
Our plan is to continue to use volunteers
to remove invasives in more diverse areas,
however, we will be using heavier forestry
implements, like forest mowers, (on frozen
ground) to remove large established
populations of woody invasive shrubs in
Forestry Mower.
degraded areas, before their heavy ash
canopies fail and restrict our access for decades. Of the 185 acres, there are roughly
40 acres where an accelerated removal
of invasives and canopy replacement is essential. We encourage all of you to stop by
and witness this landscape as it changes
for the better. We hope you recognize our
struggle to restore a forest under a dying
one, and make a contribution towards
these historical efforts.
Conservation Education and Action... Continued from page 1
Hopefully by the time this writing has
been sent to our members you will
already have experienced the wisdom and
passion of our featured speakers such as
Dr. Stan Temple speaking on Aldo Leopold’s records of phenological indicators for
climate change or Bernice Popelka’s zeal
to save a virgin prairie. May will bring your
next opportunity with Brian Frank’s updated look at climate change evidence and
local community initiatives for involvement. Our goal is to bring in diverse viewpoints with the idea that with education
people will develop wisdom to make better choices. We can only become unified
if we try to understand other opinions,
and we can only affect significant changes
if we are unified. We also welcome your
ideas for future speakers and topics-(call
me at 414-352-2880 X 156).
Another manifestation of this effort is
citizen science research-based data gathering opportunities. An example of this
is charting phenological observations on
plants after trainings on identification and
monitoring protocols. Citizen observations and recordings will become a critical
tool for scientists to construct models of
regional climate change and also to determine its real impact on earth’s ecosystems. These observations will ultimately
be recorded and on display similar to
what is now done with bird observations.
It is no longer prudent nor vogue to wait
for others to solve the problems of the
world. There is no question we can save
this beautiful planet, but we must not
become complacent in this perspective.
Humanity must act unitedly, swiftly, and
boldly. We can help shape the world that
our children and our children’s children
will inherit. Become a mentor for change!
Center Focus • May/June 2013
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Development Updates
By Debby Fulton, Development Director
Let Nature Be Your Guide 2013 Annual Gala
Please join us for our tenth annual Gala. This year’s theme, Let Nature Be Your
Guide, is sure to be a great evening of beauty, fun and laughter. This year’s
chair, Carol Wolcott and her committee; Alexis Bernard, Amy Krier, Piper Mehigan, Heather Nill and SANC staff are working hard to make this an evening to
remember. All proceeds will go directly to support all of our programs including student scholarships here at SANC. If you can’t be with us for the evening
please consider a gift in support of our programs.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Annual Gala
Let Nature Be Your Guide
Friday, June 7, 2013 at 6:00 pm
Come early and enjoy a guided hike on one of our many trails at 5:30 pm.
Join us for cocktails, dinner, and auction at the breathtaking
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.
Dinner provided by Shully’s Cuisine & Events
Cost per person: $200
Please RSVP by May 21, 2013
For more information, contact Debby Fulton at
414-352-2880 ext. 152 or dfulton@sanc.org
Thank You to our Dedicated 2013
Gala Sponsors (as of April 3rd)
BMO Harris Bank
Direct Supply
GSH-Labor, Employment and Commercial Practice Groups
Inbusch Foundation
Johnson Controls
Koss Corporation
Northwestern Mutual Foundation
Robert W. Baird
We Energy Corporation Foundation
Picnic at Doctors Park June 23rd
SANC encourages you to visit
our neighbors, Doctors Park
located just to the south of
our property, for a picnic on
Sunday, June 23 from noon to
4:00pm. There will be music,
games, face painting, a vintage car show, and
a nature hike led by one of our very own SANC
educators. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the
family fun.
Green Living Tips
By Moya Mowbray, Environmental Educator
Natural Burials
Many of us choose to live more sustainably out of concern for the natural world.
As in life, we can approach the tender
subject of our passing with environmental protection close to mind. Chemicals
such as formaldehyde, a known carcinogenic and a common environmental pollutant are used to preserve our bodies.
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The coffins we are laid to rest in are often
made with various plastics, solvents
and glues, and some are lined with lead.
