Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Conservancy Day: When Things Happen
2021-05-20 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Conservancy Day
Speaker will be Randy Hoffman, Author of When Things Happen: A Guide to Natural Events in Wisconsin
Randy Hoffman will present how his book When Things Happen came to be. Discussion of how the book fills an information gap in a person’s nature experience highlights the talk. Exploration of the innumerable benefits of nature experiences provides the background for the book. The talk will conclude with examples from the local area regarding where to experience nature’s bounty.
Bio: Randy Hoffman is a retired DNR Ecologist. He spent nearly thirty years of government service working for the State Natural Areas Program. He is also the author of Wisconsin’s Natural communities and the primary contributor to Wisconsin’s Important Bird Areas. Randy lives with his wife in Waunakee, volunteers doing prairie restoration and enjoys nature adventures.

REGISTER HERE

Conservancy Day programs are virtual. Can’t attend live? Not a problem. We will post a link to the recording on our YouTube channel, following the event.
Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

The Month of Maying
2021-05-22 13:30 - 15:00
Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it, let’s do it, let’s fall in love! Join Master Naturalist Alex Singer for a free outing to enjoy Spring birds, bugs, flowers, and the burst of life occurring around us.
This is a family-friendly outing welcoming everyone. Masks and social distancing are required.
No registration necessary. Please leave pets at home.
Meet on Park Street in Middleton at the east entrance to the Creek Corridor MAP HERE
Monthly Bird and Nature Adventures in the Conservancy are co-sponsored by Madison Friends of Urban Nature (FUN), Madison Audubon and The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. See their websites and FaceBook pages for more activities! Contact 608-698-0104 with questions.
Explore the Conservancy on your own by taking a healthy nature walk any time this month to observe and enjoy The Month of Maying. Do you hear a Song Sparrow? Can you spot a Bluebird by a Bluebird Box?

Eco-poetry as Healing Art
2021-05-25 10:00 - 23:30 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
These writing workshops are held in partnership with Troy Hess, the founder of On the Yahara Writing Center. We hope to include and engage interested participants of all ages and encourage an intergenerational approach for our Pheasant Branch Conservancy education outreach. These workshops are free and are funded by the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration.

“The Great Work, based on the story of life’s unfolding, moves us away from a preoccupation with the self into the larger ecological self of the Earth Community. This movement has deep implications for our psychological healing, awakening in us a sense of both awe and belonging.” – K. Lauren de Boer, “Healing and the Great Work,” from Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind.
For this two-part class we will use the quote above as inspiration to consider ways of finding spiritual practice in the process of understanding and writing eco-centric poetry. An eco-spiritual practice will often have to do with experiencing the natural world first-hand, observing it in relation to self, and then creating as a natural act in itself that allows us to restore our connection to place, self, the earth. We will supplement our reading with Trebbe Johnson’s Radical Joy for Hard Times.
A common reading will be sent out before each session. This is the first of two classes in the Eco-poetry session.
Workshops will meet in person at the Dane County Parking lot: 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
If regulations for outdoor gatherings change, a Zoom link will be sent out two days before the class.

Preregistration required, register here.

ECO-POETRY AS HEALING ART
2021-06-01 10:00 - 23:30 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
These writing workshops are held in partnership with Troy Hess, the founder of On the Yahara Writing Center. We hope to include and engage interested participants of all ages and encourage an intergenerational approach for our Pheasant Branch Conservancy education outreach. These workshops are free and are funded by the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration.

“The Great Work, based on the story of life’s unfolding, moves us away from a preoccupation with the self into the larger ecological self of the Earth Community. This movement has deep implications for our psychological healing, awakening in us a sense of both awe and belonging.” – K. Lauren de Boer, “Healing and the Great Work,” from Ecotherapy: Healing with Nature in Mind.
For this two-part class we will use the quote above as inspiration to consider ways of finding spiritual practice in the process of understanding and writing eco-centric poetry. An eco-spiritual practice will often have to do with experiencing the natural world first-hand, observing it in relation to self, and then creating as a natural act in itself that allows us to restore our connection to place, self, the earth. We will supplement our reading with Trebbe Johnson’s Radical Joy for Hard Times.
A common reading will be sent out before each session. This is the second of two classes in the Eco-poetry session.
Workshops will meet in person at the Dane County Parking lot: 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
If regulations for outdoor gatherings change, a Zoom link will be sent out two days before the class.

