Ripples 3/19/20

Posted on by March 19, 2020

So much can change in a week.  Turns out when biology is involved, it can be difficult to predict even a short period into the future.  I remember a mathematician  in a famous dinosaur movie who said, “Life finds a way.”  Boy, isn’t that the case, even if it consists of little bits of genetic material?  We need to be very careful around nature in many ways.  We often talk about non-native invasive species- well, this virus has gotten the better of us.  I like being a good host, but in this case, not so much.

Nature is not the enemy, or at least not solely an enemy.  I think the notion that our current situation should be looked at as a war is a bad one.  Yes, that fact that a microorganism has found us as a suitable place to live and reproduce can cause us serious problems. I think what is needed is a patient and rational problem-solving attitude.  These kinds of problems surface periodically in our world where there is a constant struggle where one species tries to take advantage of another for the sake of it’s own survival.  I don’t know how many organisms are out there that are just a mutation away from causing serious problems for others- given all the species in the world. The potential is endless and such tension between species endless.  Even so, for the most part, that’s not the end of the story.

Just as our interaction with nature on a microbial scale is part of the problem, nature is also the solution.  We have within us amazing resources and our immune systems are constantly working to maintain our health in the face of probably thousands of species that would like to take advantage of us.  It’s a good thing that we don’t have to think about it – I for sure would have problems keeping track of everything my immune system needs to do.  I’m just amazed that it all works and that over time our bodies learn how to cope with problems.  They may complain a bit with tiredness and aches and fevers, but almost always they pull us through. I’m grateful for that, and for the fine people who taught me a little about biology so I could begin to try to understand.

And beyond that, there is the restorative power of nature, and not just in a physiological sense. There are a multitude of studies now that document the health benefits of being out in a natural place.  Everything from lowering heart rate, lowering activity in the frontal lobe of the brain, blood pressure and increased feelings of well-being.  One of my favorites had people rating how they felt in different situations, and being out in nature was rated similar to the feelings people had at Christmas.  And it did not take long for such feelings to come about- as little as five minutes in nature brought about a positive result, or five hours per month.  In some cultures there is a term called “forest bathing”- interesting because it infers an immersion in and cleansing by nature.

For many of us Wisconsinites, we subtly incorporate our need to be near nature in many ways – walks in the woods, along Mariner’s Trail, trips up north in summer, fishing and hunting, even a backyard campfire. They all bring us into closer contact with something we need.

Now, we need that more than ever – not sitting inside and worrying, but getting outside and enjoying.  Fresh air and sunlight are not conducive to germs.  We hope that people will consider this as they work out ways to cope.  At Woodland Dunes, although we continue to work on our building project, the building itself is closed.  Outside, though, there are 1500 acres and seven miles of trails open for “forest bathing,” and we encourage people to visit and enjoy the preserve.  In many ways there opportunities to be restored physically and emotionally.  For many, this is the best time of year, when one can go out and experience the re-birth of the landscape.  Every day there are new (for this year) birds to be seen and heard, for which the survival of winter and migration is something to be marveled at.  Already the skunk cabbage of the swamp has put forth the first flowers of the spring.  And each day’s weather is a surprise as we alternate between winter and spring.  These are the things that are enduring and important, and we need to appreciate them and share them with our families.

Life can be hard, and any little bird or wildflower or insect can verify that.  But like them, we can keep singing and blooming.

Jim Knickelbine
Executive Director
Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve

Ripples 3/12/20

Posted on by March 12, 2020

Its often the little things that make life difficult.  Like most of us, I have been surprised at the impact that a virus, a little bit of genetic material, can have on the lives of so many people.  Don’t worry- I don’t know enough about microbiology to write about it so you won’t be subjected to that here, but microscopic and invisible things rule the world, and we need to pay attention to them.

Temperature is an important aspect of the environment that is invisible, yet affects much of our lives.  We were miserable during last year’s “Polar vortex” events while this winter has been relatively easy, so far.  Then there are long-terms variations, trends which slowly develop over many years, resulting in our climate.  Our lives go by quickly, so it’s hard to appreciate or even be sure of those long-term changes unless one keeps records over the years.  Sure enough, those records, even though they are less than 150 or so years in accumulation, clearly indicate that our climate is warmer than it used to be both here and the world over.  We are perhaps lucky in that Wisconsin has a pretty moderate climate, and we here have the Lake to help moderate temperatures.  This makes our Lakeshore forests, like Woodland Dunes, rich in plant species, and all those different plants attract a lot of species of wildlife.  But if the climate changes, how will our forests be affected?

Forests, like all ecosystems, are incredibly complicated and dynamic.  Many scientists are and will be studying the changes that are happening to all the various parts of our forests.  Trees, however, are probably the first thing we notice and are relatively easy to study.  Predicting what will happen to them in the future is a challenge, however.  Using the regional tree atlas and a forest model called LANDIS, the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science has developed a table of tree species in our region along with predictions as to what species will do well versus those which may decline.

