WE ARE MILWAUKEE COUNTY PARKS

Spring 2017 April • May • June

Climate Change 101Sunday, April 23, 1:30-4 pmClimate change is real and we are already seeing its’ impact at Wehr. Join naturalist, Bev Bryant, to explore the scientific evidence and discuss the impacts on our local community. We will learn about the importance of phenology in recording changes to our climate, and go on a short walk to record spring natural history events. Bring your questions and curiosity to this interactive session!Pre-registration required 2 days prior to programFees: $12 per person $10 for Milwaukee County residents $7 for Friends of Wehr members

Friday, June 23, 8-10 pm Sat., June 24 8-10 pmMeet real live Bats! Discover the fiction, folklore, and facts on nature’s only true flying mammal. Learn how you can participate in Citizen Science projects to help bats. Pre-registration required 2 days prior to programFees: $12 per person $10 for Milwaukee County residents $7 for Friends of Wehr members

Woodcock and Woodfrogs Walk Saturday, April 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pmWehr Nature Center is one of the few spots in Milwaukee County to view the iconic “sky dance” of the American Woodcock. After a short presentation about these unique shorebirds of the woods, we’ll head out on a sunset stroll to witness one of nature’s most spectacular scenes. As we wait for the woodcocks to kick off their night, we’ll listen for wood frogs and other ephemeral pond favorites. Then it’s off to the prairie where male woodcocks are establishing territories.Pre-registration required 2 days prior to programFees: $12 per person $10 for Milwaukee County residents $7 for Friends of Wehr members

Phenology: Listening to Nature’s RhythmsSpring is a season of firsts. When robins return to your yard, a wildflower blooms in the forest, or a tree frog calls in the night they announce nature’s subtle shift from winter to spring. Phenology is the science of observing these seasonal changes in nature and recording and thinking about them. Phenological data allows us to see the earth in the long term, helping us to observe changes that might otherwise go unnoticed. For instance, data collected from 1935 to 1998 in Sauk County, Wisconsin by the famous wildlife ecologist and conservationist Aldo Leopold and his daughter Nina Leopold Bradley show us that many plants and animals have shifted their date of first bloom or spring arrival by as much as six days. To learn more about their work, visit: http://climatewisconsin.org/story/phenology. Aldo Leopold said that “Keeping records enhances the pleasure of the search”, something that the members of Wehr’s Phenology group heartily agree with. This group of volunteers walks Wehr’s trails every Monday morning to record observations of birds and plants in bloom. You can keep up with their sightings on our “What’s In Bloom” and “Bird Sightings” boards in the Visitor Center and follow Wehr Nature Center on Facebook to see what is new in nature. Interested in learning how you can help the earth by tuning into her rhythms? Become a volunteer phenologist (see Volunteers, join in citizen science projects like Bat Night and Butterfly Count, or attend one of our spring nature walks or programs.

WorkshopSunday, June 25, 9-11:30 amLearn the basics of butterfly identification with Butterfly Expert, Pat Fojut, then enjoy a morning hike through the woods and prairie in search of our fluttery friends. Butterflies will be counted and recorded as part of our 30th Annual Butterfly Count. Participants may continue on to other Milwaukee County Park locations for the afternoon session of the count (optional).Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Recommended for ages 13 and up Fee: $5 per person

Mother’s and Father’s Day, graduations and weddings...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!

Center News

MEET YETTA WADEThere’s a new face at Wehr! Yetta Wade returned in January as Wehr’s Maintenance Worker and has already proven herself to be an enthusi-astic and delightful addition. Yetta is replacing Lamont Woods who has left for full-time employment. (Best wishes and good luck to Lamont.)Yetta is a Milwaukee native who spent a short time working at Wehr in 2013 and more recently at the Milwau-kee County Zoo. Before that, she was employed at the Martin Luther King Center for five years. She is a graduate of the Milwaukee School of Entrepre-neurship and has exciting plans for her future. She would like to one day open a Youth Home for Teen Girls. Along the way she hopes to build up her bankroll by working construction. She holds a certification in construction for the state of Wisconsin.Yetta’s two girls, eight and two, are into karate, so Yetta volunteers as a karate mom and assists in fundraising for the organization. This energetic young woman also runs track, plays tennis, and loves to clean. Yetta is outgoing, observant, a quick learner, and an eager worker. She is a real asset to theWehr team.

