Panorama | Winter 2024

panorama

Winter 2024

Nature School Page 4

Winter Strategies Page 5

Winter Finches Page 9

WELCOME HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director

Welcome to the brisk days of winter! This season, come to the Center and hike our brilliant landscape to view wildlife that thrives in the chilly weather. Observe resilient winter bird residents, stately deciduous and evergreen trees, and hearty mammals.

In this issue of Panorama, you will discover the amazing strategies that animals use to survive winter. Learn how many animals thrive by adjusting to the cold and finding food despite the harsh conditions. Read about our new and exciting Bluff Pavilion Project, which promises beauty and tranquility while preserving our high-quality bluff habitat. Learn to identify various tree species by their shape and bark and know where to find them on our trails. Discover the fascinating story of winter finches, including some of our resident bird species, and finally, learn about the many ways our K4 students engage in nature, their living outdoor classroom.

We are happy to announce that the entire one-mile Central Wetlands Loop is now accessible to all, including people who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices. All trail segments are made of either crushed limestone or elevated boardwalk, and take you through various habitats including wetlands and three ponds. Hikers will glimpse prairie and ravine habitat carefully restored with more than 25,000 trees, shrubs, and plants. New tree plantings include bur oak, hackberry, and sugar maple, while shrubs include pasture rose, elderberry, and meadowsweet. When in season, Pennsylvania sedge, marsh blazing star, and cardinal flower will both provide beautiful blooms and nutrients essential to pollinator species.

This January, join us for seasonal programs that focus on winter ecology and animal life! Our Illuminated Hike returns in February, where you will stroll along our gently lit trails with family and friends. Join us on a field trip to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center to enjoy a private docent-led tour. Wingspan & Wine, one of our most popular fundraisers, is scheduled for February 29. Here you will meet and learn about our birds of prey while sampling fine wines available for purchase. Tickets are going fast, so get yours today!

On the cusp between winter and spring, we bring back the popular Maple Sugar Time, taking place in morning and afternoon sessions on March 23. Learn how maple sap is turned into syrup, how to identify a maple tree, and practice tapping a log with one of our hand drills. We’ll have five activities to participate in along the trails.

Due to its popularity, JoAnna Poehlmann’s delightful exhibit, titled Fin/Feather/Fungi/Frog/etc. has been extended through the end of February in the Mezzanine Art Gallery. This collection of JoAnna’s colorful and brilliantly conceived work is a treat for all art and nature lovers.

In the quiet of winter, we’re busy planning a fun and active summer! Our 2024 Summer Camp calendar and registration will be posted in mid-January. Watch your email and our visit our website for details.

In the meantime, visiting Schlitz Audubon in winter is the perfect way to witness the quiet resilience of our native plants and animals,, either through one of our nature-inspired programs or when hiking trails.

Admission

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

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 Editing | Select Writing Craig Mattson

Hours

Monday - Sunday | 8:30am-5:00pm Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.

1111 East Brown Deer Road | Milwaukee, WI 414-352-2880 | www.schlitzaudubon.org 2

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS

See winter at Schlitz Audubon!

Barren trees and shrubs on the Central Wetlands Loop.

JIM THIELKE Naturalist

When the days become their shortest and the temperature drops to its lowest, most animals (including us) take refuge in warmer places. So, what is out there for us to see in winter? Well, the trees and shrubs of course! Covered in snow, the gentle green giants of spring and summer become silent, braving the cold.

Trees come in all shapes and sizes, and are classified as having woody stems, one singular trunk, and being greater than six feet tall. During winter, we can see the skeletal twists and turns of the trunks down to the twigs without the interruption of leaves, so we use their bark, buds, and overall shape to find out which tree is which.

To see our biggest quaking aspen stand, hike just outside the Visitor Center and look east past the stone bench. The quaking aspen gets its name from leaves that flutter in the wind. In winter, however, we identify these swaying beauties by focusing on their bark. The bottom of their trunk looks smooth and gray, like a cottonwood, but about halfway up the bark it switches, resembling a birch tree. Aspens will always be seen around other aspens. This is because they are all technically one organism. A group of aspens, or a stand, is connected by an extensive root system, making them one singular entity. The individual trees look different because of how they respond to the elements while growing. Walk north along the Central Wetlands Loop to see how far an aspen stand can stretch.

