A Wonder Weekend Success

Dear Readers,

My name is Tom Slattery and I have recently joined the Climate Change Exhibit Team as an intern for the summer. I am currently a Junior at UW-Madison majoring in Environmental Studies and Economics with special interests in environmental conservation and alternative energy. Hopefully my knowledge on climate change will distract you from my newbie blogger status. Enjoy!

In case you missed it, this past weekend at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center we hosted our first ever Wonder Weekend where we offered visitors an in-depth look at what constitutes being “green” and explored how ALNC and Miller Park have more in common than what meets the eye! I think I speak for every fan when I say a Brewer’s game wouldn’t be the same without the new low-flush toilets, recycled beverage cups and additional recycling dumpsters…on second thought, maybe that’s just the “green geek” in me speaking. While it may not directly change all fans' experience of the game, Johnson Controls’ recent efforts to make Milwaukee’s favorite ballpark “greener” is already having a positive impact on the environment. Click here to read about Miller Park’s green features. As stated by our guest speaker Molly McElligott, a variety of behind-the-scenes energy efficient solutions and sustainable ideas allow ALNC and Miller Park to operate with minimal negative effects on the environment.

Supplementing the “Green Building” theme, the Science On a Sphere showcased a feature video on the “Energy Revolution”. Viewers learned how renewable energy technologies, such as Smart Grid electrical transmission and solar cells, can reduce carbon emissions, effectively decreasing the human impact on climate change.

The transparent framework of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) promotes an image of high performance and high efficiency. Upon exploration of ALNC’s digital touchscreens, the efforts to make our own facility “green” quickly become evident. Features such as thermal solar panels, motion-sensor lights, extra wall insulation and hydronic heating not only ensure financial savings in the long run, but more importantly reduce ALNC’s carbon footprint. Click here to find out more about ALNC’s greenbuilding features.

Over all, the event was a tremendous success! We hope you can join us on Father’s Day weekend for our next Wonder Weekend which will focus on the connection between fish and climate change. We’ll post more details about the event soon! Our Fishing Family Fun is also that Sunday, so bring the Father in your life to ALNC for a day full of fun and learning!

Gobble Gobble goes the Wonder Bug

How do you sing the turkey song? Does a male turkey gobble or does he yelp? Our Wonder Bugs who attended Gobble Gobble can tell you!

Kids, Moms, Dads, Grandpas & Grandmas too practiced doing the waddle and strutting their tailfeathers. As a reward they were rewarded with a "fowl treat" of insect larvae, wild grapes, and field corn. (Don't worry...we use puffed rice, raisins, and popcorn). 

We got to make our very own customized turkey caller that yelped like a turkey hen--sure to bring Mr. Tom Turkey around to investigate! We had to go outside to see if it would work. Yelping, gobbling, strutting - no luck! Oh well, that didn't stop us from playing turkey:


The sun was shining so we searched for turkey food. Then the moon came out and it was back to our "tree" to roost. The sun came out again so we hopped down from the tree to look for food, but this time coyotes, skunks, and eagles that looked a little like Moms and Dads were waiting to snatch up an unsuspecting turkey. It's tough being a turkey! But there's nothing better than being outside, playing with other turkeys, yelping and gobbling to our fowl heart's content.


Thanks everyone for coming to Wonder Bugs the day before Thanksgiving. I sure had a lot of fun. We look forward to seeing you again!


Miss Rachel & Miss Tara

NEW WINTER WONDER BUG SESSIONS:
Package price for all 6 Winter Wonder Bugs sessions (choose Tuesdays or Wednesdays)ALNC Members: $33/child; Non-Members: $39/child (When registering on-line list "Winter Session" as event/program name and and "Tuesday" or "Wednesday" as the date)Prices for Wonder Bugs for all individual sessions:
ALNC Members: $6/child; Non-members: $7/child
Registration Form 

WINTER WEBS
Tuesday, December 6 & Wednesday, December 7, 2011
9:30-10:45am
Registration deadline: Friday, December 2, 2011
Spiders come and spiders go...even in the winter! Discover a web of fun and take home an egg-sac full of memories! Bet you can’t wait!
Registration Form 

DEER JOHN
Tuesday, December 20 & Wednesday, December 21, 2011
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Friday, December 16, 2011
You are in luck! Deer do not write goodbye letters for the winter. They bed down here and leap over there. Today the songs, games, and fun a-bound!
Registration Form

BEAR-LY BREATHING
Tuesday, January 10 & Wednesday, January 11, 2012
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 6, 2012

Winter is a good time for napping, especially if you’re a black bear! "Cub" and find out something surprising! No bear bones about it- this day will be den-tastic!
Registration Form 

ME AND MY SHADOW
Tuesday, January 24 & Wednesday, January 25, 2012
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Friday, January 20, 2012

"Wood" you believe that the groundhog is “chuck” full of surprises? "Wood" you come down for songs, crafts, and a chuck-load of fun? I hope to see your shadow while we learn about all things groundhog.
Registration Form

KEEP ON TRACKING…
Tuesday, February 14 & Wednesday, February 15, 2012
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 10, 2012
While the snow is stacking! Discover what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoe (prints). Practice counting the toes- they always knows- and you’ll be able to guess the animal who walked there since.
Registration Form

MICE ON ICE
Tuesday, February 28 & Wednesday, February 29, 2012
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 25, 2012

For birds of prey, this is a delicacy in the winter! Explore the predatory world of raptors in winter. Songs and games are sure to keep you roasty toasty.
Registration Form

Spend Father's Day Fishing with ALNC!!!

Fishing was one of Aldo Leopold's favorite activities as a youngster.  Join our naturalists to find out why and celebrate Father's Day at Fishing Family Fun this Sunday, June 19, from 9:30 -11:30 AM!

In this introduction to angling, we'll:

•     See examples of different types of rods and reels 
•     Play the "Backyard Bass" fishing game to practice casting 
•     Learn how to tie basic fishing knots 
•     Catch worms to use as bait as you fish in our pond and much more! 

Space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended. Click here or call 608-221-0404 ext. 1 to register today!

The event costs $6/person or $20/family for ALNC Members and $7/person or $25/family for Non-Members.