Earth Day Bouquet

It's that time of year again! Every year around Earth Day (April 22), environmental organizations, nature centers, zoos, and just about everyone else are offering events and programs to celebrate the Earth. It's almost as if there are too many to choose! But what a wonderful problem to have - especially when you can visit Nature Net's Earth Day Bouquet and find them listed all in one place!

Sorted by date, each listing provides information you'll need to decide which local events are best for your family. You can find activities and programs going on every day between April 14-29. In celebration of Earth Day, National Environmental Education Week, and the spring season, Earth Day Bouquet offers your family a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, get involved in your local and natural community, and become motivated to make a difference in the health and sustainability of the environment.

Here are a few examples:

Troy Gardens/Community GroundWorks
Get to Know the Natural Areas - Saturday, April 14, 10am-12:30pm
Tour the woodlands, gardens, and prairie, followed by a planting workshop in the Edible Woodland.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Banff Mountain Film Festival - Tuesday, April 17, 7-10pm
Join the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and REI for the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour’s stop to Madison! This year's tour features a collection of the most inspiring action, environmental, and adventure films, showing at the Barrymore Theater.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Grand Opening Celebration - Saturday, April 21, 11am-3pm
Celebrate the opening of ALNC’s new interactive education center. Enjoy new exhibits, exciting shows on the six-foot diameter Science on a Sphere, tours, live musical entertainment, nature activities, electric car demonstration and more!

UW Arboretum
Earth Day at the Arboretum - Sunday, April 22, 8am-4pm
Take themed family hikes, participate in Earth Day activities, listen to live music, and view Earth Day exhibits.

Madison Children's Museum
Rooftop Farmers - Wednesday, April 25, 3-3:30pm
Help with the daily chores of taking care of a rooftop farm in the sky. Feed the animals and water the plants, harvest vegetables, plant a seed, prepare and taste homegrown food, and do nature crafts.

Bethel Horizons
Earth Day Celebration - Saturday, April 28, 9am-5pm
Enjoy the beautiful wildflowers, the magnificent view, an abundance of migrating birds, and a variety of environmental activities, demonstrations and speakers emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature. This is an Earth Day, Astronomy Day, Arbor Day and Spring Festival wrapped into one celebration!

Visit www.naturenet.com/earthweek for many more!

Check the schedule of free and low-cost family events and mark your calendar for a Bouquet of things to do, explore and learn about this Earth Day season. Have fun!

Holiday Fun - Lots to Do!

No matter what holidays you celebrate, this is the season to enjoy your family, keep the kids busy on those days off, and spend time outdoors before winter reeeally hits. Looking for ideas? There is a lot going on around town these days! Or, if you'd rather cozy up around your own house or yard, there are plenty of fun activities you can do with your friends and family. Read on for ideas...

Out and About
Beyond the Edge of the Sea and Seaworthy @ the UW Ebling Library and Story Time at the UW Geology Museum. Check out this traveling exhibit featuring the magnificent watercolors of deep-sea expeditionary illustrator Karen Jacobsen (Art and Science Exhibitions on display until January 31, 2012), and stop by the Geology Museum on Thursday, 12/15 at 10:30am for their family Story Time!

Winter Solstice Celebration @ the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Celebrate the longest night of the year with a nighttime winter hike under the stars, feed winter bird neighbors, gather around the campfire to burn a Yule log, sip cocoa and eat a seasonal solstice snack! 6:30-8pm, Friday, 12/16.

Winter Solstice Bonfire @ Glenwood Children's Park. Help shorten the longest night of the year! Bring your mug for hot cider, snack on s'mores, listen to local music and more! 6-10pm, Sunday, 12/18.

Holiday Concert @ Olbrich Garden. Enjoy festive "The Electric Orchestra"/Organ Music at 2pm on Sunday, 12/18. You can also see Olbrich's Holiday Express Flower and Model Train Show, warm up in the Bolz Conservatory and visit the outdoor gardens to see winter grasses and berries.

Exhibits Sneak Peek: Special Public Hours @ the Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Stop by for a sneak-preview of brand new interactive exhibits and programs, which won't be available to the public until next Spring! Get a one-of-a-kind view of our planet's rarely seen "frozen world," explore hands-on exhibits about weather and climate, and, see the winning entry from ALNC's snow globe art contest transformed into a giant spinning snow globe! Thursday, 12/29, noon-7pm.

Winter Wonder Week @ the Madison Children's Museum. Celebrate Wisconsin's signature season with special activities throughout the museum from January 2-7. Help build an ice sculpture, practice ice fishing, brave the Rooftop Ramble for frosted food, art and games, brush up on basic survival skills, enjoy a winter themed sing-along and a visit to the log cabin to learn what pioneers did for entertainment through the long, cold winter.

Tiki Torch Toboggan @ the Aldo Leopold Nature Center (Black Earth Campus). Discover the winter flora and fauna as you sled, snowshoe or hike along the snow covered trails and warm up around a roaring campfire with a cup of hot chocolate. Saturday, 1/14, 4-7pm.

At Home
Christmas Bird Count - National Audubon Society. From 12/14 through 1/5, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout the Americas take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families and students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists go out on an annual mission.

Winter Bird Feeders - You and your family and friends can make birdfeeders together and see what critters they attract this season! Using pinecones, pipe cleaners, milk cartons, or other household items, you can make quick and easy birdfeeders that will make the birds happy and give your family something to watch together. Keep track of what you see and enter them into the Christmas Bird Count or Earth Alive!