Preregistration required, register here.

Nature writing class- Blue Iris
2021-06-11 12:00 - 13:30 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
Blue Iris: from Mary Oliver and the Art of Observation Series
These writing workshops are held in partnership with Troy Hess, the founder of On the Yahara Writing Center. We hope to include and engage interested participants of all ages and encourage an intergenerational approach for our Pheasant Branch Conservancy education outreach. These workshops are free and are funded by the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration.
Let’s continue our discussion of Mary Oliver poetry out on the Pheasant Branch Trail! Blue Iris is a special selection of poetry and “essays on the beauty and wonder of plants. The poet considers roses, of course, as well as poppies and peonies; lilies and morning glories; the thick-bodied black oak and the fragrant white pine; the tall sunflowers and the slender bean.” For the first class, we will primarily work through Blue Iris selections and discuss themes; for the second, please bring your own poem or favorite from collection to read.
A common reading will be sent out before each session. This is the first of two classes in the Blue Iris session.
Workshops will meet in person at the Dane County Parking lot: 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
If regulations for outdoor gatherings change, a Zoom link will be sent out two days before the class.
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED, REGISTER HERE.

Wednesday Walkabout: Terrific Trees
2021-06-16 09:00 - 10:30 | Highland Way Entrance- Bock Forest, 5672 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
A guided walkabout, an art project, a story…
Join a Pheasant Branch Naturalist for a Terrific Tree experience in the Bock Forest. This series is designed for children in preschool through fifth grade, with an accompanying adult. Space is limited to the first 10 children who register for each session, so sign up soon! (We will keep a wait list.)
Meeting Place: Bock Forest- Highland Way Entrance 5672 Highland Way MAP
Arrival time: 8:45 am

REGISTER HERE

Conservancy Day: Exploring Nature With a Camera
2021-06-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Thursday June 17th, 6:30-7:30
This Conservancy Day will be in person. Meet at the Orchid Heights Park Pavilion.
Have you ever had a wonderful meal at a friend’s house and said that the meal was so delicious the chef must have used an expensive set of pots and pans. Probably not. More likely, the meal was savored and the experience was fondly remembered. The same thing can happen when trying to capture a memorable moment outdoors. Fancy equipment is not required to make such a photo. In this workshop, we will explore techniques for creating a photo memory of the moment. We will think in terms of insects, plants and the larger landscape. There will not be time to delve into wildlife photography.
Participants will bring a photographic tool (cell phone, point and shoot, multi-lens camera) and be able to turn it on and take a picture. We will be walking short distances.
John Kalson is an experienced amateur photographer who savors the close observation of things in nature aided by the camera in his hands. He uses a number of techniques to create a photograph that closely captures the vision and emotion of his experiences. He uses a variety of equipment – cell phone, point and shoot cameras, interchangeable lens cameras, and cameras modified for infrared. Using photography, John works with a number of local non-profit organizations. His work has been exhibited by the Wisconsin State Journal, the UW Ophthalmology Department, Holy Wisdom Monastery, Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences and the River Arts Center in Sauk Prairie.
Click Here to view a gallery of photos made by exploring with a camera. John invites you to view other galleries of his work on the site as well.
Can’t attend live? Not a problem. We will post links to the recordings on our YouTube channel, Facebook page and here afterwards.
Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Nature writing class- Blue Iris
2021-06-18 12:00 - 13:30 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
Blue Iris: from Mary Oliver and the Art of Observation Series
These writing workshops are held in partnership with Troy Hess, the founder of On the Yahara Writing Center. We hope to include and engage interested participants of all ages and encourage an intergenerational approach for our Pheasant Branch Conservancy education outreach. These workshops are free and are funded by the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy as part of our 25th Anniversary celebration.
Let’s continue our discussion of Mary Oliver poetry out on the Pheasant Branch Trail! Blue Iris is a special selection of poetry and “essays on the beauty and wonder of plants. The poet considers roses, of course, as well as poppies and peonies; lilies and morning glories; the thick-bodied black oak and the fragrant white pine; the tall sunflowers and the slender bean.” For the first class, we will primarily work through Blue Iris selections and discuss themes; for the second, please bring your own poem or favorite from collection to read.
A common reading will be sent out before each session. This is the second of two classes in the Blue Iris session.
Workshops will meet in person at the Dane County Parking lot: 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
If regulations for outdoor gatherings change, a Zoom link will be sent out two days before the class.
PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED, REGISTER HERE.

