Ledge Passport Stamping Dates: Assistance Needed
Fond du Lac County Audubon's Passport to the Niagara Escarpment Program is underway, and your help is needed. We have distributed around 2000 brochures, about 1000 passports, and flyers to FDL area schools. This response is greater than expected, and we anticipate a hearty turn out at our stamping events. Volunteers are needed to set up / pack up the stamping station and materials, stamp passports, award patches and certificates, lead hikes or direct children to trails, talk to children about the ledge, and direct parking and traffic. An information sheet about the Niagara Escarpment is included in the stamping kits, and each of the facilitators will have materials at the site about 20 minutes before the stamping starts. Just bring along a lawn chair and a big smile to greet the children. Contact Kathleen Stetter (920-872-2250 or Stetter@Centurytel.net ) if you are available to help.
Ledge Stamping Dates and number of people needed:
May 16, 12-2 pm, Hobbs Woods; Facilitator: Margie Winter; full
May 23, 2-4:30 pm, Breakneck Hill, Facilitator: Diana Beck; one more person needed
May 23, 1-3:30 pm, Hobbs Woods, Facilitator: Amy Haak; full
June 12, 9:30 am-noon, Breakneck Hill, Facilitator: Diana Beck; one more person needed
June 20, guided hikes start at 11 am & 12:30 pm, Belle Reynolds School, Facilitator: Liz Roy
4-5 hike guides needed. Liz will tell you what to say.
August 1, 11 am-3 pm, Izaak Walton, Facilitator: Liz Roy
2 more people needed
August 8, guided hikes start at 11 am & 12:30 pm, Belle Reynolds School, Facilitator: Liz Roy
4-5 hike guides needed. Liz will tell you what to say.
September 18, 1-3:30, Hobbs Woods, Facilitator: Amy Haak full
September 26, 10 am-1 pm., Hobbs Woods, Facilitator: Margie Winter
3 people needed
October 9, 9 am-noon, Kiekhaefer Park; Facilitator: Earl & Carol Jewett
2 people needed
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The loss of 11 oil workers may be just the beginning of this tragedy as millions of gallons of oil head for land, putting birds, wildlife and the coastal environment in grave danger.
Audubon Mobilizing to HelpAudubon staff across the country are marshalling resources and personnel to respond to the looming disaster. Audubon Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi staff and chapters are working to prepare for impacts to birds, wildlife and important habitat as the spill makes its way toward land.
Audubon is coordinating volunteer efforts and you can help! From cleaning oiled birds to counting birds to picking up trash on beaches before the oil hits - there are many things that you can do to help. If you areinterested in volunteering, please sign up here . We will be back in touch soon with more details.
While every hand is needed and welcome, it's vital that volunteers offer their help throughcoordinated efforts like this so that the greatest good can be focused where it is needed the most. Please avoid going to affected areas or handling wildlife until you are part of coordinated responses. Even well-intentioned people can inadvertently interfere with important recovery efforts. Other sensitive areas with nesting birds that may not be impacted by the spill will not welcome random volunteers, however good the intention.
Audubon has our people on the ground and is working with state and federal agencies leading the response - we can help find the best volunteer job for you.
| The tragic oil platform explosion off Louisiana's Gulf Coast is rapidly becoming an environmental disaster. |
If you have not already submitted comments on the Interior Department plan to expand offshore oil and gas drilling, now is the time. A long-term energy strategy should focus on clean, job-producing, renewable technologies, not expanded drilling off our sensitive coasts.
Firewood Notice: Due to the potential of carrying harmful emerald ash borers [exit DNR], firewood from out of state or from more than 50 miles away is not allowed on Wisconsin State Park or Forest properties. A change to this law is expected to be in force by May 2010, reducing the distance to 25 miles. Also, firewood that has been in the Wisconsin emerald ash borer quarantined area [PDF 102KB] is not allowed on properties outside of the quarantined area. Please buy firewood at or near the park or forest where you are going. Call the DNR toll-free Firewood Hotline, (877) 303-WOOD ((877) 303-9663) for information before packing for a trip.
Volunteer opportunities
Trail maintenance
Kiekhaefer Park
Volunteer Work Days
May 8, Saturday 8:30-10:30
Trail maintenance
Control invasive species - honeysuckle
Erosion control
Bluebird house cleaning
Volunteers are encouraged to sign up. Send email to webmaster@kiekhaeferpark.org
We are asking all park users to volunteer 2 hours each year to help maintain the park.
