THE WILLOW TIMES - Caledonia Conservancy
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THE WILLOW TIMES The Newsletter of the Caledonia Conservancy Spring 2021 He carved A Name for himself here by Libby Cameron As a child, the late Ron Tepley’s teacher Cowboy, and larger-than-life Sea Captain yelled at him for whittling away in the sculptures that were seen from the trail. school room on Douglas Avenue. Luckily, Over on Highway 31, Ron lovingly he didn’t outgrow that habit! Ron donated crafted the big Racine County Pony Club wood carvings to our Conservancy sign, since his granddaughters Randi and auction and picnic. He was a true and Jamie both ride, and his daughter Sharon talented craftsman who made chainsaw Bradshaw continues to volunteer there. carvings of bears and eagles, and hand- People support the Conservancy in many carved award-winning waterfowl decoys ways, and we appreciate all of it! Ron and and birds of prey. He took 3rd in the his late wife Margo were friends to many, World competition at Ocean City, and we’ll miss them. Maryland with a golden eagle carving. He spent 32 years as a Racine Firefighter, and carved in his niche there during time off. His work was in the Denver Wildlife Museum and sold through a rep in Michigan and elsewhere. Metal work, welding, painting; he could do anything. Ron also supported the CC by mowing the Trout Ponds/Prairie every year. He faithfully mowed the land adjacent to his on Five Mile Road. That property was Left: Bird of Prey carving recently donated by the Ehrlich daughters Right: Kestrel carving; Ron was a falconer in memory of their parents, so is now and kept a live kestrel. part of the Caledonia Conservancy Greenspace Trail. We locals also knew Ron for the tall wooden totem pole, Above: Tiny Sea Captains Right: Ron’s colorful carving shack
President’s message
The winter to spring transition is grateful to take part in an organization
especially welcome this year. The that has prevailed through hardships as
challenges of winter are melting away as a result of all of you. Dedicated, skilled,
our enthusiasm grows for warmer days and passionate volunteers; generous CC Event Calendar
and more activity. This is fortunately contributors; and our amazing executive
much like our pandemic “winter” that is director. Mr. T Owl Contest
also in transition as we see brighter days
May 1 – Oct 31, 2021
are not quite in hand but growing closer. Until we meet again, best wishes and
Our gratitude and appreciation for spring good health to all.
and the revival of life that comes with it, Bird Walk
is shaped by the challenges and absences Matt Johnsrud May 1, 2021
that winter brought before it. I am
Spring Flower Walk
May 29, 2021
Spring Online Auction
June 4 - 13, 2021
Equine Trail Sports
Obstacle Event
July 24, 2021
Mane Event
August 28, 2021
Equine Trail Sports
Obstacle Event
September 18, 2021
Find-the-Fairy-Door
in Tabor Woods Year Round
Sandy DeWalt reunites Cindy Weiss with her quilt.
Visit our website to
They quacked the case! Lost & Found Quilt Saga stay up-to-date:
caledoniaconservancy.org
Last fall Jeff & Jorga Kania found a Capuano by Cindy Weiss Christmas
handmade quilt mysteriously out in the 2004.” Sandy DeWalt took it home,
Trout Ponds/Prairie. It was all wet and washed it and did some mending on it.
full of mud so it must have been there Nancy got on Facebook and found that
awhile. They brought it back to the Sandy’s daughter Terri was a friend of went for a walk at the Trout Ponds with
parking lot and placed it on the kiosk Cindy Weiss. Terri contacted the Cindy her child and didn’t realize that the quilt
bench. It sat there for some time until she knew but found out there are two had fallen out of the stroller. Cindy was
local quilter Nancy Pierce stopped by to Cindy Weiss’s in Racine. Sandy tracked so excited to get it back!!! Thanks to all
take a look at it. Nancy was happy to find down the Cindy that made the quilt. of the people that went out of their way
a tag on the quilt saying: “Windowpane She had not known it was missing! Her to help a lost quilt find its way home.