FRIENDS OF URBAN NATURE (FUN) BIRD AND NATURE ADVENTURE: PRAIRIE PLANT ID
2021-06-26 13:30 - 15:00 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
No registration required

Join Master Naturalist, Deb Weitzel, for a free, fun, family-friendly outing to enjoy beautiful prairie plants of all shapes and sizes! Download and learn how to use the SEEK App see if you can identify some prairie plants and learn more about them.

Post your pictures and comments on our FaceBook and Instagram pages!

Monthly Bird and Nature Adventures on the 4th Saturday in Pheasant Branch Conservancy are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Audubon and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. See the FUN webpage, and the Madison Audubon Webpage for more activities.

Meeting Place: Dane County Parking Lot- 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
See the Map

Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.

Conservancy Day: Wonder Outside the Lines with Colleen Robinson
2021-07-15 18:30 - 19:30 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
Thursday July 15th, 6:30-7:30 pm
Join Colleen Robinson from Nature’s Good Company, LLC for a guided mindful outdoor experience. We will gently explore the benefits of getting outside and going within. Mindful movement and guided sensory awareness in nature is proven to reduce stress hormones in our bodies, decrease blood pressure, and improve immune response. Nature’s impacts don’t stop with each of us though. When we embody the felt sense of a reawakened connection to the natural world, we broaden our perspectives, have more capacity for compassion and creativity, care better for our communities, and become more effective environmental stewards. Come on more than a nature hike…let yourself be guided.
Biography:
Colleen was born and raised in Madison, WI on land that is in deep relationship with Ho-Chunk people. An environmental educator by training, Colleen was the education program coordinator for the Friends for 14 years, ran forest health program communications at the WI DNR for 10 years, and now is Communications Manager for the national non-profit Forest Stewards Guild. She’s held a life-long core value of helping people meaningfully connect with and acknowledge their connection with nature. Though her career has been aligned with that core value, something has always been missing. Her new business fills the gap and Colleen feels called to guide for the sake of the environment, herself, everyone she loves, and everyone sharing this planet.
Meeting Place: Dane County parking lot on 4864 Pheasant Branch Road MAP.
Registration required.

REGISTER HERE

Registration is limited to 15 participants. If a waitlist fills to capacity, we may offer another session. No prior mindfulness experience necessary. Little travel involved in this program, participants will stay close to the starting location.
Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

ALL-IN: The Pheasant Branch Conservancy Watershed: What it is and Why it is Important
2021-07-19 08:30 - 10:00 | Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, Wisconsin, 53562
Join us July 19th from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM for this summer’s ALL-IN (Active Lifelong Learners in Nature) program!
Active senior adults are invited to join us on a walk to learn the ancient and current story of the Pheasant Branch Conservancy watershed, why it is important to the quality of the water that flows into our lakes, and how we can work together to improve and preserve it.
Participants will meet at the county parking lot on Pheasant Branch Road near Fredericks Hill. Presentations will be shared along a walk of about a half mile. Participants may join naturalists for the remaining mile or so to complete the full loop around the prairie bordering Fredricks Hill, if desired.
STARTING LOCATION: Dane County Parking Lot for the Conservancy. 4864 Pheasant Branch Road.
ENDING LOCATION: Acker property boundary north of Fredricks Hill
Map of the Hike
Registration is limited to 20 participants. We will keep a waitlist.

