Summer 2010

Early Childhood Program:

Nature's Little Explorers

Tuesdays, June 15th - August 10th: 10:00 - 11:30am

Ages 3 - 6

Bring your little one to Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center every Tuesday this summer and participate in fun outdoor activities. Parents and guardians are welcome to stay during the program.

Cost is $5 for the entire summer. 

To register, please call Ali Cordie: (715) 463-2739 (CREX)

Crex Meadows Full Moon Series

 in the Auditorium at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Every month on the night of the full moon (July 26, August 24) 7-8:30pm

Mark your calendar, because you don’t want to miss the new Full Moon Series at Crex Meadows Wildlife Education Center. This is a 12-month series that will meet at Crex Meadows Wildlife Education Center every month during the full moon. Along with revealing the science and folklore of moon phases, the indoor presentations will briefly describe seasonal changes of the flora and fauna at Crex Meadows. We will also get outside for an exploration of the rising moon during a hike along the Crex Meadows Interpretive Trail, and end the evening by enjoying a full moon-related snack.

Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

Nature Photography Seminar

Saturday, August 7 (All day) and Sunday August 8, 2010

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

This year we are offering an in-depth seminar that will include speakers and field trips with a focus on creative technique.  Participants should be familiar with the settings and operation of their cameras. 

We will be in the classroom most of the day Saturday (lunch is provided) and will end the day with a sunset photo shoot.  Plan to return Sunday morning for an (optional) sunrise photo shoot, with breakfast back at the Education Center. 

Cost is $30 per person for Saturday,  and an additional $10 for Sunday.  Space  will be limited to 30 participants.  Reservations can be made by calling Kim Dauer at 715-463-2739. 

CLICK HERE FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION FORM

Wildflower Tours

Saturdays, August 21, 2010: 9-11am

September 11, 2010: 1-3pm

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Meet at the Education Center, then car-pool to various sites within the area to explore for seasonal wildflowers.   Ample time will be given for photography.  Led by Wildflower enthusiasts Kim Wheeler and Alan Roelfs.  These tours are free and open to the general public, donations are appreciated.

Sunday, August 22, 2010:  4-5pm

Join trumpeter swan experts to discover the fascinating history, beauty, survey techniques, and conservation status of the trumpeter swan all while getting an up-close look at these majestic migrating birds.  Brought to you by the Summer Outdoor Family Adventure Series (SOFAS) from the MN and WI State Parks and the National Park Service.   Free.

Wolf Howl

September 4, 2010: 7:30—10pm

Conduct a howling survey with our wildlife    biologists.  We’ll howl in one or more special locations in Crex Meadows, then gather at the rest area for stories and s’mores.

Cost: $5 Friends of Crex members/$10 for non-members.  Space will be limited to 40  participants.  Registration required.

Crex Photo Club

Meets September 11, 2010

10am to Noon in the Auditorium at the Education Center.

Are you interested in nature photography?  Spend some time at Crex Meadows taking photos and want to share them - learn more about photography and get to know other people who share a love of the natural world and a desire to improve their skills?  Come to the Crex Photo Club meetings!

Membership in the club is open to all.  Please join us as we review photos that club members have taken at Crex and the surrounding area.  This is a good opportunity to learn new techniques and where to go in the wildlife areas to get good photos.  The quality and diversity of the photographs are surprising and inspiring.

Click here for more information.

Wildlife at Night:  Stargazing at Crex Meadows

Friday night,   September 10, 2010, 7:30 - 11pm

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

and the Riegel Overlook in Crex Meadows Wildlife Area

Join retired astronomy/meteorology instructor Max Malmquist and Natural Resources Educator Kim Dauer for an evening of wildlife education and stargazing at Crex Meadows.   The evening will begin with a brief program at the Visitor Center about animals at Crex who are most active at night, and then move to Riegel Overlook (at the north-west corner of the refuge) to explore the night sky. Bring a chair and please dress for the weather. Binoculars and scopes will be available to get closer looks at the stars. 

Registration is not required. Donations to the Friends of Crex general operating fund, the Endowment Fund, or the Land Acquisition Fund is always appreciated (the general donation box is located on the front desk at the Visitor Center). 

If there are cloudy skies that night, we will try again Saturday evening, July 10, same time, same place. 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A BROCHURE

Rarities at Crex Conference

Saturday, September 18, 2010

9am to 5pm

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Learn about the rare plants, fungi, insects, birds and animals of Crex Meadows at this day-long conference.  Several experts will speak about the rare species found at Crex, and discuss their importance to the overall ecology of Crex Meadows. 

