Welcome Aboard: Annoucing Four New Board Members

We are honored to welcome Karen Dixon, Barbara McFarland, Bill Schwartz and Bob Von Holdt as new Board Members. Board Chair Dorothy Wahner shares: “We are very lucky as an organization to attract such talented high caliber volunteers who will bring new leadership and fresh perspectives to the Center.” Each individual provides diverse perspectives and experiences from their professional work and community participation that will serve our mission – to naturally enrich and inspire lives through meaningful connections with nature.

Karen Dixon served the Janesville School District for 39 years as a Speech Pathologist and is the current Chair of the Manitowish Waters (MW) Lakes Association Board, a post she’s held since 2007. She also serves as a member for the MW Economic Development Association and MW Alliance Board.  Karen and her husband of 46 years have owned a home on the Manitowish Lake chain since 2001 and have a son living in Madison. Her many interests include AIS prevention, nature conservation, biking, hiking, boating and kayaking. Karen is an active volunteer with the Discovery Center’s Aquatic Invasive Species Program.

Barbara McFarland has a background in Art and is a professional painter. Her works have been recognized in National Expositions, and are represented by galleries in the Midwest and the Caribbean. She grew up in the area, and is a third generation resident and business owner in Manitowish Waters. Barbara and her husband John have two sons who also live in the community and one daughter in the State of Washington.  Barbara was a founder of the Manito-Art League; which is celebrating its 50^th year, and she is active with the Northwoods Art Tour. Other community involvement includes membership in the MW Economic Development Board and the Ministry Hospital Fundraising Committee.  Barbara has been active with the Discovery Center from the beginning and enjoys outdoor activities at the campus.

Bill Schwartz has a diverse background, most recently as a successful business owner and entrepreneur based in Milwaukee. His award-winning business sold collectible coin packages to banks and credit unions. He enjoys helping small businesses and organizations, and takes pride in being results-oriented. Bill first visited the Northwoods with his parents in the 1950’s, and continued with a lifetime of hunting and fishing in the area. Bill and his wife Mary live in Manitowish Waters and have five children and six grandchildren.  Other community involvement includes being past President of The Turtle Lakes Chain Association, a position he held for five years. 

 

 

 

Bob Von Holdt is a Certified Financial Planner, serving the Stevens Point community for 28 years and now is based in the Minocqua and Manitowish Waters area. He is a Lake Tomahawk resident since 2003 and has two daughters  that live nearby in St. Germain and also in Indianapolis. He enjoys boating, cycling and snowshoeing, and was past Chairman of the Green Circle Board, which developed a 26 mile trail system to connect green spaces in Stevens Point. Bob is a member of the Manitowish Waters and Minocqua Chambers of Commerce. Other community involvement includes participation with the North Lakeland Education Foundation, service as a board member for Tomahawk Lake, and past officer for the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin. He has been a Discovery Center member for several years and supports the Center’s mission of stewardship and environmental education.

WinMan Windigo 5K/10K Snowshoe Stomp!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new event: the WinMan Windigo 5K/10K Snowshoe Stomp. The event will be on Sunday February 16 at 1pm, on the 1200 acre silent sports WinMan Trail system. This is a new multi-recreational silent sports trail system we are helping to develop and maintain for year-round use & enjoyment. 

The WinMan Trails are an ideal trail system for a snowshoe race. According to WinMan Trails Coordinator Robert Polic, they work well due to the 8 to 14 foot wide, groomed trails. He notes the trails “have a firm smooth surface with good width for passing.  There’s also enough mileage to support a 10K race without having to repeat sections of trail.”  In addition, the site offers beautiful views and plenty of nature to explore. The land features interesting terrain, and a rich and varied ecological diversity. Wildlife sightings this year have included rarities such as badger and moose.  And on race day, keep your eyes out for the elusive “Windigo”!

The race is for those wanting to push their times and compete as well as for the less competitive racers. Custom-made awards will go to the fastest three women and men in the 5K & 10K races. To bring in added fun, we are including an optional Windigo Fur Hunters class where participants seek out Windigos along the course attempting to snatch locks of their fur. In addition, there will be a non-competitive kids race, a big vat of fire-roasted chili, beer and hot cocoa, and Windigo stories around the fire. 

So, just what is a windigo?!  Legends of the Algonquian peoples of the Great Lakes region describe them as half-beast creatures that can possess humans and that feast on innocent villagers. Imagine an aggressive Sasquatch that loves to eat humans... and that gets especially hungry in the lean months of our long Wisconsin winters!

Don't wait to register! Visit WinManTrails.com or call (877) 543-2085. Advance registration by 2/11 ensures a complimentary WinMan Windigo fleece headband. Participants ages 13 and up are $25; and youth in the kids race participate for free. The WinMan Trails are located 3.5 miles north of the Discovery Center, at the intersections of Highways W and J in Winchester, WI.

Photos credited to Azael Meza.

Bats Active in Winter?

Bats Active in Winter?

Licia Johnson, Naturalist

We’ve had a few calls in December from folks seeing bats flying around their houses. One was at the local library, one was caught in a mouse trap in the basement of a Stevens Point home, and one was sleeping behind a curtain in my living room!  Shouldn’t the bats be gone, either hibernating in caves or migrating? 

I too was curious about these sightings and I’ve since found some information you might find interesting. One bat species -- Big Browns (Eptesicus fuscus) -- have adapted to living year-round in buildings in the northern half of the United States and Canada and occasionally awake (as do many bats to drink or urinate). If you live in this region and find an active bat in your home or yard during winter, it is almost likely a Big Brown bat. Unlike most other North American cave-dwelling bats, Big Browns can survive temperatures well below freezing (many others need temps between 32-49degrees), and are therefore able to hibernate in cold attics and wall spaces. Check out this ARTICLE by Merlin Tuttle from Bat Conservation International for more information on bat hibernation & migration. 

The photos here are from a ‘Bats of Wisconsin' program hosted at the Mercer Public Library as part of the Brown Bag lecture series.  This bat (the one I found in my home) was taken to Wild Instincts Rehabilitation Center in Rhinelander to be put into hibernation the next day.  If you are interested in bats or in becoming a part of our Acoustic Bat Monitoring crew, check out our winter/spring guide or visit our event calendar online for programs and trainings this spring! 

Photos by Teresa Schmidt, Mercer Public Library

Seeking Young Conservation Leaders and Educators for Summer Internship Opportunities

We have three internship positions open this summer including: Environmental Education , Outdoor Recreation and Interpretation , and Water Monitoring/Outreach.  Details can be found HERE. 

Here are a few past quotes and photos to give you a little glimpse into what to expect during your time and experience with the Discovery Center:



LEARNING "It [internship] met my expectations and so much more.
GREAT learning with new projects and experiences every week!"



CAMARADERIE "Everyone was way too nice here...
fun people to be around and work with."

HOUSING "I really appreciated the on-site housing...
cabin was great and the left-over free food in the Lodge was an added bonus!"

OVERALL "I'd do it again in a heartbeat!"