If you continue on this loop, particularly by Molly's Pond and Dragonfly Pond, you can’t miss our boisterous bur oaks.

Bur oaks are also found in the West Meadows where they spread massive thick branches across the sky in the open prairie. Bur oaks are easy to spot because they live alone in the fields. They get their name from the cap on their acorn, which resembles a bur. Bur oak are so majestic because of their strong thick bark, which is fire resistant. They need to be able to withstand fire because healthy prairies burn about every four to five years. These burnings help new oaks to grow from acorns that would otherwise have been outcompeted for sunlight by the tall grasses around it.

Box elder trees live in low wetlands. You will find most of these sleepy fellows if you leave the Central Wetlands Loop and head down to Lake Michigan on the Lake Terrace Loop.

To spot a box elder, look for a thick trunk that’s leaning to one side. They are often confused with willow trees, but they have much thicker branches. Box elders are actually cousins to the maples, and they release helicopter seeds that blow in the wind. In winter you can still occasionally see their seed bundles stuck to the tips of branches.

Winter is a wonderland, and you can visit all the wonders here at the Center. Take our Central Wetlands Loop, head to Lake Michigan, stroll through our prairies, or meander in our forests. Every stop at Schlitz Audubon will have something new or interesting to captivate you.

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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EDUCATION

PATTI DARBY Nature School Director

In early fall, a group of Nuthatch K4 students carefully roll aside stumps in the Woods outdoor classroom looking for insects. They exclaim with joy and wonder at every discovery and know to handle each creature with care be it a millipede, earthworm, or slug. They also discover a blue-spotted salamander or toad nestled under a rotting oak tree. The teachers do not name every creature at first, but allow the children time to carefully observe and wonder about their finds. They provide identification books and guide their students learning with questions.

On a chilly winter day, the Goldfinch K4 class wonders about the length of the hill down to Lake Michigan. The teachers facilitate their learning by bringing in a 100 foot tape measure, and the students work as a group, counting by 100s to measure the hill's length. Despite the chill, they dart back to their classrooms with smiles from ear to ear and drink deliciously warm cups of hot apple tea.

As the snow lazily melts into spring, the Chickadee K4 class hears a mysterious trilling sound. Could it be a bird they have never heard before? They set off on a hike to find the source and find a frenzy of toad activity and trilling at Molly’s Pond.

The class uses nets to gently scoop up the toads to observe them, marveling at the vibrations they can feel in their hands as the toads inflate their throats and call. The next day the teachers share a poem called "Listen to Me" by Joyce Sidman that talks about listening carefully in nature.

The students in our K4 program have authentic learning experiences through an emergent curriculum based on the phenology of the seasons and the children's own interests

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and wonderings. By following an emergent curriculum versus a test-driven curriculum, we focus on children’s creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, flexibility, and social skills. All of our learning is supported by nature, who serves as a wonderful teaching aid. Nature isn’t just what we teach, it's how we teach.

With experienced teachers as guides, our K4 students learn how to think critically and be curious about the world around them. We believe that all children need time to explore and follow their own ideas to nurture their natural creativity and curiosity. Research confirms that children need to set aside time to tackle tasks and learn skills the moment they are developmentally ready to succeed at academic tasks.

Our program also uses the magic of play to work through conflict, work as a group, build community, spark curiosity and self-exploration. It also focuses on social and emotional learning and other 21st century learning skills. Our students move their bodies, develop resilience, gain self efficacy through risk assessment, and develop social intelligence.

The children learn self-regulation and conflict resolution techniques as they work as a class community. Often those skills are difficult to instill if children are at desks doing independent work as is standard in most schools.

The most exposure to nature an average school will provide to their pupils is through recess, likely without the educational guidance our nature school provides. Our K4 students spend more time outdoors in one year than they will in the rest of their school years combined, and it's Schlitz Audubon’s pleasure to fulfill all aspects of a child's development.

