Panorama | Winter 2015

panorama

Winter 2015

Maple Sugar Time Page 5

Owls in Winter Page 6

Ice Canos Page 7

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Happy New Year & welcome to the inaugural edition of PANORAMA! NATHAN SMALLWOOD Executive Director

PANORAMA is the new seasonal quarterly for our members and is one illustration of our new look. Like the breathtaking 360-degree view from high atop our tower, PANORAMA will provide members with a full look at the Center and programs that serve the community throughout each and every season.

You’ll notice our new logo or emblem, proudly celebrating our past while embracing a new and exciting future. A wise and strong little owl, an enduring symbol of our natural and human heritage, is still at the heart of our mission to connect people with nature and inspire them to be responsible stewards of the natural world.

Members will see many improvements at Schlitz Audubon over the next year. New signage inside and out will provide an enhanced experience at the Center and in the preserve. A new visitors booth is planned near the main entrance to help guests find their way and to improve security and safety for our wild and human pedestrians.

Trails, boardwalks, and amenities are being upgraded to ensure accessibility and high-quality outdoor experiences. An observation deck overseeing Lake Michigan from the lower terrace is planned in honor of past member Norman Huth, who bequeathed a vital endowment gift to the Center. Behind the walls, we are making significant investments in our iconic building toward improved standards of energy efficiency and green living.

Of course it’s our programming inside and outside those walls that makes the Center all it is, from our nationally renowned nature preschool to our comprehensive programs for schools, families, and adults; from our leading raptor collection to our hikes and fun events like the upcoming Winter Carnival, January 25, free to the community thanks to our supporters.

The land itself is the foundation upon which we connect with nature, our ultimate inspiration.

You will see evidence of our active and progressive management of the land, restoring habitats unique to our region and reclaiming our bountiful natural history. We are extraordinarily fortunate to be situated upon a major bird and monarch butterfly migratory corridor, and to serve as an important and extraordinarily diverse urban oasis.

Your membership now has more value than ever. If you are interested in receiving additional benefits, beyond your general membership, we invite you to learn about our new upper level memberships, the Parliament of Owls, later in this quarterly.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers Tim Gerend President Margarete Harvey Past President Sanderson ‘Andy’ S. Read Treasurer Nick Pabst Secretary Jane B. Bell VP-Development John Grunau VP-Governance Board Shane Delsman John E. ‘Jack’ Gebhardt Chad D. Johnson Kevin J. Kane Meg Kinney Amy Kocourek Cynthia Palmersheim Justin K. Patrick Lena M. Patton Arthur T. Phillips Benjamin F. Rikkers Jeff Thurston 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 Honorary Directors Edwin P. Wiley Director Emeritus Dorothy K. Vallier (1910-2013)

Come on out, grab some snowshoes – now free to members which is another exciting new benefit we are offering – and experience all Schlitz Audubon has to offer!

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

BRAND NEW

ZOE FINNEY Graphic Designer

It’s not often that an organization such as ours has the opportunity to hit reset and completely re-brand. Our 2013-2017 Strategic Plan outlined that a “re-energizing” of our brand would be in the works for 2014. When we sat down and listened to our members, staff and Board of Directors, it was clear that we all wanted more than just a variation of the same brand that has existed at Schlitz Audubon. The time to be bold was now, and a simple refresh would not do. We have not re-branded only for the sake of improved design, but more importantly, in order to expand our mission and impact, not only in Milwaukee, but throughout our region.

The colors of our new brand were thoughtfully drawn from a rich palette that interacts with our land, our beautiful building, and the changing colors of Lake Michigan. We chose typography that shows a rich heritage, but also a bold, innovative future. It was important to keep an owl as part of Schlitz Audubon’s identity, so we decided to draw from the inspiration of a little owl that nests in Wisconsin: the Eastern Screech Owl. The outline of our identity is inspired by Tucker, an

Eastern Screech Owl in our very own Raptor Program.

Lake Michigan and our other water features are represented in the new mark, as well as our intersecting trails, and the full experience of nature that we offer.

We are Milwaukee’s comprehensive nature center. We provide leading experiential, environmental education for people of all ages. Our land is diverse, we offer a variety of wildlife, including the numerous species of birds that visit here each year because of our location within a migratory flyway. We are restoring and conserving our land. We are a destination that offers connection and not only between the humans that meet on our trails. If you try to convince a birder they are “just” viewing birds—it’s likely they would argue that there is a deep connection between them and the intricate creature they are gazing at through their binoculars. This connection with the natural world is the basis for the work we do, and how our brand should be represented.

This is what our new identity conveys.

We are truly excited for our new brand and for the future at Schlitz Audubon, and hope you are too!

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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SEASONAL SIGHTINGS Seasonal Sightings is a new column that will appear in each quarterly so you can learn about seasonal highlights at Schlitz Audubon and then visit and see for yourself!

TOM FINLEY Director of Education

Winter offers incredible beauty in the natural world, if we only take a few moments to leave the comforts of warmth and hearth to venture outside.

The Center offers great opportunities to track animals in the snow. Following a well-worn rabbit trail, bounding after a squirrel (why does it disappear at the tree base?) and crawling after the tiny prints of a shrew (can you find the finger-wide burrow?) are all fun excursions. Certainly, the most colorful friends to watch are the birds visiting our feeders this time of year. Cardinals, Jays, Woodpeckers and Nuthatches all vie for spots to enjoy seeds and suet.