These chemicals can leach into the surrounding soil and water. As we plan for
important end of life decisions, consider
a green burial, in which we can be laid to
rest in natural settings that provide hab-
Center Focus • May/June 2013
itat for the living. For loved ones walking
in a natural burial site, the fullness of the
life around them can balance the sorrow
of death. The simplicity of a natural burial
allows the body that housed us to provide sustenance to new life, part of the
intended cycle of life.
Early Childhood News
By Elise Hansen, Preschool Director
SANC Newsletter from May 1976 reads:
Bob Maas, landscaper, stopped in one day. He said (not word for word), “I’d like to do
something for the Center. I work in this area and my family enjoys participating in Center
activities. What would you suggest?’ A Sugar Bush caught his interest and now (augmented
by the Jacob’s families) the Center has a start with two dozen Sugar Maples (most are over
eight feet tall). One day they will be tapped by children.
37 years later…
In February I was invited to visit the
SANC Sugar Bush to learn from Jessy
Knox, Elementary Education Manager
and Matt Smith, Land Manager, how
to determine if our Sugar Maples were
healthy and ready to be tapped again.
We visually inspected tapping holes to
evaluate the healing from past years.
We discovered that there were trees
that would need additional time to
mend since the past dry summer had
slowed down the healing process. There
were a handful of the Sugar Maples that
would be ready for eager children to
visit and learn the tapping process.
and then tasting the fresh cold maple
sap. Over the next weeks the children
visited the Sugar Bush to gather sap
and visited the wood-burning evaporator to watch and smell the hot
maple sap cook down. The best day
was when the maple syrup was ready
to taste!
Thank you to nature, the Sugar Maple
trees and to Bob Maas and families
who planted these trees for the next
generations!
As the nights remained cold and the
sun slowly warmed the days, Patti
Baille, our founding director of the nature preschool, came to visit us and eagerly shared her knowledge of tapping
the maple trees. She taught us how
to look for Sugar Maples which have
characteristics of opposite branching
and she had all of the children demonstrate this by stretching their arms out
as far as they could reach. Next she had
us hug the trees to see if they filled
our arms in size and were strong and
healthy all around. Then standing close,
we circled the tree and joined hands.
“Listen to the tree with your heart,” she
said. Such a special moment to pause,
appreciate and take in the experience
as the activity began with drilling,
cleaning, tapping, waiting… watching
Center Focus • May/June 2013
5
News From the Raptors
By Diane Visty, Raptor Manager
It’s Spring and We are all Hopping in the Raptor Department!
Our staff and volunteers are hopping
with excitement about all of the new
programming coming your way. The
birds are doing jump ups as they train
to be in shape for their upcoming free
flight programs. I don’t remember a
time when we have had such a full
slate of events scheduled right up to
Summer Camps in June.
prey in their natural haunts. It was the
awesome images submitted by the
photographers from this event that
graced our 2012 Sky Hunter’s Calendar.
One of our favorites is the Raptors in
Focus Photo Shoot on May 18th. In
2012 we had over 40 photographers
from around the state participate. It is
the only time that photographers are
able to get so close to our 15 birds of
Finally the Raptor Staff want to invite
you to come on over on Wednesday
nights this summer to visit our feathered friends before or after your evening hike. It is the perfect way to end
your day!
We are also offering two new programs
that shouldn’t be missed! The first is for
kids only. It is an Overnight Camp-out
at the Raptor Building. Can you imagine what it will be like for these lucky
campers to be serenaded to sleep by
our owls? Too cool! For adults we are
offering a one day Raptor Camp. I know
many folks would love to work with
the birds but the time requirements
are daunting. So this is your chance to
learn how to care for and handle our
beautiful birds.
Bird Spotlight: Tucker
by Ellen Schneiderman, Raptor Educator and Trainer
Sometimes we equate small with meek, weak and “less than”. But in
the animal world small species are just as formidable as their larger counterparts. Case in point: Tucker, our mighty 3-year-old Eastern Screech
Owl. Weighing in at 5 oz. (that’s about as much as a deck of cards), most
people react with, “Awww, he’s so cute!” True, he’s uniquely handsome. But
beneath the uncommonly colored plumage beats the heart of a warrior.
