On Thursday, October 29, 12:30pm CT, join Brenna Marsicek for a presentation focused on “Lights Out Wisconsin: advocating for birds, fireflies, and northern lights” in the Virtual Firefly Symposium hosted by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. This presentation will share insights on how we can leverage existing platforms to advance conservation of other species in need.

Think spring as we learn about easy steps to support birds and native bees in our natural spaces. Spring blooms for bees also provide food for birds. Bee and pollinator gardens provide a good start with perennial native plants. Build up your habitat and expand the birds you see (including some colorful favorites) by adding native trees and shrubs to feed and shelter birds. Double your fun by investing in a more natural habitat for all!

Photo by Jennifer Lazewski

Wildfire activity is intensifying globally, exposing people and wildlife to more frequent and intense smoke pollution. Here in Wisconsin, wildfire smoke from megafires burning in the boreal forest has contributed to hazardous air quality conditions in the spring and summer. Birds are likely to be especially vulnerable to increased smoke disturbance due to their sensitive respiratory systems. In this talk, Dr. Sanderfoot will share what we know so far about how smoke impacts avian physiology, behavior, and reproductive success and highlight opportunities for you to get involved in critical research on this urgent conservation topic.

Photo by Tom Magliery FCC

This presentation and gathering are designed for individuals who lead nature-related field trips and outings, regardless of topic! There will be two presenters, one with general tips and tricks for leading great hikes, and one with information about building accessibility into your field trips from the get-go.

Free to attend, with in person and online viewing options.

Photo by Kaitlin Svabek/Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides in North America; they are applied to our crops, nursery plants, and lawns in vast amounts. These chemicals are uniquely problematic for birds; they are coated onto seeds, leached into waterways, and drifted into habitats. We will explore the chemistry behind neonics that makes them so harmful, the ways they are used in modern life, the various ways they impact birds, and learn how to reduce our dependence on them.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

From 2021-2022, nine GPS transmitters were attached to wintering Rough-legged Hawks in Wisconsin, including two sponsored by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance (learn about them here: https://swibirds.org/fff/tag/rough-legged+hawk). Many of these transmitters are still functioning and have provided multiple years of full annual cycle movements. Come learn about the year-round movements of Rough-legged Hawks wintering in the great state of Wisconsin, and how these nine birds fit into the broader Rough-legged Hawk Project that has tracked nearly 200 hawks throughout North America.

Photo by Phil Brown

This online presentation is specially geared toward Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Bird City Wisconsin municipalities, Audubon chapters, nature centers staff, and bird club members. Our goal is to increase the number of people knowledgeable about the bird-window collision problem and its solutions, so you can share this information with your communities.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek / SoWBA

In this free, online presentation by Kathi and Michael Rock and Brenna Marsicek, you will learn about Ruby-throated Hummingbird natural history and how to attract them into your yards and gardens. Then, you will learn about the expansive problem of and solutions to bird-window collisions, which kills up to 1 billion birds every year in the United States, and which hummingbirds are particularly susceptible to.

Photo by Monica Hall

Up to a billion birds die every year in the US after hitting windows, and almost half of those happen at homes. The good news is that there are easy and affordable solutions! During this presentation Brenna Marsicek will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.

This event is hosted by Wild Ones of Joe Daviess County (IL).

Photo by Linda Crubaugh

Citizen science is an incredible way to get to know the natural world in a different, intimate way. As a special thank you to our many citizen science volunteers, we are hosting a free, special event held on Zoom that hopefully inspires you to document your observations in a new way: through art!

You're invited to celebrate our 2023 Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame Inductees through a series of free virtual Induction Ceremonies hosted by the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame! The ceremony to celebrate the induction of Mark Martin and Susan Foote-Martin, resident managers of Madison Audubon’s Goose Pond Sanctuary since 1979, will be Tuesday, April 25, 6:00pm via Zoom.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

This event is postponed until July. You can be part of the movement to make birding and nature more accessible to everybody! In our workshop, we’ll go over the Birdability checklist together, work on a practice site review, and talk about tips and tricks so you’ll be prepared to complete an accessibility assessment on your own. 