Diagonally walking like a deer, as people do, is a thoughtful way to navigate deep snow: especially when traveling in groups. Humans have adapted nicely to such conditions through the development of the snowshoe. Classic Native American style shoes are still a valuable way to cover large expanses of ground. Modern, smaller versions have only increased the popularity of the sport. Traversing the snowy paths at the Center via snowshoe is easier now that we have ten pairs of lightweight aluminum shoes available for use on our trails. Using them is free for members and $10.00 for non-members.

Don’t let the cold keep you inside this winter. Come enjoy the season at Schlitz Audubon!

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Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

MAPLE EDUCATION SUGAR TIME

Sweetest The

Time of Them All!

JESSY KNOX School Programs Manager

Here at Schlitz Audubon, we celebrate all four seasons with equal fervor. But there’s another season that we celebrate with extra zest and zeal because it’s the sweetest of them all… Maple Sugar Time!

As winter comes to a close and the spring songs of birds are in the air, we head out to tap our maple trees, gather sap and cook it down into maple syrup and maple sugar. We are able to participate in this prehistoric practice, called maple sugaring, thanks to the Indigenous Peoples that lived in North America first and because of our maple trees, of course! But there’s another determining factor to making maple syrup besides having the know-how and the right tree.

The deciding factor is temperature! In our part of the world, we are used to temperature dictating many things in our lives, but you might not have realized that it also determines how much maple sap will flow.

For this to happen, the temperature must drop below freezing at night. The temperature must also rise above freezing during the day. It’s this magical combination that causes pressure within the tree that makes sap flow.

Even though maple trees grow other places on the planet, the requirement of this temperature differential is why maple sugaring is a phenomenon specific primarily to northeastern North America. The best place to maple sugar is Quebec. They make more than

80 percent of all maple syrup in the world, approximately seven million US gallons! No wonder the maple leaf appears on the flag of Canada. Here in the United States we show our love for the maple trees too. The maple tree is the state tree for Wisconsin, but also New York and Vermont because, like Canada, the maple tree is emblematic of our region.

Vermont leads the US in maple syrup production, making about 5 percent of the global supply, followed by New York and Maine. Other significant maple syruping states include our fair state, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Michigan, all making less than 265,000 US gallons each.

The total US production is around 4,200,000 gallons.

If that sounds like a lot, consider that it takes approximately 40 gallons of maple sap just to get ONE gallon of maple syrup! Maple sap is mostly made out of water with just a few precious parts of sugar, around two to four percent. There’s a lot of water, around 95%, that needs to be boiled off when the sap is cooked down into the golden goodness of maple syrup. So how many gallons of maple sap does it take to make 4,200,000 gallons of US maple syrup? The answer is 168 million gallons of sap from the maple trees. And then there is the hard work and skill of the maple sugar farmer!

Maple sugaring is one of the many reasons to love where we live, even during a time of year when it can be hard to love those changing temperatures.

Join us for Maple Sugar Time!

Saturday, March 21 10:00am-12:00pm & 1:00pm-3:00pm Member Price: Child $6 | Adult $10 Non-Member Price: Child $11 | Adult $15

Call 414-352-2880 x0 to register!

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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RAPTOR EDUCATION

OWLS In Winter

Eastern Screech Owl spotted at Schlitz Audubon in February of 2013

LINDSAY FOCHT Raptor Educator & Trainer

During these cold winter months in Wisconsin, many of us bundle up in layers in order to enjoy the wonders of the outdoors. By this time, many bird species have migrated and are enjoying the warmth and plethora of food further south. But what about those resilient birds who stay with us all winter long?

The most common owl species in Wisconsin include the Great Horned, Barred, and Screech Owls. Many species here are adapted well enough to our climate that they have no need to venture far from home.

The feet of the Great Horned Owl, for example, are covered with feathers that reach all the way to the tip of their toes, allowing their feet to stay nice and toasty in the coldest temps. If you have a down feather jacket, you can see how the soft little feathers are great insulators for our birds. Owls keep warm with the help of the down feathers close to their bodies, but they have another trick up their wings! Owls also have specialized contour (body) feathers with extra extensions that will serve to trap even more heat next to their bodies.

There are two big reasons that owls rule our winter skies. Great Horned Owls are the first to nest in our state, with a breeding season in late January and February. Lately, we have also had a polar visitor among 6

us – the awe-inspiring Snowy Owl. These arctic owls sometimes travel south in unpredictable invasions known as irruptions. The winter of 2013-2014 brought the largest Snowy Owl irruption to the Great Lakes in 40 years.1

So, the next time you’re deciding whether or not it’s worth the effort of putting on your snow gear, do as the owls do: bundle up and go see what nature has to offer!

RAPTOR SPOTLIGHT At Schlitz Audubon, we have a Great Horned Owl in our care named Tskili! She was stolen from her nest by a human who wanted her as a pet, and wasn’t cared for properly in her early weeks of life. Because of this, Tskili suffers from a disease similar to rickets and has to be fed special supplements. Tskili has imprinted on humans and cannot be released into the wild. She loves to stalk tennis balls and hoot, hoot, hoot! Come to one of our Raptor programs and see Tskili and our other feathered ambassadors. Check our facebook page to see who is appearing at Raptor Saturday or Word with a Bird each weekend!

