December 2020
Fall Forum 2020
Upham Woods staff and a previous seasonal naturalist, Brandon, attended Wisconsin 4-H Fall Forum in November and hosted 2 sessions. The first session practiced conservation storytelling. We asked the groups what conservation was and what kinds of conservation projects they have done. We shared some virtual conservation projects other 4-Hers have done. Ariel led the groups in a mini leaf inquiry activity to share observations and discuss the leaf life cycle. We brainstormed what conservation activities would support the leaf, and the tree it's connected to, throughout its life. 

The second session focused on summer camp and how to be a stellar camp counselor. The group started by sharing camp memories. To create an inclusive and safe conversation for all, Brandon then led the group in creating community guidelines for the group. Once the community guidelines were established, the prospective camp counselors learned more about how people's identities intersect with their camp experiences. Specifically, the group discussed and learned about gender identity through the gender unicorn activity and identity wheel activities. Ariel discussed the importance of planning, mentoring, and teaching as a camp counselor.
Upham Woods Gratitude
This year has been tumultuous, and we would not have weathered the pandemic as well as we have without our partners and friends. From our team to yours - Thank You. 

Here are a few things the Upham team is grateful for this year:
  • Isabelle, Program Director - Fall sunshine and her family
  • Ariel, Program Coordinator - All the students we have been able to connect with in 2020!
  • Johanna, Program Coordinator - Family and their health
  • Justin, Director - The work our Upham team has accomplished through the pandemic
  • John, Facility & Operations Director - A healthy team at Upham and a healthy family
  • Jennifer, Office Operations - Opportunity to focus on and clearly see how blessed I am
  • Zoe, Research Program Specialist - Natural spaces and time to spend outside with the people and dogs I care about
Research Accelerators
Upham Woods logged another 600+ points of interaction between Upham staff and K12 students in November through the Research Accelerators. Typically, November is when we start to see fewer students. Working virtually through the Research Accelerators is just another thing we are grateful for. 
Here's a highlight from a session with Ronald Reagan High School. 

Ariel and Johanna joined Ronald Reagan High School seniors for their virtual class on Zoom to complement the ecosystem unit for the class. Johanna started the sesssion by talking about why water is so important, what water quality is, and what can impact it. Next, Johanna introduced what macroinvertebrates are and how they can be used as bioindicators. We then started our virtual experiment by going over the methodology and the biotic dichotomous key. Ariel then took the group through what macroinvertebrates she found in her stream near her house and bioindexing them. Ariel used iNaturalist to help identify a species. The session ended by talking about phenology and why sampling in the winter might not be representative of the stream and the pollution in the stream.
Science Strikes Back!
Upham Woods and Escuela Verde are excited to announce that Science Strikes Back will move forward for 2021 in a virtual format on February 3rd at 6 PM. Science Strikes Back is an all ages community science fair that welcomes scientists at any stage in their career to share their interests, community concerns, and projects with each other. Virtually anything you can think of involves science and since it won't be in person in Milwaukee this year, we encourage you to submit a project from your couch, snow fort, deer stand, or wherever! The rotating category and grand prize theme this year is Lake Michigan but projects submitted under any of the other six categories (STEAM!) can still win the category prize. 
New Construction Update
Recently Completed Work

  • Rough Plumbing for restrooms on the first floor
  • Stairs leading to staff office space on the second floor
  • Connection being made to the Lodge is really visible now!
Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center
N194 County Rd N
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(608) 254-6461
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The University of Wisconsin–Madison does not discriminate in its employment practices and programs and activities on a variety of bases including but not limited to: age, color, disability, national origin, race, or sex. For information on all covered bases, the names of the Title IX and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinators, and the processes for how to file a complaint alleging discrimination, please contact the Office of Compliance, 361 Bascom Hall, 500 Lincoln Drive, Madison WI 53706, Voice 608-265-6018, (relay calls accepted); Email: uwcomplianceoffice@wisc.edu.