Stealthy, cunning and ferocious, screech owls prey on everything from
frogs to finches. Tucker greets (or warns?) us each morning with a charming “trill” of a call. A true fighter, Tucker survived a collision with a vehicle,
to join our team in 2011. How about making a small donation to support
Tucker? As you know: small can make a big impact!
For more information about sponsoring our Raptors, please visit the
‘Bird of Prey’ section of our website, or call us at 414-352-2880 for
sponsorship information.
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Center Focus • May/June 2013
Planet Volunteer
By Laurie Haig, Volunteer Coordinator
Spring and Summer Volunteer Opportunities
We have a few more volunteer opportunities for you before the summer season
begins. For the International Migratory
Bird Day on Saturday May 11 from 9am
to 12pm, we need folks to help at bird information stations on some of the trails.
You’ll invite participants to take some
bird challenges, help them with bird
related crafts, and monitor the coffee
tasting area and more. Contact me for
more info.
Our Spring Gala is Friday June 7. Enjoy
the casual atmosphere at our annual
silent auction dinner fundraiser by
volunteering at the auction area, help
with the voice auction, and other tasks.
As a volunteer, you may bid on the auction items. Our organizing committee is
hard at work on it right now.
For summerSummer admissions booth opportunities! Here’s a way to spend a relaxing
few hours at the center, and help us at
the same time. The task is to take in cash
admissions and hand out trail maps to
visitors. It’s easy and fun, but it’s also
important to have someone there. Bring
reading material, binoculars, iPod or your
drawing pad for when it’s quiet. This is a
great opportunity for anyone looking to
gain experience with handling money.
For age 16 and above.
For week DAY booth shifts, we need
volunteers to take a morning (10am1:30pm) or afternoon (1:30-4:30pm) for
a week at a time from June 10-14 to August 26-30. Pick a week, then pick a shift.
For EVENING booth shifts (4:30-7:30pm),
choose a day of the week, Sunday to
Thursday, (from May 12 to September 2)
and take that shift for the summer.
For example, you’ll love planning your
Tuesday evenings each week here at the
center as you handle admissions and
watch and listen for the natural world
to hunker down for the evening. Maybe
Thursdays are a better fit? Contact me for
your shift.
Our summer camp volunteer program
is as strong as ever, however, we might
have a few camps left for you to claim.
The teachers appreciate the help in the
classroom and on the trails every day.
Camps are morning or afternoon a week
at a time. Contact me for the most updated list of camps still available. This is for
volunteers aged 12 and up.
Center Focus • May/June 2013
The summer internships for current or
recently graduated college students are
posted on the National Audubon Society’s career page of their website,
www.audubon.org/careers. We have
internships for summer camps as well as
the land stewardship program. Our local
staff will be making decisions on this
soon, so be sure to apply now!
For all volunteer information, please
contact Laurie Haig, the volunteer
coordinator at lhaig@sanc.org
or 414 352-2880 x144.
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Thank You
NEW MEMBERS
Carrie Aabye
Meghan Anderson
Kevin Bailey
Miska Barrett
Larisa Bowman
Ragani & Dale Buegel
Corrine Bultman
Amber Bushen
John Caravella
Alanna Carberry
Peter Carpenter
Tom & Gisela Chelimsky
Betsy Comstock
Emily Cose & Michael Janowski
Brooke & Jay Creagh
Casey & Dane Didier
Christina & Peter Dimitropoulos
Heidi & Brian Dondlinger
Anne & Eric Dorn
Elissa Elser
Ray Engelking
Jennifer Falk & Michael Hoard
