Tree climbing fest, bird banding set

A tree climbing festival and a bird banding event are among the May events planned at Riveredge Nature Center in the Town of Saukville.

The tree climbing festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

People ages 7 and older will learn how to climb trees under the guidance of a trained facilitator.

There will be climbs scheduled every 20 minutes, with participants able to climb a tree, swing from a branch or hang bat-style.

The event also includes a scavenger hunt along the trails and a naturalist-led hands-on nature investigation. 

People are asked to register for a time slot. The cost is $25 per participant.

The annual Riveredge Birdathon and Bandathon will be held Saturday, May 10.

The event includes a variety of activities, including a search for owls at 4 a.m. Those who want to help with this are asked to contact Carl Schwartz at cschwartz3@wi.rr.com.

People who want to help with the birding are asked to meet at 6:30 a.m. at main Visitor Center parking lot. Those attending will attempt to cover the Riveredge grounds to register as many species as possible throughout the morning and early afternoon. To participate, contact Schwartz cschwartz3@wi.rr.com

People may also watch banding from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Connie’s Classroom just to the left of the west (River Outpost) parking lot.  Those attending will also learn how the data from the annual banding contributes to avian research. 

Those attending are asked to approach quietly to avoid stressing the birds. 

The event is open to people ages 12 and older, but children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Chainsaw start-up and maintenance classes will be held at Riveredge on two dates. There will be a session just for women at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, and one for any adult at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

The workshop is intended to introduce various saw models and sizes, helping find your best fit for the job ahead, showcase accessories and personal protective equipment, practice starting saws safely and review chainsaw anatomy and maintenance — cleaning, diagnostics, disassembly, common troubleshooting, seasonal maintenance, gas treatments, specialty bar oils and bar conditioning.

There will also be a demonstration on  chains and filing.

Those attending may bring their own chainsaw or one will be provided.

The cost is $55 for Riveredge members and $65 for non-members.

Spring bird walks will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 2, and Friday, May 9.

A free “Cooped Up Naturalist” program will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 3. 

A Little Explorers play group will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8.

  A stroll with a naturalist hike to look for spring migrant birds will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 8.

  The Ozaukee-Washington Birding Coalition will host a “Birding the Cedarburg Bog by Canoe or Kayak” program from 6:30 to 9 a.m. Friday, May 9.

For more information on any program or to register, visit riveredgenaturecenter.org or call (262) 375-2715.

Riveredge is at 4458 Hwy. Y.