quilt made especially for my Dad Nick daughter had taken it out of the closet,
2
What’s up at king’s corner by Wendy McCalvy
There was a lot of change last fall and cared for by Randy himself. We into this stage of the plan should call
at Kings Corner. Having received a engaged Milaegers to water everything Wendy McCalvy at 262-639-5749. The
generous donation from Susan Smith, a couple of times before frost. This year subcommittee is seeking all the input it
daughter of King and Toni Ehrlich who we will be adding educational signage to can. (Just remember, King’s Corner is
had long owned this land, the committee identify these natural plantings. Watch not a park, but a preserve so that we will
planned a Memorial Garden in honor of this spring for many of the bushes to not consider things like ball diamonds, or
Terry Tollaksen. Terry was very active bloom. swing sets.)
in our horse community and with the
Conservancy. After he passed away last Plans are progressing well on child-play
spring, Susan wanted to honor him. We installations in many places on King’s
first hired Josh of Environmental Trees Corner. Barb Hugier is using a lot of A Bird in the
to clear brush, buckthorn, and dead ash ingenuity as she leads this part of the
trees from behind the parking area. subcommittee’s work.
Hand is Worth
Two in the Bush
Next we hired Drew Ballantyne to plant The Board has approved making a Master
about 100 all-native trees and bushes, Plan for King’s Corner to guide us in
according to Susan’s wishes. They were future work. Many past materials like the
thoughtfully selected by Marcia Wensing Stewardship Plan, the development plan
of the committee to fit our soil and accepted by the Caledonia Village Board,
area. We then over-seeded the plantings the wetland delineation, and a study by
with oats and some prairie seed to avoid Parkside students will be compiled into
erosion and further naturalize the area. an overall plan to complete an element of We protect nearly 291
Thanks go to Mariani Nursery who CC’s strategic plan for each property. acres of Caledonia
donated to Marcia a large and unusual It will begin with a focus group to spell Conservancy lands
Chinquapin Oak. A large Maple came out Conservancy’s goals for this property. and easements!
from Thomas Tree Plantation, planted Anyone interested in providing their input
Stewardship news from the snowy trails
This year has seen an unusual amount of Trailhead parking lot open all winter. helping out, please call Sandy DeWalt at
snow for us and that has proven to be a With 291 acres of preserved land that has 262-909-4440 or email her at sdewalt@
challenge but also an opportunity. The walking and horse trails on all of them, wi.rr.com. Many hands make light work!
challenge for us was keeping the parking volunteers are so important. This last year
areas open so people could come out and we asked committee members to be the
enjoy the trails and the snow. “point” person for a specific piece of land.
Trout Ponds/Prairie: Jessica Orlofske &
The opportunity was seeing everyone out Chris Tyrell, Tabor Woods: Barb Hugier,
hiking in the new snow, looking for animal King’s Corner: Wendy McCalvy, and the
tracks, and enjoying nature covered in Short Road Trailhead: Vanessa Luther.
white. Many thanks to those using their They know the land and will be able to
snowshoes on the trails and making it let us know what projects need to be done
easier for the rest of us to walk. on it.
Marcia Wensing, a member of the Our first trail cleaning of the year will
stewardship committee for many years, be Saturday, April 10. We will meet at
plowed the Trout Ponds and King’s the King’s Corner parking lot 4813 5
Corner parking lots multiple times after Mile Rd. at 8:45, divide into small work
working at her full-time job all day. groups, and work from 9:00-12:00. If you
Chad Ishman has kept the Short Road want to be put on the volunteer list for Alfredo DeWalt on
snowy picnic table
3
school to nature
This is the first time in over 10 years that program provides each spring. We are Conservancy trails. Tabor Woods, Trout
we haven’t been able to hold our spring also planning to invite the families from Ponds and King’s Corner all have signs
and fall field trips for the School To Gifford, Starbuck and St. Rita’s schools, to help you find your way to discovering
Nature program. The virus has caused who usually participate in our spring nature in our backyard. Stop at each of
all of us to make many changes in our program, to come out for a self-guided the kiosks to see what each property has
lives and most of us, including S2N, have tour on their own since these schools are to offer.
had to make some adjustments. This not allowing field trips during the school
year, instead of organizing volunteer- day. Jill Baranowski
led student field trips, our committee School to Nature Chair
members spent time organizing and Now that the vaccine is starting to be
setting up scavenger hunts and question/ available to our residents, we are hopeful
answer flip charts to encourage parents that the S2N program will be back to
to bring their children out onto the normal this fall. We won’t know if
Caledonia Conservancy lands to get some Unified will allow field trips at that time
exercise and learn about nature. Many as students will probably have some post-
families had been cooped up at home virus makeup work and the district may
quarantining and this was a great way to not have available funds for busing. S2N
relieve some of that stress. gives money towards each bus but the
district pays the rest.