REGISTER HERE

Rain date is July 20th.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) Bird and Nature Adventure: Summer Tree Phenology
2021-07-24 13:30 - 15:00 | 2500 Park Lawn Place ( meet at creek corridor trailhead), 2500 Park Lawn Place, Middleton, WI, 53562
Saturday July 24, 1:30 – 3:00pm

No registration required

Join Naturalist and Tree Expert Sean Gere for a free, fun, family friendly, guided outing to enjoy the beautiful trees in the Creek Corridor! Use an app like Seek to help you identify some trees by taking a picture of leaves.

See the FUN webpage, http://tinyurl.com/MadisonFunAdventures, for Fun Facts and Activities about Native Trees and Tree ID!
Monthly Bird and Nature Adventures on the 4th Saturday in Pheasant Branch Conservancy are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Audubon and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These are welcoming, family friendly, educational, no registration required and no pets. See Madison Audubon and FOPBC webpages for more activities!

Post your pictures and comments on our FaceBook and Instagram pages!

Meeting Place: 2500 Park Lawn Place (meet at creek corridor trail head)
See the Map

Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.

WISCONSIN MASTER NATURALIST COURSE 2021
2021-08-06 08:00 - 17:00 | Kromrey Middle School Cafetorium, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy is hosting a Master Naturalist Course in Middleton beginning August 6, 2021. CLICK HERE For Details

CANCELED Make a Memory: Dementia Friendly Day
2021-08-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
We encourage interested people to come to Limited Mobility Day – Tuesday, August 24, 2021. This event is also dementia-friendly.
Questions? Contact John Daly (jhdaly@charter.net)

Conservancy Day: Fungi Underfoot and Overhead with Andrea Gargas
2021-08-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Neither plants nor animals, members of the fascinating Fungal kingdom are pervasive partners and recyclers in the natural landscape. This walk and talk will provide a new perspective on the visible and microscopic fungi that associate with native species in ways beneficial and/or pathogenic. Bring a hand lens or magnifying glass if you have one, and any questions you’ve always wanted to ask.
Biography:
Andrea Gargas is a mycologist who studies the evolution and relationships of fungal species based on their DNA sequences. She discovered that fungi have taken up the lichen lifestyle several times, and recently described a new fungal species that causes Bat White Nose Syndrome. She has written a Phenology Calendar sponsored by FOPB since 2008. Visit Andrea’s website: Symbiology.com

RSVP: Please RSVP to conservancyday@pheasantbranch.org

Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Make a Memory Day: Limited Mobility Day
2021-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Tuesday, August 24, 2021 10:00 am – Noon (rain date is August 25th)

REGISTER FOR LIMITED MOBILITY DAY

This event is designed for seniors with limited mobility and their care givers and partners.
The day will start at the Orchid Heights Park pavilion for a nature talk focused on the human senses and an activity of Forest Bathing/Slow Walks.
Participants will be entertained by local musicians featuring music about Nature. Throughout the program time, there will be opportunities for sensory experiences in the Conservancy led by trained Master Naturalists.
Registration deadline is Wednesday, August 10, 2021
Questions? Contact John Daly (jhdaly@charter.net)

CANCELED- Family Walkabout: Summer
2021-08-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Meet at parking lot opposite Gaylord Nelson Road. Google address: 3649 Pheasant Branch Rd, 3649 Pheasant Branch Rd
Even during the lazy days of summer life is busy in the Conservancy! Join a Pheasant Branch Naturalist on August 28 for an hour of exploration. During the Walkabout, we will search for birds and bugs in the tree tops and in the flowers to see what they are up to.
This is a family-friendly event designed especially for children in preschool through 5th grade, with an accompanying adult. Participation will be limited to the first 12 children who register. Adults are not counted. You will be notified by email if you are in the guided group. If registration fills up, join us at 9:55 to meet the naturalists and then set out on your own to explore.

