Ripples 8/8/24

Posted on by August 15, 2024

By Claire Bosselmann, summer intern

Is Older Better?

In many ways, yes—especially when discussing the freedom of retirement, aged scotch, and the magnificence of old-growth forests.

photo of old growth forestOld growth forests are ecosystems that develop over many decades without significant disturbance. These ancient woodlands possess unique characteristics that make them exceptionally valuable. Their resilience is enhanced by increased genetic diversity, among both plants and animals, which increases the stability and health of an ecosystem. Structural diversity of plants and a layered canopy of varying age classes provides a variety of habitats, for a multitude of species. With these characteristics, old-growth forests become hot-spots for biodiversity. The Wisconsin DNR defines old-growth as “natural stands that have developed over a period of time, generally at least 120 years, without experiencing a stand replacing disturbance.”

If you’ve ever experienced the feeling of walking through an old-growth forest, it is truly something spectacular. These forests are at least 120 years old; they’ve been the home to hundreds of thousands of birds, mammals, amphibians, and millions of insects. Some of the oldest trees have experienced the changing of the seasons at least 500 times.

The true glory of old-growth forests isn’t just in their lush greenery, towering trees or the cool breeze provided by the shade, but foremost in the richness of their soil. Over decades, organic carbon accumulates on the forest floor from fallen biomass, creating a fertile, carbon-rich environment that all critters and plants rely on. Within that soil there’s a complex world of mycorrhizal networks and microbial communities that have built themselves throughout the lifetime of the forest. Microbial communities help in the nutrient cycling and breakdown of organic materials on the forest floor, and mycorrhizal networks benefit plants by creating a mutualistic relationship through a trade of phosphorus and magnesium. The intricate soil creates an ideal environment for the next generation of plants to grow successfully. These are just some of the wonders of old growth forests that are invisible to the human eye.

Since becoming recognized as vital carbon sinks, old-growth forests have gained increased protection under Executive Order 14072, issued in April 2022. They are a key to mitigating the effects of climate change, as land use change is one of the largest contributors to global warming. Equally important is maintaining high genetic diversity among plants and animals, which allows for more opportunities of survival to our changing world.

Wisconsin is the home to few recognized mature forests, mostly residing in the Northern side of the state and only amounting to 0.2% of total forests in Wisconsin. Old-growth forests in the state are limited due to clear-cutting that occurred in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. If you’re hoping to experience an old-growth forest in Wisconsin, consider hiking in the Cathedral Pines located in Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest’s Lakewood-Laona Ranger District.

So, when talking about aging, many things can become better with time; appreciation for fine wines and aged cheeses, the soil beneath our feet, and policies protecting our forests.

Photo of old growth by Anna Kovach

 

Ripples 8/1/24

Posted on by August 1, 2024

By Anna Kovach, summer intern

When one hears mention of a willow tree, they probably picture the drooping, elegant branches of a weeping willow (Salix babylonica) swaying in a summer breeze. While the weeping willow is an attractive sight next to a quaint pond, willows (in the genus Salix) make up over 300 species—97 of which are found in North America—that are just as beautiful but often overlooked. Pussy willow (S. discolor), shining willow (S. lucida), and peachleaf willow (S. amygdaloides) are just a few species of willows native to Wisconsin. Bebb’s willow (S. bebbiana) is one species that can be found growing near the nature center, specifically along the Willow Trail. Visitors to this beloved trail are also greeted by numerous black willow (S. nigra), the limbs of these trees reaching toward one another and framing the pathway.

These trees are not just valued for their beauty; willows can serve as a host plant for hundreds of species of butterflies and moths, meaning that these insects rely on a willow tree as a place to lay their eggs and as a food source for larvae. One common species of butterfly that prefers to use willow as a host plant is the mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa). These butterflies are a deep maroon color with two stripes outlining the edge of their wings; the inner stripe is black with flecks of blue and the outer stripe is a brilliant yellow. Viceroy (Limenitis archippus), a mimic of the monarch butterfly, and the eastern tiger swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) are two other species of butterflies that may use a willow as a host plant. All three of these butterflies can be seen darting amongst and near the willows growing here at Woodland Dunes.