While we won’t be holding our 2021
spring program, we are working on setting Please consider joining our group of S2N
up a self-guided tour so that one of our volunteers and contact Jill Baranowski at
schools can take their 6th grade students jcbaranowski@sbcglobal.net or
on a field trip to Tabor Woods. We will be 262-681-2043.
putting out some of our nature exhibits,
information sheets and giving the teachers Now that the weather is getting nicer Students with mushroom log
and their parent volunteers lesson plans and the days longer, you might want to
so that they can share the information our venture out onto some of the Caledonia
carpenter saw the conservancy needed help
Bob Milkie has been volunteering his your talents to the Conservancy cause;
carpenter skills to the CC for our King’s and thank you to Kortendick’s for giving
Corner plans. So far he has made 13 mini Bob the space to work on CC projects
display boxes, six large display boxes, a there!
“What Shape Are You In” for young kids,
and four boards using flaps to identify
different bugs for Barb Hugier’s inventive
projects. Barb paints and finishes these.
Bob will also be making Barb’s mini-horse
silhouette for kids to measure themselves
in “hands” the way you measure horses,
and a huge display board where you
compare your height to different flowers.
These will be set out in the Nature
Learning Landscape section of King’s
Corner, and the mini display boxes will
be in Tabor Woods during the School to
Nature program. Barb supplied most of Above: Bob Milkie with horse cutout
the materials and the ideas. Bob worked Left: Flap board Bob made for Barb
at ACE Kortendick for many years and is Hugier’s project.
now retired. Thank you Bob for lending
4
we’re “raven” about our volunteers
2020 ANNUAL VOLUNTEER AWARDS
OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING OUTSTANDING
BUSINESS SPONSOR: VOLUNTEER SUPPORTER
Julie & Chris Becker AWARD: AWARD:
(Trademark Graphics) Marcia Wensing Chad Ishman
The Beckers, as owners of Trademark Marcia is certified by the International Over the last few years, Chad has quietly
Graphics created any sign or banner that Society of Arboriculture and has shared and consistently made access to the Short
the Conservancy would need to support that expertise with the Conservancy in Road Trail Head better, improved the
public engagement, events, and safety so many ways and over so many years. usage of our resource shed and helped us
for the last 14 years! For things like our Her knowledge and teaching skills have take care of the trail area for the benefit
business sponsors and the Mane Event, enabled other volunteers to fight the of everyone. His donation of gravel for
we are able to utilize the banners over good fight against plant invasives, restore the parking lot was a huge improvement
and over. Sadly, the Becker’s have sold the degraded areas on our properties like at for everyone using the trail. He mows in
sign and banner portion of their business, the Neighborhood Central Walk property. the summer, plows in the winter, steps in
yet they made sure the Conservancy had She has helped the Conservancy acquire to help when there are tree issues,
digital copies of all the work they have grants that resulted in improvements on donating not just his time, but his
done for us. several properties. equipment and expertise.
For more details and to get to know these volunteers better, visit our website
www.caledoniaconservancy.org/2020-volunteer-awards
Photos taken by Roy Bohn
We are batty about our bats!!!
2020 was a great year for the bats that organizational skills from Jeff Kania. He
live on Conservancy land. Bob Starr and got scaffolding, a trailer, an ATV, paint,
all his family put up a new bat house etc. to take down the old ones and put
at the edge of the Tabor Woods pond. up the new ones. Many thanks go to
CC board member and UW Parkside Ryan and R.J. Smalkoski, Barb Hugier,
professor Jessica Orlofske bought four Roy Bohn, and Bill and Sandy DeWalt
new bat houses to replace the old ones for providing the manpower to move the
at the Trout Ponds/Prairie. It was quite scaffolding and equipment. It takes so
a production. We could not have done many volunteers to take care of the land
it without all of the hard work and and the animals that live on it.
