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Dear Friend,
Hi and welcome to another issue of Discover-E-News - the electronic newsletter designed to keep you up-to-date and informed about everything that is going on at your Center.
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| BIG THINGS ARE HAPPENING... |
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...by the shores of Statehouse Lake
BirdFest May 15 & 16 Big birds, little birds and all in between - come expand your bird knowledge and sharpen your birding ID skills with some of the Midwest's leading birders
The Big Event May 24 Our biggest fund-raiser. Enjoy socializing in our "new" lodge, fine wines and dinner in the big tent, bid on wonderful auction items.
The Big Canoe Launch June 25 Celebrate the launch of our recently restored 26 ft wood and canvas canoe - give the volunteers responsible for the restoration a big round of applause on the boat's maiden voyage .
The Big Unveiling of our renovated Lodge - late June - watch for more details
Come and visit anytime to see the BIG improvements on our entire campus including cabin and lodge renovations; landscaping; extension of the boardwalk trail; addition of a Vernal Pool station on the Bill Lambrecht Interpretive Trail; and weekly Little Naturalist programs in our new Nature Nook. Check out our BIG summer/fall program guide - its chock full of programs, classes, activities and events.
The Discovery Center - already a big part of the community - make it a big part of your family's summer!
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| BIRDFEST - BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2009 |
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Celebrate our feathered friends...
On Saturday, May 16, 6am-4pm, Great Lakes area birding experts will share their talents with participants through sunrise warbler hikes, morning field trips, on-going bird banding, and afternoon presentations. This year's keynote speaker is Andy Paulios, Coordinator for the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI). Paulios has been a "bird nut" as long as he can remember. He will discuss: the state of birds in Wisconsin, bird monitoring and opportunities for citizens, and note what WBCI partners are doing for "our" birds on their wintering grounds.
Participants choose one of six morning field trips to explore the birding world on a hike, paddle or pontoon cruise. Afternoon programs highlight Wisconsin bird migration, loons, golden wing warbler study, live raptors, beginning bird calls, and a spruce grouse survey. The Discovery Center, Trees for Tomorrow, Northwoods Wildlife Center, and WI DNR will provide field trip leaders, bird banding demos, live raptors, and workshops and seminar presenters. A build-your-own seed feeder station will offer a take-home souvenir, and several great door prizes will be given away. A fabulous breakfast bar, a hearty sack lunch, and a selection of fruit, snacks and desserts will ensure participants maintain their stamina throughout the day.
Registration fees - includes breakfast, lunch, afternoon dessert, Friday evening reception, and all Saturday field trips and presentations - are: $45 for non-Discovery Center members; $40 for Discovery Center members; and $20 for University students and youth under 18. To download your registration form and detailed itinerary click here: BirdFest Registration
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| THE BIG EVENT |
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Auction & Member Social
If you've attended our Memorial Day Sunday fundraiser in the past  you know what a fun event it is. Mix and mingle with friends old and new, enjoy fine wine and food, and support the Center as you bid on some wonderful items, a few of which can be seen in the photo at right. And for a sneak peek at a piece of DISCONTINUED Ephraim Pottery that will be available, go to: Ephraim Pottery.
This year's event will be a little different - we've added a couple of exciting elements - a sit down dinner, and a limited number of live auction items. For complete details of The Big Event, click here: The Big Event Details
To generate a little extra interest in the event, you now have the opportunity to bid ON-LINE for a wonderful fishing package, starting today ! TO BID ON A THREE-DAY FALL MUSKY TRIP, CLICK HERE: Fall Musky Fishing Package If fishing for lunkers is not your thing, you can still help us by forwarding this email to someone who might be interested in bidding.
See you at The Big Event, Sunday May 24th at 4pm!
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| GIFT WILL LEAD TO BIG SAVINGS |
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In operating costs, and resources...
Discovery Center staff were thrilled this week to receive a gift from Wisconsin Film & Bag (WFB). The Shawano-based company's gift of ECO Blend recycled trash-can liners will not only cut maintenance costs but also help advance the Center's mission of environmental stewardship.
ECO Blend products use up to 90% recycled materials, and every ton of recycled material saves nearly 11 barrels of oil from being consumed by plastics production. Commenting on the donation, Discovery Center Executive Director Bruce Greenhill stated "we are obviously delighted to receive the gift, but we're also pleased to have the opportunity to help promote the use of more environmentally-friendly products".
Greenhill also noted "...many corporations claim in glossy publications to be good corporate citizens and committed to environmental causes - its easy to talk, but this donation shows a company that walks the walk!"
WFB Director of Sales Operations, Leann Gueths stated "...we are excited to help a wonderful organization like the Discovery Center - we saw it as a way to demonstrate that manufacturers and not-for-profits can work towards a common goal". One of the great things about working for WFB..." Gueths continued, "...is it is a company with a strong sense of corporate and community responsibility - as we can see by this donation".
Greenhill invited any WFB employees and their families to visit the Discovery Center should they be visiting the Northwoods during the forthcoming summer. "This a great facility with outstanding children's and family programs that connect us with nature" he said. "We'd love to welcome our new friends from Shawano to come visit, enjoy a guided hike or canoe trip, or bring the little ones along to any one of a myriad of cool kid' activities".
For further information about Wisconsin Film & Bag or the ECO Blend range of products, contact Leann Gueths at 800.765.9224 or CLICK HERE to go to the WI Film & Bag website.
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| BIG HEARTS |
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| ...abound in our Volunteers
Discovery Center volunteers are a remarkably caring and giving group of people. Frankly, we could not operate without our volunteers' willing contributions of time, talent and energy. For those of you who cannot get enough of working side-by-side with like-minded folk, here's a couple more ways you can help your Center succeed:
- One-time : Come to the Center on Friday May 15 to help with last minute set-up for BirdFest. We have a crew of BirdClub members lined up to help, but as the old saying goes: "many hands make light work". The more folk we get here at 8:30am on Friday morning, the sooner we can all go home!
- Two-times: Sign up to be part of our new Little Naturalists in the Nature Nook. This new summer-long Friday morning program for 3-5 year-olds will include a nature-themed story reading and a related craft. If you'd like to read the little guys a story then help our naturalist with the craft activity, we'd love to hear from you. We have a couple of volunteers lined up but still need to fill one or two Friday gaps. Use the following email link to express your interest: Licia I'd like to help!
- Weekly, all summer: Our volunteer receptionists are the face of the Center for many summer visitors. If you would like to volunteer one day per week to answer phones, register people for classes and events and provide administrative support to our staff, we'd love to add you to our roster. A typical shift is 8:30 or 9am till 2:30 or 3pm. Interested? Click here: Beth, I'd like to help in the office
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Thanks for reading our longer-than-usual Discover-E-News. As we said, BIG things are happening, so the e-news had to be BIG, too!
See you at the Center, soon...
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