Ok- bad news first.  Trees expected to decline in coming years include balsam fir (my Christmas tree favorite), white cedar (deer eat them also), white and yellow birch, and white spruce.  Not surprisingly, these include some of our classic northern forest trees.  Others which may decrease include white pine, sugar maple, and tamarack.  Of course these are long-term projections- existing trees will hang on for a long time, but may not reproduce or thrive.

Those expected to do well as things warm include basswood, black cherry, ironwood, and the oaks.  There were mixed results for trees like the ash species (but emerald ash borer will decimate them) and red maple.    And given a warming climate, one might also try planting species that are often found south and west of here like shagbark hickory or hackberry, or even sycamores.  Species which are already found just south of here may move north as conditions permit.

As the trees go, so do other living things, and many, many species of wildlife will eventually be affected.  Once again, we are witnessing ecological reorganization.  It’s not a good thing, but it will be interesting to witness.  It will be important, even if the species are different, that we continue to care for the forests as they undergo this transition.  In doing so we will preserve our natural heritage as best we can.

Ripples 3/6/20

Posted on by March 6, 2020

New entry way

People like to say that the only constant in life is change, and I guess that’s true.  Change seems to happen more slowly in nature, and more rapidly where people are involved.  We are a dynamic species intent on improving things.  Sometimes it takes a couple of tries, but hopefully enough planning is included in the process.

Woodland Dunes started in the early 1970’s by people who cared about birds and other wildlife.  They decided to buy 40 acres of swamp forest near the Lake as a sanctuary for birds and wildflowers.  School children saved aluminum to help make a down payment.  After we bought the land we started offering field trips for them.

In the late 1970’s we bought the Rahmlow Farm on Hwy DD (now Hwy 310).  The brick house was very old, some of the buildings were falling down, and the yard was full of old farm machinery.  I can imagine the optimism of the volunteers as they cleaned the yard and made a huge labyrinthine herb garden, put down new wood floors, and stripped paint from the woodwork in the farmhouse.  When they were done, they had a headquarters with lots of small rooms, zero indoor plumbing, and lots of character.  They made classrooms in the barn and happily continued teaching about nature for the next 15 years. Then a bequest from Edna Smith made an addition possible – complete with a small kitchen, a modest gathering area, and bathrooms. More and more, we have conflicts between scheduling school groups and other visitors in a limited amount of space.  Our driveay is also a cause for concern with school buses and land management equipment sharing it at the same time.

Fortunately, there are generous people in this world.  With the offer of some matching grants, our Board decided to look at our options for expansion.  After more than a year of discussion involving our Board and our staff – the Board elected to proceed with our first major building project and the fundraising that goes with it.  A local firm, SMI, helped with engineering and architectural work, and a local general contractor, Hamann Construction, was chosen to build the addition.

We are adding new public space so that we can host more than one group here at a time if needed, exhibit space, a new kitchen, new driveway and parking, and a new entrance and reception area.  The existing room Edna Smith helped build will become dedicated education and family space, and all new areas – including restrooms will be easily accessible to everyone. We’ll also make improvements to our existing Dorothy Star Bee and Butterfly Garden and develop new exhibits and displays.

Our addition will be “greener” than our existing building: heated and cooled by a geothermal system, have extra insulation, an electric vehicle charging station, window treatments or special glass to prevent birds from striking them, and more.  The drive and parking area will be permeable, paved with a system that allows water to seep down rather than run off.  Our existing solar panels will be taken off and then reinstalled after the roof is replaced with steel roofing, which will last many years.

A number of people have donated generously to help us make this happen.  Because our spring through fall seasons are so busy, we elected to begin construction last fall, and hope to have much of the work completed by late spring- in fact we hope our grand opening will coincide with the 50th  anniversary of Earth Day in late April.  We have a long way to go to finish, and we still need to ask the public for support in funding the remainder of the project. Won’t you please help?

To be sure, this is a life-changing chapter in the history of Woodland Dunes and a project that will make it possible for us to welcome visitors for our programs in a much better way.  We still have a nature focus, remembering the original preserve we worked so hard to piece together. Now it’s time to be more welcoming to the people who wish to learn about and share the beauty of our Lakeshore.


Ripples 2/27/20

Posted on by February 26, 2020

By Jennifer Klein, Woodland Dunes Land Management Coordinator

Our connections to animals help us remain grounded in a fast-moving, technological world.  Those connections can take on different forms throughout our lives and sometimes form without intention.  For some of us, it is a fish in a bowl, to be observed and fed.  For others, the bond may be linked to a furry animal such as a hamster, cat or dog and may involve some snuggling.  But indoor pets take on all different forms and could even be a bird, reptile, or spider.  No matter what type of animal one welcomes into their home, there is a feeling of responsibility to another being and with that comes a strong bond – we are in it together. 