REGISTER HERE

Salt Wise Paddle
2021-09-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Marshall Park, 2101 Allen Blvd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Join in some citizen science fun on the water! All ages welcome at these hands-on events. State and local experts will guide inquiry-based investigations into salt concentrations in freshwater. Participants will go home with the tools to support local monitoring efforts.
BYOB (bring your own boat).

REGISTER HERE

Conservancy Day: Working Together Toward a Cleaner Energy Future with Leah Samson
2021-09-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Conservancy Day
Virtual Event please register below.
Did you know that Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) has clean energy projects in Middleton and throughout Wisconsin? Join us as MGE’s Leah Samson talks us through your community energy company’s wind, solar and battery storage projects, and shares information on how MGE is working with customers to reduce our collective energy use, electrify transportation and achieve net-zero carbon electricity.
Biography:
Leah Samson has worked at MGE for 3 years helping residential customers understand their energy use, educating how to make their home energy efficiency and answering any other residential related questions. She has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the UW-Madison. She previously owned Madison Environmental Group, a sustainability consulting firm and worked at Placon in several positions during her 8 years there.
Registration required.

REGISTER HERE FOR VIRTUAL EVENT

Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Birding with Access Ability Wisconsin
2021-10-17 09:30 - 11:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Madison Audubon is co-hosting a event with Access Ability Wisconsin on October 17th at Orchid Heights Park in Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
See full details and registration HERE

Conservancy Day: Eagle-Eyed Citizen Science: Bald Eagle Nest Watch With Drew Cashman
2021-10-21 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Conservancy Day
Photo credit: Gail Smith
Virtual Event Please register below.
Through the tremendous power of on-the-ground volunteers, the Bald Eagle Nest Watch program has gathered important information about the health, productivity, and nesting success of approximately 100 Bald Eagle nests in Wisconsin in 2021. Join us on zoom to learn more about what these volunteers look for, and some highlights of the nesting season!
Bio: Drew Cashman is a volunteer with Madison Audubon, and the inspiration behind the Bald Eagle Nest Watch Program. Drew moved to Wisconsin in 2017, after living in and participating in a BENW program in New York and Colorado, and approached Madison Audubon about launching a similar program shortly after. He is a dad of 3 young boys, and helps run the BENW program each year. Both his kids and the program are growing like weeds! Drew enjoys hiking, birding, and spending time with his “eaglets”.
Registration required.

REGISTER HERE for ZOOM EVENT

Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

FRIENDS OF URBAN NATURE (FUN) BIRD AND NATURE ADVENTURE: SIGNS OF LIFE
2021-12-25 13:30 - 15:00
Saturday December 25, 1:30pm
Meet in the Dane County Parking Lot, 4864 Pheasant Branch Road.
Join Master Naturalist Alex Singer and explore the prairie in winter. We might not see green or movement but life continues. You will be surprised by the activity still going on despite the freezing temperatures. Post pictures and comments on our Facebook page!
No registration is necessary for this free, family friendly, welcoming, educational FUN Bird and Nature Adventure. Pets are not allowed.
Monthly Bird and Nature Adventures at 1:30 on the 4th Saturday in Pheasant Branch Conservancy are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Madison Audubon and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These are welcoming, family friendly, educational, no registration required and no pets. See Madison Audubon and FOPBC webpages for more activities!
Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.