5
Birds enliven caledonia conservancy by Jo Stys
It has been said that everybody has a Conservancy and birds on your property One of the biggest trends in birding is
bird story. Just think about how often is based on making a large area of food to use one of the several FREE apps
birds are seen - ducks and geese flying and shelter available rather than just the that can be downloaded to your laptop,
overhead as they migrate, song birds acres we protect with our Land Trust. eBird ebird.org/home and Merlin
at a feeder or in a shrub outside your The more we offer, the better our https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org
home, or the “first Robin of spring” crops are because birds can fertilize are available for both Apple and Android
being sighted. They brighten our day crops with the pollen they carry on phones. They will provide you with help
with color and song. Birds are also an their feet much as the bee does when it in the field to identify birds you have
indicator that we are good stewards of feeds on nectar in a flower. The Ruby sighted. There are checklists which you
the land. When they thrive it means Throated Hummingbird is familiar in can submit as a “citizen scientist” to aid
they are sheltered, fed and protected on Wisconsin and it feeds on nectar, too. in the collection of data on which lands
our lands. There are dozens of species are being used for nesting and stop over
that visit our Conservancy lands during The better the shelter and food situation during migration, as well as how many
migration and breeding season as well as the more song birds we will see. Some birds are making their year round home
some who are year-round inhabitants. have had a devastating loss of habitat in Wisconsin. These apps will also give
in the past 50 years due to development you lists of birds you might see even
Whether you are a birder or you just like and change of land from agricultural if they are shy or infrequent visitors.
birds because they sing and catch insects, to housing and commercial space.
there are simple ways you can help them But there are other factors and we There will be short articles on birds
right on your own property - even just can all help. The Cornell University coming to you through Caledonia
planting yellow, orange or red flowers such Ornithology Lab has loads of information Conservancy’s website and Facebook.
as coneflower, bee balm, petunia or salvia. available to us. There is a short article
and video you should watch - go to Note: Jo Stys does CC trail maintenance
Bird houses (with removable panels cornell.box.com/v/3BillionBirds and shares point person duties with Matt
for annual cleaning) and bird feeders Three billion birds have disappeared Johnsrud at the Neighborhood Central
can help the feathered ones that from the North American Continent Walk. As such, she has gotten interested
choose your home as theirs. since 1970! The article includes seven in birding and took four webinars
ways we can help reverse the trend. from the big bird mothership AKA
The idea that you can help the Cornell University Ornthology Labs.
these ducks have claws! by Libby Cameron
Wildly colorful Wood Ducks are our
favorite bird to see on our pond. So much
so that I made a hooked footstool for
Kjell. I first became aware of them ages
ago when riding on the CC Greenspace
Trail; I saw a duck in a tree. I was so
surprised that I went home and looked it
up. Sure enough these ducks have claws
that let them climb trees!
They pair up in January and are also
unique in having two broods in one
year. If nest boxes are too close together
they will lay eggs in the nests of other
females. Where natural cavities are
scarce they readily use nest boxes if you
provide one. The water can even be a
mile away. It’s amazing that ducklings
may jump from a nest height of over
50 feet high but not be injured.
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/
Wood_Duck/overview
6
the stuff of legends by Wendy McCalvy
Stinky Stuff I was sitting in my lower living room,
Suet Cake Recipe heard a loud sound, and turned to see
a little bird lying on the ground.
He shook his head and seemed to
This will beckon beaks! recover. But later, walking outside, I saw
(Did you know birds find this treat him lying in my garden. I had never
mostly by smell?!) seen a little guy like him before and
decided we could use him in our School
2 cups vegetable shortening to Nature program. Kathy Trentadue
2 cups peanut butter (crunchy) recommended a taxidermist, Todd
2 cups oatmeal Suiter, out in Waterford. After driving
2 cups cornmeal around in the dark, I found his home.
Additions: chopped nuts and raisins
He called me the next day--we needed
Using a mixer, blend shortening a DNR permit to preserve the bird.
with peanut butter in short pulses. Zack Ferst of the Racine DNR office
Add oatmeal and cornmeal a small obliged. It took several months, but
amount at a time so the mixer Todd finally called me. He explained:
doesn’t bog down. Add a handful of We have a yellow-bellied sapsucker.
mixed nuts and/or raisins or dried They’re a woodpecker seen often up photo of sapsucker
cranberries. north, but he had never seen one here!
Line bottom of 8” x 8” square pan
with parchment or waxed paper.
