Panorama | Fall 2019

panorama

Fall 2019

Crow Intelligence Page 4

Seed Dispersal Page 7

Identifying Conifers Page 10

WELCOME HELEN BOOMSMA Executive Director

Fall is the beginning of a time of rest, with the Center’s forest slowly ebbing toward slumber. Yet, it is also lively, with animals busily preparing for winter and with bright color as the forest drops its glorious canopy, the tapestry of yellows, oranges, and reds illuminating the landscape.

In this issue of Panorama, learn how to identify various species of conifer trees, including pine, spruce, fir, and cedars trees. Read about the complex strategies plants use to disperse their seeds. and you will come to appreciate how much energy goes into plant reproduction from the vantage point of seeds.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Despite the move towards a quieter time of year, there is still much life and activity abounding in the woods. American Red and Eastern Gray Squirrels are among the most playful and noisy in the woods this time of year. Read about the key differences between these two species, who practically live side by side, but occupy unique niches. In addition, you will discover just how intelligent and social American crows really are.

Benjamin T. Pavlik Treasurer

By the time this issue of Panorama arrives in your mailbox, the construction phase of our Stormwater Wetland & Ravine Restoration Project should be complete. This is the most significant land project undertaken at Schlitz Audubon in its nearly 50-year history. The project includes the creation of two new retention ponds, three berms designed to keep stormwater within the wetlands, a restored North Ravine, and a forward-thinking ravine stabilization design called regenerative stormwater conveyance, which incorporates natural stream channel cascade aesthetics to convey and purify water as it flows into the ravine, and ultimately into Lake Michigan.

This fall we’ll begin planting 25,000 seedlings, trees, and shrubs that will help stabilize the soil to reduce stormwater runoff into and through the ravine, and then into Lake Michigan. We will continue our commitment to accessible and ADA-friendly trails ensuring that everyone can enjoy the restored ravine habitat – an outstanding example of a healthy and thriving ecosystem. After a break for winter, project work will continue in spring of the new year.

As we welcome our preschoolers back for the school year, we are excited to share that our Nature Preschool was named a 2019 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School. This award is judged on three pillars of environmental educational achievement: reducing environmental impacts and costs, improving health, and wellness, and increasing environmental literacy.

Join us for Species Spooktacular on October 20, a new family-friendly event this fall. Come in costume to trick-or-treat on our trails and to meet live animals including snakes, a tarantula, and Tallulah, our resident Turkey Vulture.

On November 2, join us for our annual Xtreme Raptor Day, which focuses on all-things-raptors! All of our birds will meet you on the trails. You’ll even have the opportunity to get your picture taken with a raptor.

Come participate in one of our many nature-based programs this fall, including a new nature watercolor workshop - or simply to hike the trails among the splendid colors of fall.

Officers Aliah Berman President John Grunau Past President

Meg Kinney Secretary Jane B. Bell VP-Development Mark Siler VP-Governance Board Shane Delsman Heidi Dondlinger John E. 'Jack' Gebhardt Timothy J. Gerend Amy Giuffre Matt Haas Margarete R. Harvey Kevin J. Kane Debra Katz Diane O'Connor Sanderson S. ‘Andy’ Read Benjamin F. Rikkers John Schaub Terence Siau Carol Wolcott Past Presidents John H. Kopmeier, Jr. Philip R. Smith Dennis L. Fisher Terrence K. Knudsen Thomas J. McCutcheon Thomas B. Fitzgerald Randolph H. Dean Stephen F. Geimer Thomas J. Drought David K. Hoover John S. McGregor Margarete R. Harvey Honorary Directors Edwin P. Wiley Director Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)

Schlitz Audubon is an independent, locally supported partner of the National Audubon Society.

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

SEASONAL SIGHTINGS

Mystery Lake in the fall, reflections.

Visit the Center and discover the beauty of autumn!

KEITH HELM Naturalist

As the summer days grow shorter and the nights get colder, the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center begins its fall transformation.