Decorate with Nature - Go Explore Nature has a great list of holiday ideas that will get you outside with your family. Check out these 5 Ways to Decorate with Nature or their 24 Days of Holiday-Inspired Nature Fun.

Track and Trail Blaze! - In case you missed December's Nature Net News, it was full of ideas for getting outside, seeing what tracks and trails you can trace, and making snow stories of your own. Check it out!

This time of year sure can be busy, but try out any of these great events and activities to make the most of the season. Have fun, and Happy Holidays from Nature Net!

Family Nature Clubs Update - September 2011

Hi Family Nature Clubbers! We hope you had a lovely summer and were able to spend lots of time outdoors with your family. We’d like to help you keep it up this fall! Read on for some updates and ideas…

UW-Arboretum Earth Partnership for Families – Nature Play Day! Sunday, September 25 • 12:30 pm – 4 pm
September family day at the Arboretum is all about playing in the woods. Children and adults will work together in the nature free-play area to build, discover, and explore. Let your imagination be the guide. Check in with the receptionist in the Visitor Center for directions to the free-play area. Look for other families from our first nature club, Madison Family Nature Club between 12:30-2:00. Visit Madison Family Nature Club on Facebook or email club leader Sandra for more information.

More Upcoming Family Events
September 22-25: Wisconsin Science Festival @ various locations
September 24: Cranes of the World Festival @ International Crane Foundation
September 25: Fall for Donald Park Event 1-4pm @ Dane County Park’s Donald Park
October 1: Hootenanny 6:30-8:30pm @ MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
October 6: Story Time 10:30am @ UW Geology Museum
October 7: Harvest Moon Festival 6-9pm @ Lussier Family Heritage Center
October 8: Autumn Splendor 1-4pm @ Upham Woods
October 8: Draconid Meteor Shower 7pm @ Bethel Horizons
October 15-16: Family Camp Weekend @ Upham Woods

…and many more! Check out Nature Net’s Events Calendar for more information!

Are You Interested in Being a Family Nature Club Leader?
For those of you interested in starting your own Family Nature Club (being the main point of contact, organizing activities and/or delegating roles), we can provide you with resources and tools to get you started – let us know!

Nature Net Resources for Family Nature Clubs
If you haven’t seen these already, here are a few great resources available from Nature Net. Peruse NatureNet.com’s Family Nature Clubs page, Family Resources and Events Calendar, sign up for Nature Net News, visit our Facebook page, comment on our Family Nature Clubs, and check out our blog.

We Want to Hear from You!
Nature Net’s Family Nature Clubs are brand new and evolving. We are hoping to serve as a source for event and activity ideas, resources, and a place to meet other families. If you have ideas for how we could make Family Nature Clubs better for you, please let us know! Check out our resources above and email info[at]naturenet.com with any questions or ideas.

Spread the Word!
Do you know any other parents or families who might be interested? Forward this email, tell them to “like” Nature Net on Facebook, or direct them to the Family Nature Clubs page to get started. We hope to grow Family Nature Clubs together!

Develop Your Child’s Naturalist Intelligence

When Howard Gardner first outlined his theory of Multiple Intelligences (Frames of Mind, 1983) – a model of thought that differentiates "intelligence" into various sensory modalities, rather than seeing it as a single general ability – it did not include the Naturalist Intelligence. It wasn’t introduced to his list of intelligences until the late 90s (Intelligence Reframed, 1999), after Gardner realized that the understanding of nature and living things was not sufficiently covered by the original seven intelligences (verbal/linguistic; mathematical/logical; spatial; kinesthetic; musical; interpersonal; and intrapersonal intelligence). He introduced and defined the Naturalist Intelligence with:

The very term naturalist combines a description of the core ability with a characterization of a role that many cultures value. A naturalist demonstrates expertise in the recognition and classification of the numerous species -- the flora and fauna -- of his or her environment (Gardner 1999: 48). (Read more here: http://parksproject.org/NaturalIntelligence.aspx).

In this chapter, Gardner stated that “the naturalist’s intelligence proves as firmly entrenched as the other intelligences,” of no less importance than any of the others, and “every culture prizes people who not only can recognize members of a species that are especially valuable or notably dangerous but also can appropriately categorize new or unfamiliar organisms.” In addition, he recognized that “just as most ordinary children readily master language at an early age, so too are most children predisposed to explore the world of nature;” however, some individuals display more acute disposition these skills and traits than others. Some characteristics of a “naturally intelligent” person include:

• Ability to make justifying distinctions, visually or non-visually, of both living and non-living items.
• Comfort and interest in the world of organisms.
• Talent in caring for or interacting with living species.
• Detection of novel patterns or styles.
• Drive to identify and classify natural and artificial objects.
• Early fascination with plants, animals, natural phenomena and the surrounding environment.
• Affinity for symbols (linguistic and taxonomic) – identifying, representing and recording features and phenomena.

Basically, someone with a keen Natural Intelligence can recognize and classify individuals, species and ecological relationships, relate information to one’s surroundings, interact effectively with living creatures, and discern patterns of life and natural forces. Careers well-suited for these “nature smart” people include farmers, park rangers, gardeners, florists, naturalists, biologists, environmentalists, taxonomists, fishermen/women, zookeepers and veterinarians.