Dump mixture into the pan. Put
eagle-eyed! by Michelle Luczak
it in the freezer to firm up. Once In January 2020, we had a pair of eagles able to get some pretty good pictures
lightly frozen, use knife to separate in our west tree line for about two weeks. of them. It was pretty exciting to watch
cake from sides of pan, upend onto A deer had been hit by a car and the and we were heartbroken when they
paper and cut into four quarters. carcass lay in the front field of Triple H, eventually “flew the coop”. I have heard
These will fit in a standard metal which drew them to the area. Korey first that people have seen them along the
grid suet holder. noticed them while out in the barn when river, but I haven’t seen any on my rides.
he heard their call, which he said sounded
You may also form into a log shape like no other bird he’d ever heard*. They *Editor’s note: typically when an eagle
and stuff into a plastic mesh bag came every day and typically roosted in cry is dubbed in a movie, it is actually
such as onions are sold in. Suspend the trees for quite some time, so we were a dramatic hawk call that is used.
by wire from tree limb or shepherd’s
hook hanger. Or obtain a small log
about a foot long and drill holes in
it (about 1-1/4” diam.) Using suet
birds of a feather walk together
mixture that is cold but not frozen, Rick Fare will lead a bird walk for the Please contact Sandy DeWalt at 262-909-
push suet into the holes with a Conservancy the first Saturday in May. 4440 or sdewalt@wi.rr.com to reserve
spatula. A large metal ring or hook Rick has been birding for 40 years and is your place. Due to Covid the group is
screwed into the log at the top makes a past president and current Education limited and masks are encouraged.
it ready to hang. Chair for the Hoy Audubon Society. He’s
also a lifetime member of the Wisconsin
This recipe is from a YouTube Society for Ornithology and the Bluebird
demonstration: “How to Make Suet: Restoration Association of Wisconsin.
A Fat and Calcium Rich Bird Food”
by Josh’s Frogs. Contributed here by A couple of years ago, he wasn’t asked
Jo Stys. early enough so we did not get him. Rick
books up quickly and does walks almost
every weekend starting in May. He will
decide where he wants to go depending
on what birds are migrating through.
7
Ebird: it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s an app!
Hotspots will be your new favorite Hah! Those birds can’t hide from us
thing… No, it’s not some horse or dog techno-wizards whose only skill needs to
skin problem, it’s a whole new rabbit hole! be clicking a link on these CC hot spots.
Hotspots are public birding locations Indulge your curiosity about what’s out
created by users of eBird. It doesn’t there and up there! Use these links:
mean the area is an outstanding location
for bird watching, it’s simply a set of Caledonia Conservancy:
public locations visited by multiple eBird Trout Ponds
users over time. ebird.org/hotspot/L423252
WOW who knew you could actually spy Caledonia Conservancy:
on birds!!! Apparently, there’s a million Kings Corner
of them flying around all the time unseen ebird.org/hotspot/L622621
and unknown to many of us. It’s a whole
parallel universe! Caledonia Conservancy:
Tabor Woods
However, being the epicenter of what’s ebird.org/hotspot/L622671
happening in Caledonia of course the
Conservancy already has several hotspots. Caledonia Conservancy:
By golly this is neato! Short Rd/East River Rd Trail
ebird.org/hotspot/L1333158
Now I know Rose-breasted Grosbeaks are
not as exotic as their racy names sound. Caledonia Conservancy:
They have been seen at King’s Corner, 7 Mile to County Line Road Pathway
Tabor Woods, the Trout Ponds, and Short ebird.org/hotspot/L2781393
Road to name just a few local hangouts.
Three Great Horned owls were spotted at
Short Road as well.
A Little Birdie
circle your flock Told Me
Disabled, elderly, unwilling or unable
to go out where the birds are? “The
Big Sit” is a way to participate in
bird watching no matter if you are
disabled or can’t get out on the trails.
You sit in a chair and observe the number
and type of birds that you see in a
prescribed time. How many birds can
you identify while staying in a 17 foot Did you know caterpillars lead
diameter circle? That’s the challenge. the list of bird’s favorite foods?
Songbirds hang out at the tops
The Big Sit! is an annual, international, of trees and that’s where the
noncompetitive birding event founded at 12 a.m. midnight and closes
insects go. Makes sense. Birds
by the New Haven (Connecticut) Sunday, October 10, at 11:59 p.m.
