About 125 people attended the Annual Meeting of the Friends, held at the Arboretum Visitor Center, to hear Matt Reetz, Executive Director of Madison Audubon Society, speak about “Flock and Awe: The incredible (and perilous) lives of migratory birds.” In his presentation, he explained the different patterns of bird migration, the extraordinary physical feats and efforts that birds risk in exchange for safer breeding grounds and more abundant food at their destinations. He described the guides birds use on the way, such as the stars in the night sky or even magnetic fields, as well as the dangers they encounter on their journeys, including the deadly obstacles of glass buildings. Matt has a knack for sprinkling in humor. He made his audience feel comfortable, and he used some entertaining graphics to make points. We loved your talk and way of presenting, Matt.
 
Outgoing president Doris Dubielzig reviewed the work of the Friends in 2018, highlighting our strong financial position thanks to generous support by members and donors. She addressed the important projects that the Friends support, including Prairie Partner Interns during the summer, contributions to the Preserve Stewardship fund, purchasing of plants, citizen science projects, and communication. She reminded us that the Friends is operating entirely on the time and talents of our members. She emphasized the good cooperation we have with the Preserve staff.

Gary Brown, UW Director of the Lakeshore Preserve, introduced the Preserve staff: Laura Wyatt, Bryn Scriver and Adam Gundlach. He reported that the Preserve is seeking a fourth FTE position. He shared that the Preserve’s Strategic Planning process is in full swing, which will guide the use and on-going management of the Preserve over the next 10+ years. Gary Brown encouraged everyone to complete the online survey at https://go.wisc.edu/udc0uh (active until May 6)  
 
Seth McGee thanked departing Board members Amanda Budyak (treasurer), Linda Deith (newsletter producer), Peter Fisher (field trip coordinator) and Mitchell Thomas (student Board member) for their excellent services for the Friends and the Preserve. Steve Sentoff, vice president, and conducted the election of new Board members Eve Emshwiller, and MJ Morgan, returning Board members Olympia Mathiaparanam, Seth McGee, and Paul Noeldner, and student Board members Tom Bryan and Matt Chotlos. The crowd enjoyed the appetizers and desserts as well as informative poster exhibits. Alder Levin, Seth McGee and Gisela Kutzbach recorded the event in photos.
 
Sara Hotchkiss, Chair of the UW faculty Preserve Committee, gave a passionate talk about the role of the Preserve as an accessible outdoor laboratory for generations of students and faculty. By grouping various types of research/course projects (from a sampling of research permits in the Preserve) through connecting colored lines resulting in an intricate network, she demonstrated clearly the synergy and cross fertilization of ideas that can take place in the outdoor lab of the Preserve. She commented positively on the role that the Friends play in facilitating connections across the community at large. 

​The Exploration Stations at Picnic Picnic Point, as part of the UW Science Expedition 2019, were meticulously planned and staffed with experts in many areas. The only thing that didn’t cooperate was the weather: a freak, weak front brought at times heavy rain, which ended promptly once the event was over. Nevertheless, about 30 nature enthusiasts ventured out in the rain to visit the five exploration stations. They learned from experts about ​​rocks, trees, birds, pollinator plants, and effigy mounds in the Preserve. Each visitor received an 8-page booklet with explanations and hands-on activities at each station, for both children and adults.

Doris Dubielzig, president of the Friends, coordinated the work of the five Exploration Station leaders and Olympia Mathiaparanam organized the Bradley Hall student assistants. Tom Zinnen, UW organizer of this campus-wide event, strongly supported these efforts. Preserve staff was also participated in this event. All in all 25 volunteers contributed their time and talents. 
​
Geologic Gems: David Mickelson,  Scot Moss, Cameron Batchelor, Lisa Haas, Kai Hu 
Tree Treasures: Matt Chotlos, Nate Chotlos
Birding Basics: Paul Noeldner, Galen Hasler
Butterfly Balls: Bryn Scriver, Eve Emshwiller
Mound Makers: Amy Rosebrough, Chuck Keleny
Organizer, Greeters: Doris Dubielzig, Olympia Mathiaparanam, Kennedy Gilchrist 
Booklet, Photographer, Report: Gisela Kutzbach 
Student volunteers from Bradley Hall: Ethan Budd, Yashodhara Dhariwai, Rahul Gulati, Tanner Houslet, Matt Knox, Robert Legastzke, Jaffna Mathiaparanam, Kelly Wegner

​Station 1: Geologic Gems. Examples of rocks from around Wisconsin, including sedimentary rocks, volcanic rocks, metamorphic rocks, as well as iron ore, coral and more. There was also a key and bingo game to many types of rocks in the distinctive rock wall that frames the entrance of Picnic Point. Visitors showed great interest in the story of the massive wall and the nature and origin of rocks, as well as the impact of glaciation on the geology of the Picnic Point area. 