An interesting point that Gardner mentions is that most children seem innately predisposed to these traits and have an inherent interest in exploring the natural world (read this NWF blogpost about “Why Kids Explore Nature Better Than We Do.”) Unfortunately, with today’s children and adults spending nearly 99% of their day indoors, separated from nature and the environment, many individuals with Natural Intelligence may never identify their skills and interests in this area, and this natural curiosity in so many children slowly fades away. According to Gardner, and many other educators and proponents of his theory, individuals demonstrating certain intelligences should be nurtured and encouraged to explore and utilize their talents, fully reaching their potential, and pursuing career and lifestyle choices that are fulfilling and do not stifle their creativity and intelligence. With today’s busy schedules and increasingly urban lifestyles, families’ outdoor recreation time is reduced and children’s Naturalist Intelligence may not be discovered or developed. However, it is quite simple to determine if your child displays a Naturalist Intelligence, and there are many ways you can encourage them to realize and nurture these traits.

Does your child:

• Enjoy being outside or participating in activities such as camping, fishing or hiking?
• Enjoy reading books or watching programs about nature or animals?
• Notice patterns, interconnections or subtle differences easily?
• Enjoy collecting and sorting objects?
• Observe and remember events, phenomena and objects from his/her environment?
• Have keen senses?
• Keep written records, drawings, scrapbooks or photos?
• Show awareness and concern for plants, animals or the environment?
• Easily learn categorizations, characteristics, data and names for animate and inanimate objects?

You might have a budding naturalist on your hands! If so, there are plenty of ways you can facilitate activities and experiences that will nurture their Naturalist Intelligence. 

Here are some ideas:

• Send your kids outside - with no agenda! Unstructured outdoor play is an increasing rarity in most kids’ lives, but this is when they are best able to explore, collect, observe, climb, dig, splash, imagine and fully interact with nature.
• Go for a family hike or campout. Here are tips and info on how to be prepared and have fun when hiking and camping with kids. You can also canoe, climb, kayak, fish, bike, birdwatch… or try these fun activities with Nature Passport.
• Garden together. From a community plot to a backyard garden-bed to an urban windowbox, planting seeds and watching them sprout and grow is a great way for kids to really connect with the lifecycles of nature. They will have fun selecting plants, watering and cultivating, and best of all, tasting and cooking – they might even eat their vegetables! Here are some tips and resources for gardening with kids.
• Start nature journals. From a simple notebook or sketchbook to a fieldguide or a Nature Passport, you can help your kids observe and record the world around them in whatever fashion they prefer. You can also tap into other intelligences, encouraging them to write, draw, discuss, map, label, measure, or collect specimens.
• Bring the nature indoors. While getting kids outside is always best, you can also infuse nature into rainy days, reading time and roadtrips. Set up nature story-time or check out nature-themed books from the library, watch nature shows and movies, play with nature-based technology, do nature-themed craft projects, cook meals with natural ingredients, do nature puzzles, play nature games, decorate bedrooms with nature art or posters, and play with plant and animal toys.
• Start a family nature club! Meet others with similar ages, interests or geography, and find information and ideas for nature activities and outings. Combine resources to learn about events and programs, get motivated, make friends, carpool, meet up, and have fun.
• Sign your family up for classes, programs and summer camps at nearby nature centers, parks, gardens or museums. (To learn about local opportunities, check out Nature Net’s Events Calendar, learn about Nature Net member sites, visit the Statewide Directory, or follow Nature Net on Facebook!)
• Many other activity ideas here, here and here!

(PS – even if the Naturalist Intelligence isn’t prominent in your child, there are plenty of other reasons to get kids outside and interacting with nature, from physical and emotional health benefits, increased physical activity and decreased obesity, an improved sense of well-being, community benefits, improved behavior and learning, increased creativity and a sense of wonder. You can also find great connections between other intelligences and the natural world. Be creative!)

Most of all, have fun! Encourage curiosity and creativity, nurture inquiry, and don’t worry about a little mud here and there. Not only will your kids benefit from a cultivated Naturalist Intelligence, but they will have a deeper connection and empathy for the world around them – and lots of great memories too!

Nature Passport



Romp with Ringo this summer!

Summer 2011 Nature Passports are here! One of Nature Net's most popular programs, Nature Passport is a free educational nature "scavenger hunt" for children and parents, taking families to a variety of nature centers, parks and museums in the Dane County area.

Nature Passport is a free, fun program designed for busy families. The Passport activities can be completed at your liesure, in any order, at any time between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It is also available in Spanish! (¡Pasaporte a la Naturaleza está disponible en español!) Hereare some other perks of Nature Passport:

For Kids...
Each child receives a special Nature Passport full of activity ideas and fun facts, and containing pages to draw and write about their amazing journeys at various Nature Passport sites! This year's theme, Romp with Ringo, also includes a "Movin' Mission" to encourage healthy, physically-active kids.

For Parents...
Look at the online Parent's Guide for fun facts and explanations to help spark your kids' imagination and answer those big questions like: How do we see color? Don't forget to sign up for Nature Net's FREE Nature Net News, find us on Facebook and visit our blog to stay up-to-date on area nature events and activities!

Getting your FREE Nature Passport is Easy!
1. Pick one up at any participating Nature Net site.
2. Request online.
3. Download one here and print it out double-sided.

Visit http://www.naturenet.com/naturepassport.html for more information. Happy Passporting!

Nature Net News - May 2011 - Crazy About Cranes

Nature Net News
Your source for tips & tricks for exploring nature with kids
   
Dear Reader,

"The crane is wildness incarnate."
Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Have you ever seen a crane flying overhead? Even with its long legs trailing behind, the crane manages to look graceful and make flying look utterly effortless.

