Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Conservancy Day: Urban Raptors Through Wildlife Photography
2019-10-17 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Kromrey Middle School Room 510, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Have you wondered about the hawks, owls, and falcons that live with us in Madison and is suburban neighborhoods? Are you interested in photographing wildlife? Please join Ruth Smith as she brings us up close and personal with these amazing birds through her beautiful photography. She will discuss one of the most common raptors that we see – the red-tailed hawk, the peregrine falcons that live near the Capital building, and how to find great horned owls. She will give tips on wildlife photography and answer questions about her four year adventure into photographing the wild things around us.

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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Milestones and Coming Attractions - A Celebration
2019-10-04 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Prairie Cafe and Bakery, 3109 Pheasant Branch Rd, Middleton, Wi, 53562
Join us to celebrate and to learn about:

The Pheasant Branch Conservancy Restoration Plan
The acquisition of the Acker Property
Plans for the 25th Anniversary of the Friends in 2020

Entertainment by Paul Stiegler
Cash bar and food
Free event – donations welcome at the door

Birds, Bikes and Brews 2019
2019-09-29 12:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Capital Brewery Bier Garten, 7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us to BIKE through Middleton and Pheasant Branch Conservancy (choose from 4 or 10 mile routes), BIRD as you go (there will be 4 guided birding stations), and enjoy a cold BREW after your ride at Capital Brewery (beer, wine, cider, or soda).
This is a slow-roll bike ride (max speed of 12 miles per hour) that is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages, including families. Participants under 21 are welcome and encouraged (we’ll just give you a different drink ticket!). Take your time, see the birds, soak up the views.
Plus, it’s all for a great cause: proceeds from registrations go to conservation, education, citizen science, and other programs. In addition, $1 for each beverage at the event will be donated to Madison Audubon, and all summer long, a portion of the proceeds for the Capital Trailhead Ale will go toward Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Capital Offroad Pathfinders.
Click the link to learn more and register.
Volunteers are needed to help with birding stations and registration check in. To volunteer at the birding station, we hope you have average (or better) birding skills, but more importantly, enthusiasm! Please complete this volunteer form to sign-up.

Hosted by Madison Audubon, Capital Brewery and Bier Garten, and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Sponsored by American Printing Company, Baer Insurance Services, Home Savings Bank, Screen Door Studio, Jay Handy of Signalpoint Asset Management, and Wegner CPAs

Restoration Work Day
2019-09-21 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
Enjoy another fall morning at the Conservancy
It’s time to sign up for our Saturday September 21 Workday from 9-12:00. Come for the whole morning or just an hour or two. Whatever works best for you and enjoy another Autumn day in the Conservancy!
We had a wonderful turn out and a beautiful September 7 workday and we are looking to repeat it on Saturday September, 21. The marsh, prairies and savanna are still filled with gold, and the asters are starting to come on strong. More and more birds, including cranes, geese, ducks and many grass loving species are arriving as they stage for the long journey south! This has been an especially good year for monarch butterflies as they stop over to fill up on nectar from the sunflowers, goldenrod and asters. So this will be a great opportunity to enjoy a fall day and collect some seeds for future restoration plantings.
No need to be an expert to collect seeds, we will show you all you need to know and you’ll may learn to identify some new plants in the process. We’ll also provide all the tools and buckets you need.
Even if it is predicted to warm up during the morning, long pants and long sleeves are highly recommended to protect from brush and sun. Sturdy shoes, work gloves, sunglasses and insect repellent are also recommended. We’ll have some gloves if you need them. We will likely split up and work in dry and marshy areas so shoes/boots that that are appropriate for wet areas (2-6”) would be good if you want to work in the wetland. If you don’t mind getting your feet wet – athletic shoes will also work.
We’ll meet at the interior homestead site at 9:00 AM on Saturday September 21. If you are in a car, the gate will be open so you can drive in from the County Parking Lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road. Park in the large, grassy parking lot across from the homestead and the Friends work trailer. There’s also a bike rack for those of you who ride in.
Workdays are weather dependent; so please let us know you are coming. This will allow us to let you know if we have to cancel. As well as ensure we have enough snacks for everyone.