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

Winter Survival Strategies CRAIG MATTSON Communications Specialist

With contributions from Aubrey Ellickson Fulsaas, Cassie Rincon, & Melanie Ziolecki

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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FEATURE

W

inter is a challenging time for most animal species in Wisconsin, yet each of them successfully adapts in complex ways to overcome harsh conditions. Despite food scarcity, exposure to cold temperatures, and a shorter photoperiod, many animals find ways to thrive. The season may appear quiet on the surface, but if you want to witness often hidden animal activity, you just need to know where to look and pay attention.

Over time, animals have adapted to the challenges of winter by forming strategies that help them survive seasonal weather. These strategies include staying active, dormancy, hibernation/brumation, migration, and even death. Some animals employ several of these strategies, while others rely on just one.

Squirrels remain very active in winter, though their survival strategy is quite different than the coyote.

Squirrels spend autumn gathering and storing (caching) food, which would otherwise be hard to find in the frozen winter landscape. Red squirrels store all their food in one cache and defend it from other animals. Gray squirrels conversely scatter their hoard, spreading food in many caches throughout an accessible area. Both species are busiest when they need to protect or retrieve their food.

Animals That Are Active

Animals That Hibernate

Some animals remain active in the cold months because enough food is available for them.

They must still adjust to changes in temperature and light, but they are able to maintain activity by adapting to the season’s harsher environmental conditions.

The coyote thrives in winter because it is a (mostly) carnivorous hunter and there are ample prey species living within its territory. Often active at night, as evidenced by tracks and scat we find, they hunt within a specific territory. They eat small mammals, such as rabbits, mice, and squirrels. Nocturnal activity also helps them avoid contact with humans, who coyotes naturally fear. They may also eat crab apples and berries as needed, evidenced by berry skins and seeds in scat. At Schlitz Audubon, coyotes create and defend territories on the Lake Terrace Trail, the West Meadows, and the North Ravine.

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Contrary to popular perception, very few animals truly hibernate in winter. Hibernation is a deep sleep from which the animal doesn’t wake up until spring, dependent on temperature and photoperiod. The groundhog is a regional example of an animal that hibernates. They can have their sleep cycles adjusted when they are in captivity, but in the wild they don’t wake up, not even on February 2nd.

When groundhogs hibernate, their body temperature drops from 99°F to approximately 30°F, and they will sleep from three to four months. All bodily functions slow dramatically including respiration and heart rate. Scientists are closely watching to see if warmer temperatures, due to climate change, may cause them to rise earlier in the season.

Animals That Are Dormant

Unlike true hibernation, dormancy is triggered by temperature alone, rather than both temperature and photoperiod. Sometimes called torpor, this sleep state is less deep than hibernation: dormant animals can wake up when it is warm. They may also wake up to eat or relieve themselves.

Scientists use cameras in burrows of both hibernating and dormant animals to learn how their bodies respond to winter cold.

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

Chipmunks enter dormancy when it is 40°F and below but wake up if it is warmer. During dormancy, the chipmunk’s heartbeat will go from its normal 350 beats/minute down to about four beats/minute, while their internal temperature also drops. Chipmunks cache food in underground burrows containing numerous chambers with specialized uses. They gather hickory, basswood, and acorn nuts and store them in burrows hidden beneath rocks and sheltered areas. Chipmunks don’t build up a large layer of body fat before winter, so they wake up periodically to eat their cached food. A great place to see chipmunks here is in the spruce grove near the Secret Forest Classroom and the Tower.

Another mammal that becomes dormant is the racoon. Racoons build up a large store of body fat but need to keep eating. Racoons sleep for a few days at a time and adjust their dormancy based on their nutritional needs and temperature. They live in dens, including brush piles, and they change their living quarters frequently.

Racoons are often found living under the Pavilion and near Teal Pond. They are a nocturnal animal, so when seen during the day they are typically desperate for food. While it is highly unlikely to see dormant animals in the dead of winter, they could be present if temperatures are above freezing.

Animals That Brumate

Reptiles and amphibians brumate, which is similar to hibernation. These ectothermic animals warm their bodies using external sources, while endothermic animals, such as mammals, can create their own body heat. Changes in temperature, rather than food availability, trigger changes in brumating animals’ metabolism.

Cold temperatures cause reptiles and amphibians to lose the capability for movement. Thus, they know it is time for a long-term seasonal change.

