2010 Programs and Locations

Riveredge Speaks Out is a monthly lecture series that covers a wide range of topics including natural history, science, public policy and the environment. The programs are for the curious of any age and are open to the public. The presenters give lectures that will both educate and entertain. Click Here to download a copy of the latest Riveredge Speaks Out Flyer!

See below for a complete listing of topics, speakers, and program locations.

September 2010

Wednesday, September 8, 7pm (at the Washington County PAC)

"How to Manage Large Scale Grassland Burns" with Marty Johnson

Marty Johnson, a Wildlife Biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, covers Kenosha, Racine and the Southern ½ of Milwaukee Counties. He serves as a burn boss leading controlled burns on properties such as Richard Bong Recreation Area (Important Bird Area) and the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area. He is also a member of the Wisconsin DNR Prescribed Burn Team, a team that is helping to restructure the prescribed burn program in the state. For two summers during his college days he worked for the US Forest Service in California and worked on a few hand crews fighting forest fires.

Controlled burns are an essential management tool for maintaining our remaining fire-dependent natural areas. In Controlled burns: What happens before the match is lit? Marty will describe the nuts and bolts of conducting a controlled burn. As the world keeps changing, many of our wild areas are being encroached upon by development making burning more complicated. As a result many aspects of a burn must be planned and considered before the match can be lit. Topics to be covered: What goes into setting up a controlled burn (e.g., burn plan, firebreaks, etc.)? What is considered when planning a burn- biologically, socially, and environmentally? How is the actual burn carried out?

Tuesday, September 21, 7pm (at the Cedarburg Cultural Center)

"Climate Change and Global Warming" with Norm Lasca

Norm Lasca, Professor Emeritus of Geosciences at UWM, will discuss the natural causes of climate change, the evidence that humans are exacerbating that change today and the implications of current global warming to our modern lifestyle.

October 2010

Wednesday, October 13, 7pm (at the Washington County PAC)

Special Film Presentation: Ghost Bird

The Riveredge Bird Club is pleased to presentthe movie Ghost Bird. This film tells the timely story of the Ivory-billed woodpecker's miraculous rediscovery in 2005. The bird’s resurrection was heralded around the world as proof that conservation efforts on behalf of threatened species were making the critical difference between life and death. While the fate of Ivory-bills remains uncertain, there is no question the vital role local conservation efforts play in reversing the planet's extinction crisis. The film Ghost Bird provides a forum for elevating the conversation about endangered species, and formation of a new generation of motivated volunteers inspired to take action.

Tuesday, October 19, 7pm (at the Cedarburg Cultural Center)

"Who Am I This Time?" with Andrew Hipp, Morton Arboretum

Dr. Andrew Hipp, Plant Systematist and Herbarium Curator at The Morton Arboretum,will present a lecture titled: Hill’s oak and its relatives: Where do they come from, and why do they stick around? Oaks are a highly significant component of North American forests, where they dominate the woody plant diversity and biomass. In this programAndrew will present his research into how oak species come into existence and persist over time, focusing on a Great Lakes endemic species, Hill’s oak (Quercus ellipsoidalis). The talk will cover various aspects of the natural history, beauty, and misbehaviors of these important trees.

November 2010

Wednesday, November 10, 7pm (at the Washington County PAC)

Proactive Strategies in the Management of the Emerald Ash Borer and Other Invasive Species

Marc White, Director of Research, Stewardship and Adult Education at Riveredge,will present a lecture titled: Proactive Strategies in the Management of Emerald Ash Borer and other Invasive Species. Accidentally introduced from East Asia in 2001, Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has been spreading rapidly across North America. Wisconsin’s first known EAB infestation was discovered on the border of Ozaukee and Washington counties in the summer of 2008, less than ¼ mile from Riveredge Nature Center. In this program Marc will describe the research projects and forest management practices that are being implemented at Riveredge to address the devastating impacts of EAB and other invasive species that threaten the ecological health of Southeastern Wisconsin.

Tuesday, November 16, 7pm (at the Cedarburg Cultural Center)

Nature's Second Chance: Restoring the Ecology of Stone Prairie Farm - Steven Apfelbaum

Steve Apfelbaum, founder and senior ecologist of Applied Ecological Services, will present a lecture titled: Nature’s Second Chance: Restoring the Ecology of Stone Prairie Farm. In this program Steve will share the story of the restoration of his 80 acre farm in Juda WI. He will offer unique insights into the biological world, the processes of ecological recovery, and how humans might play a starring role in healing a planet by implementing a land ethic, one farm, lot, or brownfield at a time.

December 2010

January 2011

February 2011

March 2011

April 2011

May 2011

June 2011

July 2011

August 2011

Locations:

Riveredge Nature Center

4458 W Hawthorne Dr. (Cty Hwy Y)

Newburg, WI 53060

Ph: 262-375-2715/800-287-8098

Web: www.riveredge.us

Email: riveredge@riveredge.us

Click Here for Directions to Riveredge Nature Center

Cedarburg Cultural Center

Directions to the Cedarburg Cultural Center

W62 N546 Washington Avenue, Cedarburg, WI

Ph: (262) 375-3676

(Ample parking available in the lot in back of the building)

From I-43 take Exit 89 for Cedarburg/Highway C (Pioneer Road). Drive west on Hwy C 3.3 miles to a stop light, and turn right (north) onto Washington Avenue. Take Washington north 1 mile and turn right (east) onto Mill Street (just south of the Center) and then take a quick left into the Cultural Center parking lot.

From “5 Corners” (Highway 60 & County NN), drive south on County NN (Washington Avenue) 2.2 miles into Cedarburg and turn left on Mill Street. Mill Street is one block south of the second stop light and just south of the Cultural Center on the east side of Washington Avenue. On Mill Street take a quick left into the Cultural Center parking lot.

Washington Cty Public Agency Center

333 E. Washington St. Rm 1113

West Bend, WI

(SE corner of Hwy 33 and Indiana Avenue)