panorama
Winter 2025
HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director
Welcome to winter! Enjoy a brisk hike on our trails as many animals slow down and wildlife takes a cold-weather rest. Look for stately evergreen trees and hear the chatter of the winter birds residing here.
In this issue of Panorama, unravel the process trees undergo as they prepare for and adapt to the freezing temperatures of winter. Distinguish the difference between the strategies of evergreen and deciduous trees. Discover a variety of experiences that will wake up your senses on the trails this season and find out how reptiles and amphibians survive winter under the ice. Learn some of the guidelines of wildlife photography and witness the beauty of the universe as we unveil a new exhibit by the Milwaukee Astronomical Society in our Mezzanine Art Gallery,
Our Nature School is accepting applications for the 2025/26 school year through January 15. Our Nature Preschool and K4 programs feature an emergent curriculum that allows students to have authentic outdoor learning experiences in all seasons. This inquiry-based program cultivates childrens' creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and social skills.
In the quiet of winter, we’re already planning a fun and busy summer! Our 2025 Camp Calendar and member lottery forms will be posted online in mid-January. This year, we are making the registration process easier. Parents will only need to fill out one Family Profile for all kids and one Camp Registration form for the whole family.
For the newly engaged, now is a great time to book your wedding at Schlitz Audubon! Our team of wedding staff will guide you through the entire process as you plan your big day. The Center’s convenient location just outside of Milwaukee, combined with views of Lake Michigan’s shoreline, forests, and prairies, make us a nature lover’s dream venue. Our Great Hall and multiple wedding ceremony options provide a warm and welcoming ambience to complement your celebration.
This winter, our nature-inspired programs feature seasonal interests that highlight this special time. Hike with our Environmental Educators to learn winter geology or how to identify winter ducks. Join us in our Great Hall for our Sound Waves Winter Concert Series on Sunday afternoons. Register now for our annual Maple Sugar Time on Saturday, March 22. Families will learn about maple trees, practice tapping a log with one of our hand drills, discover how the sap is turned into syrup, and taste a sweet treat!
Winter can be a magical time at the Center, so come enjoy the season!
Welcome to our new board member! Alexandra Stankiewicz Krems | All Together Now
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Officers
Benjamin T. Pavlik
President
Evan Kirkstein
Treasurer
Leia C. Olsen
Secretary
John Schaub VP-Governance
Barbie Brennan Nelson VP-Development
Directors
Jane Bell
Joseph A. Camilli
Renee M. Clair
Amy Giuffre
Therese Gripentrog
Alexandra Stankiewicz
Krems
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 & Visitor Experience
Nancy Quinn
Creative Lead
Design & Photography
Zoe Finney
Communications Specialist
Admission
Front cover: Winter waves on Lake Michigan at the Center Hours Monday-Sunday | 8:30am-5:00pm
FREE admission to Members Adult: $10 | Youth: $7 (ages 3 — 17) 2 and Under: Free | Military: $7 1111 East Brown Deer Road | Milwaukee, WI 414-352-2880 | www.schlitzaudubon.org
Craig Mattson
Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.
Experiencing Winter Through the Senses
CASSIE RINCON Family Programs Manager
The winter landscape provides new experiences for our senses. Though there aren’t freshly bloomed flowers to smell, or brightly colored leaves to see during this season, what is available to our senses is just as refreshing.
Once you’re dressed in layers and ready to explore the trails, you will appreciate the benefit of being an endothermic creature that is able to generate your own body heat. It’s with this adaptation that you can enjoy the outdoors in all types of weather. As you feel the warmth contained within your winter gear, you can easily tell where there may be gaps as a cold wind rushes through. As the brisk wind meets your cheeks, take note of how the mammals of Wisconsin survive at this temperature, mainly by being entirely covered in fur.
Other animals that stay in Wisconsin year-round have different methods of staying warm. Black-capped Chickadees fluff up their feathers during the cold days of winter, creating an extra layer of insulation. Listen throughout the forest and near the bird feeders for their iconic call, either saying their name or singing, “Hey Sweetie.” Other winter resident birds that you are able to hear along the trails include the Pine Siskin, with a zipper-like call, the barking of the Red-bellied Woodpecker, and the Great Horned Owl, with their classic hoot.
