Volunteers Needed!

This winter/spring, ALNC will be participating in two exciting events for families and children, the Madison Kid’s Expo and Isthmus Green Day.  At each event, we will have an informational booth and children’s activity. These outreach opportunities are a great way for us to reach new audiences and let area families know about the great programs we offer, but we can’t do it alone. 

Volunteers are needed to:

• Introduce people to ALNC programs
• Hand out ALNC brochures and promotional materials
• Encourage families to sign up for the ALNC mailing list
• Supervise a simple children’s craft activity

When we need your help:

Madison Kid’s Expo
In the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center

Saturday, February 19
9:45 am to 12:45 pm
12:30 pm to 4:15 pm  
           

 Sunday, February 20

9:45 am – 12:45 pm   

Isthmus Green Day
at the Monona Terrace

Saturday, April 16

8:45 am – 12:45 pm          

12:30 pm – 3:30 pm                   

3:15 pm – 5:15 pm           

We will provide you with training ahead of time and materials during the event, as well as instructions on driving, parking, and other logistics. Don’t feel that you have to be an expert on all of our programs to help out any event! Your enthusiasm is the most important thing you can bring to these events!

# of Volunteers Needed: 2 people per shift 

If you are interested in volunteering for any of these opportunities, please email Alanna Medearis, Development & Communications Coordinator at devcomm@naturenet.com or call 608-216-9374.

New Wonder Bugs Wednesdays!!

As many of you know, ALNC runs a Preschool Program called Wonder Bugs.  Starting next week, each Wednesday our blog will have a guest blogger, Miss Tara who teaches the Wonder Bugs programs.  Each Wonder Bugs Wednesday post will be dedicated to that week's programs and feature tips and tricks to keep your youngster learning about nature after the program!

Here is an intro and preview post from Miss Tara summing up this week's Wonder Bugs programs:

Hi Wonder Bugs!

This week's program was Off the Beaten Track. Both groups enjoyed long trips outside where we searched for animal tracks and found some! We sang a couple of songs and made tracks of our own!  Snack time was a hit as usual- tracker cracker snackers- Homemade wheat crackers with cream cheese and various toppings including julienned carrots, carrot rounds, raisins, and pepitas. Students had fun snacking and making 3-D tracks on their crackers!
 

Here are some suggested books to enjoy at home:

Animal Tracks of Minnesota and Wisconsin by Ian Sheldon and Tamara Eder (ISBN-13: 978-1-55105-250-2) This is a great mini-field guide for our area.

Wild Tracks: a Guide to Nature’s Footprints by Jim Arnosky (ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-3985-9) This great book has life-size prints of various groups of animals.

How to Be a Nature Detective by Millicent E. Selsam (ISBN: 0-06-023448-2) This book reads like a picture book but is loaded with great information on tracking!

Next Wonder Bugs: Whoo? Whoo? It’s you!  Tuesday OR Wednesday, February 8 or 9, 2011

Whoo is this lesson all about? Owls! Whoo is coming? You! Discover owl habits, pellets and lore. Join us for a hooting good time filled with songs and games and whoo knows what else. Hope to see you there!

Happy Tracking,

Miss Tara