A joint project of:
Wings to Wisconsin In May of 2015, the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Madison Audubon Society and Osa Conservation asked Wisconsin students in kindergarten through fifth grade to join them in welcoming migratory birds back to Wisconsin from the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. We instructed the students to write postcards to a specific migratory species, welcome it back to the state and explain the type of habitat Wisconsin has that the birds need and what the student is doing to help care for the habitat. More than 70 students from six schools throughout the state participated. The connection between Costa Rica and Wisconsin may not be obvious at first, but many of Wisconsin’s Neotropical migrants pass through Costa Rica, and 55 of the state’s breeding bird species migrate specifically to Costa Rica’s Osa Pensinsula for the winter. Both common Wisconsin birds such as the tree swallow, and rare migrants such as the state-endangered yellow-throated warbler share critical habitat in Central America and the Midwest. Local organizations like the Natural Resources Foundation and Madison Audubon Society that work to protect habitat in Wisconsin are, in reality, part of a larger global conservation network. These are the students’ joyful messages to our feathered friends.
Capitol West Academy Milwaukee, Wisconsin Grades 3-4 Teacher: Samantha Dalager, Art Education Teacher
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar, via Flickr
Eden Elementary School Eden, Wisconsin Grade 4 Teacher: Jennifer Anderson, 4th grade teacher “The students learned that birds travel a long distance while migrating! Many students enjoyed learning various bird songs or calls while researching more about their bird which they chose. Those students who are able to, create bird houses, bird feeders, and minimize human disruptions in the habitats.” –Jennifer Anderson, 4th grade teacher at Eden Elementary School
Photo by Chad Horwedel, via Flickr
Lincoln Elementary School Madison, Wisconsin Grades 3-4 Teacher: Laurie Sochenberger
Rose-breasted grosbeak photo by Anna Hesser, via Flickr
Windsor Elementary School Windsor, Wisconsin Grade 4 Teacher: Dave Sisler
Photo by Peter Miller, via Flickr
Winkler Elementary School Burlington, Wisconsin Grade 2 Teacher: Cathie Zlevor “I wanted to expose my students to the beauty of birds and to help them live in ways that help birds and all wildlife. Many of my students expressed interest in helping birds by providing food and nesting materials for migrating birds. They were very excited to bring reports of birds they had seen in their neighborhoods during spring days.� -Cathie Zlevor, second grade teacher at Winkler Elementary School
Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar, via Flickr
Brighton Elementary School Kansasville, Wisconsin Grade 4 Teacher: Matt Eggert “I chose to have the students participate in the Osa postcard project for a couple of reasons. The first is to understand how to write a postcard, and to learn the difference between a postcard and a letter. The second reason was to learn about the different habitats Wisconsin has to offer for birds, and why we must protect our environment.� -Matt Eggert, teacher at Brighton Elementary School
Photo by Dave Inman, via Flickr