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

Goose Pond Sanctuary staff and Madison Audubon volunteers will present a program to the Friends of Pope Farm Conservancy, Madison Audubon members, and the public regarding their involvement in raptor research and citizen science projects. Join us in-person at Pope Farm Elementary School or online via Zoom to learn about these amazing birds of prey. See additional program topics and speaker bios below.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Birding is an activity that can bring so much joy and empowerment to everybody, but not everybody is able to go birding easily. Birdability is a brand new non-profit, based in the U.S. but with a global reach. Through education, outreach and advocacy, the organization works to ensure the birding community and the outdoors are welcoming, inclusive, safe and accessible for everybody and every body!

Cover image by Wayne Jeansonne.

Have you ever wondered about the mushrooms you see popping up on logs in the forest? Join us for an evening of fungi appreciation with PhD student and mushroom enthusiast Nora Dunkirk as she discusses the role of fungi in our splendid world!

Photo by Nora Dunkirk

Join us in welcoming author and researcher Scott Weidensaul, who takes us around the globe—from the mudflats of the Yellow Sea in China to the remote mountains of northeastern India to the dusty hills of southern Cyprus—to learn how people are fighting to save the world's great bird migrations.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Join in for an evening webinar about how to save birds from colliding with windows in cities and rural areas. This event is coordinated by students in Adena Rissman’s (UW-Madison’s Forest and Wildlife Ecology) graduate seminar.

Close to one billion birds are killed each year in the United States when they collide with windows in our homes and offices. Yet the solutions are surprisingly simple. Join our community member and expert panel to learn more about the easy-to-install window films, innovative technology, and new city building policies that can save birds in your backyard and community.

Lead exposure is a serious problem for birds. Just a tiny particle of lead, if consumed, is enough to be lethal to a bird even as large as a Bald Eagle. Some of Wisconsin’s most beloved birds, including Bald Eagles, Common Loons, Trumpeter and Tundra Swans, and American Woodcock all face heightened risk for lead poisoning. Learn from Sean Strom, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Toxicologist, about what the WDNR has learned about lead levels in various bird species over the past many years, as well as what the causes and solutions are.

Photo by Pat Ready

Through the tremendous power of on-the-ground volunteers, the Bald Eagle Nest Watch program has gathered important information about the health, productivity, and nesting success of approximately 100 Bald Eagle nests in Wisconsin in 2021. Join in for this ONLINE presentation to learn more about what these volunteers look for, and some highlights of the nesting season!

Conservancy Day presentation with the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Photo by Gail Smith

What do healthy ecosystems sound like? Angela Waupochick, a PhD student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, discusses launching a bioacoustics project in vulnerable Black Ash forest-wetlands and shares long-term goals for restoration, protection, and management.

Photo courtesy of Angela Waupochick

It's time to get out your nature journals! Explore smell, taste, and color with Milcah as we journal about our favorite fruits. Bring a piece of fruit and nature journaling supplies if you have them. This event will be a second session of our nature journaling event a few weeks ago— this gives you another opportunity to share and reflect with Milcah live via comments. This event is geared towards kids in grades 2-6, but all ages are welcome!

Artwork by Kate Rutter

Join Milcah in learning about bird calls! We'll talk about why birds call and sing, how a songbird's vocal organs differ from ours, and close with some backyard bird call ID. All ages are welcome!

Photo by John Benson FCC

Come nature journal with Carolyn and Milcah! We'll explore smell, taste, and color in our nature journals. Bring one or two pieces of fruit to draw along with your favorite art supplies. We'll be using store bought and garden-grown strawberries, but you can bring whatever you like. We’ll be making great comparisons like in the nature journal page by Kate Rutter shown below.

Registration not required; held online.

Photo by Brenna Marsicek

The weather may be colder and the days may be darker, but the birds are just as rewarding as ever. Whether you're birding from the comfort of your car as you search for a snowy owl, or whether you're bundled up and wandering through pines as you listen for red-breasted nuthatches, winter has something to offer.

Photo by Monica Hall

With smartphones in hand and virtual schools, friendships, and experiences, Generations Y, Z, and Alpha face intense barriers from exploring birding and nature in person. However, the sustainability of conservation relies on an empowered and impassioned younger generation.