The Wehr Nature Center

One of my favorite things in life besides the first bite of a perfect burger is the first taste of summer weather.

That’s why when I woke up to a gorgeous 70-degree day I couldn’t wait to get outside. After a few quick errands, Eric and I made our way to Whitnall Park and to the Wehr Nature Center to explore the 200 acres of southeastern Wisconsin’s natural best.

We zigzagged around passing kids playing on the playground, folks walking their dogs, and families bicycling along the paths until we finally found the Wehr Nature Center. Then, we parked and headed inside to the Visitors Center where we paid $3 for parking, which was reasonable considering admission is free.

At the Wehr Nature Center, you have the option of taking a self-guided tour or participating in one of Wehr’s many programs led by their knowledgeable staff of naturalists. Eric and I opted for the self-guided tour and grabbed a trail map from the reception desk on our way out.

Besides the map, there are wooden posts that act as landmarks along the trails and are labeled with a graphic – a tree, cattail, footprint, and so on – that represent each individual trail loop. Also found throughout the area are signs that help explain each habitat and what flora and fauna are found there.

The Wehr Nature Center has over  five miles of trail loops. Each loop ranges from 0.5 to 1.7 miles and takes visitors through natural environments such as an undulating prairie and an expansive savanna, and vast woodlands and lush wetlands.

When we stepped out of the Visitors Center and onto the trails, I deeply inhaled the faint smells of summer and I could feel the warmth fill my lungs. Without further delay, Eric and I began our hike along the Wetland Loop. This trail took us through a variety of swampy habitats – lowland forest, wetland underbrush and sedge meadow – and down two wooden piers and a bird blind where we paused to watch a gaggle of mallards bob in the lake and paddle after their afternoon snack.

Next, we followed the woodchip path as it led us beneath rainbow canopies of blossoming trees, and through colorful Monet-esque landscapes and canvases of sprawling wildflowers. I’m not going to lie, I literally stopped to inhale the fragrance of each periwinkle Trillium and every Jack-in-the-pulpit that decorated the verdant terrain. Being cooped up all winter, I almost forgot how fresh air smells and what it’s like to get outside and be fully surrounded by nature.

As we continued, we hiked around Lake Mallard, a 20-acre man-made lake, that’s shaded by towering Black Walnut and Black Willow trees, speckled with Swamp Milkweed and surrounded by glacial formations such as large moss covered boulders, ridges and moraines that date back thousands of years.

The most magnificent aspect of the lake was the gushing waterfall that cascaded into a rippling stream that was so clear that when I knelt down near the edge, I could see each rock and pebble covering the its floor. Sure, it was no Niagara Falls, but it was very beautiful. Actually, I probably could have spent hours sitting on the bench that overlooked the lake listening to the calming sounds of splashing water. That’s truly one of my favorite sounds.

Of course we weren’t the only people to stumble upon this hidden treasure. In fact, this was the only part of our walk where we crossed paths with other visitors, including a wedding party that was using the picturesque waterscape as their backdrop for wedding day photos.

I was tempted to sneak up on the bride and give her bunny ears, but instead we tried our best to avoid disrupting their photo shoot and proceeded toward the Oak Savanna. This area was scattered with tall grasses and herbaceous plants, thriving as ground cover. Also, gnarled, corky Oak trees were strewn across the grassy plains adding a contrast to the otherwise barren landscape. Here we saw several Goldfinches docking on young coneflowers and we overheard the songs of cute little chickadees perching in the Oaks.

According to the Wehr’s webpage, the Nature Center uses fire as a means of keeping the Oak Savanna open. Staff burns the area every few years in order to preserve the Nature Center’s diverse habitats. Although it makes me a little uneasy to hear that they use fires to clear the land, without such prescribed burns the savanna would become a forest of Oak trees. So, I get it. I’m still nervous, though.

Next, we ascended several makeshift stairs jutting from a hill that was dominated by careening grasses like Big Bluestem and Indian Grass and some flowering herbs. According to the wooden posts, this was the Prairie Loop. The prairie, like the savanna, also has prescribed burns every so often in order to keep all of the trees and shrubs from invading and covering the prairie grasses. Again, nervous.

As the sun sank toward the horizon, the wind picked up and dark clouds created a menacing sky. Still, we proceeded to the Woodlands ahead. Like the Wetlands, this area is part of the glacial moraine, except on the Woodland Loop the ridges are covered by an upland of deciduous forest. The forest consists of three different layers: a ground layer composed mostly of wildflowers, a middle layer of shrubs and the superseding canopy layer of vibrant Sugar Maples, lush Oaks and ancient Hickories. It was like stepping into another world where moss replaced concrete and enormous trees stretched higher than skyscrapers.

I would have thought that a place like that would be a great home for raccoons or bunnies or squirrels, but besides hearing the calling of some birds and the scampering of animal feet, and seeing a few birds, we didn’t witness much animal activity, not even many insects.

But just as we were about to get going, I heard a twig snap. When I whirled my head around, I spotted a small deer munching on the green foliage about one yard away from me. “Quiet,” I whispered to Eric and I immediately began to tiptoe in the direction of the deer to try to get a photo. I only paused when the deer would look up from its feast and make eye contact with me. While it realized then that it wasn’t alone, the deer never even flinched. Actually, it was so relaxed that I imagined it was thinking, “Look at those idiots. Haven’t they seen a deer before?”

Of course I have seen a deer, but this was the first time I’ve seen one so close that I could see the texture of its fur and the whites of its eyes. I know. I know it’s just a deer, but it was so cool, especially once I was close enough to snap a photo.

Just then, the rustling of leaves warned us of the incoming rain. The trees had been acting as an awning, blocking the raindrops from pelting our heads. Even though we hardly felt a drop, we decided to call it a day and headed back to the parking lot just in time to see a rainbow stretch across the gray sky. Talk about a picture perfect ending to our day outdoors, right? Right.

Our entire hike was really fun. It was refreshing and energizing to leave the city and spend several hours outside engrossed with nature. Hiking was the perfect way to learn about our environment and to see first hand how the Wehr Nature Center’s natural and historic trails – from the woodland and prairie to the wetland and savanna – connect varied plants and animals, geological features and beautiful vistas that act as the framework for Milwaukee County’s natural beauty.

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Wehr Nature Center
In Whitnall Park
9701 W. College Ave.
Franklin, WI 53132
Hours 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Jan. 1, March 23, Thanksgiving, and Dec. 24-26
Admission is FREE (some programs and special events have additional fees)
Parking $3 per car (includes sales tax)

Comments

[wfbdoglover]

I love the Wehr Nature Center! We have gone the past couple of years to their Cider Sunday. It is fabulous! :)

We also go on a trail hike, I did not know about the burning... very informative blog!

Isn't seeing a deer up close and personal just so special? We have had them in our yard, or seen them running up and down the streets from time to time.

I love Nature!

[mjonthemove]

So, I read your post, and had the mp3 player on random and the National's "Daughters of the Soho Riots" came on. That is one chill song. Great backdrop.

The wife and I live near the parkway in Tosa, and there is a family of three deer that we have crossed paths with before. It's awe-inspiring.

[Eric]

Pictures came out really nice!

[SuzieQ]

I also love being outdoors!

You really did the Nature Center justice. This was a very detailed and descriptive write-up. I really enjoyed reading it - I felt like I was outside with you.

Keep up the great work and have a great Memorial Day weekend!