THE FINAL PIECE – ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMSIn January, a small group of creative individuals spent a morning brainstorming while they wandered around in the depths of Wehr’s basement. They chased the pipes between the restrooms and in and out of the hallways at the front of the building. With plans and pencils they began sketching ideas for how to make Wehr’s accessible restrooms a reality. Creating accessible restrooms is the last phase of the Friends of Wehr Accessibility Project. While not the most beautiful or exciting part of this multi-year project, it is certainly the one part that Wehr cannot live without. Over the next couple of months, Zimmerman Architectural Studios will take the brainstorming ideas produced that morning and turn them into a series of ideas on how to make Wehr’s restrooms accessible. Once the designs are submitted, the Friends and the Parks Department will choose the

best fit for Wehr. Then the hard work begins…raising money to get the project built. Raising money is never easy, but it can be fun. Some great ideas have been suggested already. “Crowdsource” a toilet, a “Go Fund Me” page, scavenger hunt through Wehr to find the camouflaged “turkey toilets”, and more. Wehr’s past fundraising efforts have succeeded in replacing windows, creating a new amphitheater and stage, installing new front walkways, and constructing an accessible boardwalk – all because of community involvement. We need everyone’s help to get this job done also. Wehr has alwayshad its greatest success when the whole community works together. If you want to help with the fundraising or just want to contribute to our new accessible restrooms, please e-mail me or give me a call. debra.mcrae@ces.uwex.edu.or 414-425-8550

DONATION NIGHTApril 3

4-7 pm

15% of sales will be donated to

FRIENDS OF WEHRFRANKLIN7700 S. Lover’s Lane Rd. (Hwy 100 & Drexel)414-425-1310

COUSINSSUBS.COM

Friends Of Wehr

Thank You! Your contributions to the Friends of Wehr are appreciated and always used with careful consideration.

WEHR WORDS - Editor: Bev Bryant Contributors: Deb McRae, Mary Gaub, Karen Kerans, Pat Fojut

Mother’s Day Weekend Native Plant Sale May 13 & 14, 9 am to 3:30 pm Beautify your yard with native plants from Wehr’s annual sale. Nursery grown native wildflowers suitable for sun or shade, wet or dry will be sold in 4-inch pots. Items for sale include spring ephemerals, prairie plants, woodland plants, and a few wetland plant species. This is a very popular sale, so come early for the best selections. To reserve your selection of plants in advance, fill out and return the Pre-Order Form in this newsletter or download it from: www.friendsof-wehr.org/spring-events/mothers-day-native-plant-sale/ and return to Wehr by April 26. This will help assure (but not guarantee) your selec-tions. Contact Carol at carol.howard@ces.uwex.edu if you have ques-tions or would like the form emailed to you.

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.

DONATIONSAnonymous DonorInger AstrinEd and Dawnn BehrendtMary BoweCousins SubsHugh EvansRon FelzerDavid FlessnerHelen E. FlynnSusan GambettaHappy Hour Hiking Club MKEKaren HuthMaureen Jackson-BurnettKaren KeransMary Ann KniepRobert KoebertTom KowalskiJohn S. KreznarJames LawrenceRobert and Arlene LoganMary MedoGreg Molthen

Phillip and Mary NowickiGeorgiana OrthausJanice PanekDiana and Tim PetreGerald PollenCarol and Greg PscheidtKathleen ReeseMichael and Mary RickRosemary SelepGary SmiejaSandra TesmerWehr Nature Center Camera ClubWild Ones Wehr ChapterScott and Linda ZunkerIn Memory of Eunice SernecMary BardIn Memory of Jeannette MazurJoy KilimannLaurie TremainJoseph C. Wickert and FamilySuzanne DonskyElaine Reis

