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Sign of good times at the Wehr Nature Center**Staff WriterMILWAUKEE — You’d never believe it as you walk alog the carefully maintained trails at the Wehr Nature Center, but about 150 years ago it wasn’t exactly a place to visit if you were looking for a little peace surrounded by beauty. In fact, it was a good place to go to get your block knocked off.Back then the popular nature center was the site of astock trading center, a monthly event that drew not only livestock dealers, but gamblers, thieves and nere-do-wells out to make a quick buck.“...there were cases of excess drinking...habitual drunken-ness...saloon brawls...and picnic fights, resulting in bodily injuries of both minor and serious character,” an early physician of the area once wrote.But with the help of one of Milwaukee’s most famous socialists and nature lovers,Charles Whitnall, the infamous farmlands eventually given a rebirthing. The resultis a 200 acre flora and fauna wonderland unique in Wisconsin.Well written trail guides make a self-guided hike an easy way to both enjoy the scenery and learn about what you’re looking at. The landscape is lush with such Prairie flowers as greyheaded coneflowers, purple monarda, prairie dock, purple cone-flower, rigid goldenrod, showy sunflower, Queen Ann’s Lace and other wildflowers. You might even see a Prairie deer mouse, a cottontail rabbit, a ring-necked pheasant or a red fox if you’re lucky.There’s no picnicking on the grounds, but simply being there is a delicious treat.The beauty of the Nature Center, with its incredibly diverse plant population and breathtaking landscape is reason enough to get in your car and drive the 45 minutes from Kenosha. But many people areunaware of the full slate of activities sponsored by the Wehr staff throughout the year.For example, a Young Naturalists group for teenagers. Young people from 12 to 18who are interested in nature and the environment organized last January and workedon several volunteer projects to benefit the Nature Center while learning about the glories of outdoor life. (For more information call 414-425-8550 and ask for Bev for a schedule of fall meetings.)Following are other activities scheduled through September:Aug. 28: Savannah Folktales, told by Wisconsin Native American, African and people of other ethnic origins, from 10 a.m.-noon. $3.50 adult, $2.50 6017.Aug. 30: Master Naturalist Focus Day where experienced naturalists will conduct a daylong hands-on session from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $5 per person.Sept. 7, 8, 9: From 9 a.m. till noon a volunteer naturalist training session will be taught for people interested in volunteering. No fee.Sept. 12: Grandparents and their grandchildren will get special attention from 1-2:30p.m. $2.50 per child, with registration required by Sept. 8.Sept. 15: Sam Robbins, a bird expert, will discuss his book, ’’Wisconsin Birdlife” and other topics at 7 p.m. Nofee.Sept. 18: Another volunteernaturalists meeting from 9:30-noon, featuring an exploration of Pheasant Creek. No fee.Sept. 19: Children 7-12 will learn about how a spider weaves its web and a bid builds a next when they explore animal architecture from 1-3 p.m.Sept. 22: Tots and parents (children 3-5) will take a hike, hear a story and make a nature bracelet. Sign up by Sept.17. $2.50 per child from 10-11 a.m.Sept. 26: Sunday Morning Hike — The first of four early Sunday morning hikes — from 8:30-10 a.m., around the Wehr trails. No fee.For more information, call the Wehr Nature Center at 414-425-8550.The center is about a 45 minute drive from Kenosha: take 1-94 to Rawson Ave and turn left. Go to 92nd St. and make a right. Go to College Ave and make a left. Entrance is on College Ave. between Highway 100 and S. 92nd St. The center is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
Newspaper Details
Kenosha News
Kenosha, Wisconsin, US
Thu, Aug 26, 1993
Page 48
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
WI, USA 15 Jul 2022
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