Kara Farage
Sarah & Scott Feldner
Kay Fenico
Brandon Flitsch
Cheryl Gelazus
Sarah Gilday
Diane Griffin
Jonathan Guerra &
Robin Fitzwilson
Kathleen Hoven
Kathryn Huycke-Stern
Robert A. Jaeger
Ryan James & Jane Monarski
Jennifer & David Jones
Kathryn & Matt Kamm
Barbara Katzfey
Colleen Keating & Robert Beyer
Matt Keller
Angela & Tayant Khitha
Lindsay & Simon Kramer
Mary Kramer
Ryan & Jennifer Kramer
Jeff Kunkel
Sally Kuzma & Aaron Godfrey
Lynda Lambert
Melissa Lindner
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HONORARIUMS
Tyson Lippert
Safiyah & Matthew Long
Anne Lovitz
Lauren Luckenbill
Christopher Maldonado
Jane Mascia
Elwood Mason
Peter & Rebecca Massart
Kevin & Cassie McCauley
Diane McMahon
Maureen Mertens
Anastasia Meyers
Kathy Milakovich
Kathleen Miller
Amy & John Moore
Brenda Napierala
Kevin & Carly Netz
Mindy & Jason Noel
Steven O’Neil
Ed, Monica & Pedro O’Sullivan
David Patterson
Claire Pavlic
Robert Perkins
Abby Plambeck
Regina Poznanski
Ann Reabe
Melissa A. Ruder
Shelly Schmelzer-Sauter
Anne Schwarz
Anne Schweiner
Bridget & Bill Spaulding
Patty & Tim Stark
Carolyn Stickroot
Paula Suozzi
Makela & Vito Taphorn
Jennifer Thickens
Angela Ticcioni
Meg Tolentino-Boyd
Susan Trafton
Jennifer Twente
Michael Uhlarik
Kristine & Dan Uttech
Jennifer Verheyen
Corinn Wengel
Andrew Wesolowski
Mary Whittet
Paul Wilgreen
David Williams
Victoria Wolf
Beth Chapman
Virginia Johnson
Isa Criqui
Peter and Jennifer Swenson
Joseph Carl Hershey
Cheryl A. Bair
Joseph Carl Hershey (cont.)
Melinda Steffrey and
Bruce Weiss
Kevin Lofy
Andrew and Jennifer Stroh
MEMORIALS
Cindi Abramson-Andrews
Sharon Kahn
Lee Aschoff
Zak Heebsh
Janet Balding
Judith Eschweiler
Dorothy Hansen
Earl and Janet Herbert
(To be added to the Bryce Ethan Herbert Education
Development Fund)
Bill Kitazaki
Dennis & Cynthia Swodzinski
Jeanne Lewis
Todd and Jody Herbert
(To be added to the Bryce Ethan Herbert Education
Development Fund)
Harriet Marks
Todd and Jody Herbert
(To be added to the Bryce Ethan Herbert Education
Development Fund)
Robert Merens
Todd and Jody Herbert
(To be added to the Bryce Ethan Herbert Education
Development Fund)
Suzanne Missioux
Todd and Jody Herbert
(To be added to the Bryce Ethan Herbert Education
Development Fund)
Lyle Monroe
Victor J. Larson
Paul T. Schultz
Lisa Roberts
Slack Ulrich
The Daniel Fransee Family
Al and Kathy Hentzen
RAPTOR SPONSORSHIPS
Barley-Barn Owl
Darrell Ashworth
Sue B. Holcomb
Mary Stanley
In honor of Susan Lindell
Hawk
Devnee Krueger
In memory of Gerald
Krueger Nala-Peregrine Falcon
Robert Larson
Katrina Schuman
IN-KIND DONATIONS
Richard & Lorrie Giesen
Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaner
Patrick & Piper Mehigan
3 Knives & a Knife Sharpener
Mr. & Mrs. Haskell Noyes, III
Framed Owl Print
Center Focus • May/June 2013
Eagle
Kimberly Schur
In honor of Kevin Lofy
Owl
Mary Stanley
In honor of Mary Bartness
Raptor Programming
Karyl Preston
In memory of Kevin Lemmer
David & Gina Thompson
In honor of Julie Slightam
Purleve HeadquartersTom Murderlak
3 Zero Flush Urinals
Jayne Sberna
Wooden Doll Bed
Ultrecht Art Supplies
Top Quality Art Supplies
Calendar of Events
May/June 2013
Hatha Yoga for Health & Wellness
Mondays from 5:45 –7:00pm and
Saturdays from 10:00 –11:15am
Reduce stress, increase your flexibility, and
enrich your sense of well-being. The first
trial class is free!
***FEE: Please call 414-352-2880 ext. 0
for program fees.
LEVEL: Adult
Sky Hunters: Word with a Bird**
Every Saturday & Sunday from 1:00 – 2:00pm
Get a beak-to-beak view of one of SANC’s
feathered ambassadors. A raptor handler
will be showcasing one of our many birds
of prey. SANC’s falcons, hawks, owls, Turkey Vulture & Bald Eagle will appear on a
rotating basis. Stop by each weekend to
check them out.