These beautiful creatures are seen as symbols of wisdom in China, good fortune and happy marriage in Japan and longevity in both. The Greek god Apollo was said to use the form of a crane when he visited the mortal world, and in Europe, cranes were associated with vigilance and loyalty.

These classic beauties make their home and travel through our region. So what are you waiting for? Come, learn, and marvel at Wisconsin's cranes in this issue of Nature Net News!

Enjoy!

Kathe, Sarah & Brenna
The Folks at Nature Net

Did you know.....
Sandhill crane chicks usually hatch in early May.

In order to stop the extinction of whooping cranes, people dress up as whooping cranes and teach orphaned chicks how to fend for themselves.

There are 15 species of cranes around the world, but there is no evidence of cranes ever existing in South America.

The oldest crane in captivity lived to be 83 years old!

Learn more crane facts here and here!

What To Do This Month:

Visit the International Crane Foundation!

See the crane family at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center!

Make paper cranes using instructions from the International Crane Foundation (ICF).

Attend the Family Nature Club Kickoff Potluck this weekend! Connect with your family and the great outdoors at Nature Net’s Madison Family Nature Club Free Kickoff Event this Saturday, May 7, from 4-6:30pm at the Glenwood Children's Park (602 Glenwood Street, Madison, 53711). RSVP today!

Tricks of the Trail for Parents:

Crane Boogie
Cranes are known for their unique dances, which they use for courtship, social skills, exercise, and just plain fun. Their dances are filled with jumps, leaps, head spins, wing flaps and twirls. Read this ICF crane behavior guide, view some crane photos, and head outside and make up your own family crane dances!

Instant Outdoor Expert:

Crane Utensils
Cranes have wickedly sharp-looking beaks. This is because cranes are omnivorous. Their diet consists of plant seeds and tubers combined with critters that skitter and squirm out of grasp, including fish, snakes, amphibians, and insects. The crane uses its long neck to quickly thrust its beak and capture critters - sometimes spearing dinner on their beak. Sandhill cranes also use their beaks to probe the ground for small insects and grubs.

Featured Nature Net Site

The International Crane Foundation The International Crane Foundation (ICF) commits to a future where all crane species are secure - a future where people cooperate to protect and restore wild populations and their ecosystems. These efforts sustain the places where cranes live, to the benefit of countless other species.

ICF differs from most nature centers and conservation facilities in that its activities single out a very specific subject - cranes - rather than treating the natural history and general ecology of a region. But the focus on cranes is not limiting; instead it provides ICF an opportunity to address a series of issues not tied to a particular place: endangered species management, wetland ecology, habitat restoration, and the critical need for international cooperation.

Visit ICF between 9am-5pm every day between April 15 - October 31 . Visit indoor and outdoor exhibits, view different crane species from around the world, learn about conservation efforts and explore the grounds. Check out this interactive map before you go!

Learn About Other Nature Net Sites

Nature Craft

Crane Mobile

What you need: folded paper cranes of various colors and sizes (instructions here), thin string, approx 7 ft. of colored yarn, large needle, 2 dowels/sticks/pencils, beads (optional). See illustrated instructions here!

1. Tie yarn around one of the dowels and form a cross with the other.

2. Wrap string around the sticks going clockwise, looping the string twice around every stick. When you have made a sturdy cross, tie off yarn and trim extra.

3. Thread needle with thin string.

4. String your cranes by sticking the needle through the puffy part of their bodies. You can thread several on top of each other or just string them singularly. You can also tie beads at the end or between your cranes. See here for bead techniques.

5. Tie strung cranes to hang from your dowel cross. Double- or triple-knot them.

6. Double-knot 1 ft. of string on one side of the horizontal part of the cross. Then double knot the end on the other side of the cross so that you have a loop.

7. Trim off any extra string or yarn and hang your crane mobile!

Nature Craft Archives

Suggested Reading:
"The Crane Wife" by Odds Bodkin (all ages)
"The Paper Crane" by Molly Bang (4-6)
"Counting Cranes" by Mary Beth Owens (4-6)
"Saving the Whooping Crane" by Susan E. Goodman (4-8)
"Eno"Enora and the Black Crane" by Arone Raymond Meeks (4-8)
"Lord of the Cranes" by Kristen Chen (4-8)
"Song for the Whooping Crane" by Eileen Spinelli (4-8)
"Grandfather's Dream" by Holly Keller (4-8)
"The Princess Who Danced with Cranes" by Annette LeBox (4-10)
"Brolga, the Dancing Girl" by Ainslie Roberts (6+)
"The Crane Maiden" by Miyoko Matsutani (6-10)
"The Crane Girl" by Charles and Veronika Martenova (6-10)
"Sandhill Cranes" by Lynn M. Stone (6-10)
"The Crane's Gift" by Coralyn Bradshaw (7-14)
"Arap Sang and the Cranes" by Humphry Harman (8-12)
"The Whooping Crane" by Bonnie Graves (9-12)
"Crane Crossing" by Mark Dubowski (9-12)
"Whooping Crane" by Rod Theodorou (9-12)
"Cranes and Storks" by Steven Otfinoski (9-12)
"Jane on a Crane" by Jane Dava (9-12)

Find family events on the Nature Net Calendar of Events
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Nature Net News Flash Spring 2011

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See original newsletter at www.naturenet.com/NatureNetNews/Nature_Net_News_Flash_0411.htm 

Happy Earth Day from Nature Net!

Dear Parents,

Swing into spring with some fun outdoor activities for the whole family!