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Weidensaul, S. (2014). What is an Irruption? Retrieved October 26, 2014, from http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/what-is-an-irruption/

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE

ice canos CORINNE PALMER Naturalist

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FEATURE

While some people dread the cold winters of Wisconsin, others look forward to the stillness and beauty of winter, and seasonal recreational activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. More recently, people have been excited for a special set of conditions that create a unique frozen landscape along the shores of Lake Michigan, a phenomenon that makes you feel like you are walking on another planet.

If conditions are right, our shoreline can become an ice covered terrain filled with ice caves, ice boulders, and giant floating “lily-pad” type ice islands, and one of our favorites, ice canos. Ice volcanoes, or ice canos are exactly what they sound like, volcano-shaped formations made out of ice that erupt water or ice, or a mixture of the two in the form of sleet or slush.

At Schlitz Audubon we call them ice canos, not to be confused with ice canoes, which sounds like a strange long boat made of ice. Some people relate ice canos to cryovolcanoes. Cryovolcanoes usually form on the moons of planets in our solar system like Saturn and Neptune. Instead of water or ice eruptions like an ice cano, or rocks and lava like a typical volcano, cryovolcanoes emit water, ammonia, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or methane.1

In order for ice canos to form on our planet, certain conditions must be met. First, we need cold air and water temperatures–a milder winter may not produce the dramatic ice canos we long for. Then, an ice shelf needs to form from the shoreline into the lake. Freezing temperatures will anchor the shelf to the beach, and will occur with rough or calm water. The ice shelf overlaps the shoreline and extends out to the lake, with moving water underneath. Winds and high waves, along with varying temperatures may push and shift the ice shelf. Waves crash into the ice shelf and are pushed underneath, hitting the bottom of the shoreline. Because of the shifting and forming of ice, along with varying temperatures and weather conditions, small holes and cracks will be present in the ice shelf. All of these factors create the base needed for an ice cano, and then the “magic” is ready to happen.

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Winter waves crash, forming the ice shelf required for ice canos.

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Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

FEATURE Winds and strong waves caused by storms or squalls (small localized storms of high winds with snow, rain, hail, or sleet) will continue to push water and pulse waves underneath the ice shelf. The ice shelf can cause concentrated and larger waves, along with a stronger current underneath the ice. If there is a hole or a crack present, water is pushed through and up onto the ice shelf, where it spills and freezes. This process continues to happen and a cone starts to form. The stronger the waves, the bigger the ice canos. Rough water creates more spectacular eruptions in the ice canos because of the already cool water hitting cool air.2 If there has been a recent snowfall, the mix of water, snow, and sleet make incredible eruptions. Our shoreline at Schlitz Audubon is a great spot for dramatic ice canos to form because of exposure to a long fetch, which is an unbroken distance of open water. The largest ice cano to form at Schlitz Audubon in the past 30 years measured 20 feet in height!

Ice canos, like regular volcanoes, can become dormant, creating a cave-like formation. While ice canos bring a lot of visitors, there are a number of things to remember when walking along the shoreline. The ice shelf may look as though it is anchored to the bottom, but sometimes there is water moving below it. The same processes that helped to form the ice shelf and ice canos can quickly be the cause of their destruction. It is safest to go with a naturalist or someone who knows more about the ice and the ice formations of the Great Lakes. We have a few programs this winter that highlight our ice canos.

Visit during Winter Carnival on Sunday, January 25 and take a guided hike down to the beach with a Schlitz Audubon Naturalist. You can even borrow some of our snowshoes for the trek! Don Quintenz will be leading a Full Moon Snowshoe Hike on Monday, February 2 at 6:30pm that also highlights the ice canos. We also have the option for your group to rent a guide to explore the canos. You can call our front desk for more information.

If you are going to explore the winter shoreline without one of our staff, be sure to dress warmly and never adventure alone. Do not climb in or near an ice cano without an expert near because ice changes quickly without warning. What was safe to explore the week before could quickly change into a dangerous situation of thin ice. This becomes especially true in late February and early March as winter wanes and the weather warms.

TOP Ice canos at Schlitz Audubon.

MIDDLE Close-up of ice formations on Lake Michigan.

BOTTOM Ice canos at Schlitz Audubon.

Dolan, M., & Kimberly, P. (2011, February 7). Ice Volcanoes of Lake Superior’s South Shore.

Retrieved October 30, 2014, http://www.geo.mtu.edu/volcanoes/ice/ Burlingame, L. (2014, November 17). A Great Lakes Oddity. Retrieved November 20, 2014, http://www.weather.com/science/nature/news/great-lakes-oddity-ice-volcanoes-20140301 3 What is a Seiche. (2014, July 25). Retrieved November 7, 2014, http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/seiche.html 4 Don Quintenz, Schlitz Audubon’s Director of Conservation & Adult Education was consulted for this article.