FEE: Free with Center Admission
LEVEL: Families
Boomers and Beyond
Thursday, May 2 from 9:00 – 11:00am
Lichenologist Dr. Suzanne Joneson will
take us on a journey into the fascinating
world of lichens. Lichens dominate the
vegetation of 8% of Earths terrestrial
surface, and they are a food source and
home to many animals. Come learn
about what lichens are biologically, how
Biologists study them, and how you unwittingly encounter lichens every day.
***FEE: M: Adult $15
NM: Adult $17
LEVEL: Adult
Hand-in-Hand: Wildflower Colors
Thursday, May 2 Session 1: 9:00 –10:15am
Session 2: 10:30 –11:45am
Enjoy the springtime colors. Explore nature
with your little one! We will hike, play, do
art activities and listen to a story. Dress for
the weather – we explore outdoors rain or
shine.
***FEE: M: $12/pair
NM $15/pair
LEVEL: 2-4 year olds with adult
Free Bird Walks
Saturday, May 4, Saturday, May 11 and
Saturday, May 18 at 7:30am
Paul Boyer will lead free bird walks for
adults in May. Paul has been leading
spring bird walks for our center for many
years and has grown quite a following.
He is an expert birder and can lead you
to those rare birds that always seem to
elude us. Meet in the main parking lot.
FEE: Free
LEVEL: Adult
13th Annual Amphibian Search at the
Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest
Saturday, May 4 from 9:00 –12:00pm
Hey folks! The frogs are back! Join SANC’s
Jim Hyatt as we put on hip waders and
stroll through special breeding ponds. We’ll
use strainers and nets to catch frogs, toads,
salamanders, and tadpoles. We will meet
at the nature center in the Southern Kettle
Moraine State Forest at 9:00 am. There is no
state park fee if you stay around the nature
center. SANC will provide the waders. A
map and list of things to bring will be
mailed upon enrollment.
***FEE: M: Child:$5 Adult: $8
NM: Child: $7 Adult: $10 Level: Families
Raptor Saturday**
Saturday, May 4 and Saturday , June 1 from
1:00 – 2:00pm
May: City Raptor Country Raptor: Is a
Peregrine Falcon in Milwaukee different
than one in Utah? What’s a Red Tailed Hawk
doing here vs. Southern California? In May
we discuss how raptors adapt and differ
depending on where they live.
June: Ch-ch-ch-ch-changing! What happens
as raptors age? Does their vision change? Do
they get arthritis? In June our amazing team
of raptor handlers and the birds themselves
will explore the issues of how raptors change!
FEE: Free with Center Admission
LEVEL: Families
Sponsored by:
Center Focus • May/June 2013
Bats & Bat Monitoring
Monday, May 6 from 7:00 – 9:30pm
Learn about Wisconsin’s bat species, their
ecology, and threats to their populations
from DNR conservation biologist J. Paul
White. Paul will discuss how and why bats
are monitored and will demonstrate how
to use an electronic device to do a bat
monitoring route outside. Participants will
learn information on how to get involved
as a volunteer to use our equipment to
monitor bats.
***FEE: M: Free, $5 Donation Suggested
NM: Free, $5 Donation Suggested
LEVEL: Adult
Discovery Nature Hiking
Wednesday, May 8 and Monday, June 3
from 9:00 –10:30am
Starting in May there will be two discovery
hikes each month, a traditional Discovery
Hike and a Lake Michigan Discovery Hike.
Discovery Nature Hiking will walk along
the meadows, woods, and wetlands of the
Center on the upper level of the land. Don
Quintenz will lead you to exciting seasonal
events and help answer the questions that
nature evokes in us. The entire program is
taught on the trail.
***FEE: M: Adult $5
NM: Adult $7
LEVEL: Adult
**Indicates Handicapped
Accessible Program
***Indicates Pre-Registration is required.
Call 414-352-2880 ext. 0 to register
M= Members
NM= Non-Members
Participant cancellation up to 14 days
before a program will be refunded, less
a $10 fee.
After 14 days, no refunds will be given.
