WINTER 2022 JANUARY • FEBRUARY • MARCH
Celebrate the Sweetest Season at Wehr Tap into the sweet taste of our Wisconsin woodlands this spring. Join us at Wehr to take part in the great Wisconsin tradition of maple syrup making. Visit the Friends of Wehr Nature Store to purchase tapping supplies, or better yet, participate in one of our Maple Tapping Workshops to learn the tricks of backyard syrup production. Everyone is invited to celebrate early spring with us at our 45th Annual Maple Sugar Weekend event in March. It is a sweet treat worth looking forward to!
Maple Tapping Workshop for Families
Spend an Evening Out with the Owls Owl Prowls for Families at Grant Park
Saturday, Jan. 1 see page 11
Owl Prowls for Adults
Friday, Jan. 7 see page 10
Owl Prowl for Youth Groups at Falk Park
Saturday, Jan. 8 see page 9
Sunday, February 13, 10-11:30 am, see page 11
Maple Tapping Workshop
Sunday, February 20, 10 am-noon, see page 10
Maple Sugar Days
Sat., & Sun. March 19 & 20, 12-4 pm
Celebrate the spring thaw and our Wisconsin heritage at Wehr’s annual Maple Sugar Days. The program includes a short walk to the sugarbush, a visit to an old-time sugarin’ camp, a boil down demonstration and stories about the Native American origins of maple sugarin’. Everyone will receive a warm pancake with real Wisconsin maple syrup to enjoy. Other maple treats, along with DIY tapping equipment will be on-sale in the Friends of Wehr Nature Store.
Important Maple Sugar Weekend Information:
Youth groups may pre-register for any hike between noon and 4 and should bring at least one adult for every five children. Hikes begin at noon and continue every 15 minutes until 4 pm and hold up to 15 people. Tickets are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and the program runs rain or shine.
Pre-purchased tickets are required and are available online starting January 24 at 9 am. Fee: $10 per person, Free for children ages 2 and under
Friends of Wehr present their 10th Annual
Groundhog Day Chili Cook-off Fundraiser Saturday, February 5, 6-8 pm
Do you think your chili is THE BEST chili around? You are invited to match your skill and favorite (secret of course) chili recipe with others of your ilk at Wehr Nature Center’s Groundhog Day Chili Cook-off. And the best part is, you get to take home a real gold (colored) trophy, a blue ribbon to keep, and bragging rights to share with your family, friends, and the whole neighborhood if you win. To be a chili cook, you must register. Call 414 425-8550 by Monday, January 31 and then bring six or seven quarts of your fabulous ready-to-serve chili to Wehr by 5:30 pm on February 5th. Registered cooks get their meal FREE. Join the fun as a chili taster. Purchase a ticket online to partake of the MOST FABULOUS chili around. You will enjoy samples of all the chilis before voting on your favorite to determine Wehr’s supreme chili cook. Your meal will also include assorted side dishes, corn bread, chili fixings, delectable desserts, and one glass of wine or beer. Help us raise funds. Bring your wallet and bid at the Silent Auction to discover some great finds. All funds raised by this event will support Wehr’s programs and facilities. $40 per person, $30 for Friends of Wehr members One alcohol drink included, more available for $5 each. (It’s a fundraiser!) Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows.
WE ARE MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS
Center News
Winter at Wehr
Winter is upon us and though the trees may be mostly bare and darkness plentiful, there is no denying that it is a magical time of year. As a Wisconsinite, I have always gotten through the “doldrums” of extended darkness and cold by spending time outdoors. Whether taking walks with our dog Sherman, playing in the snow with our daughter Norah, or bundling up to visit a nearby park or natural area, I find the highest “return on investment” on my mental and physical health in winter when I fight the inertia of a warm house and simply get outside. As the proud new Director, I am excited to deepen my love for this special place by experiencing a Winter at Wehr. I am also equally as excited to hear about what you love, or (also importantly) what you think we could do better to achieve our goal of being accessible to people of all abilities in all seasons. Stop in and let us know or take a few moments to complete our Winter at Wehr Survey. Your feedback will provide helpful insights about how we are supporting this important mission.