BOARDWALKJim RickIn Honor of Dick and Mare CywinskiMary CywinskiACCESSIBILITY PROJECTAnonymous DonorACCESSIBILITY PROJECT PAVERDave AdamJanet AndersonJill ArdisDon BoehmPat BringsSteven ErcegMark FairbanksSusan M. GambettaClaire KielskiPaul KohlmannDeb McRaeDiana PetreGerald PollenRachael Runkel

Casey Seidl Jolene SiemsenIn Memory of Bea WiesnerMary D’Amico and Mary Rozinski SmithIn Memory of Carl R. SpilkerJeff FosheyIn Memory of John SindbergJanice SindbergBENCHBernie and Betty MielcarekTom and Mary Jo StockIN-KIND DONATIONNola GrzannaKaren KeransMary MacLarenAudrey ReineckMike and Sue RudolfRonald and Barbara RebernickKIDS IN THE PARK Kohl’s Department Store

Help us celebrate the longest day of the year. Join us at sunset for the lighting of the traditional summer solstice bonfire. Enjoy small plate dining and desserts, sample a summer mead, and browse the silent auction that supports the Friends of Wehr accessibility project.Saturday, June 17, 7-9 pm$25 per person The meal includes one beverage of your choice; additional drinks are available for purchase. Reservations guarantee a seat. Walk-ins welcome as space allows.

Summer Solstice Social

Nature Volunteer News

Upcoming Opportunities for Current Volunteers

Ongoing Opportunities: Phenology, Wheel ‘n Chip Society, Critter Care, Office Work and more! To find descriptions of volunteer opportunities, become a volunteer, and sign-up to help go to: http://www.friendsofwehr.org/volunteer/To get started, fill out an online application or contact Mary Gaub at mary.gaub@ces.uwex.edu or 414-425-8550New volunteers are always welcome!

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to email!

New VolunteersThe following new people joined Wehr’s volunteer crew between October 23, 2016 and February 2, 2017. Please say “Hi” and welcome them to the Wehr family next time you see them.Robert Acker Jessica Black Dick Brunner Joe Cavanaugh Ambria ChampionKristine Ciombor Charles Gorie Sue Jones

Michaela Laffin Chris Lubinski Nicholas McClureKatie Meyers Asia Murray Brooke RenteriaJennifer Schneider

Dotty’s Crafters: Wednesdays, April 5, May 3, June 7; 1-3 pm

Native Plant Sale: Saturday & Sunday, May 13 & 14; 9 am – 12:30 pm or 12:30-4:30 pm

Earth Care Crew: (Plant related tasks – on the job training provided) Thursdays, May 11, 18 & 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; 9-11 am

Reptile Day: Sunday, June 11; 12:30-4:30 pm

Teaching Naturalist Trainings:Nature’s Neighborhoods and Insect Safari: Monday, April 24, 1-4 pmSummer Puppet Show: Monday, May 8, 1-4 pmWatershed Training: Monday, May 15, 1-4 pmLet’s Leave it to the Beavers Summer Library Program: Wednesday, June 7, 9 am – Noon

New Volunteer Groups FormingJoin us at the planning sessions for our newest volunteer groups and learn about exciting new opportunities to help Wehr. Email Deb at debra.mcrae@ces.uwex.edu if you are interested in attending.

Wehr’s Paw PatrolMeeting: Sunday, April 23, 1:30-2:30 pmWehr needs volunteers who love nature, people, and dogs to help educate visitors who walk their dogs here about park dog policies. We will provide training on how to approach visitors in a positive way.

Social Media and Community Volunteers (SMAC)Meeting: Saturday, May 13, 10-11:30 amIs social media, photography, or videography your “thing”? You can help Wehr keep up with our online social media presence including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

App Builders of WehrMeeting: Thursday, April 20, 6:30-8 pmTechnological minds and thinkers requested for helping develop a WNC app. The goal is to create a fun and educa-tional app for Wehr’s visitors to use on their smartphones.

Saturday, April 22 9 am – NoonJoin the nation-wide efforts to “Keep America Beautiful” by helping cleanup litter at Wehr Nature Center and throughout Whitnall Park. Volunteers are asked to check in at Wehr Nature Center. No registration required. Bags are provided; please bring your own gloves.

