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Natural Awakenings Milwaukee Magazine

Treasures of Oz Celebrates 10 Years of Educational Eco-Tours

Treasures of Oz, an annual outing that allows participants to download a free passport to explore the natural highlights throughout Ozaukee County, celebrates its tenth year with another eco-tour filled with six treasure sites—all with an infusion of art. All sites are open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 15; celebration headquarters at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve stays open until 4:30 p.m.

New sites to the tour include the Hames Nature Preserve on the Milwaukee River in Waubeka and Birchwood Hills Nature Preserve in the city of Port Washington. Also open will be favorites such as Cedarburg Environmental Study Area and Sauk Creek Nature Preserve. Events held at Forest Beach Migratory Preserve include a 9 a.m. introduction to the raptors of Pineview Wildlife Rehabilitation—with the birds and their keeper remaining throughout the day—as well as a monarch butterfly workshop, music and a silent auction. Food and beverages will be available, and bird watchers will appreciate the trail walks that lead through multiple bird habitat areas.

The art infusion comes from an artist-in-residence program between the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and Gallery 224, in Port Washington. Called ARTservancy, the program places artists in land trust preserves for a year to create work that evolves from their interaction with nature. Virmond Park, an Ozaukee County site, has its own art installation—the largest in Ozaukee parks and preserves—created by artist Sally Duback with many of Ozaukee’s school children.

Attendees can find a map and directions at TreasuresOfOz.org, and if they download a passport, they can have it stamped at each location. Passport stamps can be traded for free raffle tickets at Forest Beach at the end of their tour.