Carly’s Winter at Wehr 2022 “Bucket List”
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q Attend an Owl Prowl with a naturalist q Top off your holiday shopping at the
Nature Store q Belly up to some chili and support the Friends of Wehr at the Chili Cookoff q Check out the frozen waterfall q Gather some friends and attend the “i Ywinter” adult event q Go on a snowshoe hike q Ask a veteran to join an Operation Recon Nature meetup q Join a winter bird walk on Sunday mornings q Plan a Valentine’s Day date night at the “Slightly Naughty Nature” program q Learn how to tap a maple tree and buy a micro-tapping kit! q Submit a Wehr winter photo or story on the Winter at Wehr survey
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With 2021 behind us and our Visitor Center doors now officially open to patrons after a significant closure, our 2022 program calendar is chock full of opportunities to engage with Wehr this winter. To help kick things off, I’ve put together a list of what I am looking forward to most this winter in the hopes that you might join me! No matter how you engage with Wehr this winter season, we look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you at Wehr soon! Happy Trails! Carly
Meet Wehr’s New Office Assistant
We are thrilled to welcome a familiar face into a new role at Wehr. Breeann Behrendt was hired in November as Wehr’s Park’s Office Assistant III. Breeann has been with Wehr for eight years, first as a receptionist and then as a Seasonal Office Assistant after the 2018 retirement of Judy Faja. The Office Assistant position is central to all the operations of the center, supporting everything from ordering supplies, handling banking and revenue tracking, coordinating our receptionist staff, scheduling rentals, and generally trying to keep our creative naturalist staff organized! Breeann brings a quiet competence to everything she does and has adapted quickly to her new responsibilities. Breeann is a native of Franklin and has many memories of visiting Wehr for field trips and walks with her family as a child. She loves working at a place so many people can connect with and enjoy. In her free time, she enjoys “going up North”, visiting different parks, and following our great Wisconsin sports teams. Congratulations, Breeann!
Got the winter blahs? Shop at the Friends of Wehr Nature Store for items that will help bust the winter blues. Locally produced Alpaca wool slippers and socks will warm your toes and our collection of nature themed puzzles, book, and activity kits can keep you busy. We carry maple syrup products to help you think spring. You can purchase equipment for backyard syrup making and pick-up products with unique twists on traditional maple syrup from Uncle Mike’s Blue Ribbon Syrup of Stevens Point. Try the cranberry maple and bourbon barrel maple syrup. Yum!
Open 10 am to 2 pm daily (call ahead to confirm).
Friends Of Wehr Donations
Marsha Berenson Chris Cook Jacob Dixon Ken Goltz Elaine Johnson Barb Kelsey Jaynie Kutka Tom Mashek Karen Murawski Audrey Reineck Dean Roth Susan Schwegel Gary Smieja Michael Uschan Nancy Wojnarowicz Cynthia Young Cecelia Zettel
Thank You!
Your contributions to the Friends of Wehr are appreciated and always used with careful consideration.
Michele & Richard Klimo Amy Kosloske Debra Kosloske Jeremy Kozne Ellen Larson Chris Meece Daniel Menden Mary Milton Kathryn Miskov Martin & Karen Ordinans Colleen Resendiz Leslie Roberts Suzan Stafford Bill Stewart Victoria Sylos-Labini Michelle Treske Sandra Warwick In Memory of Anne Weber Barbara & Gregory Zacher Kathleen Angelhart In Memory of Jill Ardis James Cichy Kathryn Sween Cathy & James Collins Debra McRae Counseling Center Scholarship Fund for John Gall & Sue Long Environmental Studies James Gilboy Anonymous Michelle Grdinic Jennifer Abel Edward & Roberta Griffith Christine Beimborn Amy & Michael Hall Jerold Braatz Nancy Johnston Judy Brooks-Levar
Hannah Burczyk Allison Carlson Patricia Casillo James Cieslak Chad Cook Vivian Corres Mary & Richard Cywinski Dan & Ann Diliberti Judy & John Dimmick Monica & Mark Dombeck Carole Engel Niki Espy Ralph & Judy Faja Eloisa Gomez Carol Howard Judith Huf Greg Joers Brian Latus Ken Leinbach Diane S. Lindsley & Thomas P. Schuck Jim & Linda Lubner Jeanne Meyer Sharon & Jim Morrisey Barb Nellen Carol Nelson Georgiana Orthaus Kathleen Reese
Ron & Kathy Reese Colleen Resendiz Joanne Schilz Holly Schneider Liz Sutton Karen Szews Betsy Vokac Shirley Walczak James Wroblewski & Tamara Wyman Mary Zanotelli
Halloween Haunts Marge Knudson WaterStone Bank
Cider Sunday