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Not only do ice canos form along the shoreline, but occasionally ice canos form on sand bars in shallow water further from shore, unattached from the shoreline. These isolated formations are made possible because of the seiche of the Great Lakes. A seiche is a standing wave that oscillates in a lake as a result of seismic or atmospheric disturbances creating huge fluctuations of water levels in just moments.3 Detached ‘2nd Generation’ ice canos will only form once the shoreline canos are established. Remember to take your binoculars with you, so you can get a good view of the sandbar outliers as well.

This winter, visit Schlitz Audubon and explore the strangely beautiful shoreline of ice. We will have a warm beverage and a toasty fire.4

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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SCHLITZ AUDUBON PRESCHOOL AT SCHLITZ AUDUBON NATURE CENTER

Young Children & Nature ELISE HANSEN Preschool Director

At Schlitz Audubon, we have developed programs that are designed to provide introductory nature experiences to young children and their adult, whether that is a parent, a grandparent or caregiver. Audubon Babies, which is geared towards children 6 months to 24 months, and Hand-in-Hand, which is for children 2 to 4 years, foster an early love of nature.

These experiential, environmental education programs, involve both the child and adult. Audubon Babies and Handin-Hand are facilitated by our preschool teachers who are knowledgeable in both early childhood development and the environment. Both classes include sensory experiences indoors and outdoors throughout all seasons.

Each class begins indoors with a nature-themed story, sharing of natural materials and wildlife replicas, in order to transition to the outdoors. Our outdoor time is completely dependent on the season! In winter, we may climb and crawl over mounds of snow or boot skate

on an ice pond. In spring, we may gently push over rocks and logs to watch worms, slugs and salamanders nestled in their animal homes.

There are many reasons why parents want their children to be involved in these programs, including the desire to have their child explore nature the same way that they did. Some parents also recognize that every day is new and different outdoors, and they want to experience this with their child.

The importance of learning outdoors in different kinds of weather helps us learn about the differences and changes in the seasons and the spectacular wonder of nature. Through this discovery-based learning, children and families gain confidence in navigating open space and varied terrain. As children grow and develop, they gain an understanding of wildlife, themselves, of others and everyone’s place in the natural world.

To register for either of these programs, check out our calendar of events for specific dates and times.

VOLUNTEER UPDATE

Volunteering Together Nonprofit organizations such as ours rely heavily on volunteers. The part of our mission statement that says “inspires people to become responsible stewards of the natural world” rings true when volunteer groups work with our land stewards. Throughout the year, hundreds of folks escape from their office or school to spend a few scheduled hours amid the plants and trees on our property. We teach them the importance of a healthy balance of nature and they help our grateful staff work on the details of getting that accomplished.

In 2014, students came from several high schools and service clubs. Many corporate groups spent time working on the land and told us how much they look forward to the team building that occurs organically while they are here.

Again this year we were fortunate to have a group of 8 young adult Americorps students who volunteered at Schlitz Audubon for two weeks. They handled more extensive projects than usual, such as preparing the lake terrace for spring garlic mustard and dames rocket eradication. They cut and treated woody invasives, and learned about success rates of invasive species removal. As an added bonus, they worked alongside our regular land steward volunteers, which allowed for some good multi-generational conversations.

Bring your group to volunteer at Schlitz Audubon!

NEW MASTER NATURALIST TRAINING COURSE Beginning in March 2015, Don Quintenz and Marc White will be leading a course designed to deepen your understanding of all the elements needed by a naturalist to sharpen your skills as an educator.

Visit our website for more details including price and course meeting times!

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Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

SCHLITZ AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT

Invest in Schlitz Audubon DEBBY FULTON Director of Development

There are many reasons to make an investment in Schlitz Audubon. Each and every one of you who spends time here has a special reason for supporting the Center.

Perhaps it is because we offer the full experience of nature throughout all seasons, both as a destination for adventure and an oasis from the busyness of life. Or that we are setting the standards for restoration of our key habitats, protecting our sanctuary’s position as the gateway to the northern forest for migratory birds. Maybe it’s that our teachers and naturalists provide leading experiential, environmental education for people of all ages. It could be all of these reasons.

In order for our organization to grow we need your support now more than ever. There are a variety of ways to invest in Schlitz Audubon. While our general membership rates have stayed the same, consider moving your membership to the next level. We are

grateful to our current members, many of whom have been supporting us at various levels for decades. Read the article below for details on our new Parliament of Owls, which is our new upper membership program. Consider a Planned Gift. We appreciate those of you who have already made the decision to name Schlitz Audubon Nature Center as the beneficiary in your estate plans.

Find the perfect program, item or need to support by selecting a gift through our new Giving Guide, which can be found on our website. All of these gifts make a difference in terms of the diversity of programming we are able to offer to you as well as the thousands of students and visitors who learn at the Center each and every day.

Our renowned nature preschool, Gold LEED facility, and Raptor Program are examples of bold initiatives we have taken in the past. Your support allows us to continue such innovations as we strive to make Schlitz Audubon one of the leading environmental education centers in the nation.

NEW UPPER LEVEL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Join our Parliament of Owls Did you know that a group of owls is called a parliament? We are asking you to join our new and improved upper level membership group, the Parliament of Owls.

Taking your general membership to the next level gives added benefits to you, but also helps us further our mission in great ways. Your upper level Owl membership will help fund the maintenance of our trails for you and others to enjoy. It will allow us to expand our school reach to more schools in southeastern Wisconsin. You will also be helping us restore our land to its native habitats and conserve it for future generations.