Earth Day Bouquet is going on now! In celebration of Earth Day, National Environmental Education Week, and the spring season, Nature Net's "Earth Day Bouquet of Events" offers your family a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, get involved in your local and natural community, and become motivated to make a difference in the health and sustainability of the environment. From self-guided hikes to vacation mini-camps to fun family festivals, there is something for everyone. Check the schedule of free and low-cost family events going on now!

Looking for more? Take a scientific look at Earth Day 2011 with the Forest Products Laboratory on April 22 (9am-2pm) and check out the bonus Earth Day event at Bethel Horizons Nature Center on April 30 (9am-5pm). Participate in the MacKenzie Environmental Education Center's Spring Clean-Up Day (Saturday, April 30, 9am-2pm) to join in a variety of fun outdoor tasks and help out a local Nature Net site!

Family Nature Clubs

Coming soon! Nature Net's Family Nature Clubs make it easier for your family to get outdoors and learn together! Through Nature Net's online community, you will meet others and find resources and ideas for nature activities. Sign up to gain access to the tools you need to network with other local families, organize fun natural outings, visit Nature Net sites, and learn about local events throughout South Central Wisconsin.

Celebrate the launch of the Family Nature Clubs at the Earth Day Bouquet Open House at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center Leopold Nature Center on Thursday, April 21 (3-5pm) to participate in free outdoor family activities and to learn about Nature Net’s new Family Nature Clubs. Or, visit http://www.naturenet.com/ in the coming weeks to sign up and explore Nature Net’s expanded online community.

Get Your Kids Outside!

Looking for a great way for your kids to spend the summer outdoors and learn more about nature? Check out Nature Net's Summer Camp webpage with links to local nature-based summer camps. Have fun and stay cool!

Coming soon! Nature Passport is a free, at-your-leisure program geared toward family learning and discovery at nature centers and museums throughout the area. Available in late spring online, at libraries and at participating Nature Net sites, Nature Passport leads young explorers on adventures in the wild. Follow Ringo Raccoon to learn about exciting facts and sights of nature. This year's theme, "Romp with Ringo," includes a Movin' Mission to get your family active outdoors together.

Backyard Game of the Year! Kids 6-12 are encouraged to use their imaginations and reconnect with outdoor playtime - right in their own backyards. Enter your original game at CLIF Kid for a chance to win - and be sure to share your backyard ideas and photos with Nature Net!



Busy Weekend for Earth Day Bouquet!

Nature Net's Earth Day Bouquet is in full swing this weekend! Bring your friends and families to these great events:

Saturday, April 16
International Crane Foundation
Annual Midwest Crane Count 5:30-7:30am
Help ICF monitor the Eastern population of Greater Sandhill Cranes as they return to their breeding grounds in the Midwest. You might even be lucky enough to spot a member of the reintroduced flock of endangered Whooping Cranes!

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Isthmus Green Day 9am-5pm
Get geared up for a full day of family fun with ALNC at the 4th Annual Isthmus Green Day eco-celebration at the Monona Terrace! Includes eco-expert presentations, entertainment and sustainable children’s activities.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Garden Silks: Making Silk Scarves with Botanical Dyes 9-11am
Create beautifully dyed silk scarves using common garden plants and grocery store finds such as blueberries and tea leaves with Shelley Ryan, host of Public Television’s Wisconsin Gardener. Grades 6+. % $

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Great Eggspectations 9:30-11:30am; 1:30-3:30pm
Hear the legend of the rabbit and adorn your own spring basket using materials from the land. Hike to search for basket trimmings and dye eggs naturally. % $

Madison Children's Museum
Family Farm Day 11am-3pm
Gather your family and friends to see, taste, and experience what Wisconsin's agriculture has to offer. This hands-on event is sure to make you moo with delight!

Sunday, April 17
Henry Vilas Zoo
Conservation Celebrations 9:30am-5pm
Gear up for Earth Day with the Zoo! Hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, displays and give-aways will teach your family about alternative energy, tree planting and the environment.

UW Geology Museum
Open House 12-4pm
Learn about glaciers and the last Ice Age at the UW Geology Museum. This fun family event includes activities for the kids and special museum hours.

UW Arboretum
Wildflower Walk 1-2:30pm
Join this afternoon walk along the trails of Gallistel Woods to look for early spring wildflowers, such as bloodroot, toothwort and spring beauty.

Earth Day Bouquet - April 10-23

Earth Day Bouquet starts this weekend! Check out these great events - you are sure to find the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day with your family over the coming weeks. Don't forget to tell us how it went on the Nature Net Facebook page - photos welcome!

Earth Day Bouquet Schedule of Events
Events take place at Nature Net sites between April 10-23 - with a bonus event on April 30! Registration, fees and details vary. Click each link for details.

% indicates registration is required. $ indicates a fee.

Sunday, April 10
Dane County Parks
Visit!
Come out and enjoy the trails in the parks and grounds. Visit the Lussier Family Heritage Center from dawn to dusk and see your local ecosystems in action.

UW Arboretum
All About Frogs 12:30-3:30pm
Learn why frogs sing in the spring and other fascinating facts about their lifestyle. Participate in an outdoor family frog walk in addition to indoor family activities.

Monday, April 11
Madison Children's Museum
Rooftop Scientists 11-11:30am
Come up to the Rooftop Ramble for a fun introduction to hands-on sky-high science! Topics include weather, astronomy, botany, biology, and alternative energy.