Conservancy Day: Restoring the Wetlands of Pheasant Branch Conservancy - a Story of Progress and Partnership
2019-09-19 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
Enjoy the sunset in the Conservancy and hear Tom Bernthal and Rob Schubert tell the story of the wetlands. They will talk about past restoration projects and projects that are currently being tackled. Come and celebrate the amazing work that has been done and, if you wish, learn how you can help with this tremendous effort. We will meet at the old Fredericks family home site at 6:00 pm. This location at the base of the hill in the northern unit of the Conservancy has an excellent view of the marsh. We will visit the big springs as well and return to the homesite by 7:00 pm.
Tom Bernthal has recently retired from a wetland ecologist position with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He developed wetland assessment and monitoring methods to measure the health of wetlands, identified wetland restoration opportunities, and evaluated restoration projects. He has been involved with the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy since their inception, particularly with restoration and invasive species control projects.
Rob Schubert is the Restoration and Management Coordinator for the Friends. He directs the work of volunteers, interns and contractors in the Dane County unit of the Conservancy and has been involved with much of the wetland restoration work.
RSVPs to conservancyday@pheasantbranch.org are appreciated but not necessary.
Directions: Arrive early to have time to walk to the homestead site by 6:00 pm. Two parking options:

Park at Orchid Heights park and walk west to the homestead location. Allow 15 minutes for the walk.
Park at the northernmost parking lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road and walk west to the homestead site. Allow 10 minutes for the walk.

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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.HomeHoHHhhomHhomehjhhhhh

Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Public Input Session
2019-09-10 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
The City of Middleton has started the process of creating a master plan for the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Restoration and Improvements. This planning process is designed on improving the creek corridor and making it more resilient to future flooding. An RFP solicited proposals for the work and a team headed by Cardno that includes KL Engineering and Jensen Ecology was selected. The work is being funded jointly by the Friends of Pheasant Branch and the City of Middleton.
On Tuesday, September 10th another public input opportunity for the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor will be provided at 7:00 pm in the Kromrey Middle School Cafetorium. The team working on the master plan will be discussing the various options being considered and soliciting feedback. Please join us to share concerns and desired improvements for this important corridor!
In advance of the meeting, we are seeking input regarding the public’s preference for Streambank Stabilization and Bridge Design, please click on each link for both brief surveys.

A Celebration with Dementia Friendly Community - Middleton
2019-09-10 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Common Ground Cafe, 2644 Branch Street, Middleton, WI, 53562
You are invited to attend the fifth anniversary community celebration of Dementia Friendly – Middleton.
The Friends’ Accessibility and Use Committee will be celebrating this milestone anniversary with our valued community partner, Dementia Friendly-Middleton . The Friends will have an information table and will be leading small group excursions into the Pheasant Branch Conservancy by foot or by club car.
Please review the poster (attached) for more information.
Reservations are not necessary. This is an open house event.

The Effigy Mounds at Pheasant Branch Conservancy - an Event for Independent Seniors
2019-09-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
UW-Madison Professor Emeritus, Robert Birmingham will give a short presentation at the Orchid Heights Park Shelter. This will be followed by a hike (mild to moderate), for those who are interested, to Fredericks Hill. The hike could continue to the effigy mounds at the top of the hill. Periodic stops along the route will be made for Dr. Birmingham to share key points about the Effigy Mound Builder culture, topography, landforms and changes in this area of the Conservancy.
Please register using this form. The deadline for registration is Friday, September 6.
If you have any questions, please contact FOPBC Education Coordinator by email or 608-422-0877.

Bock Prairie Workday
2019-08-21 18:00 - 20:00, 2019-07-31 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Bock Community Garden, 5606 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join in tending the new prairies at the John C. Bock Community Forest. The prairies are a great example of high quality restoration on public lands. We’ll meet at the garden shed in the middle of the enclosed garden. It’s on Highland Way, just off Century Avenue, at the crest of the hill east of Allen Blvd. There’s a stop light at the intersection of Century and Highland – turn at the light and follow the road until you see the garden area on the left at the end of the open field. There’s lots of on-street parking.