Bird Club. This year the event will Could be a fun way to fundraise for the eat seeds and berries, but not
be hosted on a new website: conservancy too! You could take pledges all songbirds eat berries. Here’s
www.thebigsit.org. for how many people participate, or for a pamphlet that tells 20 basics
each species seen. For example, if 20 to get started in birding basics.
Register today and submit your people pledged $0.20 per species and birdwatchersdigest.com/
results after the event! Free and their team tallies 50 species during The
bwdsite/tips-for-easy-
open to anyone — individuals and Big Sit!, the team could generate $200 for
teams — all over the world. It the Conservancy.Take the initiative and bird-identification.php
kicks off Saturday, October 9, 2021 flock your friends and family together!
8
crowing about the new nodding trillium
What a “trilling” find! We thought we’d
remind you to look for this unusual
trillium Wendy McCalvy discovered on
our lands last year. She found it while If Not Too Much
clearing garlic mustard. Volunteer Kay
McClelland identified it and reported of a “Birden”
this unknown-until-then habitat to the
Wisconsin wildflower registry. Kay 1) Sign up for pain free giving to
believes it exists in the Renak-Pollack CC via Amazon Smile shopping.
Woods on the other side of the Right of Since when was gifting this
Way as well. It will be smothered if we painless?! They’re taking your
don’t control garlic mustard. To see it, money anyhow, might as well chip
walk the Right of Way from 5 or 6 Mile off a bit of it for a good cause!
Road to the bridge, turn east coming over
the bridge and go onto the right (straight)
fork of the wooded trail.
Go to: smile.amazon.com/
ch/39-1822368
2) Volunteer in ANY way. You
know you want to.
3) You didn’t know you wanted to
volunteer? You will when you find
out it’s fun!
4) Skip the gym, become a trail
clearing helper. The most active
Above: Kay McClelland, committee, these kids have a
a very active and nature-
license to tear down the forest.
knowledgeable volunteer.
Right: images of Nodding Ok kidding, they use loppers and
Trillium chainsaws though!
5) Take your Horses and Trails
of Caledonia Calendar photos
qr codes take flight soon. Make yours stand out.
Don’t wait til summer or fall when
Look for QR codes out on CC properties.
eveeeeeerybody else has the
Scan them with your phone and they
same background!
give you information about many things
so you don’t have to hunt and peck!
6) Send us any interesting tidbits
about the area. We’d like gossip,
We thank our young volunteer and
but we’ll settle for historical stuff.
new board member Allison Kurzynski
who hatched the idea and has the
7) Tell us about unusual things
tech-chops-know-how to do these!
you’ve seen on the land. No,
paranormal things are not what
we meant.
9
Mane event scavenger hunt on horses
The 19th Mane Event equestrian Once you return, there will be an obstacle
scavenger hunt will be held at the course on the ground in an enclosed
Caledonia Neubauer Farm on Saturday, arena. The cost is $5 per ride and the Local Rides are
August 28. Teams of riders go out rider/horse combination will get points “Poultry in Motion”
and follow a marked trail through the based on how well they complete the
beautiful Caledonia Conservancy trails, obstacle and how fast they go. Ribbons
and also on private trails and woods are awarded for the top 4 riders. You do
looking for different items placed near the not have to enter the scavenger hunt to
trails. One rider on each team will take try your hand at the obstacles.
a picture of the item, and when they all
return each rider will get one raffle ticket Box lunches will be sold on the grounds.
for each item found. They then choose Your horse does need a current negative
what prize bucket to place their tickets in Coggins test- (those are now good for 12 Informal neighborhood rides
for a chance to win the prize. months from the date drawn).
happen often in Caledonia.
The ride is not timed, but can take 2-3 For more information, email: Once the trails dry up, Wendy
hours to complete depending on the Sandy DeWalt at sdewalt@wi.rr.com McCalvy and Michelle Luczak
speed you ride. There are crossing guards lead riders along the local
to help you cross 5 Mile Road, and they horse trails. Rides are typically
will show you pictures of the items you about two hours and give riders
need to look for.
an opportunity to learn the
different areas of our extensive
trail system. Watch for posts on
the Caledonia Etree Facebook
group and don’t be chicken to
join them!
