LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
All events will be held at the Connor Forestry Center at Kemp Natural Resources Station unless otherwise indicated. No registration is required to attend.
Microbial ecology guided energy and resource recovery from landfills
Monday, June 2, 7:00 pm
Microorganisms in landfills are the key players in breaking down solid waste materials and in converting that waste to useful and recoverable, revenue-generating products such as renewable natural gas. However, the degradation of solid waste, including organic materials, is often slower than predicted, and for certain materials like plastics, they can persist in landfills for centuries. Since it is desirable to increase landfill degradation rates to conserve landfill airspace and to maximize renewable natural gas production, it is necessary to understand how these microorganisms are working together to break down solid wastes and what is limiting their degradation and natural gas production rates. To date, there is very little research on these landfill microorganisms, especially across multiple phases of landfill operation and depths. Come learn how UW-Madison’s Dr. Erica Majumder, Assistant Professor of Bacteriology, set out to learn more about landfill microorganisms and their role in converting solid waste to methane.
An Introduction to Identification of Ferns and “Fern-allies” of the North Woods
Saturday, June 21, 9:00 am
We will discuss the morphology and life cycle of ferns, lycopods, and horsetails, including all of the important features for identification! Join Alex Graeff, Ecologist with the U.S. Forest Service, for a hike around Kemp’s nature trails – including some time on the bog. The hike will be about 1 mile and includes some moderately strenuous terrain, though we will pause often for discussion as we encounter various target species. Expect to learn around 20 different ferns and fern allies. Bring your notebook, camera, hand-lens, and anything else that will enhance your learning experience. Though we will focus on the ferns and fern-allies, discussion of ecology of the north woods and additional plant identification is welcome and encouraged.
Balancing Waterfowl and Wild Rice
Tuesday, July 8, 7:00 pm
Wild rice (Zizania Palustirs), called manoomin in the Ojibway language, is a grass found in shallow lake and river bottoms in the Great Lakes Region. Natural stands of wild rice support diverse animal communities and is an important food source for migrating waterfowl. Many factors influence the successful growth of wild rice. Water level is one factor that can dramatically affect crop success. One of the less understood impacts to wild rice is herbivory from waterfowl. What is the impact of waterfowl herbivory on wild rice growth, resilience, and restoration efforts? Learn about wild rice and how the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is working to protect this valuable resource in the Great Lakes Region. Christian Dahlquist, a Natural Resources Field Technician, will talk more about the research project, methods, and results of the first field season.
Desired Regeneration through Assisted Migration (DReAM): How can we give trees a hand?
Tuesday, August 5, 7:00 pm
Much like the way animals migrate back and forth to follow shifts in their preferred habitat, tree species show similar patterns of migration over much longer time periods. However, our climate is changing too fast for historic migration rates of tree species to keep up. One way to solve this disconnect is through human-assisted migration. Understanding when and how to use assisted migration to introduce trees to suitable habitats may be one of the most important questions in forestry over the coming years. Join Scott O’Donnell, Forester with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) for a discussion of DReAM (Desired Regeneration through Assisted Migration), the research the WDNR and the USDA Forest Service are conducting into the potential to introduce assisted migration into forestry practices in the state.
The Algae of Kemp Station
Saturday, September 13, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Join UW-Madison’s Marie Trest (Teaching Faculty) and Linda Graham (Professor Emerita) for a morning exploration of the algae of Kemp Station. We will make collections in Tomahawk Lake and use microscopes to observe the diversity of beautiful algae from Jyme Lake Bog and Tomahawk Lake. If you would like to help collect some algae, come prepared to wade in the lake (watershoes, towel optional).
Bats of Wisconsin
Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 pm
Join DNR Conservation Biologist, Heather Kaarakka to learn about Wisconsin’s bats, their threats and conservation, as well as how we study bats in the state. After sunset we’ll listen for bat calls using special equipment and look for emerging bats from roosts at Kemp!
Upcoming Science on Tap – Minocqua dates & topics:
April 3rd, 2025 – WI Greenfire
Terry Dalton, Biologist, Environmental Educator, WI Greenfire Board of Directors
May 1st, 2025 – Climate Science
Tracey Holloway, University of Wisconsin-Madison