Dress for the weather, and wear long pants, socks and sturdy shoes. Long sleeves and hats are also recommended – along with insect repellent and sunscreen. Bring your favorite work gloves if you have some.

Please RSVP if you’re planning to come to help with planning enough supplies for everyone.

This is a work session for members of the Bock Community Garden lead by Adaptive Restorations. Each year, the Bock Gardeners invite the Friends to join them.

Conservancy Day: What Can Dragonflies Tell You About Your Neighborhood?
2019-08-15 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Kromrey Middle School Room 510, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Dragonflies are a common summer sight near water bodies in our neighborhoods. The larvae spend from one to five years in the water before emerging as flying adults. They are fierce predators, feeding on anything and everything that they can catch and subdue. In turn, these larvae serve as food for fish, frogs, and salamanders. They can tell us how the condition of our lakes, ponds, wetlands, and streams is changing. Join Dr. Robert Bohanan as he discusses the 15 years of citizen science research he has done with K-12 teachers and students, college students and members of the community. He will explain what studying dragonflies can tell us about the ecology of our neighborhoods. You will learn ways you can set up your own studies to contribute to this important citizen science initiative.
Dr. Robert Bohanan is an ecologist with 30 years of experience in teaching, research, and outreach, most of which has included citizen science research. Robert’s research interests have included sunfish and zooplankton, stream ecology, red wing blackbirds, damselflies, midge larvae, and the effects of land use, land cover, and water quality on dragonflies. Though his interests are many and varied, dragonflies have been a constant.
RSVPs appreciated but not necessary.
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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Special Workday - Seed Collection
2019-08-03 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
Join us on this special workday to collect prairie and wetland plant seeds.

Even if it is warm, we highly recommend long pants, long sleeves and a hat to protect you from brush and the sun. Please wear shoes/boots that are appropriate for wet and muddy areas. Work gloves and insect repellent are also recommended. We will supply all the tools needed, and have some extra gloves if you need them.

If you are in a car, the gate will be open so you can drive in from the County Parking Lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road. Please drive slowly up the road, watch for hikers and park in the large, grassy parking lot across from the homestead and the Friends work trailer. There’s also a bike rack for those of you who ride in.

Even if you are not able to stay for the full 3 hours you’re welcome to join us for as long as you can stay.Workdays are weather dependent; so please let us know you are coming. This will allow us to let you know if we have to cancel and we can ensure we have enough snacks for everyone.

Conservancy Day: Dogs in the Conservancy - Dane County and City of Middleton Policy
2019-07-18 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Kromrey Middle School Room 510, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
A panel of representatives from many points of view will discuss the dog policy. This program will be a review of the policy and its goals and how visitors to the Conservancy can comply with it. It will NOT be a debate on the policy itself.
Panel Members:

Darren Marsh – Parks Administrator, Dane County
Matt Amundson – Director of Public Lands, Recreation, and Forestry, City of Middleton
Janet Kane – Chair, Friends’ Dog Policy Action Team
Janet Staker Woerner – Member, Dane County Dog Parks
Greg Armstrong – Director of Land Management and Environmental Education, Holy Wisdom Monastery

RSVP to education@pheasantbranch.org. RSVPs are not needed but are appreciated.
Directions: Enter through Door 3 at the eastern end of the building. Do not enter through the main entrance.
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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Special Workday - Seed Collection
2019-07-13 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
Join us on this special workday to collect spiderwort in the upland prairies and sedges in the wetland.

Even if it is warm, we highly recommend long pants, long sleeves and a hat to protect you from brush and the sun. Since we’ll be working in the wetland, please wear shoes/boots that are appropriate for wet and muddy areas.. Work gloves and insect repellent are also recommended. We will supply all the tools needed, and have some extra gloves if you need them.