Anonymous Jan Alexander Lucas Amell Mary & Jerry Bolyard Evelyn Brandt Bubble Luxury Cousins Subs Eric & Jessie Dombeck Mark & Monica Dombeck Festival Foods Friends of Wehr Board of Directors
Green Bay Packers Happy Tails Pet Supplies Karen Herz Hilton Garden Inn Holz Motors Karen Kerans Mathnasium of Franklin Moneywise Planning Group LLC/Joseph Roubik Partners in Hair Pops Kettle Corn Bob & MaryBeth Smith Soja Bougie Vintage 38 Jay & Colleen Walt Mary Walt WaterStone Investments Wheel & Sprocket Wild Birds Unlimited
In-Kind
Ted Bosch Patricia Brust Mary MacLaren Katherine A Omernik Ronald J. Rebernick Skip Schwartz
Friends of Wehr Native Plant Sale Planned for Spring
It is never too early to start planning your spring garden! The Friends of Wehr Annual Native Plant sale will be back this spring on June 4th and 5th, offering a wide variety of native flowers, grasses, and sedges suitable for our southeastern Wisconsin landscape. This year’s event will offer both pre-order and in-person shopping and has been moved somewhat later in spring to allow us to obtain a greater variety of plants from our nursery sources. In-person sales and pre-order pick up will be Saturday and Sunday, June 4 & 5, 9 am to 3:30 pm. We encourage you to use our pre-order process to have the best chance to get the plants you want. (plant availability varies and is not known until delivery). Pre-order forms will be emailed to Friends members and previous customers in March, or you can download it at: https://friendsofwehr.org/plantsale/ Contact us at info@friendsofwehr.org or by calling 414 425-8550.
Thank you to Jackie Crivello’s Wild Birds Unlimited for their continuing support in keeping our feeders full and our birds happy. Wild Birds Unlimited located at 4454 S. 108th St. Greenfield.
WEHR WORDS - Editor: Bev Bryant Contributors: Bev Bryant, Mary Gaub, Cindy Lorentzen
Announcing New Friends of Wehr Board Members The Friends of Wehr is pleased to announce the appointment of five new members to its board of directors during 2021. They are part of a 13-member board, which meets on a monthly basis to make decisions about the operations and projects of the Friends. Scott Cherek, Professional Communications Expert. Serving as a volunteer at Wehr since 2010, Scott has been educating visitors about maple syrup making at events. He also creates nature photos, videos and fun facts on Wehr’s social media pages. Scott enjoys camping, hiking, maple syrup making, raising honey bees, and capturing the beauty of nature. Jennifer Lazewski, Executive Director at the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. As a native plant enthusiast, she has co-managed the Wehr Native Plant Sale and teaches others about the benefits of native plants for pollinators, birds and other wildlife. Jennifer is a Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Volunteer who spends much of her free time in nature, reading about nature, and participating in community science projects.
Lisa Miller, Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Northwestern Mutual. Born and raised in Hales Corners, Wehr Nature Center was Lisa’s beloved playground. She currently lives in Shorewood, and continues to visit Wehr. Lisa enjoys hiking, birding and biking. Joe Roubik, Independent Wealth Advisor and Tax Preparer, owner of MoneyWise Planning Group LLC and Focused Tax Solutions of Greenfield. He lives in Muskego, and enjoys visiting the Wehr Nature Center and many nature activities including camping, hiking, biking, boating, and fishing.
James Wroblewski, Friends of Wehr Treasurer/ Nature Store Manager. He has returned to the Friends of Wehr Board after retiring from a career in business and banking. Jim has been recognized as one of the top Wehr Nature Center volunteers three times! His interests include guitar, piano, camping, and biking. “It’s exciting to expand our board with such a strong group of new members who bring their expertise and insight to our work,” said Greg Joers, Friends of Wehr Board President. “I look forward to working together with the new and continuing board members as they take on their leadership responsibilities to help support Wehr.” For more information about Friends of Wehr board members and staff, visit: friendsofwehr.org/about/#staff.
For Valentine’s Day treats and gifts...shop at AmazonSmile and they will give back to Wehr Nature Center! Just switch your regular Amazon account to AmazonSmile-all the same shopping, shipping, etc.-even Prime. Pick Friends of Wehr as your charity. Amazon gives .05% of your purchases to WNC! And that will make us ALL smile!! Click here to start helping today!
