Audubon offers programs, field trips, activities, and workshops related to the environment.
We have a new room for our programs this year at MPTC. Our room will be B141. People can park in the B lot on the north side of MPTC and enter door B3.
Managing Massive Fish in the Winnebago System
Wednesday, January 8, 7 pm, MPTC, Room B141
The Winnebago system lake sturgeon population is one of the best-managed sturgeon populations in the world, supporting the largest harvest season available for this species through the winter spear fishery. But maintaining a population of a fish that grows to be the size of a human on a system that includes 131,000 acres of lake and over 300 miles of rivers requires close management, diligent work, and a little creativity. Discover the science and techniques used to ensure that this population continues to thrive while preserving one of the most unique outdoor recreational opportunities in the nation.
Margaret has been in the fisheries field for the last 12 years in Detroit, Vermont, Texas, and Wisconsin working with native fish restoration and sports fish management. She has always been passionate about Acipenseriformes (sturgeon and paddlefish) and is excited to give people a glimpse into the life of this dinosaur-like fish.
Snowshoe Saturday (or Hike) at Kiekhaefer Park
Saturday, January 11, 1 pm, 4235 Kiekhaefer Parkway
Enjoy a guided winter exploration of the hilly trails at beautiful Kiekhaefer Park. If there is good snow, we will snowshoe; otherwise we will hike. (Canceled if too muddy, raining, or temp/wind chill below zero.)
Limited snowshoes will be available by reservation at no charge, courtesy of Attitude Sports. For trail conditions or to reserve snowshoes, contact Diana at 920-922-7931 or dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Introduction to Foraging
Wednesday, February 12, 7 pm, MPTC Room B141
Whether you’re out birding in the field or just hanging out by the feeder in your backyard, the great outdoors is a place teaming with nourishment for both the body and soul. Join Chris Gavin as we cover the basics of how to identify, harvest, and enjoy the abundance of wild foods that can be found in every natural, and some not-so-natural settings in Wisconsin and beyond.
Chris Gavin is a Wisconsin Master Naturalist, Scout leader, and owner of Eagle Outdoor Skills, a business with the intention of reconnecting people to the natural world through wild foods, traditional skills, and ecological knowledge.
Great Backyard Bird Count
February 14 – 17, your own backyard
Contribute to one of the most successful bird counts. More than 173,000 people of all ages and walks of life worldwide join the four-day count annually to create a snapshot of the distribution and abundance of birds. Observations can be made from the comfort of your home and only involve a minimum of 15 minutes. Even beginners can help. The website has wonderful aids for identifying the birds in our area. Enter the results online. Final totals and results are available later to all participants. Details are on the website: gbbc.birdcount.org
For more information on these events, call 920-922-7931 or email dianahbeck@gmail.com.
Explore Local Trails with Your Family
We encourage you and your families to explore some of the beautiful trails in our area on your own and with your families.
• Kiekhaefer Park
• Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum
• Peebles Trail
• Greenway Arboretum
• Hobbs Woods
• Shaginappi Park
• Eisenbahn State Trail
• Archer Thomas Olsen Trail at Lakeside Park West
• Mascoutin Valley State Trail (Rosendale)
• Northwoods (Rosendale)
• Riggs Park (Ripon)