If you are in a car, the gate will be open so you can drive in from the County Parking Lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road. Please drive slowly up the road, watch for hikers and park in the large, grassy parking lot across from the homestead and the Friends work trailer. There’s also a bike rack for those of you who ride in.

Even if you are not able to stay for the full 3 hours you’re welcome to join us for as long as you can stay.Workdays are weather dependent; so please let us know you are coming. This will allow us to let you know if we have to cancel and we can ensure we have enough snacks for everyone.

Special Workday – Seed Collection
2019-06-29 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
The sedges in the wetland are producing seed and our goal is to collect as much as we can so that we can so we can plant them later into areas that need more of the plants that protect our precious wetland!

Even if it is warm, we highly recommend long pants, long sleeves and a hat to protect you from brush and the sun. Since we’ll be working in the wetland, please bring waterproof shoes. Work gloves and insect repellent are also recommended. We will supply all the tools needed, and have some extra gloves if you need them. It is spring, so wear shoes/boots that are appropriate for wet and muddy areas.

If you are in a car, the gate will be open so you can drive in from the County Parking Lot at 4864 Pheasant Branch Road. Please drive slowly up the road, watch for hikers and park in the large, grassy parking lot across from the homestead and the Friends work trailer. There’s also a bike rack for those of you who ride in.

Even if you are not able to stay for the full 3 hours you’re welcome to join us for as long as you can stay.Workdays are weather dependent; so please let us know you are coming. This will allow us to let you know if we have to cancel and we can ensure we have enough snacks for everyone.

Bock Prairie Workday
2019-06-26 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Bock Community Garden, 5606 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join in tending the new prairies at the John C. Bock Community Forest. The prairies are a great example of high quality restoration on public lands. We’ll meet at the garden shed in the middle of the enclosed garden. It’s on Highland Way, just off Century Avenue, at the crest of the hill east of Allen Blvd. There’s a stop light at the intersection of Century and Highland – turn at the light and follow the road until you see the garden area on the left at the end of the open field. There’s lots of on-street parking.

Dress for the weather, and wear long pants, socks and sturdy shoes. Long sleeves and hats are also recommended – along with insect repellent and sunscreen. Bring your favorite work gloves if you have some.

Please RSVP if you’re planning to come to help with planning enough supplies for everyone.

Tunes on Tuesday
2019-06-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join your neighbors in an evening stroll through the northern part of the Conservancy while enjoying acoustic music played by local musicians. No RSVP needed, but please check our facebook page for cancellation notification if the weather looks iffy.
Tonight’s musicians:
Orchid Heights Park
6-7 PM: Karavay
7-8 PM: Douglas Paul
The Springs
6-8 PM: Jim Koomar and Russ Sharpswain
The Homestead Site
6-8 PM: Michelle Sharpswain FM – Teen Acoustic Duo
Not sure where all the music locations are? Check out this map!

Celebrate the Conservancy Expansion at Capital Brewery
2019-06-21 17:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Capital Brewery Bier Garten, 7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Dane County has just closed on the purchase of 160 acres from the Acker Family. This will add a large extension onto the northern border of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy are thrilled to be able to partner with Dane County in returning the property to prairie. Please join us to celebrate!
Come to the Capital Brewery Bier Garten and see us at the Friends’ Table at 5 PM. Trailhead Ale (part of the proceeds will benefit the Friends) will be on tap, Live music will be provided by The Jimmys and Fish Fry by TnT’s Catering & Event Services.
Tickets for the Fish Fry dinner that evening can be purchased here: https://www.capitalbrewery.com/events/event/friday-fish-fry-tnts-catering/. Please note that tickets for the Fish Fry must be purchased in advance. Food will be served starting at 4pm with live music going from 6-10pm.

Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor Restoration & Improvements Master Plan Public Input Session
2019-06-20 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Kromrey Middle School Cafetorium, 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy are working closely with the City of Middleton staff and City Council as the City moves forward to restore the Creek Corridor between Parmenter and Century Avenue.