Join Us For The Friends of Wehr Annual Membership Meeting Saturday, June 17, 5:30-6:30 pmFriends of Wehr members are invited to the organization’s 2017 annual meeting. The annual meeting is required by the Friends bylaws and is intended to keep members informed about the state of the organization. Everyone is welcome toattend but only Friends members can vote. The agenda includes a review of the annual report, updates by board committees, a financial report, and election of the board of directors. The Friends have made considerable financial commitments to facilitate the renovation of Wehr’s building and amphitheater during the past few years but more needs to be done to complete the project. The Board would like to hear from the membership regarding these financial commitments. Following the meeting, the Friends will host the very special Summer Solstice event! What a great way to celebrate the start of summer. Let’s make an evening of it!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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For more information call 414-425-8550All programs & events subject to change.Parking fees may apply.

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Dotty’s Crafters1-3 pm

Little Wonders2 yr olds9:30-10:30 am3 yr olds 11 am-noon

Cousin’s Donation Night4-7 pm

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Wehr Camera Club9-11 amWoodcocks and Wood Frogs Walk6:30-8:30 pm

NatureNauts1-2 pm

NatureNauts9:30-10:30 am

Little Wonders2 yr olds9:30-10:30 am3 yr olds 11 am-noon

Teaching Naturalist Training1-4 pm

App Builders of Wehr6:30-8 pm

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Yoga8:30-9:30 am

Yoga in a Spring Forest10 am-12 pm

Yoga8:30-9:30 am

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Wehr Astronomical Society“Faint Galaxies & the Evolution of the Universe”Dawn Erb, Assc. Prof. U.W.M. Physics7 – 9 pm

Happy Easter! Wehr Nature Center Is Closed Wisconsin Metro

Audubon Society“I Heart Wisconsin River Trip” Ruth Oppedahl, WI Natural Resource Foundation 7- 9 pm

9 am-noonBirding Beyond the Feeder: Identification9 am-noonEarth Day Hikes10-11 am & 1-2 pm

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 amEarth Day Hikes10-11 am & 1-2 pmWehr’s Paw Patrol Volunteer Meeting1-2 pmClimate Change 1011:30-4 pm

Mother’s Day Plant Sale preorders due

Family Frog Frolic7-9 pm

Camera Club9-11 am

Family Frog Frolic7-9 pm

Birding with Paul7:30-10 am

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Dotty’s Crafters1-3 pm

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Little Wonders2 yr olds9:30-10:30 am3 yr olds 11 am-noon

Little Wonders2 yr olds 9:30-10:30 am3 yr olds 11 am-Noon

Earth Care Crew9-11 am

Earth Care Crew9-11 am

Earth Care Crew9-11 am

Wehr Astronomical Society7 pm“Astrophotography”Dr. Dennis Roscoe,UW-Waukesha

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 am

Wehr Naturally:Watercolor Journal Workshop1:30-3:30 pm

Project WET & WILD Workshop8:30 am-4:15 pm

Birding With Paul7:30-10 am

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 am

NatureNauts1-2 pm

NatureNauts9:30-10:30 am

Teaching Naturalist Training1-4 pm

Wehr Astronomical Society7-9 pmTitle TBABob Bonadurer, Dir. Soref Planetarium

Mother’s Day Native Plant Sale9 am-3:30 pmSocial Media & Community Volunteers10-11:30 am Night Sky Viewing8-10 pm

Birding With Paul7:30-10 am

Mother’s Day Native Plant Sale9 am-3:30 pm

Teaching Naturalist Training1-4 pm

Happy Memorial DayWehr Nature Center is Open

For more information call 414-425-8550All programs & events subject to change.Parking fees may apply.

