By Tim Hansel, Education Coordinator, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, in collaboration with Middleton Parks and Recreation, are proud to offer Conservancy Days, an ongoing public talk series that brings our community together to learn about the landscapes, wildlife, and conservation work that shape Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Held every other month on the third Thursday at 6pm at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave., Conservancy Days provides an accessible and welcoming space for curiosity, conversation, and connection.
The November Conservancy Days program, which marked our final talk of 2025, featured Friends board member and accomplished photographer Paul Ludden. Paul led attendees on a photographic tour of the Conservancy, sharing images of birds, mammals, and other critters captured across seasons and habitats. From striking close-ups to broader landscape scenes, his photographs highlighted the remarkable biodiversity that persists within the Pheasant Branch watershed. Beyond their beauty, the images served as reminders of how careful observation—and patience—can reveal the richness of even familiar places. For many in attendance, the talk offered a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the wildlife encounters that await anyone willing to slow down on the trail.
Biodiversity image legend: This is a fraction of the Biodiversity in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Images are not relative to size of the organisms. 1) Northern Cardinal, 2) Red Tailed Hawk, 3) Bald Eagle, 4) Sandhill Crane, 5) Great Horned Owl, 6) Wisconsin Brown Bat, 7) Kestrel, 8) Merlin Falcon, 9) Horned Lark, 10) Belted Kingfisher, 11) Indigo Bunting, 12) Blue Teal, 13) Bufflehead, 14) Bull Frog, 15) Dickcissel, 16) Green Metallic Sweat Bee, 17) Bluebird, 18) Ringnecked Pheasant, 19) Wood Duck Ducklings, 20) Magnolia Warbler, 21) Green Heron, 22) Raccoon, 23) Meadowlark, 24) Bob-O-Link, 25) Grasshopper Sparrow, 26) Red Skimmer Dragonfly, 27) Sandhill Crane, 28) White Tailed Deer, 29) Brown Headed Cowbird, 30) Gopher, 31) Blanding’s Turtle, 32) Japanese Beetle, 33) Northern Pike, 34) River Otter, 35) Barred Owl, 36) Mole, 37) Black Swallowtail. All images are from Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
We began 2026 with a January talk that connected ecology, hydrology, and restoration in a powerful way. Bob Boucher of Superior Bio-Conservancy explored the role of beavers as the architects of healthy wetlands. Bob described how beaver activity reshapes waterways—slowing flows, raising water tables, improving water quality, and creating complex habitat that benefits amphibians, birds, fish, and countless other species. The presentation resonated deeply with local audiences, especially in light of a recent and exciting discovery along Pheasant Branch Creek. During a canoe trip last August, a beaver lodge was spotted just south of the springs, a finding that was confirmed again this past October. Seeing Bob’s examples mirrored so clearly in our own watershed helped ground the science in place and underscored the dynamic, living nature of the Conservancy.
Looking ahead, Conservancy Days continues on March 19 with a presentation by Tom Bernthal. Tom will share how, over the past 15 years, the Friends have used Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) grants to combat invasive species in the Pheasant Branch watershed. His talk will highlight long-term strategies, on-the-ground successes, and the importance of sustained funding and volunteer engagement in protecting our waterways. For anyone interested in restoration work, watershed health, or the behind-the-scenes efforts that keep invasive species in check, this promises to be an informative and inspiring evening.
All Conservancy Days talks are free and open to the public, but advance registration is encouraged. Registration for upcoming talks can be found at middleton.recdesk.com.
As Conservancy Days continue, we look forward to welcoming new and familiar faces alike—neighbors, volunteers, and nature lovers—who share a commitment to learning about and caring for this special place. Join us for an evening of insight, community, and conservation at the heart of Middleton.