Willows can be a food source for many other different critters besides those looking for a host plant. The flowers of willows provide one of the first sources of nectar for pollinators emerging during early spring. Because so many insects are attracted to the willow flowers, these trees serve as rich hunting grounds for insectivorous birds, including the eastern phoebe and chickadees. Many birds eat the seeds of willows. Other birds, such as grouse, eat the buds. Deer, moose, and beavers may eat the leaves and twigs of willows. The yellow-bellied sapsucker, a species of woodpecker that migrates to Wisconsin for its breeding season, makes horizontal rows of holes along the trunk of the willow, which provides a source of sap for the bird and even adult mourning cloak butterflies.

We recently finished the selfless task of planting 750 trees within the nature preserve. One day, as I dug a suitable home for a young black willow tree, I couldn’t help but think about all the insects, birds, and mammals that would benefit from the willows—and all the other trees—that we planted this summer.

Photo: mourning cloak on willow buds by Wikimedia Commons

Ripples 7/25/24

Posted on by August 15, 2024

By Liam Guenin, summer intern

This time of year is a personal favorite of mine for many reasons, one of them being that it’s a great time for foraging. Currently in the US, there isn’t any real need to forage for food due to there being pretty much every food you can imagine at your local Walmart. However, many people, such as myself, don’t forage for need- they forage to feel a connection to the Earth while also having some tasty snacks along the way. I love foraging for all sorts of fungi, leaves, and roots, but to me, nothing compares to picking berries straight off of a plant and putting them directly into my mouth. 

Although eating the things you forage for yourself on the spot is super satisfying and wonderful, I have also found that making jams and pies out of foraged berries can be even more rewarding. This can also be great for giving gifts to friends and loved ones. A lot of the things that you forage can also be given to your non-human friends. Recently, the other interns and I (aptly named the Woodland Goons) learned that our education turtles Sheldon and Sergio possess a fondness for berries. Now when we go out in the field to plant trees or do maintenance on the trails, we have to keep an eye out for wild strawberries and raspberries so that we can give the turtles a little treat at the end of the day. 

Foraging is not only an inexpensive way to get fresh local berries for your education turtles, it also has many other proven benefits to you and the environment. For example, wild plants have been shown to have higher levels of vitamins and minerals than their farmed counterparts. In addition, by forgoing grocery stores and commercial farming operations, you can greatly reduce your carbon footprint. It has also been shown that being outside in nature for just 20 minutes a day decreases stress and anxiety levels. There are countless positive reasons to go out and forage, but the biggest reason I do it is just because it’s a really fun activity to do.

At the end of the day, foraging is probably not the answer to all of your problems. However, if you find yourself with nothing to do on a nice summer day, I would strongly recommend giving it a try. It is a great way to get out of the house and learn about your local ecosystem while picking up some small bites to eat along the way.

Editor’s note: Woodland Dunes does not allow foraging of any type on the preserve to reduce visitors straying off our trails and endangering sensitive plant and animal life here. State parks do allow foraging, so if this intrigues you, give it a try in one of their locations.

Photo: turtle eating red and dwarf raspberries

Ripples 7/18/24

Posted on by July 18, 2024

By Mary Kennedy, summer intern

Birds are all around us, but it can take a moment for individuals to stop and recognize the multitudes around them. This can apply to all ages, and specifically, the calls and songs that they make.

As a child and even into my adulthood I have spent little time listening to the sounds and songs of birds. Fortunately for me, I had the opportunity to help with the Woodland Dunes Little Wings Program which focused on birds seen and heard around Wisconsin. The children that attended this program were 4 to 5 years old. At this age, they are filled with curiosity and this leads to discoveries. In the case of this program, the discovery was of a variety of birds that surrounded their local backyards. I asked a couple of kids if they were familiar with the sight of them and they answered, “Yes.” They had all previously seen the birds before, but just were not completely sure about the name or sound that each one made.

