Have you walked up to the Point lately? Come and see. It looks like Preserve staff and volunteers have removed most of the buckthorn, old growth and re-sprouts. This was an amazing effort in a short time. The views are absolutely gorgeous now, all the way to the Point. When standing at the highest cone mound just before the Narrows, you can now see all the way to the lake beaches beyond the pond marsh and to Frautschi Point. When walking or jogging past the water pump, you know you are on a promontory - water on both sides of the cliffs. The next step will be to maintain control of invasive shrubs and to plant native shrubs that provide habitat for the many birds on Picnic Point. Photos G. Kutzbach - click to enlarge.

Please complete this important surevy. Deadline November 14. 
Follow this link.
The Bureau of Natural Heritage Conservation/DNR reports:
       The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is currently revising two key conservation plans – the Wildlife Action Plan and Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Management Plan. Through completion of an online questionnaire, Wisconsin citizens can give the department valuable input regarding Wisconsin’s fish and wildlife resources management.
       The Wildlife Action Plan and Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Management Plan act as a blueprint for how the department will manage and protect Wisconsin’s fish and wildlife resources over the next ten years.
       The department must complete each plan in order to receive federal funding that will help support healthy, sustainable fish and wildlife populations and their habitats. Funding is also key for the creation and maintenance of outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state.
       Public involvement is a key piece of the puzzle in ensuring the state remains a leader in resource management and protection.
       An online survey is one component of a comprehensive public outreach effort associated with updating the Wildlife Action Plan and Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Management Plan. The survey will close Nov. 14 at midnight.
       To complete the survey, please follow this link. Translated versions will be made available in both Hmong and Spanish within the next few weeks.
       To learn more about the Wildlife Action Plan and the Fish, Wildlife, and Habitat Management Plan, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “wap10year.”

Henry Hart's 98th birthday party will be held on Sunday, November 16 at 4PM.  It will be held at the Visitors Center of the UW Arboretum.Henry is a great friend to the Friends, and knows most everyone.  The event will be informal and no presents (only presence) are the order of the day. Help us celebrate.

Peter Fisher of the Friends shares with us this story of a long friendship with Henry:

"When my family first arrived in Madison from California, Henry Hart's niece, who was my first preschool friend, called to say that I would get a call from her Uncle Henry and Aunt Virginia welcoming us to the area.  Little did I know that it would be the beginning of an fulfilling and ongoing relationship.  Not only did they introduce me to the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, they showed me so many of the things that made Madison so special to them.  Henry and his wife Virginia, who died in 2007, presented a formidable and well-known team as neighborhood activists.  Virginia was Wisconsin's first woman cabinet member, holding many positions in state and local government, and Henry was an extremely popular professor in the Political Science Department at UW, who is well-known for his efforts in the organization of the University's Department of Indian Studies.  He spent much time in India in residence both teaching and traveling.  Together, Henry and Virginia helped to start the Group Health Cooperative in Madison.  Wherever they have lived this truly remarkable couple devoted a great deal of time in community service.

Henry is a true environmentalist and has advocated for causes that promise long-lasting, far reaching and forward thinking results.  He is a charter member of the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.  As he approaches 98, he is no less passionate for life than he ever was, but understandably has slightly lowered expectations for physical vigor.  Lifelong outdoors people, Henry and Virginia backpacked their way through the Rockies, Andes and the Himalaya.  Today, Henry keeps fit with daily visits to the gym.

If you are unable to attend his upcoming birthday party, please take time to seek him out at the annual meeting of the Friends in April.  You'll find a truly unique and genuine person who will add much to your life, as he has to mine. "