Quaking aspen, oaks, and Sugar Maple trees showing off beautiful array of purples, deep reds, orange, and yellow leaves best seen from the top of our 60-foot tower. While viewing the deciduous canopy, keep a close eye out for migrating Sharp-shinned and Broad-winged Hawks that can be seen in large groups called kettles. They use Lake Michigan shoreline as a migratory path on their way south.

Take a walk to Mystery Lake and catch a last glimpse of the local amphibians, including Bull, Leopard, and Green Frogs, and reptiles like Blanding's, Snapping, and Painted Turtles, before they venture to the bottom of the pond to hibernate the long winter away. Migratory waterfowl such as Canadian Geese and variety of ducks make a quick rest stop at Mystery Island in the middle of Mystery Lake.

during their spring visit. They are also less vocal. Having already nested and hatched their young, warblers are no longer trying to attract a mate. Yet, they are nonetheless spectacular to see here.

Traveling north to the prairie, meander around the prairie's newly erected elevated boardwalk path. Soak in native prairie plants like Showy Goldenrod, Blue and New England Asters blooming, milkweed pods bursting open expelling fluffy coated seeds, and towering above, giant 6-foot tall Big Bluestem grass swaying in the wind.

This is the last signs of color and life to the local native flora. In preparation before winter, White-Tailed deer and Turkey can be seen grazing on plants and seeds throughout the prairie as well.

During fall months every habitat throughout the Schlitz Audubon is in the process of preparation for a long Wisconsin winter journey. Catch the last glimpse of these amazing local species until warmer months come late next spring.

You will see other migrating birds making stopping on their way south. The colorful male warblers are a little less bright than

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

3

RAPTOR EDUCATION

4

RAPTOR EDUCATION

When you here a loud, hoarse “Caw!” sounding outside, you probably recognize it as the call of a crow. What you might not know is how playful, social, and intelligent these animals are. Crows are family oriented beings who have surprising communication abilities.

They are highly organized creatures who have unique methods of finding food. Despite all we know about them, there is still a lot to learn from crows.

Here in Wisconsin, American Crows are a common feature of our landscape. Their corvid relatives, blue jays and ravens, are also native. In Milwaukee, the large black birds you can see are crows, while ravens are found in the northern part of the state, standing twice as large as crows. Crows inhabit a variety of habitats, from urban to rural, including open fields, vacant lots, town centers, and empty beaches. They build large stick nests toward the top third of a tree, preferably an evergreen, usually 6-19 inches across. They often use an old raptor nest. The clutch is between three and nine eggs. To avoid predators, these often noisy birds will fall completely silent as they fly to the nest, so as to not give away its location.

Crows lead dynamic and complex lives. They live in family groups, just like we do, with two parents, this year’s chicks, and offspring from previous years. The older young will help raise the next generation with their parents. Some families may consist of up to 15 birds.

Every fall, the family groups from many nearby areas will congregate in large numbers for the winter months, creating massive flocks of crows. The crows sleep in communal roosts during the winter, which consist of dozens to a few hundred birds. It is not uncommon for an entire street block to become a foraging place, each yard covered in crows as they search for their last meal of the day before heading to roost.

Crows are omnivores, feeding on nearly anything they can find: seeds, fruits, small mammals, carrion, and occasional food scraps they find in parking lots. They may also rob chicks from nests, and steal food from other animals.

Crows have been spotted following mergansers to steal the minnows the ducks were chasing. They also use their social groups to aide in safe foraging. As members of the family are on the ground searching, there is always a sentinel bird high in the trees on the lookout. Next time you see crows on the ground, look up to spot the guard.

Studies have shown that the crow brain is highly developed for social living. In fact, they have one of the largest brains proportional to their body size. Crow language is evolved enough that each member of the family has a name. They also have the ability to mimic, exhibiting the sounds of car alarms, trucks reversing, and even copying the sounds of predators to scare away others. It’s been suggested that they communicate with each other about sources of food or areas to avoid. Crows also use facial recognition, meaning they can identify individuals, even when they’re human.

In 2002, West Nile Virus spread through Wisconsin and decimated our crow populations. These birds are extremely susceptible to this mosquito borne illness and their numbers fell drastically. Since then, they have rebounded.