Left: pool noodle obstacle
Above: group of riders
obstacle events coming! calling all equestrians!!
The Equestrian Committee of Obstacles are categorized by confidence,
the Conservancy is arranging two ground manners, horsemanship, and
equine obstacle events this year in precision and range from opening and
collaboration with Equine Trail Sports, closing a gate to fancy footwork and lead
a national organization whose motto is changes. Events are open to all breeds of
“Ride for fun, Ride to learn”. A portion horses, donkeys and mules.
of the proceeds goes to the Caledonia
Conservancy as a fundraiser. These Riders can register on line at
events will give the everyday rider and/ www.equinetrailsports.com/
or competitor an opportunity to enjoy event/12610 for the July 24 event to be
obstacle challenges on the trail and/or held at Kathryn Scheer’s Senne Farm,
in a controlled setting, where they can and www.equinetrailsports.com/
compete mounted or in hand, or both. event/12594 for the September 18
event held at Kjell and Libby Erlandsson’s
Participants are able to select the Scania Lochiel Farm.
challenge level for each obstacle that
best fits their and their horse’s ability We are so looking forward to offering
and skills, and are judged based on the this unique opportunity to the riders in Kjell Erlandsson and Dancer practicing
partnership the rider has with the horse. our community and beyond.
10About antlers: ten truths
1) Antler tissue can grow up to one inch 7) Two-year-old bucks with good genetics
a day! and nutrition have 8 or more points, but a
yearling can as well.
2) Antlers start growing in spring, harden
in fall, and fall off here around February- 8) In white tail deer only the males grow
March. antlers. In Santa’s reindeer, both male and
female grow a set.
3) While growing they are covered in a
soft hairy layer called velvet. 9) Fallen antlers are called sheds, and are
most readily found near roads, ditches,
4) They are dry by the time deer fight at fences or low hanging branches, because
mating time and six times stronger than a it only takes a little jarring to dislodge
femur bone! them when they are ready to fall off.
5) Antlers don’t have nerve cells, so deer 10) If a four-year-old deer eats 8%
don’t feel pain in them. protein and another deer gets 16%, there
could be a 20” antler size difference.
6) Antler size is related to diet and
heredity, age can only be told by a The elusive Poodeer
deer’s teeth.
lorrie loves
Lorrie Burrows nature lover and botanist Tree Finder Pocket Guide Coy-O-Tease:
at Boerner Botanical Gardens has several https://shop.mortonarb.org/SelectSKU. What’s All That
book worm recommendations: aspx?skuid=1000715
Yipping About?
Nature’s Best Hope: A New Tracking & the Art Of Seeing
Coyotes are busy mating from
Approach to Conservation That by Paul Rezendes
Starts in Your Yard https://www.amazon.com/gp/ January to March. The female
By Douglas W. Tallamy product/0062735241/ref=dbs_a_def_ picks a partner and often keeps
www.amazon.com/Natures-Best- rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 him for a number of years.
Hope-Approach-Conservation/ Coyotes can have two litters a
dp/1604699000/ref=tmm_hrd_ Animal Tracking: A Waterproof year with as many as 19 pups in
swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= Pocket Guide to Animal Tracking
each! The average litter is six;
and Behavior
Winter World by Bernd Heinrich www.acornnaturalists.com/products/ gestation is two months. They
www.amazon.com/Winter-World- tracking-resources/tracking-guides- hold their droopy tail below
Ingenuity-Animal-Survival/ references/animal-tracking-a-waterproof- their backs when running.
dp/0061129070/ pocket-guide-to-animal-tracking-and- Coyotes eat rabbits, mice and
behavior-duraguider.html other small mammals, yes
North With the Spring
including small pets. Coyotes
by Edwin Way Teale Lorrie also recommends Hummingbird
www.amazon.com/North-Spring- Central to see the little darlings as they can easily jump over 6’
Naturalists-000-Mile-American/ migrate in real time. You’ll know when to fences and swim well, but no
dp/0312044577 set those feeders out to greet them. they don’t climb trees. They
www.hummingbirdcentral.com generally live about 4-10 years
Winter Tree Finder Pocket Guide Who even knew there was an albino old in the wild, 18 in captivity.
by Morton Arboretum hummer?!
https://shop.mortonarb.org/SelectSKU.
aspx?skuid=1000719 Send Us Your Bird Story! Check out our
Facebook page, we’d love to hear yours!