Tuesday, April 12
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Celebrate Spring with Flowers! 10-11am
Play and learn with your youngster in this fun, hands-on series focused on the seasonal change, focused around spring flowers. Ages 2-4 with adult. % $

Madison Children's Museum
Rooftop Farmers 3-3:30pm
Help with the daily chores of taking care of a rooftop farm in the sky. Feed the animals and water the plants, harvest vegetables, plant a seed, prepare and taste homegrown food, and do nature crafts.

Aldo Leopold Foundation
Self-Guided Tours 10am-3pm
Take a peek at the country's first LEED-platinum facility, tour the Leopold family shack and learn about Aldo Leopold and his environmental work. Wander the grounds to see sprouting wildflowers and spring wildlife.

Wednesday, April 13
MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
Hike and Explore on Your Own
Learn about the environment and be inspired to take care of it! Museum and wildlife exhibits are open 8am-4pm; trails are open dawn until dusk.

Community GroundWorks
Explore Troy Gardens
Wander through the prairie and the woodland, around the organic farm and community gardens. Don't forget to stop at the Kids' Garden before you leave to meet the chickens! Visit from sunrise to sunset.

Thursday, April 14
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Hike and Learn!
Come hike the Leopold Family Trail, learn about Aldo Leopold with a hands-on exhibit, or check out the Family Trailside Backpack for loads of outdoor fun! Visit anytime between 9am-4pm.

UW Arboretum
Wander the Trails
View many distinct ecological communities, several horticultural collections, effigy mounds, historic artifacts, a Visitor Center and more than 20 miles of trail system. Visitor Center is open weekdays from 9:30am–4pm, and trails from dawn to dusk.
Friday, April 15
UW Geology Museum
Take a Self-Guided Tour
Appreciate the Earth by learning what goes on deep inside our planet. Take a peek into Wisconsin’s geological history by touching rocks from long ago, standing in a glowing cave, and looking up into the tusks of mastodon. Museum hours are 8:30am-4:30pm.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Garden Exploration
Visit and view the outdoor gardens just starting to sprout. If sprouts aren't your thing, admission to the tropical Bolz Conservatory is free from 10am-12pm.

Saturday, April 16
International Crane Foundation
Annual Midwest Crane Count 5:30-7:30am
Help ICF monitor the Eastern population of Greater Sandhill Cranes as they return to their breeding grounds in the Midwest. You might even be lucky enough to spot a member of the reintroduced flock of endangered Whooping Cranes!

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Isthmus Green Day 9am-5pm
Get geared up for a full day of family fun with ALNC at the 4th Annual Isthmus Green Day eco-celebration at the Monona Terrace! Includes eco-expert presentations, entertainment and sustainable children’s activities.

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Garden Silks: Making Silk Scarves with Botanical Dyes 9-11am
Create beautifully dyed silk scarves using common garden plants and grocery store finds such as blueberries and tea leaves with Shelley Ryan, host of Public Television’s Wisconsin Gardener. Grades 6+. % $

Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Great Eggspectations 9:30-11:30am; 1:30-3:30pm
Hear the legend of the rabbit and adorn your own spring basket using materials from the land. Hike to search for basket trimmings and dye eggs naturally. % $

Madison Children's Museum
Family Farm Day 11am-3pm
Gather your family and friends to see, taste, and experience what Wisconsin's agriculture has to offer. This hands-on event is sure to make you moo with delight!

Sunday, April 17
Henry Vilas Zoo
Conservation Celebrations 9:30am-5pm
Gear up for Earth Day with the Zoo! Hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, displays and give-aways will teach your family about alternative energy, tree planting and the environment.

UW Geology Museum
Open House 12-4pm
Learn about glaciers and the last Ice Age at the UW Geology Museum. This fun family event includes activities for the kids and special museum hours.

UW Arboretum
Wildflower Walk 1-2:30pm
Join this afternoon walk along the trails of Gallistel Woods to look for early spring wildflowers, such as bloodroot, toothwort and spring beauty.

Monday, April 18
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Slime and Scales Mini-Camp 9am-4pm
Become a herpetologist for the day in this “ribbiting” investigation! Visit the pond and marsh to listen closely for croaks, chirps, trills and whistles and learn how to identify and search for all things slippery or slithery. % $

Cherokee Marsh
Hike the Marsh
Discover spring and hike the marsh at your leisure. Look and listen for wetland wildlife emerging for spring. Open from dawn to dusk.

Tuesday, April 19
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Which Came First? Mini-Camp 9am-4pm
Learn all about eggs and animals that lay them. Make birds’ nests using natural materials and dye an egg to mimic those made by wild critters. Search for returning birds, look at feathers and wings and practice bird calls. % $

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Celebrate Spring with Birds! 10-11am
Play and learn with your youngster in this fun, hands-on series focused on the seasonal change and celebrates spring birds. Ages 2-4 with adult. % $

Wednesday, April 20
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Communities Mini-Camp 9am-4pm
Celebrate Earth Week by exploring all the ecosystems at ALNC! March through the marsh, frolic in the forest, plant seeds in the prairie, splash through the pond, and learn about all the habitats both humans and animals call home. % $

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Nature Printing with Herbs, Fruits, and Flowers 10-11:30am
Create your own unique and beautiful botanical cards, stationary, and wrapping paper with art printing using herbs, fruits, and flowers. Grades 3-5. % $

Thursday, April 21
Aldo Leopold Nature Center
Pioneer Days Mini-Camp 9am-4pm
Turn off the TV and join in some old-fashioned fun! Spend the day playing pioneer games and learn how pioneers lived off the land through fun and exciting explorations. % $

Olbrich Botanical Gardens
A Rainforest in Your Living Room 10-11:30am
Make the rainforest come alive by learning about tropical rainforests, and then creating your own rainforest diorama. Bring a shoebox-size box. Grades 3-5. % $

UW Geology Museum
Story Time 10:30am
Museum story time is geared toward preschool-aged children and features a book, museum specimens and a craft to take home.

