Student Research Symposium

November 9 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Save the Date Student Research Symposium

Come learn about new, fascinating research from students, recent graduates, and young professionals. Presenters will share their work in biology, environmental science, chemistry, geology, and other sciences. Awards will be presented to the strongest presentations!

More information coming soon.


  • Registration

    Coming soon
    Students and supporters welcome!


  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

Questions? Contact Jana Gedymin for more information.

November 9 @ 8:00 am 4:00 pm

4458 County Hwy Y (Hawthorne Dr)
Saukville, WI United States
+ Google Map
(262) 375-2715

OWBC: Aerial Insectivores in Wisconsin (in-person and virtual)

February 14 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Aerial Insectivores in Wisconsin In Person and Virtual

There is growing concern about the apparent population decline of many “aerial insectivores” – those species that feed on their insect prey in flight. These species belong to several avian orders and families, that include swallows and martins, chimney swifts, some forest flycatchers, plus nightjars such as whip-poor-wills and nighthawks. We’ll focus here on three of the swallows found across the Upper Midwest: Purple Martin, Bank Swallow, and Barn Swallow.

If you’re joining in-person, meet in the Riveredge Barn.

Ages 16+ | Free to attend

No pre-registration required.

Join on Zoom


  • Registration

    Ages 16+
    Free to attend

    Join on Zoom

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

February 14 @ 7:00 pm 8:30 pm

4458 County Hwy Y (Hawthorne Dr)
Saukville, WI United States
+ Google Map
(262) 375-2715

OWBC: Field Trip to Port Pier

January 1 @ 7:30 am – 1:30 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Field Trip to Port Pier

Every bird is a new bird! The Cutright Bird Club is inviting members of all of the Ozaukee Washington Birding Coalition to participate in their annual, always fun, New Year’s Day Birding Field Trip in search of new birds for your 2024 list! We will end at noon with a celebratory lunch (sub sandwiches, chips, cookies, and beverages) in the Riveredge Nature Center barn.

Park and meet at the Port Washington Marina and Pier (address below).

Ages 12+ | Free to attend

Pre-registration is required by December 28 at 8:00 am. Contact Carl Schwartz at cschwartz3@wi.rr.com or 414-416-3272 to register.

Email Carl


  • Registration

    Ages 12+ | Free
    Contact Carl Schwartz at
    cschwartz3@wi.rr.com or
    414-416-3272 to register.

    Email Carl

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

January 1 @ 7:30 am 1:30 pm

106 Lake St
Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074
+ Google Map

OWBC: Bald Eagle Nest Watch (in-person and virtual)

January 10 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Bald Eagle Nest Watch In Person and Virtual

In coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Badgerland Bird Alliance (formerly Madison Audubon) launched the Bald Eagle Nest Watch (BENW) project with the goal of monitoring and better understanding how Bald Eagle populations are doing in Wisconsin. The Bald Eagle Nest Watch is a citizen science program which began in 2018 with just a dozen nests in Dane County. It has now grown to include over 100 nests in 36 counties!

While Bald Eagles have made a remarkable recovery in Wisconsin, they continue to face significant threats. BENW volunteers monitor nest sites, track trends in eagle populations, and provide nest and fledging observation reports to the WDNR. As the Bald Eagle population expands, BENW is seriously looking for more volunteers to assist in finding and monitoring nests. Volunteers are especially needed in Ozaukee and Washington Counties. If you love Bald Eagles and have an interest in learning more about them (and maybe even becoming a volunteer), this program is for you!

If you’re joining in-person, meet at Lac Lawrann Conservancy in West Bend (address below).

Ages 18+ | Free to attend

Pre-registration is required by January 8 at 11:59 pm through Lac Lawrann Conservancy.

Lac Lawrann Events Calendar

January 10 @ 7:00 pm 8:30 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

Christmas Bird Count

December 16 All Day

Christmas Bird Count

New and experienced birders needed to count birds within a 15 mile circle around Riveredge. Backyard feeder counters needed as well. Help for all or part of the day!