At Schlitz Audubon, our resident crow, Loki, works tirelessly to teach everyone about the amazing lives of crows. To show how smart they are, Loki recycles, paints and even takes donations to support the Raptor Program. We encourage you to take a moment the next time you come across a crow and observe them.

5

EDUCATION

The Strategies of Squirrels AUBREY ELLICKSON Naturalist

Everyone has likely been in the company of squirrels. Wisconsin is home to seven species of these industrious rodents, and at Schlitz Audubon, the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the American Red Squirrel are the most recognized. Both Gray and Red Squirrels live throughout the property, but each type has their own unique features and strategies to survive a Wisconsin winter.

Eastern Gray Squirrels, Scriurus carolinensis are opportunistic foragers who will eat a variety of foods including nuts, flowers, berries, insects, bird eggs, frogs and more. Their diverse diet leads them to inhabit hardwood deciduous forests with multifarious understory vegetation. They will construct summer homes roughly 30 feet high in the fork of a tree using leaves and interlocking small branches lined with grass, moss, and other soft materials. Building and maintaining a second or even third leaf nest isn’t uncommon. It provides alternative shelters should the main nest be detected by predators, infested by insects, or if the local food cache is plundered.

American Red Squirrels, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus succeed in dense coniferous or mixed forests where the tree canopies are interlocked. While the Red Squirrel forages for a diverse array of foods, the bulk of their diet is made up of pine seeds. Pine trees, such as the abundant Scotch Pine on the Schlitz Audubon property, do not feature limbs sufficient for building leaf nests, so Red Squirrels tend to nest in natural cavities or underground.

As fall approaches, both Gray and Red Squirrels become highly active from dawn until dusk hoarding food and storing it in order to prepare for the upcoming winter. This behavior is common among rodents during times of surplus in preparation for times of shortage.

Scatter hoarding is not random, but rather involves keen observation and craftiness. If a competitor is watching and waiting to steal food, the squirrel will “fake” bury the nuts in that location, or will remove food from one cache and relocate it. Studies show that the squirrels recover about half of their caches. Because they scatter so many caches throughout a habitat and territories can overlap, they depend more on memory rather than scent to find buried food.

In contrast, Red Squirrels use larder hoarding as a strategy. Rather than create hundreds of small caches, they store almost all of their food in one large cache, called a midden. Located in a central area of their territory, the majority of their food is placed in trees. The midden is easy to locate, with the base of the tree littered with pine cone scales.

This leads Red Squirrels to be intense defenders of their territory.

Despite being the smaller of the two squirrel species, they can be very aggressive, chasing most competition away. Their most common defense is through vocal communication. A rattle, buzz, or loud chirp can advertise their territory and threaten any nearby competitors from coming too close to their midden. At the Center, an extensive Red Squirrel midden is located near the observation tower beneath the large pines, and Red Squirrels are often seen or heard there.

Despite their best efforts, not every seed or nut buried by a squirrel will be found later to be consumed, leading to regeneration of trees in the forest. Next time you enjoy a hike through the forests of Schlitz Audubon, thank a squirrel for the trees and habitat they helped create.

Gray squirrels use scatter hoarding, creating a large number of small caches of a single food item spread throughout a territory.

6

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

The Magic of Seed Dispersal Craig Mattson | Communications Specialist Written with contributions from: Aubrey Ellickson, Sandy Manning, and Don Quintenz

FEATURE

W

hen people look at plants and trees, they often consider their beauty—the colors of their flowers, the shape of a tree or plant’s leaves, or their scent. One thing we might not consider is the main purpose of a plant is actually to create a lineage that survives as long as possible. Plants use multiple strategies to accomplish this task, one strategy being to disperse their seeds in a way that enhances the species’ successful reproduction. Essentially, seeds are vessels that transport genetic material from one generation to the next, and using effective seed dispersal strategies is key for a plant’s survival.

DISPERSAL STRATEGIES AT THE CENTER At the Center, you will see three dispersal strategies: wind, animal, and ballistic. Seeds that use the wind to travel away from the parent plant, called wind dispersal, include helicopters and floaty seeds. Helicopters from maple trees and the cottony fluff of Cottonwood are some of the most visible seeds of this kind. Animal dispersal involves using the nuts and fruits produced by plants and trees to get seeds to a suitable destination. Sticky seeds from plants like Jewel Weed also use animal dispersal, while plants that use ballistic dispersal techniques, like Witch Hazel, literally explode their seeds into the environment, sending them flying.