All of our members are vital to the Schlitz Audubon community and believe in our mission to connect people to nature and inspire them to become responsible stewards of the natural world. Why not consider a stronger partnership by increasing your individual or family membership gift and join our Parliament of Owls.

When you receive your renewal request this year, consider stepping up your membership level of giving. Along with furthering our mission, here are the added benefits:

Upper Level Memberships Saw-whet Owl $100–$249 All family +2 benefits plus: 2 complimentary family guest passes to share with friends Specially-designed member card Recognition in our Annual Report Screech Owl $250–$499 All above benefits plus: 2 additional family guest passes Invitation to Donor Recognition Event Barred Owl $500–$999 All above benefits plus: 2 additional family guest passes Free Family entrance to one of our seasonal special events Great Horned Owl $1000–2499 All above benefits plus: Invitation to scheduled seasonal hikes lead by naturalist Snowy Owl $2500 & above All above benefits plus: Private meet & greet with our Snowy Owl, Wind Chill McCloud and a few of our other feathered ambassadors

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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CALENDAR Adult Program Family Program Preschool Program Handicap Accessible Member Price Non-Member Price Pre-Registration

Pre-registration helps us prepare for our programs. There will be an additional $2.00 charge for walk-in participants attending a program that requires pre-registration.

Bird Club

Youth price is for those ages 3–17.

18 and up are charged the adult price.

During the winter months we will be focusing on birds that endure the cold weather. In January and February we will look and listen for Great Horned Owls. In March we hope to see the beautiful and unique aerial courtship display of the American Woodcock. It may be cold and quiet outside, but it’s always a “hoot” in Bird Club! This is free to all volunteers.

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

Call 414-352-2880 ext. 0 to register.

Raptor Saturday

Saturday, January 3 | 1:00pm-2:00pm Saturday, February 7 | 1:00pm-2:00pm Saturday, March 7 | 1:00pm-2:00pm

January Light feathers, fast feathers, camouflage feathers and warm feathers will abound.

Audience members will be able to feel and see the difference! There will be a few of our feathered ambassadors sporting the latest fashion for winter feathers in attendance.

February We are delighted to have Michael Zimmerman Jr., UW- Milwaukee Tribal Liaison Officer presenting on Native American, specifically Anishinaabe: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, associations with the various birds of prey. This will be done through the use of Anishinaabemowin language, both spoken and translated, to communicate stories and cultural connections.

March Spring is on its way! You can almost hear the shells cracking. There are feathered young all over the state. Join us to learn who’s sitting on eggs, who’s finding a mate, and who’s already hard at work raising their young. As always, you’ll get an up close look at some of our resident birds of prey.

Free with Membership or Center Admission Sponsored by

American Indian Experience: Algonquin Languages of the Great Lakes Region* Thursday, January 8 | 7:00pm-8:00pm

Announcing the first in a seasonal series that will explore American Indian culture. There are 12 American Indian tribal identities in the state of Wisconsin. Of these, the Algonquin linguistic group is the most numerous consisting of the Menominee, Potawatomi, Oneida, and Stockbridge-Munsee tribes. Michael Zimmerman, Jr. UW-Milwaukee Tribal Liaison Officer, will present a program discussing the Algonquin language.

M: Youth $5 | Adult $7 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $12

Animal Movie Night*

Friday, January 9 | 6:00pm-9:00pm Friday, February 6 | 6:00pm-9:00pm Friday, March 6 | 6:00pm-9:00pm

Put on your jammies and enjoy an evening of animal close-ups and an animal themed movie with the whole family. Enjoy roasting marshmallows and making s’mores around our fireplace then snuggle up in our auditorium as a naturalist introduces you to some of our education animals. After that, enjoy an animal-or nature-themed movie.

January: Mr. Peabody and Sherman February: Planes: Fire and Rescue March: How to Train your Dragon 2

M: Youth $5 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $10 | Adult $15

The World of Snow*

Saturday, January 10 | 9:30am-11:00am

Explore the magical properties of snow, with Education Specialist Shelly Rollins. We will start in the classroom reading snow related stories, viewing photos of snowflakes and take part in snow related activities. We will follow this up with a nature hike to investigate snow up close and see what signs of nature can be found in snow. This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children. Adults are free.

M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth

Environmental Voices: Airports-No Welcome Mat for Wildlife* Tuesday, January 13 | 7:00pm-8:00pm

Have you ever wondered about airplanes and wildlife co-existing at airports? Learn about wildlife management techniques used at Mitchell and Timmerman Airports with wildlife biologist Henri Woods, whose job is to assess wildlife hazards and, if needed, to implement plans that ensure a safe flying environment.

M: $7 NM: $12

Wednesday, January 14 | 6:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday, February 11 | 6:30pm-8:30pm Wednesday, March 11 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

Free with Membership or Center Admission

Hand-in-Hand*

Thursdays: January 15, February 5, February 19, March 5, March 19 Session 1 | 9:00am-10:15am Session 2 | 10:30am-11:45am

Explore nature with your little one! We will hike, play, do art activities and listen to a story.

Dress for the weather, we explore outdoors rain or shine. We recommend waterproof shoes or boots. This program is for 2-4 year olds and their adult.