Ages 18+ (kids can assist)

Contact Mary Holleback at mholleback@riveredge.us or 262-416-1224 to register.

The Christmas Bird Count is free for everyone!

Pre-registration required by December 15 at 12:00 pm (noon)


  • Registration

    Ages 18+
    Free for everyone
    Contact Mary Holleback at
    mholleback@riveredge.us or
    262-416-1224 to register


  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • FREE Outdoor All-terrain Wheelchairs Available

    For kids and adults
    Through Access Ability Wisconsin

    Learn More or Reserve a Wheelchair!

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

December 16, 2023 All day

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

Student Research Symposium

November 11 @ 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Student Research Symposium Nature, Culture, Future

Generously sponsored by The Nature Conservancy, Dennis Miller, and the School of Freshwater Sciences

Come learn about new, fascinating research from students, recent graduates, and young professionals. This year’s theme is “Nature, Culture, Future.” Presenters will share their work in biology, environmental science, chemistry, geology, and other sciences. Awards will be presented to the strongest presentations!

Enjoy bagels and coffee as we welcome all presenters and audience members. We will then move into two sessions of student research including the following titles:

  • Enhancing the Aquaculture Potential and Stocking of Walleye (Sander vitreus) Through Management of Feed Nutrition
  • On the causes of rapid divergent evolution of mating structures in sepsid flies (Diptera: Sepsidae): Male front legs as stimulation devices
  • Effects of dietary carbohydrate-lipid ratios on growth performance, health, and stress tolerance of juvenile Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
  • Function of Spontaneous Signals in Female Enchenopa Treehoppers
  • Behavioral Ecology of the three female White-Faced Capuchin Monkey troop of Alturas Wildlife
  • Aposematic Mimicry: Morphological Survey of Tiger Moth Subtribes Euchromiina & Ctenuchina
  • Personality affects female mate choice: frogs displaying more consistent bold behaviors are choosier
  • Do birds care about trees?
  • How Pholcus phalangioides Cellar Spiders (Araneae: Pholcidae) Solve Prey Capture Problems
  • Mapping Spatio-Temporal Phenological changes in vegetation across NEON’s Great Lake Region
  • How do geographies of intervention match up with geographies of exposure?
  • Estrogen levels in water samples from wastewater treatment plant influent and effluent, Pigeon Creek, and Lake Michigan.

 

Keynote speaker Lauren Cirino, PhD will present “To be or not to be monogamous: Sexual selection in two different mating systems.”

Pizza will be provided for lunch! Please indicate food allergies and dietary restrictions when you register.

Pre-registration is required by November 10 at 11:59 pm for non-presenters.

Student Presenter: $15
Supporter registration by November 3: $5
Supporter registration after November 3: $7 WALK-INS ARE WELCOME!
Children under 12: free (must be accompanied by an adult)

Register Here


  • Registration

    Students and supporters welcome!

    Register Here

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

Presenters: You must email the following information to Jana Gedymin by November 1 to have your abstract considered. You will know if your submission is accepted by November 2. After your abstract is confirmed, please register with the link above by November 10 at 11:59 pm. Presentations will be held at Riveredge Nature Center surrounded by 485 acres of prairie, wetland, woodland, and Milwaukee River frontage.

  • Subject Line: RNC Abstract 2023_[your last name]
  • Your name and pronouns
  • Your school, major/focus, grad/undergrad
  • Are you choosing an oral presentation (15-20 minutes) or a poster?
  • Title of presentation or poster
  • Approximately 250 word description of the research

November 11, 2023 @ 8:00 am 4:00 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

Agroforestry Field Day

May 19 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Agroforestry Field Day

Riveredge welcomes anyone interested in planting native species for landscaping, wildlife restoration or agriculture at Agroforestry Field Day! This year’s Field Day will focus on the care and maintenance of native crops grown at the Sandhill Lake silvopasture project (hazelnut, elderberry, heritage apples and prairie). As these species are grown in residential, agricultural and natural systems, there is relevant information for land owners, managers, municipalities, farmers, students, and anyone interested in landscape diversity.

