Education Program Updates

Hello everyone. Molly and I have been busy the last few days with lots and lots of education programs. Last weekend we had a booth set up for Klondike Days in Eagle River. As always, it was great meeting the thousands of visitors who found their way to our booth.

Photo above: Director of Education, Molly McKay teaches a family of Klondike Days attendees about owls.

Photo above: This year at Klondike Days was the debut of our new and improved lead-free display. Our new educational poster, tackle box, and side show help teach people about the dangers of lead poisoning in wild birds. Not everyone knows that lead ammunition and lead sinkers are extremely dangerous to wildlife. We hope that through this display many more people are now aware of the problem and will make the voluntary switch to non-toxic hunting and fishing supplies.

Photo above: One of the new elements of our lead-free display is this wonderful tackle box filled with non-toxic tackle. This display allows people to see the wide variety of non-toxic tackle now available on the market. Glass, tungsten, bismuth, steel, tin, brass, and even natural limestone are some of the non-toxic materials now available in fishing tackle. Thank you to Jobber Lures, BossTin, RockyBrook Sinkers, and Tacklesmith for donating these excellent products.

We also did four programs on Tuesday in my home town of Marathon, WI. It was so fun to be back in the school I attended from Kindergarten through 8th grade. The students were wonderful and really made the birds feel at home. Thank you Marathon Area Elementary School!

Photo above: I am teaching the Marathon Area Elementary School students about the amazing adaptations of owls with help from our lovely Great Horned Owl.

This Wednesday was our last program of the season at the Wausau School Forest. This winter Molly and I have been giving programs for the 5th grade students there about twice a week. It has been so fun to meet the wonderful 5th graders from each of the schools around Wausau. I know that Molly and I are looking forward to heading down there again next winter!

Photo above: Molly teaches the 5th grade students at the Wausau School Forest about Barred Owls.

We have another program this Saturday, March 10th, at Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH). If you're looking for something fun to do with your kids or grandkids, bring them out to the SPASH Science Extravaganza in Stevens Point, WI. There will be hands-on activities, food, and fun. The event is taking place from 10 am to 2:30 pm and we will be doing a one-hour live bird presentation from 10:30 to 11:30 am. All ages are welcome. $3 admission supports the Stevens Point FFA. We hope to see you there!

Many of you are faithfully keeping our patients in your thoughts, and we thank you for that. I am pleased to say that everyone continues to improve.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Karissa Mohr

Wildlife Educator