Special Sneak Peek Tomorrow!

Dear Readers, 
We hope you can all join us tomorrow for our Special Public Hours: Exhibits Sneak Peek!

 

SPECIAL PUBLIC HOURS: EXHIBITS SNEAK PEEK
Thursday, December 29
Noon - 7 pm

Stop by ALNC for a sneak-preview of brand new interactive exhibits and programs, which won’t be available to the public until next Spring!

Get a one-of-a-kind view of our planet’s rarely seen “frozen world” including polar ice caps and high altitude glaciers on ALNC’s Science On a Sphere, explore hands-on exhibits about weather and climate, and learn about other exciting developments premiering soon, including Storms 360 and WKOW Kids Climate Cast.

Plus, see the winning entry from ALNC’s snow globe art contest transformed into a giant spinning snow globe! Click to find out more about ALNC’s new “high-touch” and “high-tech” programs.

General Public: $5/person; ALNC Members: $4/person

Click here, or call 608-221-0404 x 1 to register today!

Wonder Bugs - Deer John!

"Deer" Wonderbuggers,

Oh deer me! The fun that we had today was out of control- as were our somewhat floppy antlers. We got to feel real antlers, wrap up in a deer skin, and make tracks outside in the mud with a deer leg. Did you know that deer walk on two toe nails per foot? I wonder what that feels like.  It makes pretty neat tracks!

We learned that there are different members of the deer family like elk, moose, caribou and reindeer. The Deer Family (Zoobooks) by Timothy Levi Biel has great pictures of different deer as well as descriptions about what makes a deer a deer. Some of us practiced matching the antlers with the correct deer; it looked pretty silly to see moose antlers on a white-tailed deer! 

Another series of stories deer to me is “In the Woods” by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick.  Each of the three stories depicts deer on seasonal adventures. We started to read Stranger in the Woods today in class. As the deer walk through the woods they encounter other woodland animals talking about the stranger. Read it to find out who the stranger is!  Apparently there are movies, too. Click here to see more.
Well deeries, it is time to go. Enjoy the holiday break and see you next year!

Miss Tara

 

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 

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

Best of 2011

With the new year just around the corner, we're taking some time to reflect back on 2011! What a tremendous year it has been for us at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center! Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach more than 40,000 children, their families and teachers this year!

Check out these "best of 2011" photos from this past year!

Winter Webs Wonder Bugs

Gr-eight times were had by all this week! Our special guest was a real treat; I held a tarantula for everyone to see. Of course I forgot my camera so if you have any pictures, please email me! Some wonder bugs felt the claws at the end of her leg, and we counted her legs to make sure she had all 8. She did! But did you know that tarantulas can regenerate new legs if they lose one? Wow!

We discovered that winter is too cold for spiders; we only found one dead one tucked in an outdoor lampshade. Spiders either die or head to warmer places- like inside! We found a lot in the basement and in the corners of the building. They were hanging out in their very own webs. So then we just had to make our own webs with yarn, and while we were at it we pretended to stab insects with our fangs and suck up the bug soup. Yummy!

For snack we crunched on spiders! We used two crackers to represent the two body parts, and 8 pretzel stick legs and 8 sunflower seed eyes. Plus a little cream cheese to hold it all together! Voila!



Check out some spidery books from the library to find out more about these spiderific creatures. You might especially like to finish reading Up, Up, and Away by Ginger Wadsworth. A House Spider’s Life by John Himmelman would help you understand the spiders you might find in the corners of your house. There are many, many more!
For those singable moments here’s a new spidery song!

Little Spider Weaves a Web (from Growing Up WILD, page 15)
(Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle”)
Little spider weaves a web
With some dry and sticky threads.
Her bristled feet keep her free
From getting stuck, can’t you see?

Here comes a fly buzzing by
Inter her web, watch it fly.
Wiggle wriggle. It’s stuck tight.
Spider has her meal tonight.

Join me in two weeks (and all through the winter) for more Wonder Bugs fun!
Miss Tara

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 

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

Fall Foliage Friends

Here's an easy, fun and creative way to get your youngster "in touch" with the season! Enjoy!

For more fall fun, remember to to stop by our upcoming Fall Fest Members Preview Party on Friday, October 28th for a spooktacular night of entertainment for your whole family + a sneak-peek at our exciting new Climate Education Center! Hope to see you there--click here to find out more!

Favorite Fall Hikes This Thursday

Looking for some great hikes this fall? Come join the staff from the Ice Age Trail Alliance at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as they guide you on a virtual tour through some of the unique places in the Ice Age Trail.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is a thousand mile footpath—entirely within Wisconsin—that highlights the Ice Age landscape features while providing access to some of the state's most beautiful natural areas. If you’re looking for new places to hike close to the Madison area this fall, you don't want to miss this presentation!


Here are the specifics:

REI PRESENTS: FAVORITE FALL HIKES ON THE ICE AGE TRAIL, A PRESENTATION FROM THE ICE AGE TRAIL ALLIANCE
7:00 - 8:00 pm
Thursday, September 22, 2011
FREE

 
Visit Rei.com/Madison to register. Pre-registration is required.

Hope to see you there!

Summer's Not Over Yet! Booknics & Woodland Championships Await!

It's almost that time of year when the kids start to get antsy about going back to school and parents breath a huge sigh of relief that summer is almost over...but not quite yet!