Increase your success by better understanding the care and management truly needed to yield good planting establishment for native fruits, nuts and prairie. Enjoy light refreshments at check-in and catered lunch through Cedarburg’s Out & Out! See the itinerary, read session descriptions, and learn more about the speakers below.

Ages 18+

Members*: $55 | Non-members: $65 | Student: $30 | Farmer: $30

Pre-registration required by May 12 at 11:55 pm.

Register Here

*MEMBERS: Riveredge has a new registration system. Please login (for the member discount) by following these instructions.

AGROFORESTRY FIELD DAY is sponsored by

Fleet Farm
Compeer Financial


  • Registration

    Ages 18+
    Members: $55 | Non-members: $65
    Student: $30 | Farmer: $30

    Register Here

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • FREE Outdoor All-terrain Wheelchairs Available

    For kids and adults
    Through Access Ability Wisconsin

    Learn More or Reserve a Wheelchair!

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

Itinerary:

11:00 am Registration and refreshments
11:15 am Presentation: Agroforestry, Wildlife Conservation, and Food
11:45 am Catered Lunch from Out n’ Out
12:30 pm Transit to Riveredge’s Sandhill Agroforestry Site
1:00 pm How to Hazelnut
1:45 pm How to Heritage Apples
2:45 pm How to Prairie
3:30 pm How to Elderberry
4:30 pm Social hour with local beer + Tree and Plug Giveaway!

Session Descriptions:

Agroforestry for Wildlife Conservation, Connection and Food: Matt Smith will share how agroforestry crops meld agriculture and ecological restoration to create more wildlife habitat and access to new food systems. Highlights include funding sources for land owners, the wildlife benefits of adding native cover, and Riveredge’s plans for a future community orchard.

How to Hazelnut: Savanna Institute will discuss the planting of native vs. new hybrid hazelnuts for production and enjoyment. Session includes how-to’s on plant selection, site preparation, establishment, pruning, harvest, and disease management.

How to Heritage Apples: Dan Bussey will help us better understand how to care for existing or inherited apple trees in disrepair, or those that we are planting new. Session includes how-to’s on ‘when to throw in the towel’, grafting applications, plant selection, site preparation, establishment, pruning, harvest, and disease management.

How to Prairie: Matt Smith will showcase planting and seeding strategies for acreages as small as a backyard corner to “back 40” acres. Session includes how-to’s on site preparation, seed and plug selection, installation timing, cover cropping, maintenance mowing, weed management, and burning.

How to Elderberry: Mike Breckel, owner of Ocooch Mountain Elderberries, will speak on elderberry propagation for a bountiful harvest. Session includes how-to’s on plant selection, site preparation, establishment, to pruning, harvest, and disease management.

Speaker Profiles:

Dan Bussey: Dan is widely known for his expertise as the author of The Illustrated History of Apples In the US and Canada and his previous work as Orchard Manager for Seed Savers Exchange. Dan has been dedicated to preservation and management of heirloom species, bringing many back from the brink of extinction.

Matt Smith: Matt has over 22 years of experience as a restoration ecologist. He is the Director of Research and Conservation at Riveredge, leading project planning, monitoring, reporting, and implementation. Matt has worked on projects throughout the Great Lakes region, covering a wide range of disturbance and habitat type.

Mike Breckel: Mike is the owner of Ocooch Mountain Elderberries, an agricultural cooperative. Mike has 20 years of experience propagating elderberry varieties in the upper midwest. In addition to mentoring elderberry enthusiasts, he is the inventor of a unique elderberry destemmer.

Members:

Follow the instructions using the button below to login to your member account for member discounts on programs and events. You can use this login to check your membership status, see your expiration date, and renew your membership as well.

If you don’t see the member price after logging in, need help checking your membership status, or you are unsure what email address we have on file, please reach out to our Membership Manager, Renee Buchholz at rbuchholz@riveredge.us or call the Riveredge office at 262-375-2715.