Nature Net
Earth Day Open House 3-5pm
Visit the Aldo Leopold Nature Center to see a sneak peak of the new building, learn about Nature Net’s new Family Nature Clubs, and explore the grounds and trails. Fun for all ages!

Madison Children's Museum
Green Building Tour 5-6pm
Take a free building tour that points out Madison Children’s Museum’s sustainable features, along with salvaged and repurposed materials. Tour is geared towards adults but welcomes all ages. %

Friday, April 22
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
Botanical Dyes 10-11:30am
Instead of coloring your eggs with a kit from the store, why not come to Olbrich and learn how to use natural plant dyes to color eggs? Bring 6 hard-boiled eggs. Grades 3-5. % $

Saturday, April 23
Madison Children's Museum
Earth Day Celebration 10am-12pm
Celebrate the Earth! Hands-on family activities will demonstrate principles of renewable energy, energy conservation, water conservation and recycling. Visit the Art Studio to make an Aztec sun calendar.

Madison Parks
Earth Day Challenge!
Madison Parks are challenging volunteers to make this day a citywide clean-up! Pick a park and get your friends and neighbors together to clean up your community. After a long winter, this is a perfect time to get outside and help your neighborhood park by weeding, mulching, maintenance or litter pick-up. %

BONUS EVENT: Saturday, April 30
Bethel Horizons Nature Center
Earth Day Celebration 9am-5pm
Enjoy beautiful wildflowers, a magnificent view and an abundance of migrating birds through a variety of environmental activities, demonstrations and speakers emphasizing the beauty and importance of nature.

Program fees and registration vary. For information, registration details and more on all these events, click each link.

Let us know what you think! Post comments and photos of your Earth Day Bouquet Experiences on Nature Net's Facebook page. And don’t forget to check out all the Nature Net sites for programs and special events throughout the year at naturenet.com!http://www.naturenet.com/earthweek.html

Visit a Park this Friday!

Did you know April 8 is National Visit a Park Day? We are lucky to have many great parks in the area of which you can take advantage. The City of Madison Parks Division Conservation Section has 14 different and unique conservation parks, which are excellent for hiking, observing native plants and animals, and searching for signs of spring! Dane County Parks Division includes a range of recreational urban and rural areas and facilities for you to use. Because they strive to go above and beyond the requirements mandated by the American Disabilities Act, each of these beautiful parks are accessible to all. Find something for everyone! For example, the Lussier Family Heritage Center includes a beautiful facility surrounded by numerous recreational opportunities including a boat launch, picnic facilities, campgrounds, hiking trails, and playground equipment. So, this week and weekend, gather your family and friends and be sure to visit our great local parks!

April Nature Net News - Clean Green Renewable Energy

Nature Net News
Your source for tips and tricks for exploring nature with your kids
View original newsletter here.

"The sunshine that strikes American roads each year contains more energy than all the fossil fuels used by the entire world."
Denis Hayes, Earth Day Co-Founder

Dear Reader,

As Nature Net members focus on all things green in April, this issue of Nature Net News will highlight clean, green, renewable energy. Learn about energy's past, present and future, and the overlap between energy and nature.

Enjoy!

Kathe, Brenna & Sarah
The Folks at Nature Net

Did You Know.....
Green energy sources, such as solar power, hydropower and wind power are not only renewable, but they are also low- or non-polluting. Their supplies are essentially infinite (at least during the lifespan of Earth and its Sun), and they emit very little carbon or pollution as they harness and produce energy. Along with these benefits, the positive or negative environmental consequences related to their production and structural impacts must also be considered. For example, dams may disrupt fish migration but may also create wildlife habitat. Wind turbines might affect bird migration and flight paths, and solar panels require resource extraction to produce. Yet the overall benefits of these natural energy sources make them options for those concerned with safe, clean and renewable energy.

What to Do This Month:
Many Nature Net sites harness green energy on-site, such as the solar panels on the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, the alternative energy demonstrations on the Madison Children's Museum's Rooftop Ramble, and solar panels at the Henry Vilas Zoo. Also be sure to check out Nature Net's Earth Day Bouquet for a listing of events and programs going on this month in celebration of spring, Earth Day and National Environmental Education Week. Visit these sites and others, and keep an eye out for signs of green energy in use around the community.

Tricks of the Trail for Parents:
Energy in the Air
Seasonal changes are a great time to observe the energy flowing in nature. Be sure to head outside and take note on the sunny or windy days of spring! Wind is produced when warmer air displaces cooler air, bringing with it energy from the Sun. You can also feel this energy when you sit outside on a sunny day - the warmth on your skin is thermal energy from the Sun. Modern wind and solar power technologies capture the Sun's energy and use it to produce electricity.

Instant Outdoor Expert:
Green Power in the Past
You probably hear of green energy technology advances just about everyday. What will the brilliant scientists of this generation think of next?