Nature Volunteer News
Upcoming Opportunities for Current Volunteers Dotty’s Crafters: Wednesdays,
January 5, February 2, March 2, 1-3 pm.
Maple Magic Training
Tuesday, February 22, 9 am-noon for Wehr programs; 1-2 pm for Outreach programs at Ross Lodge
Maple Sugar Days:
Sat. & Sun. March 19 & 20; shifts between 11 am and 5 pm
A Celebration of Gratitude and New Beginnings
On December 5, 2021, staff and volunteers gathered for Wehr’s Annual Volunteer Recognition event. After a two-year hiatus, it was wonderful to come together in-person as a Wehr community to celebrate the achievements of our amazing volunteers and to formally welcome our new Director, Carly Hintz. Despite all the obstacles of the past year, Wehr volunteers never wavered in their commitment to Wehr Nature Center, contributing over 8000 hours of their time and talent, valued at $229,000, or the equivalent of 4 fulltime employees! Our three top hour contributors were Deb McRae (530), Jim Wroblewski (304), and Ted Bosch Jim Wroblewski, Deb McRae, Ted Bosch (291). Thank you to ALL our volunteers! Whether you contribute 1 hour or 100, we couldn’t exist without you!
Wehr’s next chapter marks a new beginning under Carly’s leadership. In her presentation, she laid out her exciting vision for Wehr and offered a peek at what lies ahead. Her first new impressions of Wehr have been extremely Saturday, March 19: Training at 10 am; positive, especially the diversity and closeness of the Wehr community - from visitors, to staff and volunteers. Carly also affirmed the successful complePotluck Brunch at 9 am tion of Wehr’s decade-long goal to create the essential hardscape for physical Volunteers helping with Maple Sugar Days event are encouraged to attend the training accessibility. Building on those achievements, she looks towards a future that is inclusive of all audiences who have not traditionally been welcomed into and brunch. nature spaces. Her “Big Hairy Audacious Goal” is that “Wehr Nature Center Teaching Naturalist Trainings: aspires to be a leading destination in the Midwest for modeling not only best Inquiry & Using Questions; Winter Puppet Show practices in accessibility, but also contributing to dismantling issues related to Tuesday, January 25, 9 am – noon justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to allow for greater access to nature.” Animal Adaptations & Tracking In the spirit of new beginnings, we all left with some advice from an acorn. Wednesday, January 26, 9 am - noon •Sprout anew Spring Puppet Show; Soil Secrets •Reach for the sky Tuesday, March 29, 9 am - noon •Think big •Remember our roots at Wehr •Enjoy the view along the way Phenology, Wheel ‘n Chip Society, Teaching •Offer hope of the healing powers of Volunteers, Paw Patrol, Office Work and more! nature to all who wander here To find descriptions of volunteer opportunities and apply to become a volunteer, go to http:// www.friendsofwehr.org/volunteer/ and fill out an online application, or contact Mary Gaub at mary. gaub@milwaukeecountywi.gov or 414-425-8550. The following new people joined Wehr’s New volunteers are always welcome! volunteer crew between August 6 and November 30, 2021. Please say “Hi” and welcome them to the Wehr family Wehr’s Newest next time you see them. Member of the Family Sheryl Leonard-Schneck Jessica Bizub Bryan Lorentzen Adam Conlin Wehr was gifted a new utility John “Wooly” Dimmick Yvonne McCarthy vehicle (MULE™) through a Lisa Miller Terri Famer generous donation by members of Susan Petre Gwyneth Godbout the Friends of Wehr. Wheel ‘n Chip Rochelle Rebernick Mark Jendrzejek volunteers were excited to hit the Joseph Roubik Rachel Kuhl trails for its first adventure. Elizabeth Lampereur Jennifer Scheidegger
Maple Sugar Volunteer Training and Brunch:
Ongoing Opportunities
New Volunteers
“Francis”-
Russ Augustine
JANUARY
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday Wehr Visitor 1 Center Is Closed
For more information call 414-425-8550
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All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
for Families at Grant Park 5:30 - 7:30 pm Camera Club 7 8 9-11 am Wild Ones 1:30-3:30 pm
Happy New Year