RIDING THE WIND There is no limit to how far the wind can travel, and most people have seen the fluffy white tufts of Dandelion seeds floating on the breeze. The clusters of successful yellow flowers attest to the effectiveness of wind dispersal, even for a weed. Cottonwood fluff and the silky insides of Milkweed pods also ride the wind. Milkweed’s horn-shaped pods open up when the seeds are mature, and float on soft, silky material that looks like flossy threads, while Tumbleweed is a case of the entire top of a plant propelled by the wind to drop its seeds.

Helicopters also follow the winds to find suitable growth habitat to germinate. Maple trees flood the environment with helicopter

8

seeds, with a period of one to four years between crops in much of Wisconsin. The seeds mature about six weeks after flowering, after which they disperse by spinning to the ground like a propeller.

Because Sugar Maple is the most shade tolerant tree in Wisconsin, these floods of seedlings will persist until canopy openings occur, and then fill the newly formed canopy opening; thus, Sugar Maple can maintain a dominant position in these forests.

One tree can release hundreds of thousands of seeds at a time.

The seeds must undergo stratification before they germinate, which means the seed coat needs to be softened for embryonic growth to be triggered. Cold and moist environments will do this, like those encountered when seeds sit through a winter. Some seeds can remain dormant in the soil for several years.

TRAVELLING WITH ANIMALS One way animal dispersal occurs is by animals eating the seeds found in nuts and fruits; both fruits and nuts are containers for seeds, and the animal assists the plant by passing the seed through its digestive tract and then dropping it. The acidic juices in the digestive tract cause the seed to undergo scarification, which is a way to prepare the seed for germination, and it is then dropped in its own fertilizer.

One type of fruit is the berry, often eaten by birds in the fall and winter. Birds eat the berries and drop the seeds, which are left to germinate. You will often see the Cedar Waxwings eating serviceberries, Juniper and cedar berries, while robins will eat black cherry.

Animals like to eat nuts, which taste good because of their fatty part. Oak trees will produce 10,000 acorns at a time every five years. Animals take more nuts than they eat and store them in caches, often moving them around, creating the necessary distance from the parent tree when they germinate. Even little creatures like ants spread seeds! Wild Ginger and Violet Trillium have fleshy, fatty elaisomes attached to their seed; these elaio-

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

somes are eaten by ants, who deposit the seeds with the rest of the nests waste products.

Sticky seeds use animal dispersal by attaching themselves to animals passing by—the animal catches the seed on its body, then drops it a distance from the parent plant. Jewel Weed produces a sticky seed, which travels farther with the help of an animal. Sticky seeds don’t help the animal, because they don’t eat it, and this prevents animals from foraging on the plant for food. Nevertheless, the animal helps the plant by spreading its genetic material.

Pods are a type of fruit that animals don’t eat. The plant surrounds this seed with a protective casing, in this case a pod, similar to what plants do with edible fruit, and then the pod opens to release seeds. Baptisia, also called Wild Indigo, produces seeds in a pod that forms after the flowers bloom.

The pods ripen in fall turning dark brown to black, then the seeds ripen and release from their attachment to rattle around in the pods. In winter, the dry winter air causes the seam in the pods to split and the seeds to bounce out as the wind rattles the stems. Another way the seeds can be released is for the stems of the plants break off in autumn, with the above-ground portion of the plants blowing tumbleweed-style, dispersing seeds as they go.

BALLISTIC TRAVEL STRATEGIES One dramatic form of seed travel is ballistic dispersal, which is the explosive release of the seeds by the fruit. Witch Hazel’s flowers exist on the plant alongside the maturing fruit from the previous season. The fruit has two woody capsules, each one containing a seed, and in the autumn, the capsule splits and explodes, throwing the seeds up to 30 feet.