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

Night Sky Viewing8-10 pm

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

JUNE 1 2 3

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NatureNauts1-2 pm

NatureNauts9:30-10:30 am

Camera Club9:30-11:30 am

Little Wonders2 yr olds9:30-10:30 am3 yr olds 11 am-Noon

Earth Care Crew9-11 am

1-4 pm

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 am

Adult Scavenger Hunt

6-8 pm

Teaching Naturalist Training9 am-12 pm

EarthCare Crew9-11 am

Wehr Astronomical Society“The Great Eclipse of 2017”Jim Mihal, MATC Astronomy Instructor7-9 pm

Earth Care Crew9-11 am

Friends of Wehr Annual Meeting5:30-6:30 pm

Summer Solstice Celebration 7-9 pm

Earth Care Crew 9-11 am

for Adults8-10 pm

for Families8-10 pm

Yoga for Wellness8:30-9:30 pm

Yoga of theSummer Forest 10 am-12 pm

9-11:30 am

Astronomy Adventures Day Camp9 am-4 pmEarth Care Crew9-11 am

Astronomy Adventures Day Camp9 am-4 pm

For more information call 414-425-8550All programs & events subject to change.Parking fees may apply.

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

10:30 -11:30 am

FRIENDS OF WEHRNATURE STORE

All proceeds go to Friends of Wehr to support the educational programs at Wehr Nature Center. Open 8:30 am-4 pm

Shop In the Beauty of Nature

We are well stocked for Spring Adventures! We have guidebooks about all our winged friends. For the kids we have bird houses to make, duck calls to quack, binoculars for watching and singing birds of all kinds. For indoor fun we have beautiful coloring books for adults and kids.

Little WondersA program for 2 and 3 year olds to share with their favorite adultTimes: 9:30-10:30 am for Two Year Olds 11 am-Noon for Three Year Olds

Nature Discovery For Children

Pre-registration is required for all children’s programs Deadline is the Friday before the program dateFees: $12 per child $10 Milwaukee County Residents $7 Friends of Wehr Members

NatureNautsA series of fun-filled programs for children 4-6 years old and their favorite adultTimes: 1-2 pm for Sunday Classes 9:30-10:30 am for Monday Classes

Frog Songs Sunday, April 9 or Monday, April 10Hop over and discover why springtime means frogs. Learn the different songs of our local frogs and be prepared for a short walk to the pond. Meet a live frog and toad up close. Make your own froggy craft to take home.

Birds at My Feeder Sunday, May 7 or Monday, May 8Blue Jay, and chickadee, and cardinals, oh my! Don’t let this program fly by! Fly over to Wehr to discover what birds visit your feeder and how to keep them happy. NatureNauts will make and take home their own pine-cone bird feeder.

Flickering Fireflies Sunday, June 18 or Monday, June 19Discover the secrets of fireflies and how they light up our summer nights. All NatureNauts will make and take home a craft firefly that lights up!

Wild Goose Chase Mondays, April 3 & 24Children will go on a wild goose chase along the shores of Mallard Lake, meet an adventurous gosling in the story Rebel by John Schoenherr, paint with a goose feather, and enjoy a snack of goose food.

Seeds & Sprouts Mondays, May 1 & 22Bring your little sprout to this class celebrating seeds and flowers. Children will help us plant our Play Space garden, pot a flower to take home, go on a spring wildflower walk, and enjoy a “seedy” snack.

Animal Babies Monday, June 5Celebrate the spring birth of baby animals with a birthday party! We’ll read If You Were Born a Kitten by Marion Bauer and toddlers will don party hats and sing Happy Birthday to the baby animals. We will enjoy cupcakes and a walk to look for spring babies.

Birding Beyond the Feeder: Bird IdentificationSaturday, April 22, 9 am-NoonWondering what bird is at your feeder or who is soaring over-head as you walk in the prairie? We will start inside learning basic bird identification and binocular use, then head outside to experience the beginning of migration. For eager early-risers, there will be a pre-session hike at 7:30 am.Pre-registration required 2 days prior to programFees: $15 per person $12 for Milwaukee County residents $10 for Friends of Wehr members

Birding With PaulSundays, April 30, May 7 and 14, 7:30-10 amJoin expert birding leader Paul Boyer for an informative and en-joyable morning of birding. Bring your binoculars and field guide. Free; No registration required

Watercolor Journal WorkshopSunday, May 21 1:30-3:30 pmChannel your inner artist and join us for this new adult-only program. Artist Chris Mode will share drawing and painting tips to help each participant create a 6 page nature journal. Using Wehr’s woodlands as inspiration, Chris will help each “artist” fill the pages with such blooms as Virginia bluebells and Jack-in-the-pulpit.Pre-registration is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Fee: $30 per person; $25 for Friends of Wehr members

Wellness Activities at Wehr Enjoy the beauty of nature while you work towards your health and wellness goals.