Painted turtles bury themselves in the mud in the deepest area of the pond when it gets cold, and the surface begins to freeze. Being underwater ensures a more stable temperature compared to being buried in the ground on land. This seemingly impossible feat is accomplished because of their special breathing capabilities.

Water contains oxygen, and the turtle takes advantage of this by using cloacal respiration, which means they essentially breathe through their butt! The membranes in this area are situated close to blood vessels and can diffuse enough oxygen to supply the turtle’s needs when it is underneath the water. It also helps that their

heartrate drops from 40 beats/minute to around one beat/minute.

Their metabolism is reduced by 90 percent, and they rely on stores of glycogen. Painted turtles build up lactic acid during brumation, which stiffens the muscles. Although you won’t see the painted turtles at the Center in winter, we know they are hidden underneath the surface of our ponds.

Wood frogs brumate uniquely. When temperatures dip below freezing, they will move to a crack in a log or dig into leaf litter for their winter abode, and they will freeze! Their cells freeze on the outside, while the interior of their cell structure remains active and intact due to an abundance of glucose, an antifreeze-like substance. Though their exterior tissues may be frozen, their internal organs remain viable and important metabolic functions are merely slowed down. If you find a frog in winter that appears to be lifeless, it may still be very alive, just mostly frozen. Wood frogs remain in this state until the warmer temperatures of spring cause them to thaw out, after which their heart will beat, and they will crawl onto the surface again.

Animals That Migrate

Birds are a prime example of animals that migrate. Colorful warblers are typical migrating birds, and humans watch their departure each fall and anticipate their arrival next spring. Long-distance travelers, warblers and other songbirds may make a journey to Central America or South America. As most warblers rely primarily on insects, and insects are ectothermic (and thus not available in the northern hemisphere during the cold winter months), many insect eating birds head south.

Animals That Adapt as a Species by Death

When survival through winter is not possible, many insects time their reproduction so their offspring can survive until next spring.

A number of moth species, for example, will lay eggs before passing away, and their offspring survive winter as eggs, pupa, or larva before emerging in the spring to begin the species’ life cycle anew.

The many winter strategies animals use demonstrate how adaptable wildlife can be when faced with challenging conditions. Visit the Center soon to see animal activity or investigate evidence of nighttime animals in the form of scat, tracks, and burrows. Wintertime becomes truly alive with animal life when you know how and where to look!

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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EDUCATION

Pine Siskin 8

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

EDUCATION

Winter Finches MICHELLE ALISON Adult Programs Manager

When we think of migrating birds, we may imagine birds flying south to tropical climates. However, some birds from the frigid climate of northern Wisconsin and Canada venture to our part of the state during the winter. The search for food prompts several finch species to travel near and far, sometimes in large flocks. These finches eat mostly seeds, buds, berries, and insects when available. Some finch species are common at the Center year-round, while others visit only during winters when food becomes scarce in the northern boreal forest.

Finches range in length from 3-10 inches, and are part of the family Fringillidae, possessing compact bodies, conical bills, and notched tails. Their heavy bills are perfect for cracking the seeds of grasses and weeds, which helps them live in the colder northern climates. The 17 North American species include siskins, grosbeaks, crossbills, redpolls, and the colorfully plumed goldfinches.

American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) are considered short distance migrants, but in Wisconsin, we are fortunate to see them all year long. During spring and summer months, male goldfinches dazzle us (and their mates) with bright yellow plumage highlighted by black and white.

In winter, the males take on more camouflaged hues of browns with some black, similar to the females. They frequently visit thistle feeders and can also be found foraging in mixed species flocks.

The House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a familiar feeder bird. It is not native to Wisconsin but rather a species introduced from the western United States and Mexico. Their fondness for living and nesting near human homes has allowed them to increase their range across the eastern half of the country. Like the American Goldfinch, House Finches are year-round residents in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus) have a similar appearance to House Finches, making them difficult to distinguish. The males of both species have red-colored plumage on their heads, but Purple Finches display a deeper raspberry hue that stretches all the way down their backs. The Purple Finch’s winter range extends across the eastern United States. These finches prefer conifer and mixed forest habitats and will migrate sporadically to follow abundant cone crops. Their populations are in decline due in part to increasing competition from House Finches.