Exploding works well in combination with other methods, as plants need their seeds to travel a fair distance for reproduction to be effective. When too many plants of the same species germinate and grow in clusters, they compete. Effective dispersal strategies help seeds travel away from the parent plant to areas more suitable for growth, so plants will often use combined techniques to send out their seeds and maximize the chance of a successful outcome.

In the fall, some seeds are windblown as well as assisted by animals. Jewel Weed produces a pod that explodes when touched, sending the seeds in all directions. The seeds are sticky, so they travel even farther on an animal—they are able to go farther by relying on animals to carry them than they would be using ballistic dispersal alone.

Maple seeds travel on the wind by using their wings, but they are also tasty to animals. Animals who eat maple seeds will store them, but will not eat all of them, and the uneaten seeds will germinate some distance from the parent plant.

We must not forget one ubiquitous dispersal mechanism that has a huge impact on the environment— humans. Sticky seeds attach to people and to the shoes and boots of people walking in the forest. Since people can travel a long distance, seeds often are sent many miles away from their original location—this is one way invasive species spread.

Fall is a great time to witness the succession of generations.

Looking at colorful flowers and seeing the overall beauty of plants and trees, we can also be mindful of the purposeful underlying survival strategies used by them to propagate. It’s all part of the magic of seed dispersal.

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

9

EDUCATION

AJ GRILL Family Programs Manager

10

EDUCATION Fall is a great time to start paying attention to conifer trees and learn how to identify them. Most of them retain their green leaves, while those of deciduous trees begin to change color and drop. Many of us are taught to call all conifer trees pine trees. However, here in Wisconsin, we have a number of different conifer species that may look similar to a pine tree, but are in fact different species altogether.

Conifers include pine, spruce, fir, cedars, larch (also known as tamarack), and many more. A conifer is a cone-bearing tree which almost always has modified leafs known as needles, and is typically evergreen. All true conifers have needles, but they’re a bit different in nature.

Pine trees are the conifer most people are confident in identifying.

Pine trees have needles that grow in bundles all stemming from a single point called a “fascicle.”

The number of pine needles growing from a fascicle can often determine the species of pine. A White Pine will have five needles in a bundle, while a Scotch Pine has two needles in a bundle.

This needle growth is distinctly different from other conifer species like spruce and fir who have needles that grow individually out of the stem. A spruce needle is sharper and can be rolled between your fingers, while a fir needle is softer and too flat to be rolled.

A Golden-crowned Kinglet taking off from the golden needles of an American Larch.

like coating known as a “cuticle.” Some evergreens are distinctive for not even being green, like Colorado Blue Spruce (Picea Pungens), which is blue!

There is a notable exception to trees being only coniferous or deciduous. The American Larch (tamarack) is technically a deciduous-conifer, which means it bears cones, but when fall arrives, the tree’s needles turn yellow and drop just like the leaves on a deciduous tree.

The next time you think you see a pine tree, take a closer look; you might be surprised at what you discover. There are many exceptions to the identification rules among conifers. However, with practice, you will be able to distinguish your trees with confidence.

Cedar trees leaves are needle-like, but they are soft, like those of ferns. They are cone bearing and evergreen. The Northern White Cedar bears cones and is a true conifer. Some trees identified as cedar in the US are not actually cedar, though. While the Eastern Red Cedar is called a cedar, it bears fruit and is actually a Juniper.

Some conifers like pine trees keep their needles and color year round; we call these evergreen trees. These trees are able to keep photosynthesizing throughout the winter with the help of their modified leaf, which has a waxy-

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

11

DEVELOPMENT ART GALLERY

Raptors in Focus August 1 — November 2

Expanding Our Accessible Programming MELANIE JOHNSON Director of Development

The therapeutic power of nature is well documented, yet many members of our community face economic, physical, cognitive, emotional, or social barriers that disconnect them from what should be a fundamental, healing part of the human experience. You can help us remove these barriers!

groups whose constituents will benefit from ongoing, regular programs, as well as strengthen our ties with current partners. We will also design new programs that fulfill the specific needs of our target groups, which might include customizing sensory programs and guided hikes. We will also train additional staff to implement it, and coordinate accessibility efforts at the Center to benefit all visitors, beyond those individuals attending as part of an accessible program. In addition to facilitating programming expansion, this initiative will ensure the Center is on the leading edge of incorporating best practices to serve our guests with specific needs.

