Wisconsin Wildlife Phenology Calendar gets birdy for 2016
The state wildlife phenology calendar– a Wisconsin tradition – is back for 2016 with the theme Habitats for Birds. This year’s calendar features all of the phenology milestones and iconic wildlife images enthusiasts have come to expect, with educational sidebars highlighting the unique habitats that make Wisconsin a bird paradise.
“Our state is truly bird central for a variety of waterfowl and terrestrial species,” says Patrick Robinson, co-director of the University of Wisconsin’s Environmental Resources Center, the lead partner on the calendar. “Our public and private wild spaces provide valuable sanctuaries for native and non-native birds, and birding is practically woven into our state’s DNA. Our center and our partners are excited to highlight some of the habitats that make our state so special, and we are confident the calendar will be a crowd pleaser for residents of all ages.”
New for 2016, this year’s calendar includes bird-specific phenology milestones sourced directly from the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas, a volunteer-populated field survey co-managed by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, and Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative.
“The Atlas team hopes our contributions inspire people to consider the diversity of nesting birds and bird habitats in all parts of Wisconsin, perhaps even right outside their windows,” says Amy Staffen, a representative from the bird atlas communications team and content partner on the calendar.
The 2016 calendar is a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin’s Environmental Resources Center, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Aldo Leopold Foundation – with content support provided by the Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas planning team. Calendars are available now through the UW-Extension Learning Store. Visit wiphenology.com for details.