Yet capturing the energy found in nature isn't exactly a new idea. Humans have been using energy from sunlight for millennia, to warm their homes, grow their food, heat their water, and light their days. From sailing, to clothes drying, to natural air conditioners, humans have also been using wind power for thousands of years. Windmills have been used for pumping water and milling grain since the 7th Century C.E. And the first electricity-producing windmill was actually created in the 1890s! Hydropower has also been used for transportation and milling, and humans have nearly always found ways to keep warm with the heat from inside the Earth (geothermal energy). Green energy holds a lot of potential for our future, but its fundamentals have been around forever - something to think about while you appreciate the warm sunlight and cool breezes this season!

Featured Nature Net Site

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center is currently finishing up an extensive green building expansion project, with the goal of enhancing its environmental education facility and programming to combine the best of 'high-touch' nature education with 'high-tech' media. The renovations include upgrades and additions to the facility's green features, such as photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal radiant heating and high-efficiency systems and equipment. In addition, renewable energy and green technology will be highlighted through interactive computer games and hands-on energy education exhibits. With support from community partners such as Madison Gas and Electric, the facility and program offerings represent a new approach for guiding understanding of the complex interactions behind energy, climate and life on Earth. Stay tuned for special events and its Grand Opening this fall!

Learn About Other Nature Net sites

Nature Craft
Celebrate the Sun and the Wind!
What you need: sheet of yellow foam (or sturdy paper), stapler, glitter glue, yarn, hole punch, paper streamers.

1. Draw a Sun shape on the foam and cut it out.

2. Decorate your Sun with glitter glue, markers or anything else you prefer.

3. When glue is dry, staple streamers to the bottom half of your Sun.

4. Punch a hole in the top of the Sun and put your yarn through it as a hanger.

5. Hang your art so it can sparkle in the sunlight and will be certain to catch a good breeze!

(Nature Craft from The Idea Box)
Nature Craft Archives

Join Nature Net Online!

Stay up-to-date with Nature Net's blog and Facebook page for regular tips and updates from Nature Net and our members. And coming soon - family nature clubs online! As always, visit naturenet.com to access the same great resources you love.

Suggested Reading:
"New Energy Sources (Saving Our World)" by Nigel Hawkes (4-8)
"Why Should I Save Energy?" by Jen Green (4-8)
"Saving Energy (Help Our Environment)" by Charlotte Guillain (4-8)
"Our Earth: Saving Energy" by Peggy Hock (4-8)
"Catch the Wind" by Anne Johnson, Ashley Reichow, Robyn Johnson, Tom Wacker (4-8)
"What in the World is Green Energy?" by Oona Gaarder-Juntti (4-8)
"A HOT Planet Needs Cool Kids" by Julie Hall (4-8)
"How to Harness Solar Power for Your Home" by Stephanie Bearce (9-12)
"Rads, Ergs, and Cheeseburgers" by Bill Yanda (9-12)
"Using Alternative Energies" by Courtney Farrell (9-12)

Earth Day Bouquet

Nature Net has just posted this year's Earth Day Bouquet - a listing of family events at Nature Net sites in celebration of Earth Day 2011.

If you are looking for something to do with your family during the weeks around Earth Day, Nature Net's "Earth Day Bouquet of Events" offers a variety of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, get involved in your local and natural community, and become motivated to make a difference in the health and sustainability of the environment.

From park clean-ups and hikes, to Earth Day festivals and vacation day camps and programs, there is sure to be an event suited for your family. Check the schedule for the free and low-cost events that interest you, and mark your calendar for a Bouquet of things to do, explore and learn about this Earth Day season. Events take place at Nature Net sites during the weeks of April 10-23 - with a bonus event on April 30! Registration, fees and details vary. Click each link for details and check back for updates!

Celebrate Aldo Leopold This Week!

Nature Net members are hosting several events this week in celebration of Wisconsin's premier conservationist, Aldo Leopold. 

Green Fire
Those of you anxiously awaiting the release of the Aldo Leopold Foundation's Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time will be excited to learn about screenings at two Madison locations this week. The film, which has been premiering around the country and the world for the past month, is making its way to the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on Friday, March 4 and the Barrymore Theater on Sunday, March 6!



First Madison Show
DATE: Friday, March 4, 2011
TIME: 7pm, with a reception following the film
LOCATION: Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center
ADDRESS: 1300 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin
TICKETS: Available through Brown Paper Tickets, $8 advance/$10 at the door
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.greenfiremovie.com/

Second Madison Show
DATE: Sunday, March 6, 2011
TIME: 7pm, with a reception following the film
LOCATION: Barrymore Theatre
ADDRESS: 2090 Atwood Ave, Madison, Wisconsin
TICKETS: Available through Barrymore Theatre, $8 advance/$10 at the door
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.greenfiremovie.com/

Green Fire is the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about the legendary environmentalist, Aldo Leopold. Through beautiful imagery, visits to important places in Leopold's life (including Baraboo and Madison!), quotes from his writings, and interviews with his family and colleagues, Green Fire highlights the extraordinary career and life of Aldo Leopold. Learn more about the film and watch a trailer here.

 

Leopold Discovery Day

If you are looking for something to do with the little ones, bring the whole family to Leopold Discovery Day at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery on Saturday. Hosted by the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, hands-on activities, games and scavenger hunts throughout the impressive Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery Town Center will highlight some of Aldo's favorite pasttimes, such as tree identification, fishing, phenology and more.

• A search for birds in the Town Center Atrium trees.
• An animal track identification hunt through the Mesozoic Garden.
• A reading by author Nancy Nye Hunt of her new children's book, Aldo Leopold's Shack: Nina's Story.
• A screening of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's Learning from the Land video.

The program runs from 10am - noon at the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery and is FREE for all ages. See you there!