Upon SANC cancellation, a full refund
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Calendar of Events
May/June 2013
Schlitz Audubon Bird Club
Wednesday, May 8 and Wednesday, June 12
from 6:30 – 8:30pm
Be sure to bring your binoculars. We don’t
want to miss the arrival of the beautiful
spring migrants. If we are lucky, we may
spot American Woodcocks and get to see
their beautiful aerial courtship displays.
FEE: Free to members & volunteers
LEVEL: Adults & Teens
International Migratory Bird Day
Saturday, May 11 from 7:30 –12:30pm
Just like birds returning in Spring, you can
“migrate” around the Center enjoying
hands-on activities designed for fun and
learning. Join one of several hikes to learn
about birds, including a trip to Doctor’s Park
with our Bird City partners from Fox Point,
attempt the eagle-eye challenge from
the top of our tower, enter our bird calling
contest, meet our live raptors and marvel at
them in free flight, and enjoy many other
family friendly & bird-friendly projects.
Remember to submit your bird photo to
sbills@sanc.org to win a year-long family
membership.
FEE: M: Free
NM: Child $5 Adult $10
LEVEL: Families
In Concert: Kim Robertson**
Sunday, May 12 from 2:30 – 4:30pm
Celtic harpist, Kim Robertson will perform a
special benefit concert for SANC Education
Programs. An acclaimed musician in the
Celtic music scene, she has been featured at
concerts and festivals in Scotland, the USA
and Nova Scotia. She will be joined by guest
vocalists Stephanie Pyfer and Lisa Bultman.
Join them on Mother’s Day for an acoustic
concert of Celtic harp and vocals, including
a multi-media presentation of music with
nature photography.
***FEE: $15 Adults for Pre-Registered
$18 Adults on Day of Concert
$10 Students & Children (6-17)
10
Sky Hunters: Bird of Prey Photo Shoot
Saturday, May 18 from 9:00 – 12:00pm
Rain Date: Sunday, May 19
Calling all photographers! The Sky Hunters:
Birds of Prey will be on display for a three
hour photo shoot. Don’t miss this opportunity to capture our magnificent raptors.
Please Note: You must be pre-registered
for this program. No refunds will be given if
you cannot make the rain date.
***FEE: M: Student $15 Adult $40
NM: Student $20 Adult $45
LEVEL: Students & Adults
Environmental Voices: “The Climate
Reality Project” with Brian Frank**
Saturday, May 18 from 2:00 – 3:30pm
Founded by Vice President Al Gore, the
Climate Reality Project is a global movement demanding action on the climate
crisis. After researching the science of
climate change, Mr. Frank became one of
the network’s 4,000 activists. He offers an
informative and inspiring presentation
about the Climate Reality Project and how
citizens can get involved in the community.
***FEE: M: Adult $7
NM: Adult $8
LEVEL: Adult
Monday Night Magic
Monday, May 20 and Monday, June 17
from 6:00 – 7:30pm
Enjoy an evening hike with Education
Specialist Tom Finley. Just the right time
and distance for the little ones, we’ll
explore popular locations like the tower,
pond and forest. Listen to frogs, observe
pond life and maybe watch bats flitter
about. You’re sure to delight in the sights
and sounds of an early evening stroll at the
Audubon Center. Nets provided.
***FEE: M: Child $5 Adult $7
NM: Child $7 Adult $9
LEVEL: Families
Highlights of Upcoming Summer Events:
No pre registration required!
Avian Evenings
Wednesdays in May & June: May 15, May 22,
May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26
Wing on over for your midweek talon and
beak treat! Every Wednesday evening
from 6:30pm-7:30pm you are invited to
experience one of our “talented” flock.
Each event will feature different members
of our feathered family.
Summer Twilight Hikes
Thursdays in May & June: May 16, May 23,
June 6, June 13, June 20,
Have you ever wanted to stay late and
hike around Audubon at twilight? Join us
for a guided nature hike through the summer twilight with an Audubon Teacher.
Meet at 6:30pm in the Exhibit Hall and we
will hike for an hour, explore this enchanted time of evening together, looking and
listening for whoooo else is out there.