Conservancy Day: Wolf Conservation in Wisconsin: From Endangered Species to Hunted Species
2022-01-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Virtual Conservancy Day
Virtual Event Thursday January 20- Please register below
Join us on Zoom for a science-based discussion about the policy issues surrounding wolves in Wisconsin with experts from Wisconsin’s Green Fire. Wisconsin’s Green Fire supports the conservancy legacy of the state by promoting science-based management of Wisconsin’s Natural Resources. Learn how this organization is involved with Wisconsin Wolves and about the current issues, legislation and politics surrounding wolves in our state.
Presenters: Fred Clark- Executive Director of Wisconsin’s Green Fire and Adrian Wydeven- Certified Wildlife Biologist- Wisconsin’s Green Fire
Bios: Fred Clark joins Green Fire as the Executive Director from a 30-year career in Wisconsin conservation. Fred was previously the director of The Forest Stewards Guild – a national organization dedicated to sustainable forestry and forest science. He has worked as a forest ecologist for Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, as a forester for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and as a consulting forester and owner of a forestry contracting business. Fred received a B.S. from Michigan State University in 1985, and an M.S. in Forest Science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1992.
Adrian Wydeven obtained a BS degree in Biology and Wildlife Management at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1976, and a MS degree in Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University at Ames in 1979. In 1982 he returned to Wisconsin to work for the Department of Natural Resources as a wildlife manager in Oshkosh, Appleton, and Shawano 1982-1990. From 1990-2013 Adrian moved to Park Falls, heading up the state wolf recovery and management programs and other programs on non-game wildlife in northern Wisconsin. In February 2013, he began to work as a Forest Wildlife Specialist, promoting forest management practices that enhanced or protected habitat for various forest wildlife species working closely with foresters, land agencies and landowners. Adrian retired from the DNR on January 3, 2015. He worked part-time as coordinator of the Timber Wolf Alliance with the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute (SOEI) at Northland College in Ashland, WI, from September 2015 through June 2017. He continues to volunteer as the Chair of the Timber Wolf Alliance Advisory Council, and does contract with the SOEI for workshops and talks; does volunteer wolf, bird, bat surveys, and Snapshot camera surveys for WDNR; and is active as a volunteer with Wisconsin Green Fire where he co-chairs the Wildlife Working Group.
Registration required

REGISTER HERE FOR VIRTUAL EVENT

Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Wednesday of each month, from January through November 2022.
Every Conservancy Day is:

Free — thanks to your donations and membership as a Friend
Open to the public
For all ages unless a specific age group is given in the program description
Diverse topics — More than 400 participants each year enjoy topics ranging from wildlife, science, resource management, natural and cultural history and current community issues

SUSTAINABLE U-GREEN YOUR ROUTINE WITH BENEFICIAL ELECTRIFICATION
2022-02-08 18:30 - 19:30 | *Please register to receive the Zoom link*
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8TH, 6:30-7:30

*Please register to receive the Zoom link*

Join the Middleton Public Library and the city’s Sustainability Committee for a ongoing series to help Middleton residents learn about living sustainably — why it matters, what our city is doing, and how you can help.
This webinar will feature short talks on how to make your home and commute more sustainable. We’ll explore some ways to “green” your routine and discuss why going electric may be more attainable than you think.
Speaker bios:
Kathy Kuntz, Director of the Dane County Office of Energy & Climate Change, will provide an overview of how & why to “Green Your Routine With Beneficial Electrification.” Kathy has almost 30 years of experience implementing programs focused on resource efficiency and climate action. Prior to joining Dane County Kathy led Cool Choices, a nonprofit that worked with businesses and local governments to engage employees in sustainable practices and prior to that Kathy led Focus on Energy, Wisconsin’s statewide energy efficiency and renewable energy program.
Susan Millar, co-leader of 350 Madison’s Community Climate Solutions Team (CCST), will provide a personal case study, discussing the steps she took to make her house “all electric.” leads CCST’s Madison Community Working Group, and participates in CCST’s State Policy Group. Prior to shifting all her volunteer time to 350 Madison, she was active in MOSES, a local organization working to reform the criminal justice system. A senior scientist emeritus at UW-Madison, she led research groups at the Wisconsin Center of Education Research, and established and led the LEAD Center, conducting evaluation research on projects designed to improve STEM education within higher education. She also directed the Education Research Integration Area of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