IRRUPTIVE SPECIES Natural cycles and conditions in the northern boreal forest can lead to widespread seed crop failures during some years. Finches rely on the availability of tree seeds like birch, alder, spruce and even some berries to survive the harsh winters. When there are not enough seeds in certain areas, birds become nomadic, wandering to lower latitudes in search of alternative food sources. The phenomenon of birds moving in large numbers outside of their range is called irruptive migration. These migrations often follow patterns based on years when certain tree species produce less seeds. During years of scarcity, large flocks of northern finches can be observed south of their normal range, including at bird feeders. Every fall the Finch Resource Network posts predictions of finch movements in their Winter Finch Forecast based on their observations of northern seed crops.

Pine Siskins were once considered sporadic winter visitors, but sightings are becoming more consistent every year at the Center. Slightly smaller than their close relative the American Goldfinch, the Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) has streaky brown plumage lined by yellow on the wings and tail and a sharply pointed bill. They forage on a variety of seeds, flitting high up in the canopy all the way down to the ground to look for fallen seeds. These slender, acrobatic finches are known for hanging upside down on the tips of branches and even on backyard thistle feeders.

Common Redpolls (Acanthis flammea) find their way to southern Wisconsin during years when birch seeds are scarce. These irruptions tend to follow a two-year cycle, with birds remaining farther north in years of abundant seed crops. These tiny, streaked finches sport a small red patch on their crown. They are active foragers who will visit bird feeders, sometimes in large flocks.

A truly irruptive species, White-winged Crossbills (Loxia leucoptera) migrate south to our area only when seeds from spruce and tamarack cones are scarce. These hefty finches are a captivating sight with bright red males showing contrasting black and white wings. However, their most unique feature is their crisscrossed bill which is used to pry open cones and extract the seeds.

When you visit the Center this winter, be on the lookout for winter finches in the conifers and at the feeders. You may be greeted by these delightful little seed eaters!

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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DEVELOPMENT

Bluff Pavilion Project: Promoting Beauty and Preservation

CRAIG MATTSON Communications Specialist

The copper topped Pavilion serves as a haven for those who gaze down at the changing colors of the lake below. It also overlooks the Lake Michigan bluff, home to a remnant old-growth forest and the highest quality habitat on the Schlitz Audubon property..

This fall, we embarked upon a transformational project that promises to protect this bluff as well as create a place of great beauty, tranquility, and ecological sustainability. The area has been reimagined into an outdoor living classroom and gathering space for people of all ages. The formerly grassy space has been made into a durable, multiple use courtyard that will be surrounded by thoughtfully designed gardens.

The Pavilion’s courtyard was resurfaced with locally sourced stone obtained from a quarry in Beaver Dam. Soft-hued mauve, green, and amber limestone pavers, laid in a pattern design, create a wonderous feel that complements the area's natural aesthetic. The design mitigates stormwater run-off on the northeast corner of the space, preserving the health of the bluff.

A charming entrance invites visitors to fully enjoy views of towering trees and native plants while strolling into the stone courtyard. Four intimate niches, accented by stone seating, flank one side of the courtyard, surrounded by lush greenery.

The trail from the parking lot on the southside of the courtyard has been narrowed, with the asphalt replaced by natural stone. The new trail will include a raised boardwalk bridge and features a carefully engineered, slight gradient to meet ADA accessible design standards.

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Native gardens, which we will begin planting this spring, will provide color throughout the seasons and forage for pollinators.

Flowering shrubs such as nannyberry viburnum, witch hazel, and serviceberry, will attractively screen the parking lot. While visitors are on the Central Wetlands Loop, they can stop to enjoy the area’s ambient tranquility.

The new surface allows for greater traffic while utilizing an existing footprint, creating a perfect setting to enjoy art, music, and wellness programs. The four niches, surrounded by native plantings, will offer breakout spaces during programs for both children and adults.

Students will benefit from the sheer number off classes that will be offered in this reimagined space. It will also enhance the experience of people who gather at the Center to participate in Bird Club, Summer Camps, and other nature-themed programs. People with specific needs, including SPARK! program participants, are able to enjoy more time outdoors immersed in this beautiful space.

