Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat The Trails at MeeKwon ParkCedarburg Environmental Study AreaPleasant Valley Park and TrailsThe Natural Area Ravines and Beach at Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve USFWS Belgium Waterfowl Production AreaForest Beach Migratory Preserve

2014 Tour June 14

2014 SitesOpen 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.with docents & guides

for more information and to download your passport:www.treasuresofoz.org

Noon to 6 p.m.

Silent Auction - until 5 p.m.

Exhibits including “Randyman” Hetzel’s

Live animals and nature topics

Pine view Raptors with Jeanne Lord

Forest Beach Migratory Preserve

Music by String-Along

Food by Smokin Joes BBQ & Chuck’s of Thiensville

Celebration

† TREASURESOFOZ.ORG ¢

June 14, 2014 All sites open 9 to 3

Celebration at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve

noon to 6

TREASURES OF OZ2014 ECO-TOUR

Celebration headquarters

Forest Beach Migratory Preserve – As always, all trails lead to the Forest Beach Migratory Preserve, a Five Star Bird Hotel and Celebration Headquarters. Today, this former golf course includes ten habitat areas designed as a long term stopover for the many species of migrating birds that follow the Lake Michigan coastline. Follow the network of trails and climb the observation decks to see this preserve-in-process. !Shawn Graff, Director of the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, will talk about the preserve’s past and future. The Purple Martin Society will be a featured presenter. !Take time to visit the many exhibits, shop the silent auction, meet Randyman Hetzel’s critters, watch and learn about the Raptors of Pineview with Jean Lord, listen to some down-home music with Steve & Friends and enjoy the food from Smokin’ Joe’s BBQ/ Chuck’s of Thiensville.

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One Magical Day a year

On Saturday, June 14th, Treasures of Oz invites visitors to explore 7 natural areas and hidden environmental treasures. Each site is hosted by top scientists, environmental stewards and experts in natural fields. Visitors can explore the site, learn about the area’s significance, and converse with the docent and site team.

Download a passport (after May 1 on the website), collect stamps at each site and trade those for raffle tickets at event headquarters.

Visitors who bicycle to this event can obtain a bike stamp, which doubles stamps earned for raffle tickets. !Thank you to our sponsors! !

!Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - This 35-acre restored stream and wetland system was designed to provide floodwater storage, improve water quality, and provide habitat for northern pike spawning, as well as for shorebirds and waterfowl. !Today it is a healthy prairie and bird area as well. Walk the loop trail for great views of species such as sandpipers, Blue-winged Teal, herons, and egrets. Two of Ozaukee Treasure Network’s best birders, Becca Sher and Seth Cutright, will be there to show off this birding area. Milwaukee River Watershed Fish Passage staff will be there to explain the aquatic side of this little-known nature nook.

treasuresofoz.org 2014 Treasure Sites

Cedarburg Environmental Study Area – Visit this nearly-40 acre tract of ponds, wetlands, and forest located in the town of Cedarburg. It serves as a refuge for a large variety of wildlife species and is ideal for hiking, bird watching and a variety of environmental education activities. Explore the trails and count the ant hills. !Kate Redmond, naturalist and author of “The Bug Lady,” will be on hand with Tom Kroeger, DNR scientist, educator and well-known lecturer, to introduce you to an incredible ant village and answer questions about the plants and critters of CESA. !OWLT stewardship manager, Mike Hoffer, and his team will show you the trails and tell you about the work and studies being done at this hidden location. !The Trails at Mee-Kwon Park – There is much more than a golf course in this popular park just north of Thiensville. Only a few folks know about the trails and beautiful maple forest. One of them is naturalist and outdoor educator Jeff Rothstein. She will connect you to this lovely natural setting that is just a short walk from Mee-Kwon Golf Course and club house - a great place to grab a tasty sandwich after hiking. !USFWS Belgium Waterfowl Production Area – This Town of Belgium site is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and one of several US Fish and Wildlife-owned sites in Oz - something few people are aware of. This managed habitat is home to area wildlife and is a very active breeding habitat for many species of waterfowl. It is also an Acoustic Migration Monitoring site, one of two in the county.

!Jim Lutes from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Andy Holschbach, Director of Ozaukee County Land and Water Management, will be on hand to talk about waterfowl habitat, protection, production and the roles of USFWS. !Pleasant Valley Nature Trails and Mountain Bike Park – Trails for hiking and trails for mountain biking are key elements in this beautiful Town of Cedarburg park. Follow the boardwalk along Mole Creek, crossing wetlands and beech woods up to the observation platform. Bring your mountain bike, hiking shoes, or both, if you like. !Town of Cedarburg Parks Board members and members of the Ozaukee County Mountain Bikers Club will be on hand to introduce you to all of Pleasant Valley’s hiking trails and Ozaukee’s first mountain bike trails. !The Natural Area Gorge and Beach at Lions’ Den Gorge Nature Preserve – This is a walk worth taking! While the entire preserve is lovely, the natural area is truly spectacular. The forest floor is much as it was in pre-settlement times. The ravine is deep with cool water flowing down through it to the Lake Michigan shore. The beach is usually covered with rocks of every kind that landed here after the glaciers departed. A well-designed staircase system allows you to descend through the gorge and arrive on the beautiful beach. !Andrew Struck, Director of Ozaukee County Planning and Parks, will be your docent. He will introduce you to the Lake Michigan Clay Bluffs that edge the beach and tell you a bit about the glacial history of the area as well as the wildlife and plants that abound.

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