These bonds are not limited to intentional animals inside our homes (or on our land, such as chickens, goats, and the like).  Some of our greatest bonds are with animals we do not control but are allowed to observe from a safe distance.   Many people enjoy feeding birds.  It allows them to sit in the comfort of their homes and feel connected to other beings without having complete responsibility for their survival and well-being.  While some clean up of feeders and the area around them is necessary, it is not as demanding as having an indoor pet.  And there is a satisfaction in watching wild birds raise young in one’s backyard.  It’s like we had a small part in ensuring the survival of the species.
Just like indoor pets, taking care of wild animals isn’t just limited to birds.  There is great joy to be had, for example, in feeding and observing backyard rabbits, for the same reasons as birds.  They come into our yards, eat our offerings, and reward us with a show, and possibly also bless us by raising their young in our yards.  In this way, we feel like we are a part of something bigger than our daily lives. 

We may even go out of our way to ensure our animal friends are cared for in inclement weather by providing heated water, elevated food sources and shelter.   My favorite example of this happened recently.  My parents love to feed carrots to the wild bunnies in their yard.  With the recent snowfall, the carrots would drop right through the snow and disappear.  Their creative solution was to tie the carrots to a string and hang them from some small trees.  It is very entertaining to watch the rabbits eat these carrots, and probably provides enrichment to them as well.  Whatever one does to positively connect to other living beings is good for the heart and soul.

Photo: Rabbit in the backyard with carrots on a string, courtesy of Brian and Darla Powell 

Ripples 2/13/20

Posted on by February 13, 2020

photo of rough-legged hawk in flightAs February advances we are treated to some interesting birds seen, or at least noticed, out in the expanses of fields in the country.  These are not the typical birds which visit our feeders and become our outdoor companions of the winter- rather they are wild and in need of large areas of open country in which to hunt or glean seeds.  Some visit the open areas of the preserve at Woodland Dunes, especially the prairie and wetland areas along Woodland Drive, but most often I notice them along the highway on my drives to and from the Nature Center.  They make the commute, even though it is not long, all the more interesting.

I wrote about northern shrikes recently- they can be seen perched up high in a tree or on a power line, scanning for prey.  They are one of the birds that at first glance might resemble a mourning dove, which also likes to perch on lines, and they too have a long tail.  A shrike’s head is larger and more compact, and a closer look reveals black wings and facial mask, contrasting with a light gray body.  They nest in the very far north, and soon will be leaving our area for the tundra they call home.

A second dove-like species is the American kestrel, our smallest falcon.  They are colorful birds with long tails, and like shrikes, will perch high on power lines from which to scan for meadow voles.  We have kestrels here year-round. In the summer they nest in hollow trees or old buildings and supplement their diet of voles with insects and even small birds.  Overall, though, their numbers have been declining and people are researching why this might be.

We see more red-tailed hawks in open areas in the winter.  Although they nest here they also migrate to this area in winter from harsher places up north.  They are large hawks with white breasts often seen perched near but not at the top of large trees.  Like shrikes and kestrels, they are looking for meadow voles, which can be abundant and are exposed during winters when snow cover is scarce.

As if the voles haven’t had enough hazards from the hawks described above, in winter we also see another arctic species, the rough-legged hawk.  Rough-legs are as large as red-tailed hawks, but are variable in color, from very dark to light with two distinct patches on the undersides of their wings near what we would think of as “elbows”.  They feed on voles and lemmings in the summer arctic, and come here to enjoy our balmy winters (they are well adapted to cold down to the extra feathering on their legs to help retain warmth).  Unlike the lighter-colored red-tails, rough-legs tend to perch in the very tops of trees rather than partway down.  They are found in tundra around the world- North America, Europe, and Asia.

Smaller songbirds include snow-buntings, which are very light-colored in winter and flash white when they fly.  They gather on the ground in sometimes large flocks of hundreds of birds looking for weed seeds and waste grain, and are nomads- they often turn up unexpectedly one day and are gone the next.

And then, one of my favorite songbirds- the horned larks.  To me they are the first real sign of spring, pairs showing up on the gravelly shoulders of roadways in February.  They begin courting soon after they show up, and utter the most delightful tinkling song over the fields.  By the time things thaw they are nesting, right on the ground and the females are sometimes covered with snow as they incubate their eggs.  I always admire their hardiness and persistence, and the effort they put forth in raising their next generation.

There are others- snowy owls and Lapland longspurs and other hardy open-country winter birds, but they are not as frequent or regular here in winter.  But, as is typical of nature, one is never sure what one will find outdoors.

photo- rough-legged hawk by Neil Paprocki