More information: Contact Earl Jewett at 923-2604 or webmaster@fdlaudubon.org.
Save Shaganappi from Garlic Mustard
The invasive garlic mustard has been found, and if efforts are not made to contain it, then it will slowly take over. Audubon needs your help on these dates: Saturday, May 15; Wednesday, May 19; Saturday, May 22; and Thursday, May 27. Meet at 9:30 am at the Park ’n Ride at the northeast corner of Fond du Lac. The parking lot is located near the intersection of the 151 bypass and WH or Winnebago Drive. We will carpool to Shaganappi, just off Velvet Beach Rd. near the county line. We will spend two hours pulling and making piles for the county crews to haul away. We should be back to the Park ’n Ride by 12:30 pm. Wear gardening clothes and shoes, and bring a pair of garden gloves. A kneeling pad can be helpful as well. No experience is necessary.
Save Egg Shells for the Birds
Broken egg shell pieces help female birds obtain calcium. Acid rain causes calcium in the soil to be less available to plants and this has a ripple effect through the food chain. Sterilize and dry the shells in the oven at 250 degrees or hotter for 10-20 minutes. Then break them into small pieces using a rolling pin or a mortar and pestle. Mix them with bird seed. We can help birds especially during the breeding season.
PEEBLES
TRAIL BUCKTHORN REMOVAL VOLUNTEER
PROJECT
SPONSORED BY FOND DU LAC COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY
Help Needed to Remove Buckthorn on
Peebles Trail
Many
citizens enjoy hiking, biking and skiing on the
Peebles Trail located in the northeastern area of the
city and township. Unfortunately this natural corridor
is becoming choked with buckthorn. In an effort to
remove this invasive species, the Fond du Lac County
Audubon Society is sponsoring a number of volunteer
work sessions in late October and November.
This is the best time of the year to remove and
eradicate the plant.
Buckthorn was brought to this country from
Germany in the 19th century. The small tree/shrub
makes a good hedge and the berries have a laxative
effect. Over the years, the berries have been spread by
the birds and now buckthorn can be found all over
our city and county. The problem comes from a lack
of natural controls such as insects that might eat it,
and results in thick infestations that crowd out native
species.
All those interested in helping should meet at
the Peebles Trail bridge just east of Prairie Road.
Depending on what kind of work you would like to
do, please bring work gloves, kneeling pad, dandelion
fork, hand saw, chain saw, or loppers. There are small
trees to pull out by hand, others that can be levered
out roots and all, branches and brush that need to be
cut, and larger trees that need to be chain sawed and
herbicide applied. Some equipment will be available
as well as herbicide.
An effort was made to offer a variety of times.
Work
Sessions
To Be
Determined
Please
lend us a hand at any or
all of these sessions. If you are
late, head east down the trail to
find the work party.
POSSIBLE TASK CHOICES
1. Chain saw or hand saw
larger buckthorn trees.
2. Use loppers for clearing and breaking down brush.
3. Levering out small trees using the extractagator.
4. Hand pulling baby trees. ( A kneeling pad and dandelion
fork are handy)
5. Treating larger stumps with herbicide or covering with
tin cans.
POSSIBLE ITEMS TO BRING FOR PREFERRED
TASK:
Work gloves, kneeling pad, dandelion
fork, hand saw, chain saw, loppers, and tin cans. Herbicide
and the extractagator will be supplied.
THANKS FOR HELPING TO IMPROVE THE PEEBLES
TRAIL HABITAT!
Kiekhaefer
Park
Wanted:
Continuing prairie management volunteers for Kiekhaefer
Park prairie
more information -
Earl Jewett, Town of Taycheedah Parks and Recreation
923-2604
Kiekhaefer
Park trail maintenance
Contact: Earl Jewett if you would like to assist with trail
maintenance, controlling invasive species, or prairie
management.
more
information -
Earl Jewett, Town of Taycheedah Parks and Recreation
923-2604
webmaster@fdlaudubon.org
Passport
to the Ledge
The
Wisconsin State Legislature proclaimed 2010 as
“Year of the Niagara Escarpment.” Consistent with
this year-long celebration, Fond du Lac County
Audubon is sponsoring a “Passport to the Ledge”
program for area children. The Niagara Escarpment,
commonly called “the Ledge,” is a unique and
important resource that is intermittently exposed in
Wisconsin from Mayville to Rock Island in Door
County. Although high ground projects prominently
above the city of Fond du Lac, many residents, especially
children, are unaware of the geologic, ecologic,
historic, and recreational resources contained in this
natural feature. One purpose of our “Passport to the
Ledge” program is to disseminate Ledge information
more widely, and thereby instill an appreciation for
the value of this distinctive land form.