The courtyard, beautiful gardens, and the niches within encourage greater communion with nature and will be an inspiring outdoor gathering place for people of all physical abilities. The new Bluff Pavilion courtyard provides many sponsorship opportunities, including trails, niches, and benches, that will support our conservation fund.

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

DEVELOPMENT

Courtyard Naming Opportunities Courtyard Nature Niches The four Courtyard Nature Niches are intimate enclaves that surround the stone courtyard. Each Nature Niche features a semi-circle of seating boulders surrounded by lush, native, pollinator-friendly greenery.

At approximately 12 feet wide, each niche will offer a quiet and reflective space for enjoying nature and engaging in nature-learning experiences.

Wooded Stone Trail and Boardwalk The 231-foot Wooded Stone Trail, part of the Central Wetlands Loop, forms the southern edge of the courtyard. Flanked on both sides by woods, the first part of the trail is constructed of stone and connects the parking lot to the west entrance of the courtyard. The middle section will be a 60-foot arched wooden boardwalk transitioning into a stone pathway that continues to the existing pavilion. The stone trail and raised boardwalk are six feet wide, creating an intimate entryway with a slight gradient carefully engineered to ensure ADA accessibility.

Pavilion Courtyard Entrances Three Pavilion Courtyard Entrances welcome people into the stone courtyard and pavilion. The west entrance serves as the primary entry, starting where the wooded stone trail meets the boardwalk.

This entrance is made of flagstone and spans approximately 150 square feet. A second point of access is the 160 square foot east entrance, sitting between the boardwalk and the pavilion itself. The 224 square foot north entrance starts at the end of the woodchip trail and provides access to the pavilion and courtyard via a flagstone foyer and stone steps.

In Memory Of

Raptor & Animal Sponsorships

Bonnie Behee-Semler Robert Amich

Eddie – Ornate Box Turtle In Honor of Elizabeth Sheehy Daniel Becker

Gregory Bushman Leslie & Terry Cooley Steve Daily Melissa DeVelvis Steve & Diane Osgood Mark Dotter Anonymous Ken Gestl Chelsea Beiler Betsy Kulick Barry & Lesley Gimbel Barton Libal Anonymous (3) Evee Libal Sally Teresinski Kathleen Thill Steve Manning Mary Lynn Abler Anonymous (2) Brad & Kathy Bernstein Mary Fitzgerald The Gagas Family Analia Garcia-Carroll Collette Jarvela-Kuhnen & David Kuhnen Scott & Sharon Metskas Michael & Donna Miller Rex, Gail & Drew Nelson Victor Schmidt Cece Sullivan James & Frances Turner Linda & Dan Wilhelms Carol Thomas Laurie Haig & Mark Huber

Emerson – Common Snapping Turtle In honor of Johnny Sinsley Lindsay Schwarz & John Rodgers In honor of Jim Sponholz Jim & Kate Sponholz Glory – Bald Eagle In honor of Wyatt Thoni Pam Thoni Otis – Peregrine Falcom In honor of Stephen Zimmer Ellen Papacek Sky Walker – Red-tailed Hawk Dorothy Zajac Zari – Great Horned Owl Antony Ludwig

Wedding Ceremony Trees Lizzy DeRoche & Nate Cisky Jeff Prill & Kirsta Hoffman Nicole Schmidt & Michael Sigl Elizabeth Wilkie & Andrea Smith Claire Wilson & Daniel Cudzilo

Gifts listed in this issue were received between 7/1/23 – 9/30/23

In Honor Of Melissa Barnett Nicole Kar Dr. Kathleen Bloom Debbie Bylan Lillian Picard Steve & Marilyn Aronson Sarah Starrett Lake Geneva Garden Club

Include a favorite nature-based literary quote with any sponsorship! If you are interested in learning more about any of these naming opportunities, contact Helen Boomsma, Executive Director, at hboomsma@ schlitzaudubon.org.

Winter 2024 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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

WINTER 2024 PANORAMA

Saturday, November 4 Join our annual celebration of all things raptor!

Visit www.schlitzaudubon.org for more deatils

U.S. Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168