11See our video stars!
Milwaukee’s morning news anchor Next enjoy avid conservancy volunteer
Meghan Reistad of television station and supporter Kim Hoover as she shows
(CBS 58) WDJT found us! Interviews for the trails behind her farm and her love of
the program Racine & Me were a delight the area. Sharing ideas to get outside and
to see and are now available to view on enjoy the winter season on the various
our website. lands of the conservancy, Kim talks about
the friendship and fun available and how
In the first one, Meghan Reistad speaks to get involved. Her energy and joy in the
with well-known past president and lifestyle shine through.
enthusiastic volunteer Sandy DeWalt.
They talk about what the Conservancy Please visit our website to view the videos:
offers to the area. Sandy highlights the www.caledoniaconservancy.org
unique Horses & Trails Calendar that
is a fundraiser for our group and it is
a lively chat about the conservancy’s
non-profit history and goals.
And finally, Just an ask.....
Hope you’ve enjoyed this bird-centric Special thanks to graphic designer Zari
issue of the Willow Times! DYK? Birds Kunesh for volunteering her skills to
are the most diversely colored of any Click to create the layout for the Willow Times!
animal species. Please help feather the
Conservancy nest for future generations. Donate
The Conservancy welcomes green so we
don’t have to wing it.
Anytime is a Good Time
for Cookies!
Do you have your copy of the Caledonia Conservancy Cookie Collection recipe
book? Professionally published, this book will add more than 115 delicious and
different cookies to your recipe repertoire – all family-favorites submitted by
Caledonia Conservancy supporters like you. And we didn’t forget our 4-legged
friends; there are treat recipes for horses, goats, dogs and even donkeys.
Best of all – the cookies will not only taste good but do good. All proceeds go
directly to the Conservancy and will be used to maintain our trails and properties.
Click here to order your cookie book for just $25…free (local) delivery included!
Or contact Suzi Zierten at 262-498-4993.
1213
Caledonia Conservancy
PO Box 044714
Racine, WI 53404-7015
www.caledoniaconservancy.org
Caledonia Conservancy Committee Chairs
Thank you-
Executive Governance School to Nature Stewardship
Volunteers Matt Johnsrud Jill Baranowski Jill Baranowski Sandy DeWalt
& Supporters! Finance Preservation Outreach Holiday Fundraiser
Jennifer Kanter Greg Berg Nancy Pierce Jennifer Kanter
MISSION
Building community by Board of Directors
connecting people to
Matt Johnsrud Kjell Erlandsson Greg Berg David Klokowski
Caledonia’s trails President Vice President Penny Griffiths Allison Kurzynski
and greenspace. Dave Higgens Dr. Jessica Orlofske
Jennifer Kanter Deidre Vergeer Barbara Hugier Dr. Deb Palmer
VISION Treasurer Secretary Chuck Kamakian
The Caledonia Conservancy
is committed to preserving
land for future use. We connect Addresses for CC Public Access Lands
people to nature education, • Follow us on Instagram
McCalvy Tabor Woods &
enhancing quality of life through • Like us on Facebook Cameron Erlandsson Tabor Woods
public access to equestrian • Email our Executive Director, Suzi Zierten 5131 Tabor Road, Racine, WI 53402
and recreational trails. We at suzi.caledoniaconservancy@gmail.com
Gordon Tabor Woods
strive to build a sustainable • Phone 262-498-4993 5118 Pine Tree Circle, Racine, WI 53402
community through conservation, • Write to the editor, Libby Cameron at
elcam4@gmail.com King’s Corner (Ehrlich)
stewardship, education, 4813 Five Mile Road, Racine, WI 53402
outreach and partnerships • Visit our webpage:
www.caledoniaconservancy.org Neighborhood Central Walk
with neighborhoods, schools, 1934 4 1/2 Mile Road, Racine, WI 53402
businesses and government.
Link to map of properties. Short Road Trail Head
6111 Short Road, Racine, WI 53402
Trout Ponds/Prairie
4819 4 Mile Road, Racine, WI 53402
Erlich Family Ltd. Partnership
4810 Four Mile Road, Racine, WI 53402
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