2 9 - 10 am
9
Little Wonders Two Year-Olds 9:30-10:30 am Three Year-Olds 11 am-Noon
3
4
Dotty’s Crafters 1-3 pm
5
6
for Adults 7-9 pm
10
11
12
13
14
for Youth Groups 4-6 pm
15
9-10 am
16
17
18
19
20
21
Part 1 Getting Started 9:30-11:30 am Part 2 Talking About Impacts & Solutions 12:30-2:30 pm
22
9-10 am 1-2:30 pm Pop-up Nature 1-3 pm
23
24
9-10 am Nature Wizard for Families 1-2:30 pm
30 9-10 am
31
Teaching Naturalist Training 9 am-noon
25
Teaching Naturalist Training 9 am-noon
26
27
28
29
for Families 1-2 pm for Vets 3-4 pm
FEBRUARY
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
2
3
4
9
10
11
16
17
18
Dotty’s Crafters 1-3 pm
For more information call 414-425-8550
5
Groundhog Day Cook-off Fundraiser 6-8 pm
All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
6
7
13
14
Little Wonders 2 yr olds 9-10 am 9:30-10:30 am 3 yr olds Nature Wizard for Families 11 am-noon 1-2:30 pm
9-10 am
8
Wehr Astronomical Society 7-9 pm “Using Virtual Reality in Astronomy” Dennis Miller, retired Johnson Control engineer
15
1-2:30 pm
Maple Tapping Workshop for Families 10-11:30 am
20
21
27
28
9-10 am Maple Tapping Workshop 10 am-Noon
9-10 am
1-3 pm
22
Teaching Naturalist Training 9 am-Noon
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society 7-9 pm “Birding the Indiana Dunes & Beyond” Brad Bumgardner, Ex. Dir. Indiana Audubon
23
24
25
Camera Club 9-11 am Wild Ones 1:30-3:30 pm
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I d Winter Team Challenge 2-4 pm
for Families 3-4 pm for Vets 4:30-5:30 pm
12
19
26
MARCH
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
1
6 8-10 am
13
Little Wonders 2 yr olds 9:30-10:30 am 3 yr olds 11 am-Noon
7
8
Wehr Astronomical Society 7-9 pm “Alchemy and Stardust” John Friedman, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UWM
14
8-10 am
20
21
22
Friday
3
4
9
10
11
Audubon Society 7-9 pm “Audubon Great Lakes & Bird Conservation in WI” Tom Prestby, Conservation Manager Audubon Great Lakes
23
17
24
8-10 am Maple Sugar Days 12-4 pm
27 8-10 am
Saturday
2
Dotty’s Crafters 1-3 pm
15 Wisconsin Metro 16
1-2:30 pm
Thursday
Meet the Trees – Winter ID 1-3 pm
Camera Club 9-11 am Wild Ones 1:30-3:30 pm
5
12
18 Maple Sugar 19 Volunteer Training 10-11 am Maple Sugar Days 12-4 pm
25
26
for Families 4-5 pm for Vets 5:30-6:30 pm
28
29
Teaching Naturalist Training 9 am-noon
30
31
For more information call 414-425-8550 All programs & events subject to change. Parking fees may apply.
Nature Discovery For Children
Little Wonders
A program for 2 and 3 year olds to share with their favorite adult
Snowballs and Mittens Monday, January 3
Bundle up your tots for some wintertime fun. We will read A Snowy Day by Ezra Keats, have an indoor snowball fight, decorate felt board snowmen, then head outside to create snowy art.
Nighttime Wonders Monday, February 7
Does your toddler dread the dark? Bring them to Wehr to learn about the creatures that play while we sleep at this daytime program for tots and their grown-ups. After reading Wake-up Kisses by Pamela Edwards and Henry Cole we will turn off the lights and explore a pretend nighttime world with flashlights and twinkling stars.
Maple Magic
Monday, March 7
Bring your child out to discover the source of sweet maple syrup. We will hear a story called Maggie the Maple Tree by Karen Kerans, meet and hug a maple tree, and taste sweet maple syrup on a waffle. Pre-registration is required for all children’s programs Deadline is the Friday before the program date Fees: $12 per child $10 Milwaukee County Residents $7 Friends of Wehr Members For Youth Groups Saturday, January 8, 4-6 pm Location: Falk Park, 2013 W Rawson Ave, Oak Creek
Take a night hike with experienced Naturalists to look and listen for owls! Girl Scout, Cub Scout and other area youth groups are invited to learn about amazing owl adaptations, dissect an owl pellet, and go on an evening hike into owl’s forest home. This program is designed for children in 1st grade and older. One adult must accompany every eight children. On-line registration required two days prior to program. $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr members Extra owl pellets for dissection may be purchased for $2.