Yoga of the Spring ForestSunday, April 2, 10 am-12 pmImmerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the forest, gaining seasonal insights that will inspire a healthier you! Join yoga instructor Katy Martens and Certified Arborist Will Mar-tens for a morning of mindful walking, calm reflection, gentle yoga, and meditation. After our walk through the woods, you will be led through a series of gentle yoga poses, giving you time to relax and reflect on the morning’s teachings.Reservations guarantee a space. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows. Fee: $17 per person; $13 for Friends of Wehr members

Yoga for WellnessSundays, April 2, 9, 23, 30 ; May 7, 21 June 4, 258:30-9:30 amJoin Yoga instructor Katy Martens for a morning of yoga surround-ed by the beautiful sights and sounds of Wehr Nature Center.For more information and fees, please visit: http://www.friendsofwehr.org/yoga-for-wellness/

FOR ADULTS

Nature Discovery for Adults

Woodcock and Woodfrogs Walk Saturday, April 8, 6:30 – 8:30 pmSee front page for details.

Adult Scavenger Hunt Saturday, June 3, 6-8 pmBack by popular demand, this one-of-a-kind adult-onlyscavenger hunt will make the kids jealous! It’s your turn to hit the trails with a GPS and a set of clues. Teams answer riddles, collect items and solve a puzzle to earn points for alcoholic beverages and great prizes. So if you are up for some friendly outdoor competition, get a buddy or three and join us for a scavenger hunt like no other. $20 per person; $15 for Friends of Wehr membersPrice includes activities, gear, and 2 alcoholic beveragesProgram is for those 21 & up Reservations guarantee yourspot. Walk-ins are welcome as space allows

Hike along with this group that walks Wehr’s trails together for camaraderie, exercise and fun.

Meet in the Visitor Center. Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30 am

No fee or registration required; regular parking fee in effect

Nature Discovery for EducatorsProject WILD & Project WET WorkshopSaturday, May 6, 8:30 am-4:15 pmJoin educators, scout and youth leaders in this workshop featuring over 200 activities focusing on wildlife, habitat, and responsible human actions. Fee: $65.00 per person Registration required by Monday, May 1

Climate Change 101 Sunday, April 23, 1:30-4 pm See front page for details.

Friday, June 23, 8-10 pmMeet real live Bats! Discover the fiction, folklore, and facts on nature’s only true flying mammal. Learn how you can participate in Citizen Science projects to help bats. Pre-registration required 2 days prior to programFees: $12 per person $7 for Milwaukee County residents $5 for Friends of Wehr members

FOR FAMILIES Friday and Saturday, April 28 & 29, 7-9 pm

Hop over to Wehr and celebrate spring with the frogs. We will meet some Wisconsin amphibians up close and then stroll out to the ponds of Wehr to listen for the sweet spring sound of frogs chorusing. Registration is required two days before the program Fee: $12 per person $10 for Milwaukee County residents $7 for Friends of Wehr members Recommended for Ages 5 and older

Meet real live bats! Discover the fiction, folklore, and facts about bats. Hands-on activities will help us learn what it is like to be a bat. We will go on a night hike to look or bats and other creatures of the night. Come learn how to be a friend to bats! Registration is required two days before the programFee: $12 per person $10 for Milwaukee County residents $7 for Friends of Wehr members Recommended for Ages 8 and older

Nature Discovery for Families

Earth Day HikesSaturday and Sunday, April 22 & 23Hike Times: 10-11 am & 1-2 pmEnjoy guided spring hikes in honor of Earth Day. Learn about the fascinating connections between people, plants, and ani-mals that make Wehr Nature Center such a special place. Pick up some simple tips along the way to make everyday Earth Day!No fee or registration required; $3 parking fee applies.