Many of these birds can stay here because their diet consists of seeds, such as those found among the seed heads in the prai-
rie along the Gateway Trail. Though you won't be consuming these seeds, you can still indulge in their lingering fragrance. If you find mountain mint and wild bergamot, give the seed heads a gentle squish between your fingers to catch a whiff of their once potent scent. From the prairie, you can meander to the forest to find the coniferous trees, which have their own distinctive smell. To enjoy the aroma that might remind most of the holiday season, look for sap that has oozed out of the bark and frozen in place with the cold. Though the sap has become more solid than during the warmer season, avoid sticky fingers by using a small branch you find on the ground to pierce the sap and savor the coniferous fragrance.
Another memorable occurrence that takes place during this season is the beginning of a snowfall. Depending on the temperature and the humidity level of the air, you can see a variety of snowflake shapes. The timeless shape of a snowflake can be observed up close, especially if you are wearing dark colored winter gear. If your gear isn’t conducive to seeing the patterns, consider carrying a piece of black felt. On this fabric, you can identify snowflakes shaped like plates, dendrites, and needles.
After your hike, you can treat yourself to a complimentary warm beverage inside our Visitor Center. Once settled, reflect on the memories created along the trails in winter by utilizing all of your senses.
Pine Siskin
Turtles & Frogs Beneath the Ice
CRAIG MATTSON Communications Specialist
During the quiet months of winter, life under the surface of our frozen ponds seems to disappear. Ponds at the Center are home to both reptiles and amphibians and you might wonder what happens to to them when it gets cold.. It turns out that they make incredible adaptations to survive a freezing habitat.
Reptiles are air-breathing, ectothermic vertebrates with skin comprised of scales or bony plates. They breathe through their lungs and lay soft-shelled eggs. Painted turtles, snapping turtles, and Blanding's turtles are aquatic reptiles found in the Center's wetlands. Frogs are ectothermic vertebrates that breath through lungs but begin their lives as tadpoles with gills. Unlike endothermic mammals who make their own heat, frogs and turtles need sunlight to warm their bodies. When sunlight is less available and temperatures drop, ectotherms use a strategy called brumation to survive Wisconsin's cold winters.
Similar in concept to hibernation, brumation is triggered by shorter day length and cold temperatures. A brumating frog or turtle's metabolism slows to a point where it needs very little food. Before entering brumation, animals take in extra food in order to live off nutrients they have stored in their bodies. It is not a true deep sleep like hibernation; pond animals will occasionally wake up and swim around.
During winter, aquatic frogs, such as bullfrogs or green frogs, live under water at the muddy bottom of the pond. They may change color to become more brown like their surroundings.
Brumating reptiles and amphibians still need to breathe despite being dormant. Frogs have the unique adaptation of absorbing oxygen through their semi-permeable skin. Because oxygen is more concentrated in cold water, frogs are able to take in oxygen from the surrounding water during winter.
Turtles have multiple ways in which they breathe. They have specialized thin skin they breathe through, but they also use an interesting process called cloacal respiration. Essentially, this means they can breathe through their rump! Because of this, they can burrow beneath the muck on the pond’s floor.
When the temperature fluctuates, reptiles and amphibians will wake up, so you might see them stir beneath the ice or surface to sun themselves. Even though pond life is not as visible in winter as it is during warm months, it is still there. If you happen to hike by Mystery Lake, look beneath the surface of the ice, especially on a milder day, and you might see a turtle swimming by to take in some sunlight.
With contributions from AJ GRILL, Sandy Manning, and Drew Shuster
Craig Mattson Communications Specialist
Wof wildlife, including trees. Fortunately, trees have many adaptations that protect them from the effects of freezing weather. Deciduous trees, which are characterized by wide, thin leaves, have a set of behaviors that set them apart from evergreens, which have thicker, often needle-like leaves. Both have adaptations to survive the extreme cold, emerging vibrant when the surrounding temperature becomes warm again in spring.
Deciduous Trees in Cold Weather
Deciduous trees, such as maple, birch, oak, and others, possess leaves that photosynthesize in response to abundant light. Light exists as an electromagnetic spectrum, with visible light appearing in the blue to red colors. Red light, which has a higher frequency than blue light, causes the leaves to photosynthesize. When the season changes in autumn, less light is available to the tree and is characterized by the presence of darker, far-red spectrum light, which is more like shade.
This far-red light stops photosynthesis. Sugar production halts, and the sugars flow out of the leaves. The hormone auxin, which causes growth, declines and abscisic acid is produced. When abscisic acid is present, the deciduous leaf begins to form a layer of cells that will separate the leaf from the stem, like a scab. Ethylene is produced, which disconnects the leaf from the tree.
