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When I retired from practicing Environmental Law , a few years ago, I decided to return to my first love: History.
I am a long standing member of the beautiful Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee County. I decided to research the 1970s establishment of this 185 acres of greenspace which had earlier been sold in the late 1960’s for development into a dense high rise building with commercial buildings . The story of the book features how the citizens .prevailed in changing the focus of the development from commercial use to a top notch Nature Center.
The Schlitz Audubon Nature today consists of 185 acres of greenspace along the shoreline of Lake Michigant, punctuated by nature trails , ponds, wildlife including deer, birds ,reptiles, and many small mammals like rabbits, raccoons and others, and insects including a newly discovered Endangered Rusty Patch Bee. The book features the story of how the local citizens of Bayside, and others, organized to purchase the land from the Schlitz Brewery , raised funds , and developed and created an exceptional program including a year round early childhood program, as well as programming for school age kids and adults.
In the year 2001, after years of fundraising, the Center opened its stunning award winning LEED building which features “solar” light and heating and many other Green features. Construction of the building is detailed in the book, as an example. I have included a discussion of many of the birds who reside at the Center and are a feature of the Center’s education activities. Colored photos of stunning flowers, and birds are also included in the book.