There are still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the last few weeks of lazy, sunny summer days! Here are some ideas to get the most out of the rest of your summer:

Go on a "Family Booknic"

Turn an afternoon in the nearby park into a virtual adventure! Pack some books and thematic snacks to match. For example, if the book is Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree, pack some apples, broccoli "trees," or get creative and have your child make a tree out of pretzels and cucumbers like in the photo below.

 Then, take a walk to your favorite outdoor spot and enjoy the afternoon snacking and reading! This is a great way to get your kids hooked on reading outdoors!

Sign Your Child Up for the Woodland Championships!

On Friday, August 26 from 1-4 pm, ALNC is hosting the Woodland Championships for ages 7-10. Is your child ready to take on nature’s obstacle course? They'll compete in potato sack races, try Native American "spear-throwing," and other physical challenges at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Monona Campus.  Click here to find out more!

Check out this photo from last year's Woodland Championship!

Happy Summer!

Throw the First Pitch Contest Ends in 4 Days!

Is your child a baseball lover and a nature nut? Have them enter ALNC’s “Favorite Place”Art & Poetry Contest Today and they could throw the first pitch at a Mallards Game!!!

ALNC is hosting an art and poetry contest for kids, ages 6 to 12, to show off their talents while entering to win the honor of throwing the first pitch at ALNC’s Night with the Madison Mallards on Thursday August 4th! Click here to find out more about ALNC's Night with the Madison Mallards!

In addition to throwing the first pitch, the contest winner will receive an ALNC t-shirt and an ALNC  Complimentary Family Membership! But hurry, the contest ENDS this coming Monday, July 25th at Noon.

To Enter:

• Draw, paint, or write a poem/prose about your favorite nature spot—your backyard, a park, ALNC, or anywhere else that is special to you!
• Fill out the Contest Entry Form, available here or at ALNC's front desk.
• Submit the Contest Entry Form and artwork or poetry/prose by email, mail or in person before noon on July 25th.

Email Submissions to: devcomm@naturenet.com

OR Mail / Drop off Submissions to:

    ALNC Mallards Contest
    Aldo Leopold Nature Center
    330 Femrite Dr, Monona, WI 53716

Contest Guidelines:

• The contest begins Wednesday July 6th; all entries are due by noon Monday July 25th.
• Pieces will be judged on creativity and relevance to the contest’s theme.
• All written submissions are limited to 300 words.
• Any material submitted becomes property of ALNC and will not be returned.
• The contest winner will be notified by email on July 26th 2011.
  

Don't Forget to Join Us for the Big Game!!
ALNC’s Night with the Madison Mallards
Activities Begin at 5:30; Game Begins at 7:05 pm
Thursday, August 4 at Warner Park

Let’s play ball for ALNC! Take your family out to the ballgame to watch the Madison Mallards square off against the Green Bay Bullfrogs! Come early to make your own duck mask, learn "how ducks make a living," compete in a duck walk race, meet Maynard the Duck and more!

Tickets are just $10! Plus, $2 from every ticket purchased through ALNC's portal will be donated to ALNC! To purchase your ticket, click here or visit http://www.mallardsgroups.com. Use the code “ALDO” to receive the discount.

Your Child Could Throw the First Pitch at a Mallards Game!!!

ALNC’s Night with the Madison Mallards

Activities Begin at 5:30; Game Begins at 7:05 pm

Thursday, August 4 at Warner Park

Let’s play ball for ALNC! Take your family out to the ballgame to watch the Madison Mallards square off against the Green Bay Bullfrogs! Come early to make your own duck mask, learn "how ducks make a living," compete in a duck walk race, meet Maynard the Duck and more!

Tickets are just $10! Plus, $2 from every ticket purchased through ALNC's portal will be donated to ALNC! To purchase your ticket, click here or visit http://www.mallardsgroups.com. Use the code “ALDO” to receive the discount.

Your Child Could Throw the First Pitch of the Game!
Enter Them in ALNC’s “Favorite Place”Art & Poetry Contest Today!

Is your youngster a budding artist or poet? Enter their artwork or poetry to win the chance of a lifetime—to stand on the pitcher’s mound with their fellow Mallards and throw the first pitch!

ALNC is hosting an art and poetry contest for kids, ages 6 to 12, to show off their talents while entering to win the honor of throwing the first pitch at ALNC’s Night with the Madison Mallards on Thursday August 4th! Click here to find out more about ALNC's Night with the Madison Mallards!

In addition to throwing the first pitch, the contest winner will receive an ALNC t-shirt and an ALNC  Complimentary Family Membership!

To Enter:

• Draw, paint, or write a poem/prose about your favorite nature spot—your backyard, a park, ALNC, or anywhere else that is special to you!
• Fill out the Contest Entry Form, available here or at ALNC's front desk.
• Submit the Contest Entry Form and artwork or poetry/prose by email, mail or in person before noon on July 25th.

Email Submissions to: devcomm@naturenet.com

OR Mail / Drop off Submissions to:

    ALNC Mallards Contest
    Aldo Leopold Nature Center
    330 Femrite Dr, Monona, WI 53716

Contest Guidelines:

• The contest begins Wednesday July 6th; all entries are due by noon Monday July 25th.
• Pieces will be judged on creativity and relevance to the contest’s theme.
• All written submissions are limited to 300 words.
• Any material submitted becomes property of ALNC and will not be returned.
• The contest winner will be notified by email on July 26th 2011.