This entire process causes the brilliant fall spectacle of leaf colors appearing red, yellow, and orange, before falling. Oak and beech tree leaves go through the same color change, but the leaves remain on the tree until they are pushed off by new growth in the spring. This is called marcescence, the exact reasons for which are unknown. Theories suggest marcescence could protect winter buds
Evergreens adapt differently to cold weather than deciduous trees, most notably by continuing to photosynthesize during the winter months. Evergreen leaves remain on the tree, with their thin needle-like structures able to tolerate freezing temperatures. The needles’ dark green color helps the leaf absorb heat from the sun. They also have a waxy coating which insulates the leaf and helps to maintain a warmer temperature inside, and their smaller size makes them more resilient and less breakable. These traits are important for maintaining water flow within the tree. Evergreens grow more slowly in the winter as photosynthesis slows down, but growth rings still appear in the tree trunk.
A category of trees called broadleaf evergreens possess a wider leaf and look like a deciduous tree but behave more like an evergreen. Boxwood, American holly, juniper, and rhododendrons are broadleaf evergreens, with dark green leaves that continue to photosynthesize in winter. Red osier dogwood is another exception among trees, photosynthesizing all year within its bark using red and orange pigments, which are called anthocyanins and carotenoids.
The Importance of Heat and Insulation
There are several types of insulation that trees use to adapt to cold weather. One of the important functions of tree insulation is to prevent the cells and tissues from freezing in the trunk and branches.
Water needs to flow throughout the tree in all seasons, but in winter, the tree’s water could freeze. To prevent this, cells create an “anti-freeze” to keep it flowing. When deciduous trees stop photosynthesizing, sugar moves
trunk and branches. Some species of trees, both deciduous and evergreen, also have bark that is darker, which helps the tree absorb heat, maintaining an acceptable temperature within the tree and preventing freezing and cracking.
Chill Requirements
Another adaptive process in winter is referred to as a “chilling requirement.” Tree species have a varying number of degree days, which is the number of days a tree needs to experience temperatures below 32 degrees to maintain proper timing for budding. Once a tree species experiences its chill requirement, buds will break or start growing when the temperature reaches above freezing.
Northern trees have a longer chill requirement, so buds will not break too early if there are days above 32 degrees. Southern trees have a shorter chill requirement to prevent budding when it is above 32 degrees, so will bud more quickly when temperatures rise. This is critical in Wisconsin, as we often experience numerous thaw days above 32 degrees in January. Because of the chill requirement, this doesn’t cause trees to prematurely bud.
Adaptations of Root Systems
Roots continue to grow until the ground freezes, and those that are beneath the frost line do so throughout the season. When sugar exits deciduous tree leaves in
their way back to the budding leaves. This process is what makes maple sugaring possible, as the sap can be tapped as it flows within the tree’s trunk and its tissues. It is important that harvesters tap the sugar maple trees sustainably, so they will continue to grow and be healthy.
A Tree’s Appearance in Winter
During winter, the buds of deciduous trees, which formerly held stems and leaves in the warmer months, become dehydrated. A hard shell forms around the outside of the bud to protect it. Buds for both flowers and branches become more visible and ornamental in the wintertime. This can be a great aid in identifying trees, making the season a perfect time for exploration.
There are several species with ornate buds that are visible at the Center. Nannyberry, found throughout the property, has long, pointed and slightly curved buds that resemble old German helmets. Shagbark hickory, in part identified by its large buds, can be observed at the end of the walkway near the Visitor Center.
Serviceberry, seen in the Pavilion Courtyard Gardens, have sleek and pointy terminal flower buds. Both buds and leaves on serviceberry are positioned in an alternate pattern. Highbush cranberry, part of the viburnum family, has a terminal bud with a flower cluster. Willow buds are shiny and smooth, and have scales that fall off when the leaves sprout.
Bark is also distinctive and can be another way to identify trees. Shagbark hickory gets its name from its shaggy bark, serviceberry is silvery-gray, and the bark of beech trees is smooth and gray.
Trees are incredible organisms that have adapted over millenia to survive the harshest conditions. For those who would like to dive deeper into tree identification, we are offering a two-part Winter Tree ID program in February. More details are available on our website.
Winter at the Center is a wonderful time to explore the intricacies of trees and be delighted by details of nature!
Tips for Ethical Wildlife Photography
LINDSAY FOCHT Raptor Program & Animal Ambassador Director
Capturing the perfect photo of an animal, framed by its natural surroundings, can be considered a work of art. Wildlife photographers around the world put themselves into the elements, searching for the chance to catch nature at its finest. With ecotourism and photography becoming increasingly popular, more people are venturing out to experience nature and challenge themselves to get the perfect shot.
