Tag: The Nature Conservancy

Wisconsin Time Visiting Friends!

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Wisconsin was on my list of states to visit friends last year. However, those of you who follow my blog may recall my altered itinerary last year after my tornado experience in Oklahoma. And then later in that trip, I got a concussion! Memories …geez …. so last year, after thousands of driving miles, I headed straight to Arizona bypassing visiting WI friends. But here I am! Now enjoying nice weather, seeing sights around the state in the company of friends. Of course, I enjoyed Wisconsin cheese curds, yum!

In the LaCrosse area, we visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Seventy acres of land gifted for a Marian shrine. For historical info, click here. I learned the Marian devotion is specifically to express love for the “ever-Virgin Mary”. As a spiritual person, I am respectful in learning about other religions. Here there is a Memorial to the Unborn, The Shrine Church and an amazingly beautiful Votive Candle Chapel.

Votive Candle Chapel
Our Lady Guadalupe

As I drove across the state, I stopped in Wisconsin Dells. It’s been decades since I had been to this glacially – carved area. I remember it being a very beautiful area. It still is, but now it is a resort town with waterparks, plenty of tourists and still glacially – carved areas to see!

Onward … to Madison area. There I stopped at Pheasant Branch Conservancy which has numerous trails. I’ll return some time to walk more of the trails. Then my favorite place, Goose Pond Sanctuary, although you’re walking along a road. Miles away is the Wildlife Observation Boardwalk, a new stop for me and only a few birds. Being a member with The Nature Conservancy, I decide to check out one more property: Waukesha Wetlands State Natural Area. Some of this land was donated to The Nature Conservancy by a woman. Thank you! Protecting wetlands is so important; water will flow through this watershed area to WI homes.

Protecting a wetland

Then to Milwaukee area where we stopped at the Milwaukee Art Museum. My friends specifically wanted me to see the Burke Brise Soleil. The “wings” open and close with the museum hours. Santiago Calatrava is the Spanish architect/creator of “the wings” which are a “complex mechanical work of art”. Absolutely amazing to see this! The moveable sunscreen has a 217 foot wingspan. The seventy-two steel fins weigh 90 tons. Unfortunately we missed their flap at noon and learned they are illuminated from sundown till closing at 10pm. All must be quite a sight!

Burke Brise Soleil … “wings” at Milwaukee Art Museum
From the inside of the Milwaukee Art Museum looking upward

Onward to Ohio!



San Pedro House & Trails, Sierra Vista, AZ

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Nine miles east of downtown Sierra Vista is the San Pedro River. It is a northward-flowing, 143 mile undammed river in the southwest, from Mexico into the USA; however, parts of the San Pedro are no longer perennially flowing. The river basin is home to many species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish, but with the water table lowered due to irrigation and human/domestic use there is huge concern for this riparian area. Nature Conservancy is one organization working to protect tracts along the river.

On my recent visit to the San Pedro Riparian Conservation Area, we parked near the historic ranch house, now a gift shop unfortunately closed due to Covid-19. We walked at least 2 miles of the trail network viewing birds, huge cottonwood and willow trees, and noticing the trail is also available to mountain bikers and equestrians.

We walked along the river most of our time during this visit and also in what once was agricultural land. There was a time when alfalfa and other feed for cattle grew there. But the shady river bed was our favorite area.

We saw a variety of birds and many, many white-crowned sparrows! Fortunately we became aware of a great horned owl sitting in a tree so we spent time observing him as he slept.

Lincoln’s sparrow and Canyon towhee.

There once was a sand and gravel quarry a short distance from the ranch house. It is now referred to as Kingfisher Pond; despite reports, I saw no kingfisher in the area. It is a large hole filled with ground and flood water with no surface inlets or outlets. We did see an American coot, a pied-billed grebe and once again more white-crowned sparrows hiding under the reeds along the pond’s edge.

Pied-billed grebe and white-crowned sparrow.

Eventually there will be a 30 mile trail and hopefully have more environmental protections for this wildlife area. It is necessary to protect areas such as here. The area provides a passage/greenway for wildlife from one area to another, especially between mountain ranges. If you are interested in conservation and restoration of the area, look into Friends of the San Pedro River, a non-profit organization assisting the Bureau of Land management, or The Nature Conservancy with its goal of creating a world where people and nature can thrive. We need rivers with water flow and a variety of habitats for wildlife to survive while we also build our communities. It does require thought, planning and recognition of the importance of nature in our world. We can do it!