We recently launched an imitative to expand our accessible programming that will give more people with specific needs the opportunity to connect with nature.

The Young Adult Oncology Group, Easter Seals, and Curative Care are examples of great groups we already work with to provide programming, and by bolstering such partnerships moving forward we can interact with more individuals on a consis- To accomplish all of these goals, we will need to raise an additional $52,000 annutent, long-term basis. ally for accessible programming through Last year, we served approximately 750 gifts from our generous donor community. individuals with specific needs. Our goal Donors like you have already contributed this year is to increase accessible pro- about half the money we need to make our gramming by 250 visitors, and next year project goals a reality! by another 250 to serve a total of 1,250 visitors with specific needs by 2021.

If you would like to learn more about our accessible programming initiatives or We plan to expand accessible program- how you can get involved, please contact ming at Schlitz Audubon in a number of Melanie Johnson, Director of Developways. One is to connect with new partner ment, at 414352-2880 x152 12

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

This autumn, we will exhibit photographs from the 2020 Schlitz Audubon Raptor Calendar. Photographs are taken at the annual Raptors in Focus event at the Center. This year more than 75 photographers participated and submitted images for consideration for the calendar. The images selected for the 2020 Raptor Calendar will be on display August through November. Visit the gallery and join us in celebrating our fantastic feathered ambassadors.

CALENDAR Adult Program Family Program Preschool Program Wheelchair Accessible Member Price Non-Member Price Registration Required

Payment is due at time of registration.

Refunds will only be given to those who cancel 14 or more days before a program. If Schlitz Audubon cancels a program, refunds will be given.

Register online at www.schlitzaudubon.org Hand-in-Hand*

Thursday, October 3 | Prairie to Pond Thursday, October 17 | Fall Leaves Thursday, November 7 | Fall Colors Thursday, November 21 | Turkeys Thursday, December 5 | Ready for Winter Thursday, December 19 | The Mitten Session 1 | 9:00am-10:15am Session 2 | 10:30am-11:45am

Explore nature hand-in-hand with your little one. This program is designed for children ages 2-3, and their adult.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Raptor Saturday

Saturday, October 5 | 1:00pm-2:00pm Saturday, December 7 | 1:00pm-2:00pm

The auditorium transforms into an educational aviary. Come learn about and meet our feathered friends.

Free with membership or admission.

Sponsored by:

Invasive Species Identification and Ecology*

Sunday, October 6 | 9:30am-12:00pm Sunday, October 13 | 9:30am-12:00pm

Join Naturalist Tess Carr and Director of Conservation Marc White for this two-part workshop to learn to identify invasive species, discover why they’re harmful, and consider managing the invasive species on your property.

M: $30 | NM: $40

Family Canoe Day*

Sunday, October 6 | 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Spend a fall morning with your family paddling a canoe on the waters of Mystery Lake.

M: $30 per canoe | NM: $45 per canoe

SPARK!*

Tuesday, October 8 | 1:00pm-2:30pm Thursday, October 10 | 10:00am-11:30pm Tuesday, November 12 | 1:00pm-2:30pm Thursday, November 14| 10:00am-11:30pm Tuesday, December 10 | 1:00pm-2:30pm Thursday, December 12 | 10:00am-11:30pm

This program is designed for both people experiencing cognitive changes and their care partners. SPARK! celebrates how the simple beauty found in nature enriches our lives.

Bird Club*

Wednesday, October 9 | 6:30pm-8:00pm Wednesday, November 13 | 6:30pm-8:00pm

Join us for a topical presentation and discussion about birds, their habitat, and conservation. See our website for details. Birders age 14 and up of all skill levels are welcome.

Free to all.

Audubon Babies* Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, Thursday,

October 10 | 10:00am-11:15am October 24 | 10:00am-11:15am November 7 | 10:00am-11:15am November 21 | 10:00am-11:15am December 12 | 10:00am-11:15am

Children are never too young to enjoy the wonders of nature. Enjoy guided hikes on the trails filled with sensory explorations (6-24 months, with adult).

