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Our facility is open on weekdays from 9am to 4pm and on weekends from 10am to 2pm.

As always, our grounds and trails featuring self-guided tours are free and open daily from dawn until dusk.

Events for December 2024 › Public Programs

Name: Bird & Nature Adventures
Start: 2024-12-28T10:00:00-06:00
End: 2024-12-28T11:30:00-06:00
Location: Aldo Leopold Nature Center | Monona Campus

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center

7 hours ago

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no… it’s a flying squirrel!The flying squirrel is a tiny rodent that, like other flying squirrels, got its name from its ability to fly… But they don’t actually fly like a bird or a bat, instead they glide, using a special membrane between their front and back legs that, when outstretched, allows them to glide from high places. They use slight movements of their legs to steer and their tail acts as a brake. Flying squirrels can travel over 150 feet in a single glide, with most glides ranging 50-60 feet.There are two types of flying squirrel that are native to Wisconsin: the southern flying squirrel and the northern flying squirrel. The two squirrels can be distinguished from one another by the color of the fur on their stomach. Southern flying squirrels have a white to cream patch of fur, while northern flying squirrels have gray. Southern flying squirrels are also smaller in size and more common in central and southern Wisconsin than northern flying squirrels. Flying squirrels typically live in deciduous and mixed forests, though northern flying squirrels can also be found in coniferous forests. They like older trees that have plenty of cavities to nest in and common nesting sites include abandoned woodpecker holes, bird and squirrel nests, and nest boxes. In the winter, these squirrels don’t hibernate. Instead, they stay in their dens, huddled together with other flying squirrels to keep them warm.While they aren’t rare, it isn’t common to see a flying squirrel. This is because flying squirrels are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night instead of during the day and adaptations such as their large eyes and long whiskers help them navigate their environment after dark. They are the only species of squirrel that is nocturnal.What signs of late fall do you see? Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood looking for cyclical events influenced by seasonal changes.Photo: Erin Eastham, friend of Aldo Leopold Nature Center#PhenologyFriday #FlyingSquirrel #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside ...

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Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
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22	23	24	25	26	27	28 Bird & Nature Adventures
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Welcome

Our facility will be closed on Thursday, Nov 28th, and Friday, Nov 29th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Our building will reopen to the public at 10am on Saturday, Nov 30th.

Our facility is open on weekdays from 9am to 4pm and on weekends from 10am to 2pm.

Events for December 2024 › Public Programs

Events Search and Views Navigation

Events Search

Event Views Navigation

Calendar of Events

Holiday Market

Bird & Nature Adventures

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Welcome

Our facility will be closed on Thursday, Nov 28th, and Friday, Nov 29th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Our building will reopen to the public at 10am on Saturday, Nov 30th.

Our facility is open on weekdays from 9am to 4pm and on weekends from 10am to 2pm.

Events for December 2024 › Public Programs

Events Search and Views Navigation

Event Views Navigation

Calendar of Events

Holiday Market

Bird & Nature Adventures

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Our facility will be closed on Thursday, Nov 28th, and Friday, Nov 29th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Our building will reopen to the public at 10am on Saturday, Nov 30th.