In addition to promoting Ledge appreciation,
the Passport program will provide an opportunity
and reward for children’s greater connection with
nature and outdoor activities. Such recreation is
considered important for children’s emotional and
physical health. The Passport program will encourage
visitation to a variety of sites along the Ledge, and
hopefully families will return for continued enjoyment
of these areas.
Early in 2010, passports and informational flyers
will be distributed to children through youth
organizations and public venues. Eight or nine
locations will be selected as visitation sites, and a
stamp will be placed in the passport at these sites on
designated days. Audubon members will be needed
to stamp passports, identify birds, wildflowers, and
natural features at these sites on at least two days per
site. Children completing a designated number of
these visits will receive a patch, and those who
complete at least one will receive a participation
certificate. Details of the program are still in the
planning stages and, of course, are subject to funding.
The committee (Kathleen and Dave Stetter, Earl and
Carol Jewett, Amy Haak and Jim Prosser) welcomes
suggestions and assistance.
An
Easier and Greener Fall Cleanup
Keep
nutrients in the soil. Mulch grass clippings back
into the lawn as you mow. Leaves can be left on garden
beds to form a natural mulch and enrich the soil
as they decompose. Fallen leaves can remain on the
lawn provided that they are chopped into small pieces
with a mulching mower. Thatch buildup does not
occur where the soil has healthy micro and macroorganisms.
If there are too many leaves, some could be
composted with grass clippings.
Leave an area in your yard for leaf litter. Many birds
that are ground feeders hunt through leaf litter for
insects. Brush piles create winter habitat for small
animals and insects. Lay down a layer of loosely
stacked and angled branches and then cover with
plant stalks and leaves. Leave as many standing plant
stalks as possible for winter habitat and food for birds.
Conserve
Water with Rain Barrels
Use Mother
Nature’s resources by collecting rain
water. Why let water go down the sewer drain,
when you can use it for the plants in your yard!
Rain barrels will be available for pick-up at the
Audubon Bird Seed Sale or at Ken’s house.
To order, contact Ken Fisher: 921-0366 or email
kjfish@sbcglobal.net.
Basic Rain Barrel with valve $30
Deluxe Rain Barrel with valve and overflow $38
Delivery in city $5
Delivery out of city $10
Volunteering
for the Gottfried Arboretum
For
more information about volunteering, contact Erika Jensen
by phone at 920-324-5329 or by e-mail at
erikajen@sbcglobal.net.
Benefits
of Volunteering
The benefits of volunteering are numerous. Your hard work
means that the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum will
continue to be a wonderful place for area residents to
recreate and learn. The Arboretum is a great place to share
your talents and skills with the local community.
Volunteer
Positions
Currently, the Arboretum is seeking volunteers for the
following positions:
Arboretum
Committee
The Arboretum Committee oversees the activities and
maintenance of the Gottfried Arboretum. People with good
ideas, plenty of energy, and connections to the Fond du Lac
community are encouraged to apply.
Grounds
Maintenance
Maintaining the prairie and formal arboretum is one of the
most important volunteer jobs. Volunteers can help in one
or more of the following areas:
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•
Invasive Weed Control
• Brush Cutting • Prairie Burn |
•
Trash Clean up
• Monitor Bird Nesting Boxes |
Prairie Fest Volunteers
Prairie Fest is an event in late July that celebrates our native plants heritage at the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum. A run/walk event, performers, demonstrations and walks are a part of the event. We need volunteers to help with:
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•
Set up/Clean up
• Staff Tables • Run/Walk Coordinator |
•
Publicity
• Prairie Fest Committee Member |
Office Assistant
Assistance is occasionally needed with office work for the Arboretum. Data entry, mailings, copying, and poster design are some of the possible tasks.
Outreach Volunteers
The Gottfried Prairei and Arboretum would like to improve its visibility in the Fond du Lac area. We seek skilled volunteers for the following tasks:
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•
PowerPoint presentations
• Events Photographer • Class Teacher/Prairie Walks |
Volunteers
help to rid the prairie of alien weed
species.