Frog Frolic

Sunday, June 11, 1-4 pmDiscover the world of reptiles and amphibians! Meet colorful snakes, wondrous turtles, and strange lizards and salaman-ders. See dozens of species on display and enjoy a guided hike to look for turtles and listen for frogs. Learn all the ways to live peacefully with our misunderstood and scaly wild neighbors. Kids can enjoy crafts and refreshments available for purchase.Fee: $3 per person, $2 for Friends of Wehr members

Saturdays, May 13 & 27, 8-10 pmJoin members of the Wehr Astronomical Society for sky viewing at Wehr Nature Center. Look through a telescope and learn about the constellations and sky objects with experts. This program is canceled if the skies are cloudy. No fee or registration required Location: Wehr Nature CenterFor more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/WehrAstronomicalSociety/

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FOR FAMILIES

Saturday, June 24, 8-10 pm

Community Organizations Wehr is fortunate to host several organizations who share their passion and knowledge 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 environ-mental stewardship through education and conservation. Public programs are held the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 pm, September to May. Visit www.wimetroaudubon.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, September to 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 February-June and September & November; 1st Tuesday evening in October.Look for us on Facebook.

Give your child the gift of nature this summer. Registration Is Open! Go to: http://www.friendsofwehr.org/childrens-programs/adventure-summer-camp/ for more information and to register.

Astronomy AdventuresAges: 9-12Thursday & Friday, June 29 & 30 Time: 9 am-4 pmFee: $140; $120 for Friends of Wehr membersSee planets, moons, stars, and comets in a new light and explore the stars inside Wehr’s Starlab planetarium.

Pioneer TrailsAges: 9-12 Tuesday & Wednesday, July 25 & 26 Time: 9 am-4 pmFee: $140; $120 for Friends of Wehr membersTravel back to 1800s Wisconsin and discover if you have what it takes to be a pioneer.

Nature DetectivesAges 6-9 Session 1: Monday July 31- Friday Aug. 4Session 2: Monday Aug. 7- Friday Aug. 11 Time: 9 am- 12 pm Fee: $175; $150 for Friends of Wehr membersBecome a super sleuth and uncover the mysteries of life around you.

Afternoon A La C arte C ampsAges: 7-9 Time: 12:30-4 pm Cost: $50 per camp; $35 per camp for Friends of Wehr members Add these camps to Nature Detectives to make a whole day of camp or attend an individual session. A supervised lunchtime program is available for a $5 a day fee. Minecraft Goes WildMonday, July 31 or Aug. 7Collect resources, craft natural tools, and build mini shelters in this NO TECH Minecraft based camp.Fantastical BeastsTuesday, Aug. 1 or Aug 8Meet real live fantastical beasts that call Wehr home and discover the adaptations that make them amazing.Outdoor Adventure CampWednesday, Aug. 2 or Aug. 9Join Wehr Naturalist Ken Keffer for outdoor adventures based on his award winning book, The Kids Outdoor Adventure Book. Pollinator PowerThursday, Aug. 2 or Aug. 10Learn how bees, butterflies, bats, and birds are the superheroes that make our world delicious as we explore pollination through games, crafts, and outdoor adventures.