Tales and Trails Hikes
Thursday, May 30 and Thursday, June 27
Join an Audubon Naturalist for summer
evening fun on the last Thursday of the
Month. We will read a nature-themed book
together, and then venture out on the
Audubon trails to explore the month’s subject through trail games and learning activities. May 30- Birds; June 27-Ponds. This
program is best suited for families. Children
must be accompanied by an adult.
Lake Michigan Discovery Hike
Tuesday, May 21 and Friday, June 21
from 1:30 – 3:00pm
This new monthly hike will descend to the
lower terrace and lake shore, always with a
focus on Lake Michigan. Don Quintenz will
lead you to the seasonal events that stir our
sense of beauty or imagination and helps
answer the questions that nature evokes in
us. The entire program is taught on trail.
***FEE: M: Adult $5
NM: Adult $7
LEVEL: Adult
Center Focus • May/June 2013
Calendar of Events
May/June 2013
Audubon Babies: Exploring Nature
with the Very Young
Thursday, May 23 and Thursday, June 27
from 10:00 – 11:15am
Children are never too young to enjoy
fresh air and the wonders of nature.
Come enjoy a hike on the trails and some
good fellowship. We will meet inside and
venture out when we are ready. Dress for
the weather – we will explore outdoors
rain or shine.
***FEE: M: $5 per session
NM: $6 per session
LEVEL: 6 months to 2 years old and their adult.
Special Admission for Veterans
Saturday, May 25 through September 2
Raptor program from 1:00-2:00pm
We will be honoring our armed service members and their families all summer by providing them with free admission. On Saturday
May 25 join us for a special Sky Hunter’s Eagle
and Friends program, from 1:00-2:00pm that
features our national symbol the bald eagle.
The importance of the bald eagle and its relationship to the Veterans of the United States
Armed Forces and Wisconsin will be one of
the topics discussed.
FEE: Veterans & their family are free
Door County Getaway
Tuesday, May 28 through Friday, May 31
Leaving at 8:00am and returning at 8:00pm
This year we will go to all new natural areas
which will include a guided tour by the owners of a forty acre sanctuary that contains an
upland forest with ephemeral wild flowers, a
cedar swamp, and wetlands through which
Peil Creek flows. Commuters from Door
County are welcomed. If interested, contact
Don Quintenz for information at 414-3522880, ext. 156. Price includes interpretation,
fees, lodging, and meals except for dinner at
a restaurant on our return trip. Add $111 to
cost for a single room.
***FEE: M: Adult $528
NM: Adult $607
LEVEL: Adult
Repamphibiantile Sunday**
Sunday, June 2 from 12:00-1:00pm
Wow! It’s hot out there! Come inside and
see what animals love the heat. Hold
snakes! See salamanders! Touch turtles!
Listen to the frogs!
***FEE: M: Free
NM: Free with Center Admission
LEVEL: Families
Summer Evening Frog Walk
Tuesday, June 4 from 6:30 – 8:00pm
Explore wetland communities for the
evening chorus of the many species of frogs
that call Audubon their home at a time
when wildlife is most active. You will learn to
recognize the different species by sound and
sight, learn the reason they expend so much
energy singing.
***FEE: M: Adult $5
NM: Adult $7
LEVEL: Adult
Boomers and Beyond
Thursday, June 6 from 9:00 – 11:00am
In June’s class with Don Quintenz, we will
complete our tree identification skills we
started in November by observing the leaf
shapes and flowers now present. We will
focus mostly on the more common species
in the Milwaukee area but also take advantage of the wide variety of trees that grow
at the Center.
Horicon Marsh Birding Trip
Wednesday, June 19 from 12:30-9:30pm
Early summer is the best time to see the
young birds of the Marsh. Don Quintenz
and expert birders Jean Strelka and Marc
Zuelsdorf guide the program. We will have
a short program on Purple Martins ending
with a look into the nest boxes of Marsh Haven’s active colonies. The day climaxes with
a two hour twilight excursion of the Marsh
by pontoon boat.
***FEE: M: Adult $69
NM: Adult $79
LEVEL: Adult
Summer Evening Wildlife Walk
Wednesday, June 26 from 6:30-8:00pm
Explore the Center’s wildlife communities
in search of the many types of wildlife that
frequent them at a time when they are
most active. June brings both the abundance of the year’s young and typically the
most comfortable temperatures of the year
for dusk. Evening is also the second highest
activity period for most species of birds.
