Tyke Hike #15 -Waterville/Marlin Johnson Prairie

A well-deserved new name for the prairie

Barn group picture

Just under 30 hikers, including one dog, one cat, and our youngest Tyke Hiker yet (5 weeks old) enjoyed a prairie walk at the newly named Marlin Johnson prairie. Led by the aforementioned Marlin Johnson, we all learned about the history of the nearly 100-acre field station, enjoyed a "field guide come to life" as Marlin showed us a multitude of interesting native prairie plants, and even visited a barn and composting outhouse.

Ready to hike

Investigating Big Bluestem, or the Turkeyfoot plant

It's always a pleasure to visit Marlin. He is a wealth of knowledge and so accommodating to learners of all ages. He is also extremely generous. I am fortunate enough to be one of the recipients of his generosity. Besides being a great resource for information, he donated a tarp to my school so that we can begin restoring the land I am using for our forest kindergarten. After our hike today, I ended up going to my school and getting that section ready for the initial steps of restoring it.

Native Wisconsin prairie - coming 2017-18

We ended today's hike with a few wonderful stories provided by Emi Weiss of the Delafield Public Library and the grand finale. It isn't a prairie walk unless you actually walk through the prairie. With grasses towering over the tykes, it was a sight to see and hopefully a memory the attending families will cherish for years to come.

Prairie walk!

Today, we were also graced by the presence of one of my best friends, Joshua Mayer, who is a man on a  mission to visit all of Wisconsin's State Natural Areas. He said today he had recently passed the 500 mark. This is impressive for anyone, but with a lovely 4 year old daughter and a new 8 week old bundle of joy, he is certainly a busy man. It is great to see the love and appreciation of nature he is instilling in his young family.

After our Tyke Hike ended, my family joined Josh and his kids and Kevin Kuhlmann, a fellow volunteer, on a second round of hiking. We visited a variety of wonderful areas of interest on the land including the famous Halloween tree and a part of the prairie planted by kids form my Saunters class earlier this year. The girls even treated us to a game of "nature baseball" using their walking sticks and some fallen walnuts. We trekked through prairie and forest before stopping at the Wildlife in Need Center. Besides a gorgeous kestrel and some turtles and snakes, we were treated to young gray squirrels getting bottle fed. In fact, I was lucky enough to bottle feed my newest 8-week old friend as I admired the thirsty squirrels.

Nature friends!

Nature baseball

The Halloween Tree - always a favorite photo op

I thought fungi were afraid of heights.

Once again, it was a wonderful day on the trails. With my favorite hiking season of autumn approaching, I look forward to many more outdoor adventures, including our next Tyke Hike on Saturday, October 10th at Lapham Peak.

This area was pretty bare just 3 months earlier when my Saunters class was busy planting.

Timberwolf Trail - Week 2 - 2015-16 Edition

Week Two is in the books. With it already being a short week and Mother Nature showering us with torrential downpours in spurts, finding time to get out was a bit tricky, but we managed to get out on the trail a few times.

This week, rather than just hiking and/or doing a specific math lesson, we started working towards our full forest kindergarten implementation. On two occasions, we took out our growing outdoor supply bin and our notebooks and explored both on and off trail for a nice "sit spot."  Essentially, this place was a location where we could sit, observe, and record in both words and pictures what we saw, heard and possibly even smelled. In the future, we will be returning to these same sit spots and looking at how everything is changing. While only a few children seem settled on their sit spots right now, a couple days of practice certainly didn't hurt them in their journey.

Of course, we also couldn't hep but take a few minutes for some natural play. Talking about and then watching students go off trail and fully immerse themselves in nature was pretty amazing. They loved that some of the grasses and plants out grew them. They were thrilled to find hidden boulders and plants they couldn't see from the trampled path of the trail. We chatted about goldenrod, the predominant plant of the field, while searching for milkweed and coneflowers as well.

I look forward to adding in some new elements next week and seeing where the kids take me on this adventure.

Prairie restoration has begun!

Timberwolf Trail - Week 1 - 2015-16 Edition

In the first of what I hope to be weekly posts, I will provide a brief history on a new and exciting educational opportunity I am proud to lead. Photographs may be missing this time around, but I guarantee the visual representation of this endeavor will be amazing. Before I detail this week, here is a brief and general timeline of how it all came to be.

Spring 2015                

Many hours were spent researching forest kindergartens, forest schools, and nature preschools.

May 2015                    

I approached my school administration about the possibility of starting a  forest kindergarten in at my school. Basically, though still going outside regularly, one day a week would be focused on outdoor learning.

June 2015                   

With the blessing of my administration, I informally proposed my idea to the director of curriculum and director of human resources in my district. After intriguing them with my idea, we met and discussed a potential game plan. This meant a more formalized written proposal, continued research and education on the topic, and a timeline for initial plans.