​Station 2: Tree Treasures. Visitors could hone their skills in identifying trees in winter, based on the appearance of tree trunks, the shape of small tree twigs and buds. While buds on the whitish White oak branches and reddish Red oak branches were still dormant, the large end bud on a twig of a Shaggy bark hickory was already opening. When the large compound leaves of the hickory tree fall off in autumn, they leave a scar like mark on the branch. New buds eventually develop above the scar. Visitors could also determine the age of cut cross sections of various tree by counting their rings, as well as estimate the age by measuring the circumference of the tree and applying a simple formula. Children enjoyed the necklaces with tree ring pendants.

Station 3. Birding Basics. Here adults and children alike enjoyed using the various types of binoculars to spot common birds out in the marsh cattails and on the lake. There were also several high power spotting scopes for a good steady look at birds, as well as handmade binoculars from toilet paper rolls. Visitors also learned a about calls and song patterns of various birds, and bird shapes. Even on this cold, rainy day, visitors could hear the Red-wing blackbirds o-ka-leees through the ​

​Station 4. Butterfly Balls. The activity at this station gave a foretaste of summer. Both children and adult had much fun mixing and kneading clay, compost and seeds into marble sized balls. One could shape balls from five different seeds of prairie plants preferred by pollinators: Nodding onion, Bergamot, Black-eyed susan, Yellow coneflower, and Butterfly weed. The seeds were harvested in the Biocore Prairie and once watered and placed into the warm ground, they should bring color and butterflies to homes of our visitors. 

Station 5. Mound Makers. This station was located at Fire circle 1, at the long  linear mound along the path. All mounds were used to mark gravesites. The early mounds, mostly conical and linear, were used for burial of people of significance.  Most of the effigy mounds, built in the shape of animals, birds, spirits and people from about 750-1000 AD, were used for burials of bone "bundles", representing the remains of up to 60 people. The prominent cone mound near the isthmus of Picnic Point was also used as a group "bundle" burial site for many people. The effigy mound builders were ancestors of today's Ho-Chunk and other nations. Because of the rain, visitors could not use the spotting scope to view the effigy mounds on observatory hill across the bay.

At the Eagle Heights Community Gardeners Seed Fair, on Saturday morning, March 30, Doris Dubielzig had a lot of fun representing the Friends. Visitors were encouraged to dissect a lima bean to locate the embryonic plant inside the seed (“Oooh!”). Bryn Scriver, Preserve Outreach Coordinator, provided the seeds for a second challenge, to match seeds of five butterfly-attracting prairie plants that grow in the Preserve with illustrations of the plants. Given the Seed Fair clientele, those who rose to the seed matching challenge all scored 80% or higher. The relatively large seeds of wild onion, Allium cernuum, were the hardest to match.Tom Bryan, of the Greenhouse Learning Community, provided a a tray of vegetable seedlings to show their passive watering system and a baby burr oak (another dicot!). Visitors received maps of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve, diagrams of monocot and dicot seed structures, and the list of 2019 Spring and Summer Field Trips and Volunteer Workdays.

On February 17th an intrepid group of Friends and concerned citizens gathered at the Eagle Heights Community Center to learn about and discuss the increasingly relevant topic of blue-green algae blooms with Dr. Trina McMahon.  McMahon, a microbial ecologist and professor in the UW Civil and Environmental Engineering and Bacteriology departments, shared her expertise on blue-green algae, delving into what causes blooms, how blue-green algae affects water quality and what measures we might take to solve the problems associated with it.
McMahon pointed out that the name “algae” is a bit of a misnomer as the organism is not an algae at all, rather, it is a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. From an evolutionary standpoint, blue-green algae is more similar to humans than it is true algae. Distinguishing it from true algae is important when one considers how blue-green algae functions in the ecosystem. Unlike true algae, blue-green algae does not play a major role in establishing the aquatic food chain. It produces toxins, reduces light penetration, causes foul odors, and contributes to harmful dissolved oxygen depletion in our lakes.

Some cyanobacteria species are native to Wisconsin and blooms have occurred for centuries in our lakes. In recent years however, the frequency and magnitude of blooms has grown at an alarming rate. Most scientists point to the influx of phosphorus into open water systems and McMahon detailed how the nutrient serves as a limiting factor which regulates cyanobacteria population size. Changes in agricultural techniques, land use, and soil disturbance have all contributed to increased levels of phosphorus in our lakes, creating a situation in which blue-green algae can flourish. 

Dr. McMahon’s fascinating presentation catalyzed a bright discussion with many of the attendees sharing their experiences and insights into the not-well-understood phenomenon of blue-green algae blooms. Among the many problems associated with the frequent blooms in our lakes is how their occurrences could affect our perception of Madison lakes. Dr. McMahon poignantly remarked that if people are afraid to be in or around the lakes, they’ll use them less. If Madison residents stop interacting with our lakes, they might give up on the them, making it much harder to solve the problems that require our help. 

