Fall 2010
Cancelation Policy
Unfortunately, MHNC is not immune from the current
economic challenges. Therefore, we find it necessary to adhere fully to
the following policy: MHNC staff reserves the right to cancel a program
if minimum enrollment has not been met by the registration deadline. We
ask you to preregister for programs because of the need to purchase
supplies in advance. If we need to cancel a program, your payment will
be refunded in full. If you need to cancel, please notify us at least 48
hours before the class. If we are able to fill your spot, you will be
refunded in full; if not, we will refund 50% of your fee. If you cancel
less than 48 hours before the class, your entire registration fee will
be forfeited. Please help us ensure the success of our programs by
registering and paying before the deadline. Thank you for your
understanding.
Fall Bird Hikes
Saturdays, August 21 & 28, September 11 & 18, 7:30 – 10:00 AM
Our fall hikes provide a great opportunity to catch a
final glimpse of some summer residents before they take off for the
season. Bring your binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Nature center
staff leads these hikes and will help you bone up on identification of
those confusing fall warblers. There is no charge to participate but
donations are always appreciated.
Monarch Tagging for Beginners
Saturday, September 4, 12:30-3:00 PM
Every fall, millions of monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains make their way down to central Mexico where they overwinter. And every fall, hundreds of thousands of tags are placed on migrating monarchs to help scientists answer many questions about their migration pattern. Join naturalist Jessica Miller as she explains the basics behind one of the coolest phenomena on Earth, monarch migration. Each participant will have the opportunity to assist with capturing, tagging, testing and releasing monarchs from Butterfly House.
Cost: $5/person or $8/family (Registration fee helps to
offset the cost of the monarch tags)
Registration and payment due August 27.
Leave No Family Inside: Constellations and Their Legends
Friday, September 10, 7:00-8:30 PM
Learn about constellations, asterisms, supernovas and the Summer Triangle.
Cost: $6/person, $10/family
Registration and payment due September 4.
Composting Basics Workshop
Saturday, September 11, 9:00 – 11:00 AM
Don’t throw away your yard trimmings, compost them! You’ll be surprised by the results. Compost: saves money, benefits your soil, reuses resources, provides a rich fertilizer for your lawn and garden and much more. In this workshop with naturalist Mary Swifka, you’ll learn the basics of composting and decomposition, how easy it is to compost, and view the center’s compost learning station. Handouts will be available.
Cost: $5/person, $3/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due September 8.
Honey Sunday
Sunday, September 19, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Come and help us celebrate the honeybee and the gentle art of beekeeping during this annual event co-sponsored with the Waupaca County Beekeepers’ Association. Watch honey being extracted from the hive, beeswax candle dipping, and take in some short informational sessions including: What’s Inside a Beehive and What A Beekeeper Does. Of course, don’t miss out on our delicious honey baked goods and honey sundaes. Bring your family and friends out for some sweet sensations.
Cost: $8.00/car
Harvest Moon Festival
Saturday, September 25, 4:00 – 9:00 PM
Don’t miss the family event of the season! The full moon will shine down on us, lighted jack-o-lanterns will smile, wagons will be filled with fresh hay and the center will be visited by live critters. The evening will be filled with stargazing through telescopes, hayrides, the Great Pumpkin Walk, learning sessions and cider and caramel apples for sale. Watch our homepage for updates.
Cost: $8/car
Fenlon Memorial Speaker Series
Friday, October 1, 7:00 PM
Noted Wisconsin naturalist and author John Bates
speaks at MHNC.
Cost: $15/person
Leave No Family Inside: Geocaching for the
Family
Saturday, October 2, 12:00 noon-4:30 PM
Geocaching is a growing outdoor hobby in which participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) to hide and find treasures called geocaches (or caches) anywhere in the world. Learn the basics, including how to get started and how to choose the right GPS unit for you and your family. Participants will also take what they’ve learned to find caches on the property. Two GPS units are available for use if you don’t have your own.
Cost: $6/person or $10/family
Registration and payment due September 28.
Compost Barrel Building
Sunday, October 3, 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Turn that organic waste into beneficial nutrients by building one of these effective 55-gallon barrel tumble composters. Join Naturalist Mike Hibbard as he guides you through the process of recycling a plastic 55 gallon drum into a useful tool for recycling yard and kitchen waste. All materials and instructions will be provided. Class size is limited so please register soon.
Cost: $60/adults,
$55/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due September 24.
Great Worldwide Star Count
Friday, October 8, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Naturalist Steve Petznick will share information on this annual event and how you can take part. There is no charge to attend, but please let us know you’re attending by contacting us before October 5.
Tour de Fall Bike Ride
Sunday, October 10, 12 noon – 4:30 PM
Join fellow recreational cyclists and enjoy the fall colors while peddling your way through eastern Waupaca County. The trek will take us through farmlands and forest as we delight in the colors of the season. A bounty of delicious roadside refreshments will be provided at a rustic rest stop. Participants are required to wear helmets and have a bike in good working condition.