The City is hosting the first listening session on Thursday June 20, 2019 from 7 to 8 PM at Kromery Middle School. This public input session will be a chance for people to share their concerns about the damage to the creek corridor and express their desire for improvements in this important area. The session is being designed to receive input from all interested parties.

We encourage interested members in the Friends to attend this event and provide input. Please join us to share concerns and desired improvements for this important corridor! The format of the session will be a workshop where everyone has an opportunity to provide input and feedback on the future of the creek corridor.

Conservancy Day: Pheasant Branch Flood Recovery
2019-06-20 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Amphitheater behind Kromrey Middle School (bad weather location is KMS room 510), 7009 Donna Drive, Middleton, WI, 53562
Matt Amundson will take participants on a walk and talk in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy corridor. This area sustained extensive damage from flooding that occurred last August. Find out the state of the creek corridor and where the City is in the planning process for restoration. We will walk the creek corridor from Kromrey heading west towards the detention pond behind the Police Department and then head east to Park Street.
Matt Amundson is the Director of Public Lands, Recreation and Forestry for the City of Middleton. He has held this position since November of 2016. He has a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Management from UW-LaCrosse and is a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional. Matt has an extensive background in parks and recreation management.
RSVPs appreciated, but not required.

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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Master Naturalist Volunteer Training
2019-06-20 16:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Middleton, WI, Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
A 40-hour course combining classroom and field experiences about Wisconsin’s natural resources. Check out the course page for exact dates and details!

Tunes on Tuesday
2019-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join your neighbors in an evening stroll through the northern part of the Conservancy while enjoying acoustic music played by local musicians. No RSVP needed, but please check our facebook page for cancellation notification if the weather looks iffy.
Tonight’s musicians:
Orchid Heights Park
6-8 PM: Heidi Forney & Friends
The Springs
6-7 PM: Hayward/ Hartman
7-8 PM: Happenstance
The Homestead Site
6-8 PM: Jeanna & Friends
Not sure where all the music locations are? Check out this map!

Special Planting Workday
2019-06-15 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
Please join us in helping create a special new Conservancy feature. Our Land Manager Rob Schubert wrote a successful grant for a plant propagation nursery. It will have about 1,100 plants this year and we need your help to plant them.
On June 15 we will have two three hour sessions with up to 15 people in each session. The first session will be 9 am until noon. The second session is noon until 3 pm or we finish planting. People may sign up for both sessions if they are interested in helping all day. Please RSVP to and tell us which session you will be able to work.
We hope those of you with previous planting experience will be able to help. Holes will already be prepared but careful handling and planting will be critical to success this season.
Plan to park in the gravel parking lot and walk into the homestead site. In addition to the usual long pants and shirts, you might want to bring your knee pads.
Thank you for helping launch this major effort to expand the diversity of plants in the Conservancy.

Prairie Chase Run/Walk
2019-06-15 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
The fifth annual Prairie Chase event will take place on June 15, 2019. The All-Terrain 10K and 5K Run begin around 8:00 am with the walk starting just after. Stick around after for the kids race, refreshments and music. Parking and a restroom is available at Orchid Heights Park. We’ll be making some tweaks to the schedule of events in 2019, but the race routes are pretty set. This is not a chip-timed event but we will provide a timing clock at the finish line. The Prairie Chase will go on regardless of weather, unless deemed unsafe by race officials or park staff. Sorry, no refunds.
For more information or to register for this event, please check out the Prairie Chase website.

Tunes on Tuesday
2019-06-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join your neighbors in an evening stroll through the northern part of the Conservancy while enjoying acoustic music played by local musicians. No RSVP needed, but please check our facebook page for cancellation notification if the weather looks iffy.
Tonight’s musicians:
Orchid Heights Park
6-8 PM: Jackie Ernst
Base of Fredricks Hill:
6-8 PM: The Artesians
The Springs
6-7 PM: Katie Frye and Mia Chapman
7-8 PM: Paul Stiegler
The Homestead Site
6-7 PM: Paul Stiegler
7-8 PM: Shagbark Hickory

