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Lake Geneva animal rehab hosts education day |
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Written by Lynn Greene/Senior editor
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Tuesday, 11 October 2011 13:53 |
Sophie, a barred owl rehabilitated by Fellow Mortals. File photo.
LAKE GENEVA — Meadowlark Acres, a family campground since the ’60s, is now joining forces with Fellow Mortals, a Lake Geneva-based wildlife hospital that provides care for injured and orphaned wildlife since 1985.
Karen McKenzie, a wildlife rehabilitator with Fellow Mortals since 2003, said, “we are very excited about the prospects of having a location where we can do education. This will hopefully provide a space where people can enjoy an interaction with some of these birds and animals.”
Fellow Mortals will hold an education day at Meadowlark Acres Saturday (Oct. 15). This will be a full day of nature and wildlife activities, including bird walks, education programs and other family fun. Bring your picnic lunch and make it a day.
Fellow Mortals provided care and rehabilitation for 1,500 animals last year and this year looks to be just as busy. Founded by Yvonne Wallace Blane and her husband Steven, Fellow Mortals provides full emergency and rehabilitative care for orphaned and insured wild animals until they can be released back into their natural homes. Some of the animals cannot be released due to their injuries. In that case, they are often used to educate the public about wildlife.
Wallace Blane comes from a family of educators. In 1957, her parents Tom and Elizabeth Wallace moved their family to rural Burlington and a property of mixed hardwood, pasture and fertile farm fields. Six short years later, they welcomed the first guests to Meadowlark Acres.
Both educators, the Wallaces taught in the classroom and one-on-one at the campground throughout their lifetimes. Tom passed away in 2003, but Elizabeth continues to entertain friends and family who visit her and Brava, her border collie.
Wallace Blane is excited about having a place to better educate the public about wildlife and Fellow Mortals. At the rehabilitation site, the emphasis is always on the welfare of the animals and access is limited.
“This provides a great opportunity for the public to see what we do and to learn about Wisconsin wildlife,” she said.
Education programs will be held throughout the day and they will last between 45 and 60 minutes. The programs are held in The Decagon Education Center, and seating is limited, so tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are free with your admittance fee of $5 per person.
The program educators are expected to include: Jeanie Lord of Pineview Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Linda Breuer of Barnswallow, Marti Thompson of Wanakia, and Jessica Nass of Fellow Mortals.
“Sherlock, our short-eared owl will be one of the birds there,” said McKenzie.
Nature walks will run throughout the day and will be guided by volunteers who are all keen birders and nature lovers. The guided walks leave from the Ranger Station where the guides will be available to answer questions on any wildlife you may spot around Meadowlark Acres.
The Ranger Station also is a great space for children and adults to learn about wildlife with a range of reference books, a display of animal artifacts and colorful information posters.
Visitors may be interested in a variety of nature-themed art projects, including designing your own T-shirt.
Visitors also can buy tickets at a $1 each for use in the refreshment stand, arts and crafts, hay rides and face-painting.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 October 2011 13:57 |
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