MEET GRAHAM STEINHAUER!
Goose Pond Sanctuary Land Steward since May 2018
Graham at Polychrome Mountain in Denali National Park (photo by Calla Norris).
During a Wisconsin Waterfowl Hunter's conference, I mentioned Goose Pond to my cousin at the lunch table. "What do you know about Goose Pond?" asked a voice from across the table. I later found out that this was Mark Martin, and I was hired as the Goose Pond 2017 intern. After graduating from UW-Stevens Point with a major in Ecosystem Restoration and lesser degrees in soils and wetland science, I continued my work at Goose Pond Sanctuary as the land steward. I'm particularly interested in any kind of non-motorized water activity, maps, gardening, and things in nature that I can't explain.
WHY DID YOU WANT TO JOIN THE TEAM AT Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance?
Ecosystem restoration is a complex puzzle with all of my favorite pieces. In my role, I have the opportunity to keep learning more about soil, plants, wildlife, climate, and ecological drivers while also working to conserve and restore one of the most diverse and overexploited habitats in the state, the tallgrass prairie.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BIRD?
Today my favorite bird is the Common Goldeneye. If you ask tomorrow it could be a Green Heron, Black and White Warbler, Short-eared Owl, or somebody else.
Lower Wisconsin Riverway (photo by Kaitlin Svabek).
NAME YOUR TOP THREE FAVORITE OUTDOOR PLACES.
Three of my favorite outdoor places in Wisconsin are the bays of northern Door County, Cherokee Marsh, and the Lower Wisconsin Riverway.
SHARE SOMETHING COOL YOU'VE LEARNED SINCE JOINING THE TEAM.
The amount I've learned while working in this role cannot be overstated! Salamanders overwinter in badger and ground squirrel holes. Marsh wrens build one nest that contains eggs and many dummy nests nearby. Kestrel chicks are adorable.
Cover image: A Common Goldeneye sits in calm water (photo via Pixabay).