                                                                    Summer 2015     
       
I researched many online and literary resources on topics like outdoor education, schoolyard greening, and forest kindergartens. I reached out and connected with teachers and experts on these topics throughout the country for ideas, insights, and general feedback on my concept. I visited a well- known nature center in my area, highly-regarded as a leading nature preschool in the Midwest. Based on all this new understanding, I constructed a detailed and research-based proposal and sent it in to my district administration for review. Then, I played the waiting game.

    Late July 2015              

The long wait was worth it. Before the August heat took its toll, my plan was approved. First step: design and build a trail. After initial planing and repeated tours of the land,  brought in a good friend from my local hiking chapter who has a rich history of trailbuilding to get her thoughts. She was impressed with my design and even more excited about the land and the potential it had for my school. Based on this meeting and with the blessing of my district, I took my little lawn mower and built an initial trail.

Early August 2015        

My first attempt at building a trail was completed. It was time on-site meeting with district administration and a local naturalist invited by the director of curriculum. though the e meeting led to a slight re-routing of the trail for unforeseen but valid reasons, the results of this meeting were excellent. The vast potential of the land was confirmed and the information about some of the plants and habitats in the area were important. The land was an example of a diverse oak savanna. Though the towering oaks scattered throughout were my favorites, the hickory and black locusts trees were also prominent. Though much of the grass was for grazing due to this lands earlier usage, the fields were alive with some native and some non- native (but not terrible) invasives. It was time for some more work!

Mid-August 2015      

Based on some brainstorming, the re-route was created. Additionally, some plants and trees were removed to help sustain a more natural and friendly feel for the land. Besides mowing the 0.4 mile long trail, a section in an open  grassy area and under an amazing oak were cleared for large group activities. To help keep the trail matted down and to check for other areas to improve for the soon-to be student users, my daughter and I frequented the trail, though we did make an occasional stop at the adjacent playground as well.

Late August 2015          

Excited for the opportunity to show off this wonderful new resource, I was graciously given some time at out welcome back staff meeting to describe the forest kindergarten process, report the steps described above, and lead a hike on the newly-named Timberwolf Trail so that my fellow colleagues could hopefully be inspired to bring their students into the outdoors. I was stoked as the district mowers that were now responsible for mowing the path had came for the first time that day. It was now a bit wider and more user-friendly. Unfortunately, a tree service was also contracted to come clear out some of the beautiful (and in my opinion, necessary for the habitat) fallen trees. I was bummed that most of these potential natural playgrounds and bird perches were gone, but still brimming received made all the planning, work, and time worthwhile.

September 1-4, 2015    

The adventure begins!  In our first week on the trail, we took daily hikes, started a nature journal, and utilized some of the resources in the land for math lessons and science investigations. Though we are in the "building up" phase of our outdoor time, I am already filled with excitement for what's ahead.

So, on that note, I encourage you to check in regularly so you too may enjoy adventures on the Timberwolf Trail!

The Trail Follows Me Wherever I go

As I prepared for the final weekend before the kindergarten takes over, I looked forward to a weekend full of outdoor adventures in the Wisconsin Dells area. I knew trips to some state parks were in order and I figured I'd make it to some segment of the Ice Age Trail but it seemed like wherever I went, there it was. The trail was following me!

It all started in Baraboo. As we walked into the main entrance, my daughter noticed one of her favorite things: the yellow blaze. She tends to want to bop them every time she sees them. While this made me want to explore the trail further and mark a new segment off the list, we had a circus to see, so my exploration on the trail would have to wait.

With the blaze wetting my palate for a good day of hiking, I couldn't wait to wake up the next day and explore one of my favorite state parks: Devil's Lake. I our family's annual pilgrimage to this holy grail of glaciation, we have explored many of the different trails this amazing place has to offer. However, the adventure on the docket today was a first: the West Bluffs Trail, which happened to coincide with the Ice Age Trail. 

While my hiking experiences on the Appalachian Trail are limited to a half-mile stretch along the Tennessee-North Carolina border in the Smoky Mountains, this segment reminded me of that short trek. Boulders. Rock step after rock step. Escalation to increased elevations. This time it was definitely more of an undertaking as I had the toddler strapped to my back rather than alongside me It was a great workout, and Embry still enjoyed bopping the blazes, sneaking peeks at the lake, and watching many other hikers along the way, including some courageous young men using a vine Tarzan-style through the woods.

After recovering from that hike and the rest of our outdoor adventures as we began the journey home. Once again, the trail followed me. As we took the scenic route home, we drove through Portage. Every time I drive through this quaint little town I am reminded of my 4th grade teaching days and my love of the Fur Trade Era. I think back on portaging, voyageurs, the rendezvous, and all sorts of historical trading tidbits. Today, however, my trip through memory lane was interrupted by a familiar face, or blaze. I was moved to pull over and snap a picture of the Ice Age Trail segment sign the blaze was attached to. Though this segment, or at least part of it, seemed to snake right through the town, I didn't have time to explore. At least not that day.

Now, it is true the trail does weave it's way through Wisconsin so it shouldn't be too surprising I ran into it so many times. without really trying. Though now that I have "fallen" for the trail, it does follow me around. I'm eager to share it with others, experience more of it myself, and get even more engrossed in all that it is and all that it represents. 