Give Your Child the Gift of Nature This Summer
Have your child join our professional naturalists for outdoor adventures that spark their curiosity, make memories and lead to personal discovery. Nature Snoopers For children ages 6-8 Kid Expeditions Camp Tuesday & Wednesday, June 21-22 For children ages 8-11 Monday, August 1 to Water Explorers For children ages 6-8 Friday, August 5 Thursday & Friday, June 23-24 9 am–4 pm Camp Fee: $150 per camper, per camp; Camp Fee: $300 per camper; $130 for Friends of Wehr members $250 per camper for Friends Before and after camp care is available for an additional fee. Camp slots are limited. Registration will open on-line February 14 at www.friendsofwehr.org
Nature Discovery For Adults
for Adults
Friday, Jan.7, 7-9 pm
Join a naturalist for an evening out with the owls. An interactive program will highlight the habits and adaptations of our nocturnal neighbors. Then we will walk the trails listening and looking for Great-Horned and Eastern Screech owls. Fees: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr Members On-line registration required two days prior to the program.
Part 1 “Getting Started”
Saturday, January 15, 9:30-11:30 am
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the climate crisis, but don’t know how to express your concerns effectively to family, friends, and others in your community? Having productive conversations about the complex issue of climate change can be challenging. Join interpretive naturalist Bev Bryant and volunteers from MKE Climate Reality for a workshop in climate change communication. We will review the latest science on climate change, then learn techniques to make our climate conversations more persuasive. You’ll leave armed with your own climate change story to share. Fee: $5 per person; Free for members of Friends of Wehr or Wehr volunteers On-line registration is required two days prior to program
Part 2 “Talking About Impacts and Solutions” Saturday, January 15, 12:30-2:30 pm
This session is designed for folks who are participating in the “Part 1: Getting Started” class or have attended Wehr’s “Climate Change Conversation” workshop in previous years. One of the challenges of communicating about climate change is we can easily dwell on the “doom & gloom” and never get to the positive news (yes, there is some!). Sharing stories of progress and opportunity are vital to persuading people to engage with this weighty topic. We will review the latest “good news” about the climate crisis and then explore examples of local Wisconsin impacts and solutions. Fee: $5 per person; Free for members of Friends of Wehr or Wehr volunteers On-line registration is required two days prior to program
Maple Tapping Workshop
Sunday, Feb. 20, 10 am-12pm
I “Heart” Winter Team Challenge Saturday, February 19, 2-4 pm
d Y
Join an expert maple syrup maker and learn how to turn your backyard maple tree into liquid gold! The workshop will cover how to identify a suitable tree, the tools and tricks of drilling and tapping, how to safely store and boil-down sap, and the process of “finishing off” and storing syrup. Sample delicious syrup on pancakes and take home a set of tapping supplies, including a spile, bag, and holder. On-line registration is required two days prior to program. $25 per person; $20 for Friends of Wehr Members
NEW! Fans of Wehr’s springtime Adult Scavenger Hunt will want to bundle up and gather a team for a whole new kind of adventure - the I “Heart” Winter Team Challenge. Race your “heart” out on the snowshoe obstacle course, follow the riddles to find “Whose Scat is That” and put together all the clues to solve a nature crime scene mystery. Hot spiked cider and cocoa will be on hand as we warm up by the fire. Price includes activities, gear and two alcoholic beverages. This is a 21+ event. Up to 4 participants per team. Meet the Trees: Winter ID $20 per person; $15 for Friends of Wehr Members Saturday, March 5, 1-3 pm On-line registration is required two days prior to program. Visit Wehr to learn how to identify trees without their leaves. We will hike to meet Wehr’s trees and discover the clues that help us “bark up the right tree”. Your new skills can be handy in land management decisions and will impress your friends and families. Fees: $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr Members
Nature Discovery For Families
Want to explore nature with your children but don’t know how to get started? Stop in for a “pop-up” program with a nature expert to get your adventure on! There will be a naturalist led program followed by self-guided activities you can enjoy with your family. Recommended for Ages 5 and older $5 per family, Registration is required two days before the program.
