Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, with the vital assistance of the Wisconsin DNR and Dane County Parks, held our annual field trip for the 4th graders of Madison's Lincoln Elementary School during the last few days of the school year. I just hope the kids had as much fun and learned as much as the adults lucky enough to accompany them on this trip.
We traveled to Dane County's Falk/Wells Wildlife Area on the Sugar River with three missions: help a prairie, see some cool fish, and have fun. Missions Accomplished.
When the Bird Alliance staff and I arrived, the birds sent us a signal we were in for a grand day. An Osprey flew and hovered over the river a bit before the Red-winged Blackbird drove it away. Really, is there a more fearless creature than a Red-winged Blackbird during the breeding season? I think Ospreys might become the representative bird of Lincoln. Last year one joined us at the field trip on Black Earth Creek.
Osprey in flight. Photo by Arlene Koziol
Dane County planted a prairie on a hill overlooking the Sugar. The prairie is only a couple of years old and is looking good but it could use some more native grasses. The County provided the seed and about 40 4th graders spread two mammoth bags just right. I think with the still damp soil, some patches of fairly bare dirt, the sun and rain in several days, the grasses will do just fine.
Madison’s Lincoln Elementary School fourth graders scatter more native seeds into the prairie at Falk/Wells Wildlife Area. Photo by Mickenzee Okon / SoWBA
WDNR fish and water quality staff were waiting for us on the river. They were going to electroshock and collect fish from the stream. Then they were set to show and discuss the fish with the kids. By the way, electroshocking is the standard technique for the WDNR to survey fish. The fish are stunned, not harmed, and the WDNR crew is incredibly, extremely careful in handling the fish and returning them safely to the water. The students could watch all the proceedings from the river banks.
What a hoot! Fish boiling out of the water, the DNR nets flying, and the kids cheering. The most common fish was the shorthead redhorse, a handsome native fish with a bright red tail. Some brown trout appeared, including a young of the year fish, indicating natural reproduction of wild trout is occurring. Other native species were common. The stars of the show were a baby white sucker, the baby trout, and a big carp. Kids always love carp. The kids love the size and bronze, golden color. It's sort of cool to see carp through their eyes and recognize there's something to love, even in a carp.
Wisconsin DNR staff explain the process and reasons for electrofishing to conduct scientific research. Photo by Mickenzee Okon / SoWBA
Carolyn Byers of SoWBA gave a great explanation of the prairie and the importance of seeding the native grasses. Mitch Trow, Camille Bruhn, Josh Jonet, and Jonah Hoeper found lots of fish and answered lots and lots and lots of great questions.
The kids departed for lunch and ice cream to end the day and pretty much the school year. I think we can conclude a great time was had by all. And a fair amount of learning took place.
The adults always learn from this trip in many ways. We know more about prairies, rivers, and Wisconsin fish (let's be honest here—how many of you have seen or even heard about the shorthead redhorse?). We learn or are reminded how hard and well professionals like Madison public school teachers and aides and WDNR scientists and technicians work. For me the day re-teaches how wonderful the Lincoln School 4th graders are. They come from just about every economic class and ethnicity in Madison. They have a range of abilities, talents, and challenges. They respect and care for one another and their teachers. When it's time to work, they're diligent. They are curious and smart. They are a joy. They're the big reason—not the Osprey, the prairie, the grasses, the water, the fish—this day is the best outdoor day of the year for me.
They deserve my most sincere thanks.
As do all the folks who make this day possible. So, to Lars Higdon of Dane County Parks, Carolyn, Mickenzee Okon, Becky Abel, and Liz Pelton of SoWBA, Camille, Mitch, Josh, and Jonah of the WDNR, and to Josie Guiney (who has to be one of the best 4th grade teachers in the history of the world) of Lincoln Elementary School, thank you for a most wonderful day.
Take care,
Topf Wells, advocacy committee
