ALNC UPDATES

OUR FACILITY REMAINS CLOSED TO VISITORS, BUT IS OPEN FOR PROGRAMS.*

We invite you out for a hike to explore the magic of the natural world, our trails are free and open daily from dawn until dusk.

We ask that all staff and visitors follow our mask policy to help keep everyone safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.

Please stay tuned and do not hesitate to contact us with questions at alnc@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org.

*Please note our facility’s date of reopen to the public is based on public health recommendations and other factors.

Meet Our Board

2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

John Hecht, Chairman
Consultant, J. Hecht Consulting

James Edward Mills, Vice President
Journalist and Media Producer

Jeff Mandell, Secretary
Attorney, Stafford & Rosenbaum, LLC

Jon Traver, Treasurer
Retired CIO-Fixed Income, State of Wisconsin Investment Board

Megan Decker
President, Mega Rentals Inc.

Deborah J Gilpin
Executive Director, Madison Children’s Museum

Mary LaMar
Environmental Steward

Trish Stevenson
Co-Founder, Aldo Leopold Foundation, Artist

Tripp Widder
Partner, Mohs Widder Paradise LLC

ADVISORY COUNCIL

William Cronon, PhD
Anthony Earl
Estella Leopold, PhD
Howard Mead
Curt Meine, PhD
Tia Nelson
Jack Williams, PhD

Aldo Leopold Nature Center is at Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

1 hour ago

Loons, the most iconic bird of the North Woods Lakes!The breeding range of common loons includes northern Wisconsin, where you can hear their eerie, beautiful calls during summer. This classic haunting call, named “the wail,” is used for long distance communication between mated pairs of loons. In the Madison-area, you are most likely going to observe loons only during migration as they stop over on their way to coastal ocean waters. Unfortunately, they are less vocal at this time of the year. If you want to hear their enchanting calls, you might want to plan an “up north” camping trip next summer!To identify this large, diving water bird in summer, look for its checkerboard back, black head, white necklace and black dagger-like bill. From September to March, they have their winter plumage with a plain grey back and head and a white throat. Juvenile loons look similar to adults with winter plumage but adults also have deep red eyes that the juveniles lack.Loons are amazing swimmers but walk awkwardly on land, where they only go to nest and incubate their eggs. Loons are built for diving. They are able to plunge over 200 feet and hold their breath for eight minutes! This is possible because their heart beat slows down to conserve oxygen when under water. Also, unlike most birds, they have solid bones that make them heavier and better at diving. For maneuverability under water, their legs are placed far back at their bodies and act like propellers. This is the reason they are clumsy on land, their center of gravity is off, so they cannot stand on their legs. Loons are picky about the lake they choose for nesting and for resting during migration. They use their eyesight to capture fish and need clear water and healthy fish populations to sustain their big appetites. An adult loon eats approximately two pounds of food daily! Also lakes need to be big enough to allow them to take off. Loons are heavy birds and need to run ¼ mile across the water while beating its wings in order to get enough lift. Once in the air, they are fast flyers and can reach speeds of more than 70mph.Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood to see if you can spot migrating birds! It’s probable that most loons in the Madison-area have already taken off to resume their migration to coastal waters but, with open water and the unseasonably warm temperatures we've had, you might still be able to spot a couple of them around.#PhenologyUpdate #Loons #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside ...

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ALNC UPDATES

OUR FACILITY REMAINS CLOSED TO VISITORS, BUT IS OPEN FOR PROGRAMS.*

Meet Our Board

2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ADVISORY COUNCIL

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center