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HORICON MARSH FALL NATURALIST PROGRAMS TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 18

September 7, 2010

HORICON, Wis. - The fall season and change of weather mark the beginning of the annual naturalist program at the Horicon Marsh International Education Center in Dodge County.

Programs are presented both Saturdays and Sundays from Sept. 18 through Oct. 31. Programs are about one hour long and most include both an indoor and an outdoor component. All hikes are an easy walk and offer good access to the marsh.

The naturalist programs and the hikes that go with them are free, open to the public and require no advance reservation. Programs introduce participants to the geology, history, wildlife and management of the Horicon Marsh ecosystem.

There are two programs offered every Saturday, one beginning at 10 a.m. and the second at 1 p.m. And two programs presented on Sundays at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each program is unique and stands on its own. Programs will be held at the International Education Center, located on Highway 28 between the cities of Horicon and Mayville.

Horicon Marsh is internationally known as a major flyway that provides habitat for endangered species and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese. The spectacle of watching the annual migrations attracts amateur birders and professional ornithologists from Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest. The marsh is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance and ranks high on the lists of important global and state bird areas.

The northern two-thirds of Horicon Marsh is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The southern third of the marsh is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area.

For more information on the Horicon Marsh Naturalist Program contact Naturalist Bill Volkert at 920-387-7877.

For a full schedule of events please visit the Horicon Marsh Naturalist Programs and Lecture Series page of the DNR website.

2010 Horicon Marsh Fall Naturalist Program Schedule

Saturday, September 18 - 10 a.m. The Birds of Horicon (Hike); 1 p.m. Fall Migration (Hike)

Sunday, September 19 - 11 a.m. Birding Basics (Hike); 1 p.m. Mammals of Wisconsin

Saturday, September 25 - 10 a.m. Birds and Bird Banding (Hike); 1 p.m. Management & Ecology of Horicon Marsh

Sunday, September 26 - 11 a.m. Marsh Food Webs (Hike); 1 p.m. Horicon Marsh History

Saturday, October 2 - 10 a.m. Horicon's Indian History; 1 p.m. Dabblers and Divers; Wis. Waterfowl

Sunday, October 3 - 11 a.m. Sharing Nature with Children (Hike); 1 p.m. Animal Adaptations (Hike)

Saturday, October 9 - 10 a.m. Fall Migration (Hike); 1 p.m. The Geese of Horicon

Sunday, October 10 - 11 a.m. Horicon Marsh History (Hike); 1 p.m. Wisconsin Mammals (Hike)

Saturday, October 16 - 10 a.m. The Birds of Horicon (Hike); 1 p.m. Waterfowl Management

Sunday, October 17 - 11 a.m. Marsh Food Webs (Hike); 1 p.m. Fall Colors (Hike)

Saturday, October 23 - 10 a.m. Muskrats, Mink & Other Mammals; 1 p.m. The Geese of Horicon

Sunday, October 24 - 11 a.m. Horicon Marsh Habitat Hike (Hike); 1 p.m. Mammals of Wisconsin

Saturday, October 30 - 10 a.m. Managing Wisconsin's Deer; 1 p.m. Wisconsin's Ice Age

Sunday, October 31 - 11 a.m. Birding Basics (Hike); 1 p.m. Winter Adaptations (Hike)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bill Volkert, DNR Horicon Marsh educator 920-387-7877