Wonder Bugs: Chilly Willy

We normally think of nature as thriving most where the flora is thickest. But even in the barren, unbreakable worlds of ice and snow, creatures of all kinds survive.

Because of staggeringly low temperatures, tree growth is significantly hindered in polar biomes. The subsoil of tundra is choked by cold, left permanently frozen. The life adapted for this environment is as tough as it gets with incredible biological tools to suit them to the unforgiving environment. The polar bear's incredible nose allows it to locate the breathing holes of seals. Reindeer have developed thick hooves to battle predatory grey wolves. In the antarctic, penguins have adapted their vestigial wings into flippers, soaring through the water as an eagle would through the air.

It might be a while north (or south) before you can see these creatures, but don’t let the absence of polar bears or penguins in Wisconsin leave you frosty. We’ll thaw our imaginations and let the games begin! Learn about the frosty animals of the world in a whole new way. It will be “tundra” of fun! 

Tuesday, February 5 and Wednesday, February 6, 2013
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 3, 2013


If you like this Wonder Bugs event, why not try another of our programs:

BATTING A THOUSAND
Tuesday, February 12 and Wednesday, February 13, 2013
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 10, 2013
Take me out to the bat game. Take me out to the cave. Buy me some bat homes and places to hang- upside down; I’ll be sporting some fangs. Come knock this topic right out of the park! You won’t care if you ever get back. Go bats!

JUST BREATHE
Tuesday, February 19 and Wednesday, February 20, 2013
9:30-10:45am
Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 17, 2013
Inhale the wonders of winter. Smell the mysteries of the cold and frozen land. Winter will come alive as we explore nature and breathe in the fresh surprises. I “nose” you’ll get a lungful of exciting discoveries! Be sure to come back spring, summer, and fall; we'll compare nature through the seasons and our noses.

Each program costs- ALNC Members: $8/participant; Non-Members: $9/participant
Registration Form

Maple Syrup Fest

Celebrate the spring with Maple Syrup Fest—a family-style festival at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

This year's Maple Syrup Fest will feature ten stations set throughout the nature center grounds to lead visitors, at their own pace, through the history of maple syruping and related craft and activities. Naturalists will tap the maple trees on the nature center grounds and collect sap in buckets to make the syrup. See the sap boil over a roaring fire as it concentrates into "liquid gold". When the sap is boiled, the sap's naturally occurring water evaporates as steam, leaving the sap and its sweetness to concentrate into maple syrup.

• Tap and Taste real MapleTree Sap!
• Test your "Nature Smarts" with Maple Syrup Trivia!
• Increase your Knowledge of Trees with "Build-A-Tree" Game!
• Learn from a Real "Tapper" how Maple Syrup is made Today and the Old-Fashioned Way!
• Tour the Rustic Children's Shack!
• Take part in Cooking Demonstrations with Early Pioneer Settlers!
• Enjoy Ice Cream Sundaes topped with Pure Maple Syrup!
• Partners with American Transmission Company, Alliant Energy Foundation, Cuna Mutual Group, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, The Evjue Foundation and Madison Gas and Electric.

Date/Time: Sunday, March 24, 2013, 1-3pm
Location: Monona Campus
Registration: Pre-registration preferred but walk-ins are welcome!

Leopold Discovery Day

Bring the whole family to celebrate the life and legacy of Wisconsin’s premier conservationist, Aldo Leopold! Hands-on activities, games and scavenger hunts throughout the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery will highlight some of Aldo’s favorite pastimes such as, tree identification, fishing, phenology and much, much more.

• Search for birds in the Town Center Atrium trees!
• Go on an animal track identification hunt around the Mesozoic Garden!
• Enjoy author Nancy Nye Hunt's reading of her new children’s book, “Aldo Leopold's Shack: Nina's Story”!
• Dress up and pose for pictures at the "Look Like Leopold" station!
• Watch a screening of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's "Learning from the Land" documentary and much, much more!

Leopold Discovery Day is sure to be a day your family will cherish, so mark your calendars now!

Date/Time: Saturday, March 2, 2013, 10 am - noon
Location: Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, 330 North Orchard St., Madison, WI 53715
Registration: No registration required. For more information, please call 608-221-0404.
Fee: Free

Tiki Torch Toboggan

Our Black Earth Campus, located in the Driftless Region, is full of hills and valleys waiting to be explored. Grab your sled (or snowshoes) and join us for an evening of fun in the snow!  Discover the winter flora and fauna as you sled, snowshoe or hike along the snow covered trails.  Finally, we’ll warm up around a roaring campfire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a treat in honor of Aldo Leopold’s birthday. ALNC will have adult and child snowshoes available on a first come first serve basis for use at this event. Participants are invited to bring dinner to cook over the campfire or eat in the cabin. Pre-registration is required.

Location:  Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Black Earth Campus, 10648 Sutcliffe Rd, Black Earth

Date/Time:  Saturday, January 12, 2013   4 - 7 pm; registration closes January 10, 2013

Fee:  ALNC members:  $6/person or $20/family; Non-members: $7/person or $25/family

Information/Register: www.naturenet.com/alnc or 608-216-9371

Snow Globe Art Contest!

 

Calling all budding artists! Here's your chance to create a piece of artwork that can be seen around the globe at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center! To enter, draw, paint or color a winter scene using the snow globe template found here. Get creative—your art can depict animals, trees, animal tracks and anything else you see outdoors in winter! Click here to see a video of the snow globe in action!

One entry from each age category (3-6, 7-9, 10-13, and 14-18 years old) will be selected to be transformed into a 6 foot-wide spinning snow globe during a special sneak preview of new exhibits and programs at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center on Thursday, December 29th from noon to 7 pm. Winning artists will receive free admission for themselves and their immediate family to the sneak preview.

Click here to find out more and download an entry form. An activity station to complete entry forms will also be available our Winter Solstice Celebration on Friday, December 16, from 6:30-8 pm.