This, in turn, means that wildlife and their habitats are seeing an uptick in traffic and human presence. Park and land managers throughout the country are reporting trail degradation and changes in wildlife movement patterns correlated to human activity. For those heading out in hopes to photo-document wildlife, practicing respectful viewing can ensure the preservation of habitats and the natural behaviors of its animals. The following are suggested guidelines that limit disturbance and cause the least amount of stress on wildlife.
Seasons: Animals can react aggressively if provoked. Be cautious around nesting and birthing seasons, where wildlife is at its most defensive as they protect young.
Use trail systems: By following already established trail systems, the surrounding habitat does not become impacted and negatively affect the vegetation. Do not modify trails or mechanically remove vegetation from view for a good angle of an animal.
Know the rules of the property: If you are visiting a public area, know the regulations, including the opening and closing times. If it is private property, ensure you have permission from the owners and be respectful and courteous of their privacy and land.
Avoid baiting and luring: Using food to bring an animal closer greatly disrupts their natural behavior. Wildlife that becomes too comfortable around people, or even relies on them for food, threatens the survival of that animal.
Do not intentionally flush, chase, or alert an animal to your presence: A good rule of thumb is that if an animal reacts to something you are doing, you are too close. There is an allure to capturing a photo of wildlife staring straight into the camera. In harsh weather, for example, if an animal is reacting to you, it is expending valuable energy that should be used to keep warm or rest. You also run the risk of the animal fleeing the area and not returning.
Do not share locations of wildlife, particularly sensitive species: Many social media groups now prohibit location sharing in order to protect wildlife. Keeping locations secret ensures that the animals do not become stressed by an influx of onlookers.
Keep your distance: Allow for respectful distance between you and the animal. Remain far enough away that you can view the animal without disturbing it. Explore equipment options such as long camera lens, scopes, and binoculars that allow for this.
Wildlife has an innate fear of humans. In most cases, when humans are present, animals are on alert. In the animal world, there are three primary forms of defense: fight, flight, and freeze. “Fight” and “flight” are understood, but “freeze” can be confusing. Some animals may appear unbothered by your presence yet are completely aware of you. Look for subtle signs and changes to an animal's behavior and body language.
An owl's defense, for example, is to sit still and blend in (freeze), using their phenomenal camouflage to attempt to hide. Tufts up, eyes wide open or slit shut, and unwavering against the tree is the look of an owl trying to be invisible. If an owl remains perched and does not flush from your activity, some think it is comfortable with the proximity of humans but, in reality, it is simply hoping you do not see it.
The best shots can be of an animal exhibiting natural behaviors – preening, bathing, eating, and calmly moving through the landscape. Look for signs of comfort: relaxed body position, slow and smooth movements, looking at other things around it, not at you. Being a model of ethical wildlife and landscape photography can teach and encourage others to do the same. Shared passion and respect for nature lead many out to view and celebrate the species we share this world with, and through practicing this respect we can ensure the comfort and success of wildlife.
Eastern Screech Owl
Special Events at the Center
BRIDGET CARLSON
Director of Corporate and Special Events
Our creative, engaging, and — most importantly — FUN special events are often the catalyst that brings nature lovers to the Center for the first time. These signature events play a key part in helping our community forge deeper relationships with nature.
From family-friendly outings to evening offerings to help busy adults unwind after a long day, funds raised at each of these events directly support the Center’s raptor and animal ambassador or education program areas.
Mark your calendars to join us at these fun special events in the coming year!
WINGSPAN & WINE
Thursday, February 27, 2025
During this one-of-a-kind event, sample wines from around the globe while meeting our birds of prey, including owls, falcons, hawks, and even a Bald Eagle. Our beautiful Great Hall is transformed into a cozy space to explore your favorite varietals through an incredible selection of wines. Your journey starts at our beautiful fireplace, where you receive a keepsake wine glass, before embarking on a world tour to taste a wide variety of international wines while nibbling on an array of imported cheeses and Italian treats.
FLIGHT NIGHT
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Local craft beers share the spotlight with our birds of prey during this fun autumn evening event. Milwaukee area breweries will join the Raptors of Schlitz Audubon at stations throughout Great Hall and on the Veranda. Wander at your leisure with your spe-
cialty keepsake tasting glass, chat with our raptor handlers and meet our birds of prey, and talk beer with brewery experts while enjoying light refreshments.