January 15: Owl Babies February 5: Footprints in the Snow February 19: Winter Birds March 5: Animal Homes March 19: Maple Sugar Time

Family Discovery Hike*

Thursday, January 15 | 4:00pm-5:30pm Thursday, February 19 | 4:00pm-5:30pm Thursday, March 19 | 4:00pm-5:30pm

Learn to appreciate the science and beauty through all the seasonal changes by spending time outside at Schlitz Audubon with a Center naturalist. We will meet in the preschool play space before we head out on the trails. Dress for the weather including waterproof shoes or boots. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are free.

January: Animals in Winter February: Snow and Ice March: Maple Sugaring

Saturday, January 17 | 10:00am-11:00am

Join English teacher Bob Wells, as we discover the beauty, insights, questions, and challenges swirling within the nature poetry of Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry, as they invite us to appreciate nature’s many gifts. We have books by Berry and Oliver for sale in our nature store.

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth

Spiritual World of Nature: The Poetry of Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry*

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M: $12 per pair per program NM: $17 per pair per program

M: $10 NM: $15

CALENDAR Audubon Babies – Exploring Nature with the Very Young* Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday, Wednesday,

January 28 | 10:00am-11:15am February 11 | 10:00am-11:15am February 25 | 10:00am-11:15am March 11 | 10:00am-11:15am March 25 | 10:00am-11:15am

Children are never too young to enjoy fresh air and the wonders of nature. Come enjoy a hike on the trails and some good fellowship.

We will meet inside and venture out when we are ready. Dress for the weather, we will explore outdoors rain or shine. We recommend waterproof boots or shoes. This program is for children 6 months to 24 months and their adult.

M: $12 per pair per program NM: $17 per pair per program

Winter Discovery Nature Hike*

Thursday, January 29 | 1:00pm-2:00pm Tuesday, February 17 | 1:00pm-2:00pm Thursday, March 26 | 1:00pm-2:00pm

Explore the beauties of the winter season through hikes led by Don Quintenz. In January, we’ll head to the shores of Lake Michigan to view the impressive ice canos, literally volcanoes of ice, as well as the other dazzling, never-repeating myriads of ice formations.

In February, we’ll hike the woodland loop in search of signs of animal activity, as this is the season when nature tell its stories in script written in the snow. In March, we’ll head back to Lake Michigan’s shoreline to observe the ducks you don’t see inland, but who are using our Important Bird Area for food & protection.

M: $7 NM: $12

Winter Concert Series

Every Sunday February 1 – March 29 | 2:30pm-3:30pm

Join us on Sunday afternoons from February through April for live music and song. Performances will take place in our auditorium, and will feature a variety of music including classical, jazz, folk, and more! We will close the season with our annual education program fundraiser featuring Kim Robertson, internationally known harpist.

Free with Membership or Center Admission

Lake Michigan Full Moon Snowshoe* Monday, February 2 | 6:30pm-8:30pm

Visit a scene that is one of the most beautiful of all seasons, the ever-changing ice formations of our Great Lake in the truly magical light of a full moon and view the spectacularly bright stars of the winter sky. We will finish with hot drinks in front of our lake view room’s fireplace. Snowshoes provided. If there is no snow we will hike on foot.

Hangin’ with Hyatt: The Search for Antlers*

Science Classroom: Fossils of the Rosenbaum Collection*

Join us as we search for the signs and sounds of this annual competition of the White-tailed deer. Learn about antler formation, how to decode a deer trail, deer ecology, and so much more! Then we’ll head out on the trails and search for shed antlers – if you find one, you get to keep it!

Jim Rosenbaum, who holds B.A. in Geology from Lawrence University and an M.S. in Geology from Stanford University, will share his collection of fossils, amassed over the last 60 years, and mostly locally sourced. Fitting fossils into the geologic time scale will be emphasized. Inquiring minds welcome. We will meet at Jim’s house in Whitefish Bay and enjoy hot refreshments. Address will be given upon registration.

Saturday, February 7 | 9:00am-11:00am

M: Youth $6 | Adult $8 NM: Youth $11 | Adult $15

Winter River Snowshoe*

Saturday, February 7 | 1:00pm-3:00pm

Neighborhood parkways often are home for numerous animals that go undetected by the untrained eye. Guided by Don Quintenz we will search out the animals and signs that animals necessarily leave in their journey to find their needs. Many parkways are often quite scenic also, especially with their winter cover of blue river ice and white snow. Snowshoes are provided; no experience is necessary. We will hike along the Milwaukee River Parkway near Silver Spring. Maps will be sent out just prior to the program. If there is no snow we will hike on foot.

M: $18 NM: $23

Wednesday, February 11 | 1:30pm-3:45pm

M: $15 NM: $20

Love is in the Air*

Saturday, February 14 | 9:30am-11:00am

Join Education Specialist Shelly Rollins to learn about Wisconsin animals that establish life-long bonds. We will start in the classroom reading stories about animal pairs, looking at artifacts from some animals and taking part in activities inspired by these animals.

Then we’ll take a nature hike looking for these animals and the signs that they leave behind.

This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children.

Adults are free.