For Families
Saturday, January 1, 5:30 – 7:30pm
Location: Grant Park Clubhouse Join a naturalist for an evening with the owls. An interactive program will highlight the amazing adaptations of our nocturnal neighbors. Come prepared to walk in search of Great-Horned and Eastern Screech owls. Each child will dissect an owl pellet to discover what owls eat for dinner! On-line registration required two days prior to program. $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr Members
Nature Wizard for Families
Topic: Nature Signs and Clues Saturday, Jan. 22, 1-3 pm
Join a naturalist to discover the tools and tricks of being a nature detective. We’ll share an interactive story, make a takehome craft, and have a self-guided scavenger hunt adventure.
Topic: For the Love of Lichens & Fabulous Fungi Sunday, February 27, 1-3 pm
Lichens and fungi are strange and beautiful parts of our forest that we can see even in winter. Visit Wehr to look at these fascinating living things under a microscope, make a craft, and go on a self-guiding fungi scavenger hunt. We will read Beatrix Potter, Scientist by Lindsay H. Metcalf and illustrated by Junyi Wu to learn how this famous children’s writer was an expert mycologist (fungus expert).
A Monthly Series for Members of the Friends of Wehr Make Wehr part of your family time. Friends of Wehr members at the family level or higher can join a naturalist for a FREE, monthly themed discovery walk along Wehr’s trails. Each program will feature a short, socially distanced introductory activity followed by a guided nature walk. Important Program Details: These programs are appropriate for children ages 5 years and older. Younger siblings are welcome if able to walk with the group or ride in a backpack. Register on-line early to guarantee a spot; same day registration permitted if space allows.
Sur viving Winter Sunday, January 23, 1-2:30 pm
How do animals survive our frigid Wisconsin winters? Join Ms. Bev to discover the adaptations that help critters live in the snow and cold. Families will work together to design their own winter critter and put it outside to see how well it “survives.” We’ll take a short walk to look for animals and their clues.
Rocks Rock! Sunday, February 6, 1-2:30 pm
Rockhounds will want to join the Nature Wizard as we explore Wehr’s amazing collection of minerals, rocks and fossils. Work as a family to test and identify common minerals in our classroom and then go on an indoor and outdoor scavenger hunt to find rocks.
Maple Tapping for Families
Sunday, February 13, 10-11:30 am
Nothing beats homemade maple syrup on pancakes! Just think, your family could be making your own syrup sweetness this spring! Join us for this hands-on workshop where we’ll take you through the process from start to finish. Practice drilling and tapping a tree. Learn how to collect sap and boil it to make syrup. As a reward for your hard work, you’ll get to enjoy some sweet treats too! For families with children ages 7 and up On-line registration required two days prior to program. $12 per person; $10 for Milwaukee County residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr Members
Maple Sugar Days
Saturday & Sunday, March 19 & 20, 12-4 pm
Celebrate the spring thaw and our Wisconsin heritage at Wehr’s annual Maple Sugar Days. See front page for detals.
Wehr is fortunate to host several organizations who share their passion and knowledge Community Organizations about the natural world with the public. For more information about these organizations and details about their programs, please visit their websites or call Wehr (414) 425-8550.
Wehr Camera Club is dedicated to sharing a passion for photography and nature. Visit http://www.wnccc.net for program information. Public programs are held the 2nd Saturday, September to June, from 9-11 am.
Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society
is a chapter of the National Audubon Society that encourages environmental stewardship through education and conservation. Public programs are held the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 pm, September through May. Visit www.wisconsinmetroaudubonsociety.org for program information.
Wild Ones, Natural Landscapers, Inc. supports the preservation, restoration, and establishment of native plant
communities by promoting the use of native plants in landscaping. Meetings are held at WNC from 1:30-3:30 pm the second Saturday, Sept. through April. Email questions to wildones.wehr@gmail.com Web: http://milwaukeesouthwestwehr.wildones.org/
Wehr Astronomical Society
is a group of amateur astronomers who promote the study of astronomy. Meetings are from 7-9 pm the 2nd Tuesday of Feb. through June and Sept. & Nov.; 1st Tuesday evening in October. Look for us on Facebook.
Programs For Special Audiences
Wehr Nature Center strives to be a Place for All Seasons, A Place for Everyone. We welcome people of all abilities and have developed programs with their needs in mind. These programs are open to anyone who fits the audience description. Please contact the program coordinator if you have any questions.