 The interactive activities at the program helped to develop further their comprehension of the sounds of birds and the role of what birds do. One of the activities focused on listening to the calls of birds such as the Black-Capped Chickadees, Crows, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals, and more. This was presented as a game and one in which they had to listen and then act out the bird call and fly like a bird. Some of their favorite calls included “cheeseburger” of the Black-Capped Chickadee, and “purty, purty, purty” of the Northern Cardinal. This attuned the kids to tap into the skill of being observant and present in what could be heard. Then the kids took their newfound skills to Cattail Trail to become fully immersed in the experience of seeing and hearing birds.

I am always amazed at how fast children can catch on, even the younger ones. Having the ability to tap into your senses provides for an experiential learning environment. This was apparent while on the Cattail boardwalk, the kids were yelling out the call of the Red-Winged Blackbird. This call sounds like a shrill voice yelling, “VOTE FOR ME.” It was fun to watch the kids try and attract the birds with this phrase. As silly as that sounds, it helped the children retain a piece of information that they will most likely remember for years to come.

These mnemonics for contrasting calls have also been helpful for me as I start to hone in on my bird calls. As the kids learned in this program, I was also learning. Having the opportunity to teach these kids gives me an insight into what they already know and the newfound knowledge that they gain. A transition that helps them to further grow their minds. They can then pass this along to fellow peers or even to individuals like myself, who are not local to the area. There is a new appreciation for these birds not only by me but also by these children who had the experience of attending this wonderful program.

photo of Mary with campers by Natalie McNeely

Ripples 7/11/24

Posted on by July 11, 2024

By Kennedy Zittel, naturalist

When I arrived to the Nature Center this past Tuesday, I opened my car door and the songs of birds filled the air, an excellent day for a bird survey.

photo of downy woodpecker on branchI decided to walk Cattail Trail, a quick walk to beat the upcoming summer heat that day. At the beginning of the trail, I heard the songs of an Eastern bluebird, Indigo bunting, and Veery, what an exciting start to the survey! I stopped to watch dozens of green and leopard frog tadpoles swim around the edges of the pond. I smiled as I passed by the pile of pond dipping nets, thinking about how excited the children would be to see all of those tadpoles during the pond dipping program later than morning. 

I walked past some shrubs that were bursting with berries when the leaves began to rustle. I stopped in time to witness two cedar waxwings enjoying a berry-filled breakfast. Amongst the berry-filled shrubs were a handful of robins and catbirds too – calling out to one another about how delicious their breakfast was, I am sure. 

I stopped to listen to a far-off call, the unmistakable call of the Red-eyed vireo came from the nearby forest. A flash of brown below the boardwalk caught my attention, a Song sparrow hopped from one clump of grass to the next.

Entering the alder thicket offered even more bird calls and sightings. I saw yellow flashes of common yellowthroats, yellow warblers, and goldfinches as they bounced branch- to- branch. A group of grackles flew overhead, squawking at one another as they searched for a place to land. A downy woodpecker perched atop a dead alder tree, surveying the marsh as I was. 

I continued down the boardwalk, glancing up at the row of Mourning doves on the telephone wire soaking up the increasingly hot sunshine. I passed by mink and raccoon scat, signs that birds weren’t the only animals enjoying this trail. Two Barn swallows darted through the air, catching insects with each swoop. 

The open marsh changed to dense cattails, where the loud calls of Red-winged blackbirds and Swamp sparrows echoed through the marsh. While I used my binoculars to watch the Osprey sitting on the river nest platform, I heard a crow call off in the distance. The cattails swished back and forth in the breeze, and I continued on towards the end of the trail.

The end of the boardwalk was full of River otter scat, humans aren’t the only ones that like to use the kayak launch to slide into the water. The bubbly song of the Marsh wrens rang out from the cattails – such a loud song from such a tiny little bird! Two geese honked while paddling away towards the West Twin River. Glancing down at the water I watched little fish swim by while I listened to the sound of green frogs croaking and hopping into the water.

I ended my survey. I spent only 20 minutes out on the trail, yet I saw a total of 21 different bird species, 2 amphibians, signs of 3 mammals, some fish, and dozens of different plants. What a great way to start the day!

photo of Downy woodpecker by Kennedy Zittel