Events

Gottfried prairie is a hidden gem: a successful 50-acre prairie restoration adjacent to the UWO-Fond du Lac campus. Most of the species originated from the last remaining prairie remnants around Fond du Lac County. This workshop is for landowners who wish to collect prairie wildflower and grass seed for planting on their own property. Bring small paper bags, small snips, light gloves,
and a sharpie marker. A limited number of supplies will be available. This is a free event sponsored by Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum and Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter and led by Margie Winter and Shannon Davis-Foust. 

Plan on helping eradicate the ever-present buckthorn and honeysuckle from the WILD Center grounds. October is the prime time to tackle buckthorn since it is the last to lose its leaves before winter. Coffee and snacks will be provided by the FVA chapter, so please let us know if you have a couple hours to help that day. Bring your gloves and favorite buckthornbusting tools. The WILD Center also has a few hand tools.

Instructor: Emma Neuman 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, Oct 21, 9am-4pm (1 hour lunch on your own) 

Location: Heckrodt Wetland Reserve 

Elective (6 hours) 

Description: Introduction to terrestrial invasive species, including what they are, how they affect the environment, how they are spread, and understanding WI NR 40 rule. We would then learn common invasive species of Wisconsin followed by a hike around Heckrodt to see a handful of invasive species as well as see if students can point some out. Then a combination of inside and outside learning to understand most of the control methods that are possible and which is best for different situations. Returning to the classroom to go over what making a plan would look like. Finally, going outside to do some service learning and work on whatever seasonal species is available.

Instructor: Randy Powers 

Format: In person 

Date/Time: Saturday, November 11, 9am-12pm 

Location: UW Oshkosh 

Elective (3 hours) 

Learn which wildflowers in Wisconsin co-evolved with the Ruby-throated and other hummingbirds by accommodating their feeding behavior. Learn about who some of the hummingbirds’ most unusual predators are and migratory challenges that these small birds face. We will discuss how to develop your yard so that visiting hummingbirds will nest here while raising their young.

If you’ve ever eaten a vegetable, fruit, or nut, you can thank a pollinator. While we most associate pollination with bees, we mustn’t forget the unsung heroes like butterflies, moths, birds, bats, wasps and beetles. Naturalist Jessica Miller from Mosquito Hill Nature Center will teach us about pollination and why habitat protection is crucial. Jessica is an active member of the Wisconsin Monarch Collaborative, focused on increasing native milkweed and nectar plants to offset the drastic decline of monarchs and other native pollinators. 

Instructor: Frank Kirschling 

Date/Time: Saturday, December 2, 2023 9am-2:30pm (1/2 hour lunch) 

Location Ledgeview Nature Center 

Elective (5 hours) 

Description: This course will cover the identification of most native tree species found throughout Wisconsin. We will discuss different forest types in Wisconsin with their representative tree, shrub and herbaceous species. Basic forestry concepts will be covered and will include restoration ideas for different forest types in Wisconsin. Weather permitting, this course will include field activities.