As Earth Day approaches, Stacy Tornio of the Destination Nature has some suggestions for getting outside this week.
1. Find Flowers
In early springtime, you can see daffodils, pacifica, tulips and lilacs. "Even though it's kind of bare out there, the flowers you do see are so bright and fresh and its makes you happy," says Tornio.
2. Earth Day of Service
"A big component of Earth Day is giving back and showing that you are preserving the area around you and caring for the earth. The Urban Ecology Center has an Earth Day of Service at their three branches that you can just drop in and help out, help clean, be outside. And it's a really good way to show even your kids that there's an easy way to give back and protect the earth."
3. Visit the Retzer Nature Center in Waukesha
The center has several free events for their Earth Week Celebration including raptor events, bird walks and canoe outings. "It's just a really good way to get out there, go on the trails, see some birds and get involved."
4. Bird Watch/Walks
As the weather changes, you can see more blue birds, orioles, warblers, humming birds and even a group of pelicans in the Horicon Marsh. If you have children and want to take a guided bird walk, the Schiltz Audobon Nature Centeris a great place to visit that is close to the city, Tornio says.
"The reason that it's such a good time to see birds right now, and especially for kids...is that the leaves haven't come in yet," she explains. "So if you're wanting to really see birds and not have to search through all that business, this is the time to go."
5. Listen for Frogs
"If you go out to pretty much any kind of pond/swampy area right at dusk and it's pretty quiet out, you will almost be guaranteed to hear frogs and that chirping. It is the coolest thing, this chorus...it's really cool to hear in person."