The trail does follow me around. . .literally and figuratively.

Doggy and Toddler Approved

Waiting is always the hardest part.

One of my new favorite views

After thoroughly enjoying my first ever day working at the Mobile Skills Crew project at Lapham Peak. I felt rather guilty missing out on the last few days. So guilty in fact that I was compelled to visit there immediately after my first day back at school. Of course, I picked up my dog, Nugget,  and toddler to join me.

They loved it!

Wow. . . .just WOW!

Though I played a minuscule role in the development of the new trail, the pride I felt as I trotted over the 75 foot section I helped build was immense,. I look forward to reliving that fond day every time I take that path.

The section I worked on. :)

While partaking in the project, I learned many new things, including what a rock wall is, why it is needed, and how to make one. However that new knowledge was also battling with many questions, such as where do the rocks we dig up go? What happens to the old trail? How will the new completed trail look?

Old trail

More old trail

Well, the trek answered them all. The upgrade is incredible and gives such a whole new and exquisite experience of an already phenomenal park.

Though the new route doesn't go directly next to one of my favorite trees for Tyke Hikers to enjoy, it is only a short trot away. The new views and twists and turns more than make up for that slight disappointment.

One of my favorite Tyke Hike trees. . .only a short jaunt away

A reminder of why I love that tree

Embry certainly enjoyed the new trail. She transformed into a trailrunner and needed many reminders to slow down, especially around the dips and rock walls. She enjoyed bopping the new blazes (even the ones on posts not yet dug into the ground).

This blaze was too far out of reach to bop

This one wasn't

We were lucky to run into two groups of people. A pair of trailrunners who run the trail "frequently" and a young hiking couple who visits Lapham a  few times a year. Both sets of people had nothing but praise for the new route.

Not sure if these were placed strategically, but I love them and think they should have a name.

Just lovely

Though my experience was limited this time around, seeing the fruits of everyone else's labor motivates me to be an even better volunteer and representative of this beautiful trail and all it represents. Special thanks to all the volunteers who made this a tremendous success with a special shout out to my fellow Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter members. Kudos to you all!

Maybe a young replacement for the aforementioned tree???

Urban Ecology Center - Riverside Park

Embry and I had a chance to enjoy some urban hiking today as we trekked the trails around the Urban Ecology Center near Riverside Park. Before we hit the outside trials, we toured the inside, stopping on more than one occasion at the Native Wildlife room, There, we enjoyed some snakes, turtles, and frogs before heading outside to a fountain area which had a frog and turtle as well.

Normally, I take lots of pictures on our hikes. However, today it was great to just enjoy the land and the company of some other family hikers. We dodged bikers on portions of the Oak Leaf Trail and balanced on narrow trails along the river. There were many beautiful trees and many that had fallen. It was impressive to see the size of some of them. What stories they must have to tell!  Along the way, we saw some urban art graffiti and a crisscross of a variety of trails for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking.

Our journey wrapped up through some beautifully restored prairie. Though some of it was still being covered by the "black tarp of death," the portions that had been restored through tarping and/or controlled burns were brim full of a rainbow of wildflowers.

It's always amazing to find and explore the hidden natural gems of urban areas. What a reprieve from the concrete jungles mentality commonly associated with cities. This was a wonderful day for exploring and we only saw the tip of the iceberg. I think further exploration is needed. :)

Mobile Skills Crew - Lapham Peak

Pulaski. Buckthorn. Grub. Tread. Duff. Macleod.

Twelve hours ago, I didn't know these words very well. Now, I don't think I will ever forget them.

Though being involved with the Waukesha/Milwaukee County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance for about two years, I have mostly used my time to learn about hiking and lead hikes with kids. Maintenance and trailbuilding was something daunting. Something foreign. While it is still pretty foreign, it is no longer daunting.

Today, I volunteered at my first Mobile Skills Crew event and was assigned to Section 14 on the new and improved Lapham Peak Segment reroute.

Luckily for me, I was put in a crew of experienced and skilled trailbuilders who taught me with patience and humor. That being said, the one that taught me most was actually just nine years old. The grandson of my crew leader inspired me with his enthusiasm, his knowledge, and his energy.

Besides being introduced to new tools and new invasive species, I was able to remove stumps, pop up rock after rock, and help create a rock wall. Though sometimes it felt like I was making one hole just to fill another, I now know and understand good dirt as opposed to bad fill.

But what I understand even more now is the dedication and desire that so many good-hearted people have to create and maintain natural experiences for generations to come. I am continually impressed at the passion people I am surrounded by exhibit for the trail.

While I certainly worked hard based on the fact that I am sore in places I didn't know I even had, so many others worked even harder. It is impressive and inspiring and I am excited for more opportunities to help maintain the trail I so thoroughly enjoy.

But above that, I look forward to meeting and learning about the people that make the Ice Age Trail the special place it is.

Before

After

View from new trail

Another view from new trail