Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Spring Birding Program - City of Middleton Parks & Recreation
2024-05-17 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Highland Way Entrance- Bock Forest, 5672 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562

Conservancy Days: Birding by Ear with Tim Hansel
2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us for an immersive birding experience as we explore the world of birding by ear. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to identify bird species by their unique songs and calls. Delve into the fascinating melodies of our feathered friends, discovering the stories behind their vocalizations and the secrets they hold about their habitats and behaviors. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the world of birdwatching, this auditory adventure will deepen your appreciation for the avian wonders that surround us.
Timothy Hansel is the education coordinator for the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, an avid birder, and photographer. He is also a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and serves as a Wisconsin Master Naturalist instructor for The Prairie Enthusiasts. With a Ph.D. in philosophy, Timothy has 16 years of teaching experience, focusing on topics such as environmental ethics and critical thinking.
Registration required—sign up at midlibrary.org/events.
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

Sustainable U: Habitat for Urban Wildlife
2024-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Middleton Public Library- downstairs Archer Room
Join the Middleton Public Library and the City of Middleton’s Sustainability Committee for an ongoing series to help Middleton residents learn about living sustainably, why it matters, what our city is doing, and how you can help.
There is great, unmet potential to create, enhance, and manage public greenspaces, commercial and residential properties, and other habitats within urban areas to attract wildlife like songbirds and other species that enhance people’s lives.
This presentation will explain why it is beneficial to create, enhance and manage habitat for urban wildlife, and how to do it.
This program is in-person only. Registration required.
Location: Middleton Public Library, In the downstairs Archer Room

Eagle Nest Viewing Party
2024-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Come out and observe our eagle family from our viewing platform. Spotting scopes (for those who can’t reach the permanently installed one) and binoculars will be available. Naturalists will be on site to answer your questions.
Detailed directions to platform: Follow the trail from the parking lot at Pheasant Branch Rd. and Gaylord Nelson Dr. Take the trail going downhill to the right of the parking lot. Once you reach the main trail at the bottom of the trail from the parking lot, turn left and follow the mail trail to the Eagle Observation Deck.

Shifting Spring- FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) Walk
2024-04-27 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join Kathlean Wolf to learn how Climate Change is “Shifting Spring”. Seasonal phenology is changing in a warming world. Is Spring coming earlier? What will springtime look like as the planet warms? How does the changing of seasonal patterns affect our wildlife, and ourselves? And is there anything we can do to support our wildlife as the world around us becomes unpredictable?
4864 Pheasant Branch Road, meet at the Pheasant Branch Prairie Encampment kiosk
Walks are free, fun, family friendly, fairly accessable, welcoming, educational, no registration required, no pets.

FUN (Friend of Urban Nature) Bird and Nature Adventure: Spring Equinox Walk
2024-03-23 13:30 - 15:30 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join Naturalist Lynn Persson and Eva Roos for a free family friendly guided walk. Meet at the encampment historical marker.
This is a free, welcoming, diverse, educational, fun and family friendly program.
FUN events occur on the 4th Saturdays of the month from 1:30-3:00pm.
No need to register. Meet-up location is: 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd parking lot.
Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.
These events are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners. See the FUN Facebook, the Madison Audubon and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservatory for more activities.

Conservancy Days: Citizen Science Water Monitoring in Pheasant Branch Watershed
2024-03-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Learn about the Community Water Monitoring Network (CWMN) and the volunteer monitoring efforts that are happening in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy on Thursday, March 21 at 6pm.
Held at the Middleton Public Library this event is presented by:

Helen Schlimm, Center for Limnology at UW-Madison
Herb Garn, retired Professional Hydrologist from U. S Geological Survey, and Co-chair of Watershed Committee, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Rick Eilertson, Consulting Engineer and Watershed Committee member, Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Register for a seat at midlibrary.org/events.

Winter burn/brush removal workday
2024-03-16 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-03-02 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-17 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-02-03 09:00 - 12:00 | Highland Way Entrance- Bock Forest, 5672 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
Fill out my LGL Form!

January FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) Walk: Winter Woody Plant ID
2024-01-27 13:30 - 14:30 | 6900 Pheasant Branch Road, meet at the Pheasant Branch Prairie Encampment kiosk
Join Master Naturalist Eva Roos for a free, fun, family friendly educational guided walk or take a walk on your own along the beautiful nature trails in the prairie and woods and along the creek. Learn how to learn to identify trees and shrubs in Winter! Plant ID is a bit of a challenge with no leaves but the basic structure of trees and plants is actually easier to see in winter and offers many clues.
These Free and welcoming, naturalist guided Bird and Nature Adventures are the fourth Saturday of the month. No registration required and no pets. These events are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Badgerland Bird Alliance and Friends of Pheasant Branch. See the partner websites and Facebook pages for updates and more activities! Contact 608-698-0104

Winter burn/brush removal workday
2024-01-20 09:00 - 12:00 | Highland Way Entrance- Bock Forest, 5672 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
The January 20 Winter workday has been cancelled due to below freezing temperatures and a wind chill below zero. Please see the event calendar for future events.

Conservancy Day: Bobcats in the Midwest and beyond
2024-01-18 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library- downstairs Archer Room
Learn about the life history, population, and landscape ecology of bobcats based on long-term field studies in Iowa. Intensive sampling and tracking enabled study of the reproduction, survival, and population trends. The results included the importance of diverse habitats to successful dispersal as the species recolonized landscapes where they were once uncommon. Learn how genetic data from across the continent revealed not only current sub-populations, but also how lineages expanded after the last ice age. Ongoing research in the Upper Midwest is revealing the linkages between bobcat populations in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, helping to inform conservation and management in the region.
Dr. William (Bill) Clark, is Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Ecology from Iowa State University, where he taught for 35 years. His research focused on population dynamics and landscape ecology of animal species ranging from endangered snails in the Driftless to bobcats across the continent. He has collaborated with academicians as well as federal and state biologists in ecosystems as varied as western deserts, Canadian wetlands, and the agricultural landscapes of the Midwest, including with biologists from Wisconsin. He now lives in Cross Plains and is active in conservation organizations in Wisconsin.

