NATURE AT YOUR CONVENIENCE
VIRTUALLY OR IN PERSON, MEAD’S NATURALIST PROGRAMS SAFELY SERVE THE PUBLIC
STORY BY KATHRYN A. KAHLER AND PHOTOS BY MEAD STAFF
When COVID-19 restrictions were put in place in the spring of 2020, staff at DNR properties around the state found innovative ways to provide contactless opportunities to engage the public with nature while promoting wellness and self-discovery.
The education team at the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center at George W. Mead Wildlife Area took on the challenge and developed two new programs — self-guided hikes and “Virtual Mondays at Mead.” “We expect both programs to continue into the future,” said Craig Ziolkowski, property supervisor at Mead, in central Wisconsin. “‘Mondays at Mead’ will likely morph into part virtual and part in-person, shared via some form of video conference technology. The self-guided lessons are also likely to continue.” GAUGING SUCCESS
Presenters for “Virtual Mondays at Mead” — held the fourth Monday of each month since April — are experts in their respective fields of study. In May, followers heard Lesa Kardash, a DNR wildlife biologist at the Buena Vista Wildlife Area, talk about the state’s prairie chicken population and current grassland management techniques.
Interpretive trail signs change monthly to offer new lessons throughout the changing seasons.
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July’s virtual lessons came from Karen Oberhauser, director of UW-Madison’s Arboretum, Aldo Leopold Professor of Restoration Ecology and professor in UW’s Department of Entomology, who talked about the life cycle, habitat and migration of monarch butterflies. “We are very thankful to have them,” Ziolkowski said. “Most are from outside the area, and by offering a virtual format, many who were unable to travel were still able to join us. “As this was our first virtual program offering, we are very pleased with participation and continue to see participation growth as we refine our outreach and marketing.” Participation with the self-guided hikes was a little harder to gauge, as staff all worked under Safer at Home guidance with little in-person public interaction. “From tracks in the snow and the frequency of refilling trail guides and brochures, we can tell it was widely used,” Ziolkowski said. “Schools that remained in-person as well as youth organizations and home-schoolers also