Make Memories This Summer at Adventure Summer Day Camp

Three Decades of Butterfly Counts at the Wehr Nature Center By Pat Fojut I was younger in 1988. A recently hired part-time naturalist and new to butterflying, I was excited to go into the field with Wehr Nature Center (WNC) Director Marinette Nowak and Marion Lopina. These butterfly experts helped us rookies recognize butterflies by field marks and behavior. I was hooked when we spotted swallowtails, skippers, hairstreaks and Monarchs. We recorded 26 butterfly species, and surprisingly, we’ve never found that many species since. I am surprised that this year marks my 30th season of the North American Butterfly Association’s (NABA) Butterfly Count here at Wehr. We now call surveys like this citizen science, because the data can be collected by everyone. People use binoculars and cameras to monitor butterfly populations and build a species database. This helps to maintain and improve biodiversity in our local parks. In 2016, after early morning rains, WNC Naturalist Emily Brown and I ventured out at 10 a.m. With the overcast and humid conditions, we found a few reliable species including Common Wood Nymph and Little Wood Satyr fluttering in the tall grass. Later we counted Great Spangled Fritillary, Silver-spotted Skipper, and other common butterflies in the prairie and the gardens near the building. It was fun to find some uncommon butterflies, Banded Hairstreak, Common Buckeye, and Northern Broken Dash Skipper, along the prairie trail and in the compost area. Later in the day, I was able to visit the mature native grasslands of Warnimont Park, the best Monarch haven along Lake Michigan. I explored the beech/maple Forest at Falk Park where a lone Tiger Swallowtail was visiting Basswood leaves to lay eggs. Finally I stopped back at my favorite spot, the intersection of the WNC drive and the prairie trail. Here the Indian Hemp flowers profusely. I even spotted a new butterfly to Milwaukee County, the Silvery Checkerspot. Luckily I got a snapshot to make it official. One more species seen at Wehr Nature Center. In recent years of the count, we’ve had an average of 16 butterfly species for 6 hours of monitoring. The high count for a single day was 26 species (1988). The high for one week was 35 species (July 2003). In the last 30 years, a total of 54 species have been documented here.

Uncommon butterflies recorded at Wehr’s Annual Butterfly CountCommon Name Year(s) Recorded at WNC Butterfly CountBaltimore Checkerspot 2003Common Buckeye 1990, 2003, 2016Deleware Skipper 2003Hackberry Butterfly 2014Juvenal’s Duskywing 1992Little Glassy Wing 2003Little Sulfur 2010Pipevine Swallowtail 2012Silvery Checkerspot 2016

©Selva RamakrishnanCommon Buckeye

Baltimore Checkerspot *

Deleware Skipper*

Hackberry Butterfly ©Bruce Marlin

Juvenal’s Duskywing *

Little Glassy Wing *

Little Sulfur

Pipevine Swallowtail *Silvery Checkerspot *

©Lessy Sebastian

* Photos from Wisconsin Butterflies. org - Mike Reese

Many visitors are interested in the flashy orange and black Monarch butterfly. Count records show that fewer Monarchs have been seen at WNC since 2012. A combination of factors including habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change have led to long-term declines across the continent for the species according to US Fish & Wildlife Services. There were also reports of a rare snowstorm on the Mexican wintering grounds in March of 2016. The insect adaptation of high reproduction can help bring the population back, and in July 2016, we did see Monarchs busy laying eggs on milkweed host plants. In Wisconsin, our best practice is to provide breeding habitat for butterflies and pollinators in backyard gardens and community parklands.

Join us for Wehr’s 30th Annual Butterfly Count June 25, 2017, 9-11:30 amCome try the NABA Butterfly Count on June 25, 2017. Recommended for butterfly enthusiasts 13 years and older. Learn more about butterflies at the North American Butterfly Association, http://www.naba.org .

Pat Fojut is a local butterfly enthusiast, WI Master Naturalist Instructor, and retired Wehr Naturalist

© Jeanne Parente/TNC

© Journey North

©Virginia Arboretum

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Nature objects for kids camps: sea shells, shark’s teeth,

walnut shells, dried milkweed pods

Silhouette Cameo 2 or 3 Electric Cutting Machine

Check out this donation item on AmazonSmile! Click the image and go to the AmazonSmile page. Use your AmazonSmile account that gives back to Wehr for whatever you buy! (See page 2 for more info.)

Coming this Summer! Wehr Naturally: Fabulous Fire-pit Cuisine with Staci Joers Tuesday, July 11th, 6:00-8:30 PM

Fireside Fridays: Firefly FunFriday, July 14, 7-9 pm

Overnight Adventures-Special Family Camp-out at Whitnall Park Sat., August 12-Sun. August 13, 6 pm to 9 am

Empty, clean peanut butter jars with lids