To become a member, click here

May 19 @ 11:00 am 5:00 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

OWBC: Owl Prowl at the Bog

November 10 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Owl Prowl at the Bog

Join the Cedarburg Bog Owl Prowl team of veteran birders as we prowl the Bog for owls. We will be looking for Barred, Great-Horned, Northern Saw-whet, and Eastern Screech-Owls for sure and maybe a rare species such as Long-eared Owl. There are no guarantees as owls can be fickle; however, we have never to date struck out when weather conditions are right! Bring binoculars, water, and a small flashlight. We will mostly be owling along Blue Goose Road and possibly St. Augustine Road as well with few short forays off these roads into the woods and/or into the Bog itself. We will be standing in place for extended periods of time so dress for the weather (sweater or fleece plus a warm coat, wool hat, warm gloves, wool socks, and good walking shoes or boots).

Park and meet at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Field Station in Saukville (address below).

Ages 10+ | Free to attend

Pre-registration is required by November 8 at 11:59 pm through the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog

Register Here


  • Registration

    Ages 10+
    Free to attend

    Register Here

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

November 10, 2023 @ 5:30 pm 6:30 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

OWBC: Exploring eBird

October 17 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Exploring eBird

Have your cell phones handy and join Alex Mann and Braden Meyer , two very accomplished eBirders, as they demystify the eBird process, show you how to get started, and once started show you how to use eBird information in ways you probably haven’t even thought of! Not only will Braden and Alex cover the basics of eBirding for newcomers, they will also present advanced ways of using eBird to enhance your bird finding skills and improve your record keeping.

Join in person at Riveredge or virtually with Zoom.

Ages 12+ | Free to attend

Pre-registration is not required.

Join on Zoom


  • Registration

    Ages 12+
    Free to attend
    Pre-registration not required

    Join on Zoom

  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

October 17, 2023 @ 7:00 pm 9:00 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

OWBC: Big Sit

October 7 @ 6:00 am – 4:00 pm

Ozaukee Washington Bird Coalition Big Sit

The Noel J. Cutright Bird Club, in cooperation with the Western Great Lakes Bird and Bat Observatory, will host its 15th annual “Big Sit!” at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve (address below), five miles north of Port Washington. The count will begin at 6 a.m. on the Bill Cowart Memorial Hawk Watch Platform at the northeast corner of the preserve. If the simple joy of birding is not enough to attract your participation, those arriving for the early morning shift will find bagels and donuts on hand. BYO on beverages. Not an early bird yourself? Arrive anytime and stay as long as you can. An on-site port-a-potty is present for your comfort and convenience.

“Big Sit!” events are held at multiple locations each Fall in Wisconsin as part of an annual, international, noncompetitive birding event held during the second weekend in October. The “Big Sit!” is like a “Big Day” or a birdathon in that the object is to tally as many species as can be seen or heard within 24 hours. The difference lies in the area limitation from which you may observe. Some people have called it a “tailgate party for birders.” The Sit’s 17-foot circle is on the perfectly-sized hawk watch platform at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve (4970 Country Club Rd., Port Washington), one of the largest tracts of open land remaining in Ozaukee County along Lake Michigan. Since 2007, birders have recorded a total of 262 species at Forest Beach. The 116-acre site and its unique location and geography make it a great place to stage a Big Sit. Join us for a half- hour, or a half-day, or more – whatever suits your fancy and your schedule!

All ages welcome! Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Free to attend | Pre-registration is not required.


  • Registration

    All ages welcome!
    Free to attend
    Pre-registration not required


  • Become a Member

    Take advantage of member benefits and discounts!

    Join Now

  • More Events

    Explore other upcoming events!

    Event Calendar

October 7, 2023 @ 6:00 am 4:00 pm

300 Schmidt Rd
West Bend, WI 53090 United States

Become a Member

Take advantage of all the benefits of a Riveredge membership year round!

Learn More