***FEE: M: Adult $5
NM: Adult $7
LEVEL: Adult
Environmental Voices: “A 1000 Mile Walk
on the Beach” with Loreen Niewenhuis**
Saturday, June 15 from 2:00 – 3:30pm
Presenter Loreen Niewenhuis walked the
perimeter of Lake Michigan in 2009 and
chronicles her adventure along with the
geology, ecology and other fascinating
aspects of this Great Lake.
Hangin’ with Hyatt:
`Campin’ and Canoein’
Friday, June 28 to Saturday, June 29
from 6:00pm-10:00am
Looking to camp out this summer? Jim has
got you covered. Check in and tent pitching starts at 6:00 pm. At 7, we’re off to Mystery lake. Grab a net, hop into a canoe, and
catch as many critters as you can. At 9, we’ll
head down to the beach for a campfire and
s’mores. Hopefully you have enough energy to head back up to your tent and fall
asleep under the stars. Wake up between
7 and 9 for a continental breakfast. Bring
a tent, flashlight, and whatever else you
need to camp overnight.
***FEE: M: Adult $7
NM: Adult $8
LEVEL: Adult
***FEE: M: $75 per tent
NM: $85 per tent
LEVEL: Families
***FEE: M: Adult $15
NM: Adult $17
LEVEL: Adult
Center Focus • May/June 2013
11
U.S. Postage
PAID
Milwaukee, WI
Permit No. 4168
1111 E. Brown Deer Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Calendar of Events
The Spiritual World of Nature**
Our monthly series helps us all connect more intimately to nature by getting in touch with the powerful spiritual side of the natural world.
Pre-registration is required and all programs are geared for adults. Light refreshments and food provided.
***FEE: M: Adults $10 NM: Adults $12 (per program)
Ken Leinbach of the Urban Ecology Center
Tuesday, May 14 from 7:00 – 8:30pm
Ken Leinbach, Executive Director of the Urban Ecology Center,
will share how his connection to the natural world has had
a profound influence on his spiritual thinking and practice.
One’s passion comes from being present. For Ken, being
present is a gift that comes from his time in nature. It has
fostered his passion and has given him purpose. With real
purpose one feels spiritually full and complete --happy and
playful. The foundation of this way of thinking is being present, which takes practice and discipline. Ken will discuss this
way of being and the many ripple effects which result. The
Urban Ecology Center experiment in Milwaukee can be seen
as one result of this practice. While Ken will lead, his preferred
format is one of inquiry and dialogue, so come prepared to
listen (be present) and engage.
Do Miracles Really Occur?
Wednesday, May 22 from 1:30 – 3:00pm
Rabbi Jay Brickman will lead a discussion on miracles from the Jewish perspective. Because he is so masterful in helping people understand religious wisdom he is repeatedly asked to share his insights.
We will examine accounts of miraculous events in the Hebrew Bible,
discuss whether these events ate “true”, and discuss whether like
miracles occur today. Please bring a Bible, any edition, to the class.
I am, You are, God is: My Christian Faith Journey with
Dorothy J. Tate
Monday, June 3 from 1:30-3:00pm
Forming and nurturing faith requires an intentional ongoing
effort. This relationship evolves as one attempts to integrate
faith into life, seek spiritual growth, and practice faith in the
community. Our lives are meant to fulfill a complete vision
of what we are yet to be. Now is all we have. Journey with
Dorothy Tate as she explores her path to “now”.
Hope in a Broken World; The Spiritual Meaning of
Ecological Crisis with Margaret Swedish
Tuesday, June 11 from 7:00 – 8:30pm
Evidence of ecological breakdown is everywhere. From
climate change to pollution to paving over the natural world,
the losses are mounting. Ecological grief is becoming part of
the human experience. We will explore the spiritual meaning
of the crisis, what it teaches us, how to face it, and how this
can help us chart a path of healing and hope in our broken
world. Participants are invited to bring with them a symbol or
expression of these losses in their own lives - something from
the natural world, photos, art, or symbols of the places they
love, with which they have a special relationship and where
they are encountering these losses. As part of the program,
we will take time to share and honor these expressions of our
love of nature and what they mean to us.