TEACHER FEST
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Our one-of-a-kind celebration of teachers takes place in September. This annual teacher appreciation party is dedicated to all the educators who provide life-changing guidance to children every year. Teachers enjoy fun exhibitions, food, drinks, free raffles, and gifts while meeting and mixing with our own education team and Schlitz Audubon animal ambassadors.
SPECIES SPOOKTACULAR
Sunday, October 19, 2025
This not-so-spooky event is a perfect opportunity for nature-loving families to show off their fun costumes while hiking the trails and learning about some of nature’s misunderstood animals! We dispel myths while introducing our own “spooky” animal ambassadors, including snakes, tarantulas, turtles, and raptor ambassadors. This is a wonderful family event for children of all ages!
XTREME RAPTOR DAY
Saturday, November 8
Our largest annual event, Xtreme Raptor Day is a family-friendly experience that welcomes 1,200 guests for a day of activities at the Center—including up-close encounters with our 16 birds of prey! Xtreme Raptor Day features interactive stations both in the Center’s Great Hall and out on the trails, bird-themed crafts, and even the chance to get your picture taken with your favorite raptor!
On Display: Milwaukee Astronomical Society
Visit our Mezzanine Art Gallery from January 13 through March 31 to view unique photography by the members of the Milwaukee Astronomical Society (MAS). Witness the beauty of the universe through photographs created by MAS amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, featuring nebulas, galaxies, auroras, star clusters, and more. This showcase also tells the story of dedicated amateur astronomers in southeastern Wisconsisn.
An artist's reception will take place on January 23 from 5pm-7pm. Matthew Ryno, MAS President, will lead a discussion on urban astronomy, and attending MAS members will provide telescopes & demonstrations to attendees. Photographs will be for sale and proceeds will support the Milwaukee Astronomical Society.
In Memory Of
Jackson Almond
Emma and Eleanor Almond
Bonnie Behee-Semler
Robert Amich
Jim Bell
Jane Bell
Caroline Bohlen
Charles Crueger & Maria Monterroso
Mary Clare Falsetti
Terry & Carole Knudsen
Lisa Ferstadt
Andy & Ho-Youl, Brad & Laura, Barbara & Albert
Ken & Dee Stein
Don Gietzen
Anonymous
Lianna Bishop & Eric Mathews
Stacy Buford
Luke Groser
Julianne Guzniczak
Mary Beth & John Jacobson
James Moudry Vagourdes
Jackie Gold
Anonymous (3)
Jere & Fred Berkley
Kelsey Berryman
Madi Catalano
Jeff & Katherine Cohen
Laura Cullen
Maggie & Jeff Edelstein
David & Molly Fritz
Thomas & Wendy Gebhardt
Barb Hull
George & Alice Kieren
Daniel Price
Steve Putterman
Randy & Kris Rabideaux
Jessica Wellner
Jill Robertson
Andrew High
Diane Mortensen
Terence Sauer
Barbara Rising Stover
Anonymous
Joan Bell
Marilyn Bontly
Sarah Bradley
Buffy & Steve Duback
Martha & Lex Huberts
Sara Kersten
MaryKay Mark & Brian Sikorski
Ryann Price & Brent Harris
Caroline Raeder
Jane Bell Scott
Jim Stein & Ellen Schneiderman
Kate & Scott Stubenvoll
Mark Styles
Tom & Virginia Traub
Tallulah the Turkey Vulture
Michelle Herro
Kathleen Wigdale
Marilyn Bontly
Suzy & John Brennan
Susan & Thomas Ducrest
Bob & Cato Schley
Wedding Ceremony Trees
In honor of Katie Linehan and Bob Gerber
In honor of Emily Lusiak & Owen LeBrun
In honor of Grant Klassy and Nicole Smith
In honor of Maddie Smith & Daniel Schiro
In Honor Of
Jane Appleby & Michael Fox
Anonymous
Matthew Krueger
Henry Hunt
Andrew & Catherine Hunt
Claire Kutty
Anonymous
Laurie Lukaszewicz
Mary & Mike Fletcher
Bill Scobey-Polacheck
Marianne Scobey
Raptor & Animal Sponsorships
Baron von Screech – Eastern Screech Owl Invest Answers
Loki – American Crow
Anonymous
Sky Walker – Red-tailed Hawk
Dorothy Zajac
Emerson – Common Snapping Turtle
In honor of Dana Romero-Vogg
Hayley Romero-Vogg
Harley – Spiny Softshell Turtle
In honor of Dana Romero-Vogg
Hayley Romero-Vogg
Gifts listed in this issue were received between 7/1/24 - 9/30/24
WINTER 2025 PANORAMA