Nature programs for adults with memory loss and their care partner SPARK! is a monthly program designed for people experiencing early to mid-stage cognitive changes, brain trauma and memory challenges and their care partners. Sessions focus on a different nature-related topic each month and provide a rich indoor and outdoor experience that celebrates the beauty and wonder of the natural world. SPARK! programs are offered at no cost, but registration is required. To register contact SPARK! Coordinator, Emily Brown at emily.brown@milwaukeecountywi.gov. Wehr’s SPARK! programs are funded by a grant from the Bader Foundation Upcoming SPARK! sessions on Tuesdays
Winter Sleepers
Sharing the Healing Power of Nature with Veterans brings the HOOAH! to Wehr Nature Center! Veterans from all branches of service, whether active duty, reserve, or retired personnel and their families, are invited to attend. We enjoy camaraderie as we take experiential hikes along Wehr’s trails observing seasonal nature happenings and diverting our attention from our day–to–day slog. Upcoming Programs on Saturdays January 29, Family Session 1-2 pm; Adult Veterans 3-4 pm February 19, Family Session 3-4 pm; Adult Veterans 4:30-5:30 pm March 26, Family Session 4-5 pm; Adult Veterans 5:30-6:30 pm Programs are offered at no cost Space is limited, so please register at: https://friendsofwehr.org/adults/ Please contact Holly Walz at holly.walz@milwaukeecountywi.gov if you have questions.
January 18, 1-2:30 pm
For the Love of Nature
February 15, 1-2:30 pm
Sweet Spring
March 15, 1-2:30 pm
Dennis Miller
Snowflakes Keep Falling on my Head One of the most redeeming qualities of winter is SNOW. Without it you just have cold and dreary. Snow is great fun. You can’t snowshoe without snow. And you’ve never heard of a rainball fight have you? Snow isn’t frozen rain; that is sleet. Instead, snow crystals form when water vapor freezes. Here are 7 more snowflake facts you might not know:
fThe ice crystal lattice, temperature, and humidity give snow crystals a 6-sided shape. uIt is true that no two snowflakes are alike. This is because each snowflake is shaped by the temperature and humidity conditions it experiences as it falls. Since no two snowflakes follow the exact same path as they fall they can’t develop identical structures. yThe smallest snowflakes crystals, called Diamond Dust, are as thin as a human hair. bThe largest single snow crystal ever photographed reached nearly half an inch across.
qIt’s hard for us to imagine here in Wisconsin, but about half of the world’s population has never seen snow. mIt’s difficult to estimate, but some figure that on approximately a million billion snowflakes fall each second when averaged out over a typical year. That’s a bunch of snowmen.
For more in-depth information about snowflakes, including videos of designer snowflakes, explore http://snowcrystals.com/
How environmental conditions impact the shape of snowflakes (Image credit: http://www.snowcrystals.com/science/Snowflake%20Morphology2.jpg) Great horned babies
Snowflakes are classified into 32 categories. Catch a snowflake and take a look with a magnifier to see what type you have found!
(image credit: http://www.snowcrystals.com/guide/guide.html)
9701 W. College Ave. Franklin, WI 53132 In Whitnall Park 414-425-8550 Open Daily 8:30-4:30 (Check for holiday hours)
http://www.friendsofwehr.org
Give Your Park’s Some Love This Winter
Coming this Spring!
Volunteer, donate, and visit your Milwaukee County Park’s! https://www.loveyourparksmke.com/
Planning Your Pollinator Garden April, TBD
Woodcocks, Wood Frogs, & Wine April 2
Adult Scavenger Hunt,
LOOK FOR US ON FACEBOOK
June 11
Wish List
Motorola Two-way Radios
Locking Presentation Cart for Kohl’s Classroom: custom built or purchased Apple Chargers for iphone/ipads If you are interested in donating any of these items, or would like to contribute money towards their purchase, please contact Carol at (414) 425-8550. Your contributions are tax deductible when made to the Friends of Wehr.
COME JOIN US!
To join go to https://friendsofwehr.org/membership/
The Friends of Wehr believe that every person deserves to have access to nature. Wehr offers opportunities to explore the beauty of nature year round. Five miles of trails on our 220-acre nature preserve feature forest, wetland, prairie, oak savanna, a lake, and waterfall. Whether you want to hike, participate in a class, attend a special event, take part in wellness activities, or just need to soak in the tranquility of nature from a bench, Wehr and the Friends welcome you! Your annual membership provides you with: • Discounts on programs • 10% discount in the Nature Store • Free parking • Priority registration for Halloween Haunts • Quarterly newsletter • Reduced Fees on Select Events/Programs