M: $12 | NM: $17

Saturday Hand-in-Hand*

Saturday, October 12 | 9:00am-10:30am Saturday, November 9 | 9:00am-10:30am Saturday, December 14 | 9:00am-10:30am

Rediscover your sense of wonder through the eyes of your little one. We will base our themes on what is happening seasonally in nature, combined with developmentally appropriate early childhood practices. This program is designed for children ages 2-3 and their adult.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Nature Watercolor*

Saturdays October 12 – November 16 No class November 2 10:30am-12:00pm

Explore the basics of watercolor painting and find inspiration in nature. This five-week course will introduce simple techniques while observing wildlife mounts.

M: $75 | NM: $95

Search for the Geocache!

Saturday, October 12 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm

If you’re a fan of geocaching, this event is for you! Each team will attempt to be the first to find all of the cache blocks located around the Center.

M: $10 | NM: $12

Meditation* Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday, Sunday,

October 13 | 9:30am-10:30am October 20 | 9:30am-10:30am October 27 | 9:30am-10:30am November 3 | 9:30am-10:30am November 10 | 9:30am-10:30am November 17 | 9:30am-10:30am

Start your Sunday mindfully with a guided meditation session based on the Thai Forest tradition of Theravada Buddhism.

M: $10 | NM: $12

Adult Owl Prowl*

Monday, October 14 | 6:30pm-8:00pm Rain date: October 15

Discover the behaviors and adaptations of owls as we search out the elusive residents of Schlitz Audubon.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Holy Hill Fall Colors Field Trip* Thursday, October 17 | 9:00am-4:00pm

Join Senior Ecologist Don Quintenz to explore Holy Hill, one of the most beautiful areas in southern Wisconsin for fall colors.

M: $75 | NM: $90

Wandering Naturalists*

Saturday, October 19 | 9:00am-10:30am Saturday, November 16 | 9:00am-10:30am Saturday, December 21 | 9:00am-10:30am

Each month, one of Wisconsin’s premier naturalists will share their knowledge on a seasonal hike at Schlitz Audubon. You’ll learn many fascinating details about plants, animals, nature and ecological processes.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Species Spooktacular*

Sunday, October 20 | 2:00-4:00pm or 4:00-6:00pm

Come in costume to trick-or-treat on our trails. Be entertained by friendly costumed characters and learn about some of nature’s more misunderstood animals.

Fee: $9 per person

Nature Mondays Getting Ready for Winter*

October 21 – November 18 | 1:00pm-3:30pm

This five-week series is hosted by Nature Preschool and is designed for children ages 4-6.

We meet once-a-week on Monday afternoons.

M: $200 | NM: $250

Nature Discovery Hike*

Monday, October 21 | 1:00pm-2:30pm Monday, November 11 | 1:00pm-2:30pm Monday, December 9 | 1:00pm-2:30pm

Don Quintenz will lead you to the seasonal events that stir our sense of beauty and imagination.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Free to participants and caregivers.

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

13

CALENDAR Project Soar: Snowy Owl Airport Rescue* Wednesday, October 23 | 6:00pm-7:30pm

Learn about the rescue efforts of Project SOAR: Snowy Owl Airport Rescue, and how this organization is helping Snowy Owls and other raptors.

M: $15 | NM: $20

Photo Club*

Fall Astronomy: The Cosmic Zoo*

Film Screening of Bird of Prey*

The universe has some odd and mind-boggling inhabitants. We’ll learn about quasars, pulsars, black holes and more.

Monday, November 4 | 7:00pm-8:30pm

M: $15 | NM: $20

Northern Kettle Moraine Glacial Geology Field Trip* Wednesday, November 6 | 9:00am-4:00pm

Saturday, October 26 | 4:00pm-5:00pm

Participate in a community of photographers taking a hike to explore the season at the Center and photograph the nature we discover.

Join Senior Ecologist Don Quintenz to witness the many world-renowned landforms in the Northern Kettle Moraine that tell the story of an ancient glacier.

Free to all.

Nature’s Ways with Philip Chard* Tuesday, October 29 | 6:00pm-7:30pm

Philip Chard will teach us how nature interaction can lead to emotional healing and spiritual growth.