REGISTER HERE

* This program is in-person only. *

2024 Annual Meeting
2024-01-06 08:00 - 10:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562
Please join us for the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Annual Meeting
Saturday, January 6, 2024
8:00 AM at Holy Wisdom Monastery
4200 County Road M, Middleton
Keynote Presentation: Native Plants and Land Health
Native plants are the basis of sustainable, diverse, and beautiful landscapes supporting wildlife, pollinators, and beneﬁcial insects. They also play an important role in watersheds and carbon sequestration. With Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Garden curator and gardener at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Arboretum, we will explore these roles and relationships. Drawing a connection between public native plant restoration and our own backyards, we will learn how to foster resilient gardens and landscapes using native plants that thrive without fertilizers, pesticides, mowing, or supplemental watering.
Agenda
8:00 Breakfast Buffet- no cost; donations accepted
(those needing extra time may arrive for breakfast at 7:45)
8:30 Business Meeting
9:00 Keynote Presentation
10:00 Q&A and Wrap-up

Whether attending in person or virtually, please RSVP here.

December FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) Winter Solstice Walk
2023-12-23 13:30 - 14:30 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
The Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year and marks the return of longer days. Join Master Naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a fun free family friendly walk on easy paths at beautiful Pheasant Branch Prairie.
Enjoy the shortest days of the year outdoors and celebrate the return of the sun and longer days! Learn how ancient cultures celebrated the Solstice. What changes do shorter and longer days trigger in nature? What birds, animals and tracks do you see out and about even on the shortest days of the year?
Free, welcoming, diverse, family friendly, educational, no registration required, no pets. Fourth Saturday Every Month Guided Bird and Nature Adventures and Self-Guided Walks and Activities at Pheasant Branch are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners Badgerland Bird Alliance and Friends of Pheasant Branch.
This is a welcoming, diverse, educational, fun and family friendly program. No registration required.

Monthly Guided Bird and Nature Adventures are on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:30 in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These events 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 and FOPBC Webpage for more activities.

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

Conservancy day- Spring flowers & folklore
2023-11-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Wednesday, November 15, at 6:00pm
Location: Middleton Public Library- In the downstairs Archer Room
Imagine 75+ years ago a walk in the woods and pasture with your grandfather sharing stories about the wildflowers and stories of his youth.
Wayne Pauly spent 43 years as Dane County naturalist and restoration ecologist for the county parks, working with thousands of school children and adults restoring 800 acres of prairie and savanna woodlands.

REGISTER HERE

Bock Forest Seed Sowing
2023-11-06 16:00 - 18:00 | Bock Community Garden, 5606 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join the Friends along with Adaptive Restoration staff and Bock Community Gardeners in sowing seed in the prairies at Bock Forest. Please use the form below to sign up so we know how many volunteers to expect.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Seed Collection in the Prairie
2023-10-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2023-10-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Prairie Lot 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd,, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us on select weekends, June through October, collecting native seed at Pheasant Branch Conservancy to be used to expand and diversify our prairies.
Saturday Events: 9am to 12pm
Sunday Events: 1pm to 4pm
We meet at our equipment trailer located between the Springs parking lot and Orchid Heights Park.
Please use the form below to sign up!

Restoration Workday
2023-10-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-10-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2023-09-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Prairie Lot 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd,, Middleton, WI, 53562
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy will host Restoration Workdays on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays in April, May, September, and October in 2023. Please use the form below to sign up!

Fill out my LGL Form!

Happy Feet at Pheasant Branch Conservancy
2023-10-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-10-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2023-09-28 18:00 - 19:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Are you looking for some tips for healthy walking? Do you enjoy mindful walks in nature? Join these first sessions in a budding, diverse collection of nature wellness events at the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
– Meet at Orchid Heights Park Shelter by 6 pm
– Spend 10-15 minutes sampling stretches and mindfulness techniques for healthy walking
– Walk for up to 40 minutes and try out a mindfulness cue

Shannon Prairie 20th Anniversary Celebration
2023-09-30 13:30 - 15:30 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Prairie Lot 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd,, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join the Friends in celebrating their success in the establishment of the Shannon Prairie. Activities will include speakers, guided tours, and refreshments. More details can be found on the event website.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) Bird and Nature Adventure: Insect Superpowers
2023-09-23 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join Master Naturalist Marjorie Rhine for a free fun family friendly guided walk to learn all about insects.
Location: Pheasant Branch Homestead Parking Lot 4864 Pheasant Branch Road
This is a free, welcoming, diverse, educational, fun and family friendly program.
Post your pictures and comments on our FaceBook and Instagram pages!
Monthly Guided Bird and Nature Adventures are on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:30 in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These events 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 and FOPBC Webpage for more activities.
Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.

CONSERVANCY DAY: Updating Wisconsin's Wolf Management Plan
2023-09-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join Randy Johnson, large carnivore specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for a discussion on all things wolves in Wisconsin. In this talk, Randy will focus on the recent efforts to update the state’s wolf management plan, including a summary of the plan’s key elements.
Join Randy Johnson, large carnivore specialist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, for a discussion on all things wolves in Wisconsin. In this talk, Randy will focus on the recent efforts to update the state’s wolf management plan, including a summary of the plan’s key elements and ultimately what it all means for Wisconsinites and for wolves.

Register Here