February Writing Workshop- Writing Mindfulness
2022-02-15 10:30 - 12:00 | *Please register to receive the Zoom link*
Participants will meet with Troy via Zoom. Please view full details and REGISTER HERE

Book Club for Nature Lovers
2022-02-17 15:00 - 16:30 | Waunakee Public Library, 201 N Madison Street, Waunakee, WI, 53597, United States
This book club meets in person at the Waunakee Public Library the third Thursday of the month. February’s group will talk about the finish of “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Led by Troy Hess, founder of On the Yahara Writing Center, Madison, this group focuses on nature writing of all genres, including fiction, short stories, creative nonfiction, natural history and poetry.
Troy will send along a PDF attachment before each meeting with brief supplemental readings and discussion prompts. We will always keep the option open to do some writing on our own in response to our reading. If any participant would like to try to lead a segment of the book discussion, please let Troy know in advance in order to plan. This book group is meant for beginners and experienced readers of nature writing alike.

Registration is required for this program. Please see Waunakee Public Library Calendar and click on Book Club for Nature Lovers event to register. Please register to receive materials before class.

2022 FROG AND TOAD SURVEY kickoff event
2022-03-10 18:30 - 19:30 | *Please register to receive the Zoom link*
In 2021, the Friends of Pheasant Branch conducted its first frog & toad survey among a small group of Restoration and Management Committee staff as a trial run. This year, we are continuing the survey and are broadening participation to the general public!
Our 2022 Frog & Toad Survey will run from approximately April 1st to August 1st, 2022, with an introduction session provided at the start of the season.
Frog & toad surveys help us monitor the populations that use the conservancy as habitat and over time will help us understand how our restoration efforts and other changes to the land affect these populations. This is particularly important as the conservancy expands north, bringing water quality improvements with reductions in agricultural impact. Additionally, the survey provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the conservancy in a new way under the night sky.
If you would like to learn more about the survey, please join us for our online kickoff event on Thursday, March 10th at 6:30pm. This approximately 1 hour virtual event will include a presentation by Andrew Badje, Conservation Biologist with the Wisconsin DNR who will share some information about survey activities in our state. You can also learn more about our specific survey from survey coordinator Chris Kubiak who helped organize and conduct last year’s program.
Please register HERE for Zoom presentation
Thank you and we look forward to your support of community science initiatives at Pheasant Branch Conservancy!
If you would like to sign up to participate or ask any questions about the survey, please contact Chris Kubiak at survey@pheasantbranch.org

ALL-IN (Active Lifelong Learners In Nature) SERIES- Prescribed Fires in the Conservancy
2022-05-11 08:30 - 10:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Active senior adults are invited to join Robert Schubert, land manager for the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, as he shares how fire— which was once common across southern Wisconsin— is used to manage historic habitats for diverse native plants and animals.
Walk with Robert to observe and compare burned and unburned areas of the conservancy, and learn why the decision to burn at all, as well as the timing and frequency of prescribed fire, are important management considerations.
Participants may park at the county parking lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road and follow the gravel path to the original homesite. We will meet near the large green trailer.
Presentations will be shared along a walk of about a half mile.
Registration is required and limited to 20 participants. We will keep a waitlist.

REGISTER HERE

CANCELATION POLICY: We will proceed unless there is heavy rain, lightning or thunder. You will be notified by email if we need to cancel the event.
CONSIDERATIONS:
# A limited number of assistive hearing devices will be available
# Dress for the weather and protection from the sun, and for walking
# Bring a water bottle, binoculars and/or hiking poles, if desired
Please email our Education Coordinator, Cayla Matte, at education@pheasantbranch.org if you have any questions or need to change your registration.

Make a Memory Day
2022-07-27 13:00 - 15:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Wednesday, July 27th, 2022 (1:00 – 3:30pm)
Orchid Heights Park in Middleton, WI
Full Program Details Here

Make a Memory Day August- The Healing Power of Nature
2022-08-30 13:00 - 15:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 (1:00 – 3:30pm)
Orchid Heights Park in Middleton, WI
Full Program Details Here