M: $15 | NM: $20

M: $75 | NM: $90

Family Owl Prowl*

Friday, November 8 | 6:00pm-7:30pm Rain Date: November 10

Sound is the best way to identify our local owls, so put on your owl ears and prepare to hear and see some of our local residents!

M: $10 | NM: $15

Xtreme Raptor Day*

Join us for another environmental film screening, presented with Outpost Natural Foods. Visit our website for movie details. $5 for all

Weekend Guided Hike

Every Saturday and Sunday 11:00am and 2:00pm

Learn more about the plants and animals found out on the trails. Meet in the Great Hall for a 45-minute guided hike, led by our Weekend Naturalist or Nature Ambassadors.

Free with membership or admission

Word with a Bird

Every Saturday and Sunday 1:00 pm-2:00pm No WWB November 2 & 3

Join us in the Great Hall to meet a live bird of prey from our Raptor Program! We will talk about the specific skills, traits, and adaptations that are unique to that bird.

Free with membership or admission

Saturday, November 2 | 9:00am-4:00pm

Join us for the Center’s annual festival, celebrating all things raptor! All of our resident birds await you on the trails. Also enjoy fun activities!

Adult: $15 | Youth: $8

RAPTOR DAY

Saturday, November 2 9:00am - 4:00pm

Join us for a festival celebrating everything raptors! All resident birds await you on Center trails. Birds fly right overhead during Free Flight Demonstrations. Sign up for a personal meet & greet with your favorite raptor and get a photo!

All proceeds support our resident raptors.

More details at www.schlitzaudubon.org 14

Fall 2018 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

THANK YOU THANK YOU In Memory Of Jackson Bruce William and Patricia Alverson Tom and Bette Drought Charles Fox Roslyn Krause Doug MacNeil Jere McGaffey Barbara Sullivan James Winston and Julie Gorens-Winston William “Bill” Eastham Kathleen and Larry Dahlgren Barbara Pelton William and Nicole Teweles Byron and Suzanne Foster Elizabeth Vaeth Richard and Charlotte Halfman Brad and Nancy Halfman Linda and Timothy Pankow Joann Lalie Carolyn Burant Chet Lukaszewicz Pam Campbell Dean M. and M. Lynn Connor George Courtis Doug and Mindy Davies Mary and Mike Fletcher Jill Gahn Ed and Connie Smidebush Jim and Claudia Youngquist

Raptor Sponsorships Lawrence Oleson Sandra Miller Rick and Carolyn Mueller Michael and Patricia Ambroch

Malary – American Kestrel

Margaret “Maggie” Stewart Anonymous David and Ann Brottlund

Garrett Berger

Trudy Symonik Norbert and Julieann Sikinger Lorraine Sternig

In Honor Of Abby Anonymous Elizabeth and Rene Damask

Sue Holcomb

Baron Von Screech – Eastern Screech Owl Tucker – Eastern Screech Owl In Honor of Charlie Lemon Gillian Stewart & Barbara Diaz

Valerie Brumder Anonymous Susan Firer Emma Walker Margarete Harvey Helene and Steve Gyarmaty Laci Kazan and Stephen Scharch Laci Kazan Lydia LaGue Mary Lee and John Walloch

Molly Malone Danielle Bailey and Katelyn Nye

Elise Massie Anonymous

Mary Mazza Pat Bakula

Deanie Vallone John and Paula Friedman

Barbara McCallum Anne and Dean Fitzgerald Marcia and Tom Flanagan Allan and Linda Stenmark James Winston and Julie Gorens-Winston

Join us on social media!

Admission

FREE admission to Members Adults: $8 | Youth $5 (ages 3 — 17)

Hours

Open 7 Days a Week | 9:00am - 5:00pm

Credits for Panorama | Fall 2019 Director of Marketing & Communications Nancy Quinn Design | Illustration | Photography Zoe Finney

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

Editing | Select Writing Craig Mattson

Fall 2019 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

15

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

Fall 2019 PANORAMA

$9 per person www.schlitzaudubon.org for more details

U.S. Postage

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168