After Dr. McMahon’s presentation, Dea Larsen Converse, from the Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA), discussed the CLA’s mission, the importance of their Water Quality Monitoring Program, and how individuals can assist in reducing nutrient pollution and improve the cleanliness of Lake Mendota water.  
Arlene Koziol, Friend of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and Clean Lakes Alliance Water Quality Monitor, explained the role of a CLA Water Quality Monitor while Jeff Koziol demonstrated how to use a turbidity tube to assess water clarity. See Arlene's account of the 2018 Cyanobacteria blooms on Lake Mendota. Steve Sentoff of the Friends has formed a team of volunteers who will monitor water quality following the Clean Lake Alliance protocol along University Bay boating pier. 
Seth McGee was the Friends' host for the event. He provided this summary and photos.

On a cold and windy winter day, Sunday, February 24, a few hardy souls joined Master Naturalist Alex Singer for our 4th Sunday field trip in the Preserve. While the wind whistled around us, we looked for signs of life, and were surprised to see a number of brave-hearted squirrels high in the trees eating the available buds and a few chickadees and nuthatches lower to ground in search of tiny morsels of available food.
     Alex's theme for the walk was appropriate for the weather—how animals spend their winter, and how they adapt to such radical and frequent changes in conditions. We searched for evidence of their presence, finding signs in the bushes, trees and snow, and mounds (or push-ups) in the cattails just off shore, visible proof that the muskrats are wintering in place. Of course, we discussed the impacts of climate change and some expected influences on the wildlife of the Preserve.
As is a trademark of Alex's outings, we were also treated to some suitable poetry. Aptly, Alex read one poem by Margaret Atwood entitled February and another by Tess Gallagher, Choices, that is quite thought-provoking for nature lovers. ​Peter Fisher, Friends host for this field trip, provided the summary. 

Under cloudy skies, Master Naturalist Paul Noeldner greeted holiday visitors to the Preserve with hot chocolate at the entrance to Picnic Point. The temperature hovered at freezing.  After hearing an overview of winter bird activity, the group of 18 began the walk down the peninsula to Fire Circle #2. Chuck Keleny, a regular on the 4th Sunday walks, placed his spotting scope along the shore of University Bay, where attendees could see the beautiful tundra swans that have populated the Bay for the past several weeks. Paul explained that the swans will continue to feast on the plants in the Bay until it freezes over. Then the birds will resume their migration to the Chesapeake Bay region of the East Coast. A few mergansers, mallards and downy woodpeckers were also sighted. With a lovely fire at Fire Circle #2, Paul treated the group to marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars to make S’mores.  After blowing a short introduction on his tuba, Paul led the some of the group in singing carols, while others studied the wildlife on Lake Mendota. The outing was an opportunity to pause and enjoy the Preserve during this festive time of the year. Report and photos by Friends host Doris Dubielzig

​Sunday, we were treated to a picture perfect, sunny autumn day as nearly 20 of us joined field trip leader Adam Gundlach in an Eagle Heights Woods hike to get a behind-the-scenes perspective of the ongoing restoration work being undertaken by the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.  A wildlife ecologist, Adam is Field Project Coordinator for the Preserve staff, and has been involved from the inception of the project that has been funded by the Friends. This unique woods within the greater Preserve is tucked in between the village of Shorewood Hills and the University of Wisconsin graduate student Eagle Heights Apartments and is home to the highest point on the lake shore and some very prominent effigy mounds.
 
Winding along the various trails that ultimately led to the summit, Adam described the efforts to control invasive brush and trees with the ultimate goal of restoring the Eagle Heights Woods to an open canopy oak forest. Using controlled burns, as well as selective cutting methods, the Preserve staff is working in well planned phases to provide the opportunity for young oaks to eventually fill in the forest floor. At the same time, they are assiduously working to preserve the Native American cultural treasures located within this 28-acre gem.

We looked at the limestone cap rock that didn’t erode as quickly as the sandstone below, and the erratics brought by the glaciers from far away.  These erratics were primarily volcanic or metamorphic in origin. One type was  rhyolite from volcanic eruptions with fast cooling of lava and ash. Another was granite, formed of the same materials but that cooled underground under high pressure. Some rocks had veins of quartz that filled cracks in the rock after it had cooled. We saw a large cone-shaped Effigy Mound at the highest point of Eagle Heights Woods and were lucky to have Diane Dempsey on the field trip who shared her expertise on the Late Woodland mound builders with us.  Also enriching the hike were people knowledgeable about birds and trees who were willing to share what they know.  Everyone on the field trip appreciated the generosity and expertise of Dave Mickelson who brought materials, planned our route, developed an engaging presentation, answered all our questions, and brought new meaning to the landscape we call home.
We returned to the Raymer’s Cove parking lot via a steeper but more direct route. Many were heard to exclaim that they knew about Picnic Point, but had no idea the campus had this gem in Eagle Heights Woods, and they planned to return again. Report by Lillian Tong, Friends field trip host, and photos by Doris Dubielzig.