Presenters include:   Alan Roelfs - rare plants, John Menge - unusual fungi, Ryan Magana - Karner Blue Butterfly and other unique Lepts, Chris Cold - Blanding's Turtle and other herps, Noel Cutright - LeConte's sparrow and rare birds , John Severson - Sharp-tailed grouse.   

$30 per person, includes lunch.  Space is limited to 45 participants.  Reservations required.

Autumn 2010

Friends of Crex Annual Membership Meeting

Sunday, September 19, 2010

1-3 pm

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

We will be celebrating 25 years of the Friends of Crex at the meeting, which will include a presentation by Bob O'Hara about the first 25 years. 

Mushroom ID Hike

Saturday, September 25, 2010

10am - Noon

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Meet at the Education Center to learn about the various mushrooms that grow in the area.  Led by fungus expert John Menge.  This event is free and open to the general public, donations are appreciated.

Crex Meadows Full Moon Series

 in the Auditorium at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

Every month on the night of the full moon

(Sept 23, Oct 22, Nov 21, and Dec 21) 6-8pm

Mark your calendar, because you don’t want to miss the new Full Moon Series at Crex Meadows Wildlife Education Center. This is a 12-month series that will meet at Crex Meadows Wildlife Education Center every month during the full moon. Along with revealing the science and folklore of moon phases, the indoor presentations will briefly describe seasonal changes of the flora and fauna at Crex Meadows. We will also get outside for an exploration of the rising moon during a hike along the Crex Meadows Interpretive Trail, and end the evening by enjoying a full moon-related snack.

Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

D-SLR Basics Photography Workshop

Saturday, Oct 2 , 2010

1-6pm, snacks provided

Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visitor Center

“I have spent a bundle on a new camera and it is so confusing!” 

Does this fit you?  This class is designed to familiarize participants with the technical features of their D-SLR cameras.  Members of the Crex Photo Club will assist in teaching the location of important features on your camera and how to use them.  Please bring your camera (with fresh batteries) and user’s manual to the class.   After learning the basics there will be a field trip to practice your newfound skills.

Cost is $20 per person.  In order for each participant to get the most from the workshop, space  will be limited to 15 participants.  Reservations can be made by calling Kim Dauer at 715-463-2739, or click here to download a registration form.

Crex Photo Club

Meets October 2,  November 6, and December 4, 2010

10am to Noon in the Auditorium at the Education Center.

Are you interested in nature photography?  Spend some time at Crex Meadows taking photos and want to share them - learn more about photography and get to know other people who share a love of the natural world and a desire to improve their skills?  Come to the Crex Photo Club meetings!

Membership in the club is open to all.  Please join us as we review photos that club members have taken at Crex and the surrounding area.  This is a good opportunity to learn new techniques and where to go in the wildlife areas to get good photos.  The quality and diversity of the photographs are surprising and inspiring.

Click here for more information.
 

Sandhill Crane Tours

Saturdays, October 2, 9, and 16, 2010

5pm to sunset

Meet at the Education Center, then car-pool through the wildlife area to watch the Sandhill Cranes fly in from their day-time feeding grounds to their nightly roosting grounds.  $5/person.  Call 715-463-2739 to reserve your space.  The first 10 people may reserve space in the van.

Fall Wildlife Festival

Sunday, October 3, 2010

8am to 5pm

"On motionless wing they emerge from the lifting mists, sweep a final arc of sky, and settle in clangorous descending spirals to their feeding grounds. A new day has begun on the crane marsh."
— Aldo Leopold (A Sand County Almanac)

Experience the Wildlife Area during the cool, crisp autumn, which is arguably the best time of year to be at Crex.  Participate in bus tours of the wildlife areas to view the wildlife and learn about the history and management of Crex Meadows.  Visit the education booths on the east lawn to learn about wild edibles, mushrooms and plants.  Listen to the speakers in the auditorium and learn about the wildlife found in the area.

Halloween at Crex Meadows

Saturday October 30:  5-8pm

Bring the kids to hike the glowing interpretive trail behind the visitor center lit by Jack-O’Lanterns.  Learn about the creepy-crawly animals at Crex Meadows with Natural Resource Educator Ali Cordie, and enjoy a seasonal treat and hot apple cider.  Wear your costumes.  Fun for all ages.       Free ~ donations appreciated.