Friends Field Trips Spring-Summer 2022PDF file of Spring – Summer field trips April 10 UW Science Expeditions in the Lakeshore Nature Preserve (Sunday, 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.) Meet the geology, trees and birds of Picnic Point at the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve’s three exploration stations. Explore the dramatic rock wall, identify trees without leaves and view the early birds on University Bay. We’ll have binoculars and a spotting scope available. Children can engage in related activities at each station. For more information about the event, see www.science. wisc.edu/science-expeditions/. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Coordinator: Doris Dubielzig (dbdubielzig@gmail.com) April 16 Beyond Backyard Birding at the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve (Saturday, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.) This morning trip is especially for backyard birders looking to grow their skills! We will explore the Picnic Point area of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve. Come to have your bird questions answered and get help identifying those small, streaky brown birds and distant ducks. We'll also look for any exciting spring migrants. The walk will be on even trails at a leisurely pace, so bring the whole family! We will have binoculars for loan. This walk is co-sponsored with Madison Audubon. This trip is limited to 20 people and advance registration is required at https://madisonaudubon.org/all-events/2022/4/16/beyond-backyard-birding . Meet at UW Parking Lot 130, 2003 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Ashley Olah (ahannah@wisc.edu, 608- 515-1304) and Jenn Schneiderman. April 24 Bird and Nature Adventure: Wildflower Walk in Bill’s Woods (Sunday, 1:30–3:00 p.m.) On this family-friendly hike, explore the first Friends restoration project, begun in 2001. We will look for spring ephemerals and other tender new growth. Learn how to identify wood phlox, violet, bloodroot, Jacob’s ladder, wild strawberry and other wildflowers. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Glenda Denniston (glendadenniston8@gmail.com, 608-231-1530) and Eve Emshwiller (eaemsh2@gmail.com). May 1 Spring Birding in the UW-Madison Lakeshore Nature Preserve (Sunday, 7:30–10:30 a.m.) Look for spring migrants, including early warblers, vireos, thrushes and orioles, as well as resident birds in this Important Bird Area. Learn how the Lakeshore Nature Preserve serves as critical stopover habitat for migrating birds, and how, in bad weather, Picnic Point can produce spectacular collections of fallout migrants. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them; Madison Audubon will also have a few pair of binoculars to loan. Co-sponsored with Madison Audubon Society, advance registration is required at madisonaudubon.org/allevents/ 2022/5/1/spring-birding-lakeshore. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Roma Lenehan (rlenehan@charter.net, 608-238-5406) and Becky Abel (babel@madisonaudubon.org). May 11 Warblers of Frautschi Point (Wednesday, 7:30–9:30 a.m.) We will focus on seeing warblers through leafy foliage and look for other spring migrants. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them. Meet at the Frautschi Point parking lot, 2662 Lake Mendota Drive. Leader: Roma Lenehan (rlenehan@charter.net, 608-238-5406). May 22 Bird and Nature Adventure: Martins and Bluebirds (Sunday, 1:30–3:00 p.m.) The Purple Martin House and the Bluebird Trail at the Biocore Prairie were installed by the Friends to entice these birds to nest in the Preserve. Field trip leaders will describe the appearance, habits, and nesting behaviors of purple martins and bluebirds. They’ll also describe the Friends efforts to protect them from their enemies. Hopefully you’ll get a peek at some baby birds, too. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Jeff Koziol (jeffkoziol@gmail.com, 847-331-2430) and Richard Ness (Richard.s.ness@wisc.edu). June 12 Invasive Plants of the Preserve (Sunday, 9:00--11:00 a.m.) Whether you've spent hours battling invasive plants or they are new to you, join Anne Pearce (Invasive Species Outreach Specialist at UW-Madison) to learn about common and (so far) less common invasive plants in the Preserve. Bring your invasive plant questions and learn how you can reduce the impact of invasive plants in your own yard and beyond. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: Anne Pearce (anne.pearce@wisc.edu). June 15 Lake Mendota Boat Trip (Wednesday, 9:00–11:30 a.m.) Learn about Lake Mendota and the shoreline of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve from a different perspective aboard LIMNOS2, the UW Center for Limnology’s research vessel for teaching, research, and outreach. Group size is limited to 12; reserve your place early for this popular field trip. Meet at Hasler Limnology Laboratory one block west of Memorial Union. Register with Leader John Magnuson (john.magnuson@wisc.edu). June 26 Bird and Nature Adventure: Preserving the Preserve (Sunday, 1:30 – 3 p.m.) Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Join UW Preserve staff as they showcase ongoing ecological restoration projects and give an update on the Preserve Master plan—all while enjoying the trails, sights, and sounds of the Preserve in summer. Leaders: Preserve Staff (Coordinator bryn.scriver@wisc.edu). July 10 Bees and Other Native Pollinators (Sunday, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.). Join us in searching for bumble bees and other pollinators while learning about their diversity, lifestyles, and habitat needs. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: Susan Carpenter (susan.carpenter@wisc.edu, 608-886-7504). July 16 Food for Thought: Wild Edible Plants (Saturday, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.). Eve Emshwiller and Kelly Kearns will bring examples of and recipes for plant species that can be eaten. They’ll also show you poisonous plants in the Preserve that should never be consumed. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Eve Emshwiller (eaemsh2@gmail.com) and Kelly Kearns (kearns@uwalumni.com). July 24 Bird and Nature Adventure: Class of 1918 Marsh (Sunday, 1:30 to 3:00). Take a hike around the Marsh to learn the history and biology of this wetland. John Magnuson will discuss the threats to the marsh from invasive cattail species and from chloride concentrations, drawing on his own research. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: John Magnuson (john.magnuson@wisc.edu). August 21 Insect Superpowers in Japanese Culture and Ecological Systems (Sunday, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.) Explore how insects are revered in Japanese culture as we also learn about their superpowers in ecological systems, including our food and waste systems! Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leader: Marjorie Rhine (rhinem@uww.edu). August 28 Bird and Nature Adventure: UW Student Organic Farm: introducing a new student-focused cooperative. (Sunday, 1:30–3:00 p.m.) Learn about the new agricultural cooperative on the UW Madison campus. The UW Organic Collaborative, FH King, GreenHouse Community, WunkSheek, and UW Housing Dining and Culinary Services have joined to manage collaboratively a 1-acre teaching, learning and production farm in the Preserve. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive. Leaders: Tom Bryan and friends (tbryan@wisc.edu, 608-738-5733). |
Free public field trips are one of the most valuable contributions the Friends make to the Preserve. They have been organized every spring and fall for over 10 years on various topics and are all led by Friends volunteers. Many are professional naturalists and emeritus faculty and staff. The Friends also partner with other environmental organizations for field trips.
Field trip coordinator: Signe Holtz Bird and Nature Outings Free, family-friendly walks on the 4thSunday of the month. Bring your binoculars and camera. Meet at the Picnic Point entrance next to the kiosk (2004 University Bay Drive). Sponsored by the Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, Friends of Urban Nature, and Madison Audubon Society. Meet at the Picnic Point Kiosk, across from UW Lot 130. Contact Paul Noeldner (608-698‑0104). Spring-Summer 2022 Field Trips
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