M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth

Environmental Voices: Recovery, Management and Future of Wisconsin’s Peregrines* Thursday, February 26 | 6:30pm-7:30pm A richly illustrated presentation by Peregrine Falcon expert Greg Septon will provide an overview of Peregrine Falcon recovery efforts in Wisconsin between 1987 and 2013.

Topics will include recovery methods and approaches utilized in the creation of an urban-nesting population along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Band returns, dispersal of hacked and wild-produced falcons and the future of the Peregrine Falcon in our state will also be covered.

M: $7 NM: $12

M: $15 NM: $20

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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CALENDAR Spiritual World of Nature: Finding God in Nature, Science, & Poetry* Friday, February 20 | 7:00pm-8:00pm

Sky Schultz, Ph.D. is an “explorer who stayed at home.” But his journey may be like yours, and in this dialog we will explore what we all share on our path to the “Ultimate Mystery”.

What are your highest truths and how did you get to them? Sky has been a life-long student of religion and spirituality, and believes the things that we share are much more important than how we differ, and we will explore together our paths into our “Divine Nature.”

M: $10 NM: $15

Wisconsin Conservation Congress* Saturday, March 7 | 2:00pm-3:00pm

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) is a citizen advisory body to the DNR and the Natural Resources Board. For 80 years, this volunteer organization has been studying environmental problems and proposing solutions, and participating in DNR committees. But do they represent you? How many delegates are in the Congress? How are they elected? What is the organizational structure of the Congress? Come learn from Barbara Eisenberg, a delegate to the WCC the history and role of the WCC, as well as her personal experience as a delegate from Milwaukee.

Free with Membership or Center Admission

Repamphibiantile Sunday

Sunday, March 8 | 12:00pm-1:00pm

Whether they slither, hop, jump, swim, or crawl, Schlitz Audubon’s reptiles and amphibians are sure to fascinate you and your child.

See them up close and learn about what makes each of them unique. Learn the calls of frogs, and discover what snake scales and turtle shells feel like.

Free with Membership or Center Admission

Spiritual World of Nature: The Nature of Prophecy* Tuesday, March 10 | 10:00am-11:00am

Many of the holy prophets revered and respected natured. Yet, humanity has often overlooked this part of their teachings. Join spiritual teacher Rabbi Emeritus Jay Brickman of the Congregation Sinai, as we discuss if prophets are more able to understand the consequences of human behavior because they are more aware of the natural forces in and about us.

M: $10 NM: $15

Is it Spring Yet?*

Saturday, March 14 | 9:30am-11:00am

With spring just a few days away, join Education Specialist Shelly Rollins to see if we can find some signs of spring time. We will start in the classroom reading spring related stories and meeting some animals that will be coming out of hibernation soon. Then we’ll take a nature hike looking for signs of spring. This program is for families with children up to age 7. An adult must accompany children. Adults are free.

Hangin’ with Hyatt: Snake Patrick Day*

Tuesday, March 17 | 6:00pm-7:00pm

Want to touch a turtle’s back? Feel the scales on a live snake? Get up close and personal with a variety of reptiles and amphibians.

Learn interesting facts about our slithering and scaly wild creatures. We’ll eat some green cake, munch on green cookies, and wash it down with green juice. Celebrate Snake Patrick Day with Schlitz Audubon!

M: Youth $6 | Adult $8 NM: Youth $11 | Adult $13

It’s Maple Sugar Time*

Saturday, March 21 | 10:00am-12:00pm &

1:00pm-3:00pm

Spring must be just around the corner because its maple sugar time at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center! We will begin inside with a story about the serendipitous discovery of maple syrup, and then take a short hike through the woods to the Schlitz Audubon sugar bush and evaporator. See the “sweet water” run from the tree and how it is boiled down into that wonderful sticky sweetness known as maple syrup. We’ll top it all off with real maple syrup over silver dollar pancakes.

M: Youth $6 | Adult $10 NM: Youth $11 | Adult $15

Environmental Voices: Living with Urban Wildlife* Tuesday, March 24 | 7:00pm-8:00pm

Living in the Milwaukee area, we are fortunate to have an abundance of wildlife; however foxes, coyotes, deer, turkeys can prove problematic. In this program with Dianne Robinson, a Milwaukee County Wildlife biologist and Wildlife educator for the DNR, we will discuss the benefits and detriments to living in close quarters with wild critters, and the different ways available to live in harmony with them.

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M: $5 per youth NM: $10 per youth

M: $7 NM: $12

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

Dazzling Ducks of Spring*

Tuesday, March 31 | 9:00am-4:00pm Cold/Rain Date Tuesday, April 7

Tour some of the secret hot spots that birders use to look for beautiful and diverse migrating waterfowl. This tour will be lead by Jean Strelka and Don Quintenz and will visit select spots in the area that have had excellent waterfowl activity. Transportation and interpretation provided. Bring money for lunch.

M: $52 NM: $60

Hatha Yoga Evening Class*

Every Thursday | 5:30pm-6:45pm

Lisa Lewis, LMT, CYT leads this yoga class, that is designed for all levels of students.

Classes are therapeutic in nature, and will be challenging at times. All students are taught to observe their body and breath, and to practice within their capacity. This is a wonderful way to start the year off and keep the winter blues away. The first class is always free!