Cost: $10/person, $8/FOMH
Registration and payment due October 2.
Friends of Mosquito Hill Annual Meeting
Wednesday, October 13
Members: watch for your invitation in the mail.
Cottonwood Carving Class
Saturdays, October 16 & 23, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Carve a whimsical house or lighthouse out of cottonwood bark during this class with instructor Lee Belanger. Beginners and experienced carvers are welcome. Cottonwood bark carving is different than most other forms of wood carving because there are no patterns to follow. You and your creativity decide what shape can be achieved from the piece of bark you choose.
Cost: $85/person
Registration and payment due October 1.
Bird Seed Sale
Saturday & Sunday, October 16 & 17, 10:00 AM – 3:00
PM
Stock up on a winter’s worth of bird seed, or pick up a feeder for yourself or a friend. Fresh, quality sunflower, Nyjer and mixed seed will be available in 50 pound bags. This annual sale supports MHNC operations and we appreciate your purchase. Contact us for more details.
Preserving Your Harvest
Saturday, October 23, 9:00 AM – 12 noon
We’ll spend the morning in the MHNC kitchen to learn the basics of safe canning, freezing and drying foods. Come join us as we make salsa and sample some other preserved goodies from the garden.
Cost: $12/adults, $10/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due October 15.
Creatures of the Night: Bats, Owls, Coyotes and More!
Saturday, October 30, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Join naturalist Mike Hibbard for this unique guided hike to discover the nocturnal world at Mosquito Hill. Participants will learn about the adaptations that nocturnal animals possess to help them survive in their dark world. The outdoor walk will follow a short indoor program.
Cost: $5/adults, $5/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due October23.
Snowshoe Lacing Workshop
Saturday & Sunday, November 6 & 7, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Naturalist Steve Petznick will show you how to make your own 10” x 56” Alaskan-style snowshoes. All materials and instruction will be provided. The handsome white ash frames will be pre-bent, drilled, varnished and ready for neoprene lacing. Your shoes will be completed in plenty of time for the first snowfall. Hint: makes a great holiday gift!
Cost: $175/person (price subject to change)
Registration and payment due October 22.
Green Gift Giving with a Healthy Twist
Saturday, November 20, 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon
Not only do we need to eliminate commercial wrapping
paper from our holidays, we need to be creative with our gift giving
ideas. Add to that Wildtree
Natural foods and you will be all set!
Enjoy tasting grapeseed oils, holiday breads and dips. Hear many
ideas on memorable gifts.
Look through dozens of fabric gift wrapping bags.
All for your holiday shopping pleasure.
No charge. Call ahead to RSVP.
Natural Ornaments
Sunday, November 21, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Create a selection of holiday ornaments made from natural and collected materials. Grapevine, sheet moss, tamarack cones and milkweed pods are just a few of the items used to bring a bit of the outdoors into your home this season. This class is best suited for adults and older teens.
Cost: $15/person, $12/students, seniors & FOMH
Registration & payment are due before November 14.
Fall Foliage Wreath
Saturday, November 27, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Long after the leaves have fallen off the trees and
the snow starts to fly, this wreath will remain colorful and crisp. The
faux foliage will be created using a heavyweight metallic scrapbooking
paper. This allows us to create the leaf shape and size that we want and
produce a beautiful, lifelong keepsake.
Cost: $15/adult or $13/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due November 20.
Pine Cone Picture Frame
Sunday, November 28, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
By using petite conifer cones, we’ll create a beautiful nature-themed picture frame suitable for everyday use. To create a seasonally appropriate frame, we’ll add adornments such as berries, twigs, foliage, ribbons and more. Your finished frame will be perfect for showing off photos at your holiday dinner or giving as a gift.
Cost: $15/person, $13/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due November 21.
Holiday Make & Take
Saturday, December 4, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
You won’t want your kids to miss this one! They’ll make 8 unique gifts and wrap them up with the assistance of our volunteer team. Voila! Your children’s holiday shopping is done. This event is most appropriate for K – 5th graders.
Cost: $12/child
Registration and payment due November 20.
Winter Bird Feeding
Sunday, December 5, 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Cost: $5/person,
$3/students, seniors, FOMH
Registration and payment due November 30.
Leave No Family Inside: Basic Outdoor Winter Survival
Saturday, December 11, 12:30 – 3:30 PM
Winters in Wisconsin can be ever changing, so being properly prepared for outdoor adventures is important. In this class, you’ll learn ways to stay warm outside including fire starting and shelter building. We’ll also discuss a variety of animal adaptations that allow them to survive Wisconsin’s winters.
Cost: $6/person or $10/family
Registration and payment due December 4.