Tunes on Tuesday
2019-06-04 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join your neighbors in an evening stroll through the northern part of the Conservancy while enjoying acoustic music played by local musicians. No RSVP needed, but please check our facebook page for cancellation notification if the weather looks iffy.
Tonight’s musicians:
Orchid Heights Park
6-7 PM: Abby Evans
7-8 PM: Evergreen Collective
The Springs
6-7 PM: Chris Roberts
7-8 PM: Matt Cushman
The Homestead Site
6-8 PM: Chad Moritz

2019 National Trails Day
2019-06-01 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, Middleton, WI, 53562
Middleton experienced a significant flood event in August 2018 that impacted much of the trail system. A major area of devastation included the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor between Parmenter Street and Century Avenue.
Join city staff, elected officials, and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy to learn about the flooding, recovery efforts, and planned improvements.
A full listing of speakers and locations is available on this event flyer.

Bock Prairie Workday
2019-05-30 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Bock Community Garden, 5606 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join in tending the new prairies at the John C. Bock Community Forest, just off Highland Way. The prairies are a great example of high quality restoration on public lands.
We’ll meet at the garden shed in the middle of the enclosed garden. It’s on Highland Way, just off Century Avenue, at the crest of the hill east of Allen Blvd. There’s a stop light at the intersection of Century and Highland – turn at the light and follow the road until you see the garden area on the left at the end of the open field. There’s lots of on-street parking.
Dress for the weather, and wear long pants, socks and sturdy shoes. Long sleeves and hats are also recommended – along with insect repellent and sunscreen. Bring your favorite work gloves if you have some.
Please RSVP if you’re planning to come to help with planning enough supplies for everyone. Hope you can join in on the 30th.
This is a work session for members of the Bock Community Garden lead by Adaptive Restorations. Each year, the Bock Gardeners invite the Friends to join them. This session will be the first of four this summer.

Conservancy Day: Effigy mounds of the PBC
2019-05-16 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Virtual Event, The instructor will send along a Zoom link two days in advance., WI
In honor of Wisconsin Archaeology Month, join Dr. Amy Rosebrough of the Wisconsin Historical Society on a walking tour to the Springs and then to the top of Fredricks Hill to view the Native American effigy mounds found in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. This will be a slow walk with a number of stops to discuss the history of mound building in Wisconsin and the archaeology of the Native population of Wisconsin.

Dr. Amy Rosebrough is a staff archaeologist with the State Archaeology and Maritime Preservation Program of the Wisconsin Historical Society, and an alumnus of UW-Madison. She is a specialist in Wisconsin’s effigy mounds, and assists Wisconsin’s citizens with issues of archaeological and burial sites preservation.

The trip will be held even if the weather is cool, windy, or if there is a light drizzle of rain. Cancellation will be in the event of heavy rain at the meeting time or thunderstorms within five miles. Please dress accordingly. A limited number of wireless headsets will be available for use.

RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.
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

Thank you for your generous gifts and participation. You make it possible and you make it great! We welcome you to join us and help spread the word! Mark your calendars for these inspiring and special events the third Thursday of each month, from January through November.

Dinner Lecture: The Virtues of Natural Land Management
2019-04-23 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562
We are partnering with the Friends of Wisdom Prairie to offer this dinner and panel discussion on the Virtues of Natural Land Management.
More information or registration, click here. Please register by April 9, 2019.
Speakers
Jeffrey Sledge will discuss the issues related to the health benefits of Natural Lands for volunteers and visitors who experience being in an ecological community. He is the Research Scientist and Director of the Health and Built Environment Lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Susan Carpenter will address the benefits of restoring a whole ecological community for sustaining biological diversity and restoring ecological services to an area. She is the Native Plant Gardener at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum.
Randy Hunt will address the benefits of managing natural lands for the health and functioning of a watershed and its waters. He is the Chief Science Officer, Research Hydrologist for USGS Upper Midwest Water Science Center, in Middleton, Wisconsin.

Schedule

5:30 pm
Wine, Beer & Conversation

6:00 pm
Dinner

7:00 pm
Panel Discussion

8:00 pm
Event Ends
