ALNC’S FACILITY REMAINS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Even though our building is closed*, our trails are free and open to the public daily from dawn until dusk.
We invite you to come out and enjoy the Wonders of Nature…it’s good for the mind, body and soul.

ALNC will be opening for limited summer camp programs starting July 6th. Access to the building will be restricted to ALNC Staff and Summer Campers.

We thank you for your patience as we determine the right course of action.
Please stay tuned for more information 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.

Volunteer Opportunities

Badger Volunteers reconstructing access to ALNC’s pond docks

Volunteer with ALNC!
Meet new people, learn about nature, gain experience, build your resume, and give back to the community by sharing your time and talents with ALNC!

Please contact us at (608) 221-0404 or at alnc@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org to inquire about upcoming volunteer opportunities. And you can always drop-in to our Land Steward Work Days – one Saturday a month, March through November.

For information on our next Land Steward Work Day, check out our upcoming adult programs calendar!

Aldo Leopold Nature Center is at Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

5 hours ago

Pollinating the prairie, what kind of bumble could that be?

As mid-summer gives way to August and September, new blooms are popping up throughout the grounds at Aldo Leopold Nature Center. On an afternoon hike through the prairie, one might spot a number of different bumble bees sipping on the pollen of Joe Pye weed, Culver's root or bergamot blooming near the pond. At first glance, these bumble bees might appear to be the same species, but upon further investigation, some have slight differences in their coloring.

According to UW-Madison's Bumble Bees of Wisconsin's site, there are 250 different species of bumble bee found around the world, with 20 species historically found in Wisconsin. To tell the species apart, one must look at the coloring of the insect's head, thorax and abdomen...which is not always an easy task on a bumbling bee. Thankfully, the UW Entomology Department has a great identification guide to help people identify the bumble bees they see.

While at first glance, one might think that the images above are of the endangered rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), these images are actually of another species, the red-belted bumble bee (Bombus rufocinctus). A common species found in Wisconsin, the red-belted bumble bee can be difficult to identify because of its diverse color pattern, but thanks to the Wisconsin Bumble Bee Brigade, we were able to get a positive ID.

Bumble bees are incredible native insects that live in annual colonies. The colony's goal is to bring in as much pollen and nectar as possible to ensure the production of new queens and males at the end of the season. Mated queens are the sole survivors each winter, emerging from hibernation in their underground dens each spring to form new nests.

Unfortunately, due to several different factors, including climate change, pesticide use, habitat loss and disease, some bumble bee populations, such as the rusty-patched bumble bee, have been on the decline for many years.

#PhenologyFriday #Bumblebees #RedBeltedBumblebee #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsforEveryone @ Aldo Leopold Nature Center ...

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ALNC’S FACILITY REMAINS CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

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