M: $100 for 10 weeks NM: $110 for 10 weeks

Word With A Bird

Every Saturday & Sunday | 1:00pm-2:00pm

January Looking for a way to take the chill off? Join us for this informative meet and greet program about one or two of our spectacular birds of prey. Every Saturday and Sunday, we’ll focus on a different bird. This informal program is a great way to spend quality time beak to beak with these specialized hunters.

February Bring a friend and warm your hearts by visiting our birds of prey during this special month. Discover each bird’s story, why they can’t be released back to wild and what you can do to help enrich their time with us.

March Getting that ‘have to get out of the house’ feeling? Spring is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate than to stop in for a visit with one of our raptor friends.

We will be featuring our migrating crew of falcons, vultures and hawks.

Check out our Facebook page to see which birds will be making an appearance each weekend.

Free with Membership or Center Admission

THANK YOU New Members Cindy & Brian Adam Jan Adams Marie Arthur Mary Aschenbrener Jameson Auer Brandy & Amy Barlament Samuel Baskaran Carolyn Belcher Dolores & Gary Braun Andrea & Dan Burkholder Patricia Burrows & Jay Ostema Sergio & Margarita Cabada Heather Carrick Lauren Casey Benjamin Checota & Kristin Kannegiesser Maureen Conaty Crystal Cresci & Daniel Wegner Amanda Daubert Lisa Desmond & Christine Hall Colleen DiMatteo Zhongmin Du

Sean Durbin Jill Elmore Ely Family Scott & Barb Fleming Catherine & Daniel Fouliard Kelly Fricano Claire Gardner Jack Goldberg Jennifer Gomulka Katarina Grande Jane Greene Michelle Griffith Carolyn Grove Kevin & Charlene Halbert Lynn Henevadl Amy Hoeffel Derek & Melanie Johnson Luke & Kate Junk Rosa Kim Jerry & Sharon Klotz Jeffrey R. Klug Jason & Jamie Koehler Mary Koenigs Yelena Krayzman Sarah Krueger

Memorials Elizabeth (Betty) Inkmann Angela Jacobson

Mary Peterson Patricia Shires

Joseph C. Martin Bank Mutual Sarah Edgerton Mark & Tracey Ferris Shawn & Diane Govern Nadine & Dave Guirl David J. Heller George & Yvonne Hoff Jerry & Helene Jacobs Karen & Alfred Krammer The Manion Family Robert & Lynette Melin Eric & Margaret Miller Doug Mitcheson Richard & Caroline Ognenoff Dave Sunderland John & Barbara Tsoris Jane and Peter Waldron

Ray Puemer Joyce Schwirgel Polly Van Dyke Jim & Jane Bell Louise V. Cardinal Nina Dentici Debby & Steve Fulton Greater Milwaukee Foundation Ann Ross MacIver Ann Martin Di Leone Wendy & Bill Randall

Admission

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

Kirk Kusick Eric E. Leander Christine Linder & Don Weimer Patricia A. Mace Nancy & Larry Maciolek Doug & Jenny Marsch Cindy Matz Cathy McCarthy Jasna Coralic McCormick & Michael McCormick Ed Means & Mary Traeger Diana Herzog Moesch Laurence Moon Jane Moore Dennis & Jennifer Moze Julie Murphy Andrew & Gina Nicoli Ronette Noonan Stephen Oakes Juan Ortiz Pam & Tony Pecoraro Alissa Phelps William & Jennifer Piper Tim & Meghan Posnanski

Julie Rabinowitz Chad Raube Peter Rigas Patrick & Lisa Rios Michael W. Ritter James Rowen Joseph Russell Al & Joy Schanowski Tom & Nicolle Schroeder Kate Schueiger Dana Schulz Kathleen Schulz Eric Segnitz & Margot Schwartz Laura Singleton Patricia L. Smith Clifford A. Smith Soley Somma Gaurav Songara Thomas Strack Lucille Strawn & David Sells Cathy Swessel Paul Taylor Keith & Kelly Terry Stephen M. Vogel

Raptor Sponsorships

In-Kind Donations

Barley – Barn Owl Sue B. Holcomb (In honor of Dayle Dieffenbach, Meg Kinney & Rachel Utzinger)

Kate Redmond Robert Bates “Peregrine & Young” print

Cysco – Harris Hawk Dayle & Dick Dieffenbach (In honor of Ellen Schneiderman) Sky Walker – Red-tailed Hawk Benjamin Checota Our Raptor Program Patty Neumueller Margorie Sutton (In honor of Jackie Weber)

Hours

Open 7 days a week 9:00am — 5:00pm

St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Milwaukee Tartan fabric Pamela and Phil Sweet Mounted snapping turtle and ruffled grouse Lisa Trost Small floor-standing shelf; computer table; end table; Weber gas grill Rebecca Wahlberg 4 Riker mount butterfly display cases

Join us on social media!

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

Winter 2015 | www.schlitzaudubon.org

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Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

U.S. Postage

1111 East Brown Deer Road Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217

PAID

Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 4168

Nature Center

Activities Include: Sleigh Rides Ice Skating Bring your own skates

Snowshoeing Sled Dogs Guided Hikes Sledding

Live Music S’mores Live Animals Raptor Program Gouda Girls Food Truck and more!

Visit www.schlitzaudubon.org for details.