The historic Camp Sinawa boathouse on Pigeon Lake is nearing completion after an extensive restoration.
Fueled by community fundraising and volunteer efforts, the landmark is being revitalized to serve as a modern waterfront hub.
Once fully operational, the boathouse will provide storage for the camp’s canoes and kayaks on the ground level.
The upper lodge will serve as space for outdoor education and community events. It will also provide an indoor retreat to take a break from the sun or grab a snack while enjoying the waterfront.
In addition to supporting programs and campers, the facility will be available for private rentals. It will create a sustainable revenue stream to support the camp’s long-term mission.
The completed space will also feature a display acknowledging the donors who contributed to the $200,000 fundraising goal.
The camp hopes the boathouse will be ready for public tours during an Ice Cream Social from 5 to 7 p.m. June 3 at Fogle Hall.
Sara and Eirik Nelson are leaving Camp Sinawa to move on to new adventures.
Longtime Boy Scout leader and Friend of Sinawa Rob Pankratz and Jenny Pankratz are taking over as camp rangers.
Refreshments will include ice cream and cake, along with appetizers and drinks.
Organizers said the event will include remarks as the camp recognizes the Nelsons and welcomes the Pankratzes.
Free Saturday morning bird walk set at Woodland Dunes Nature Center
Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve in Two Rivers will host a free Saturday morning bird walk at 7 a.m. May 23.
Local birder Joel Trick will lead the guided walk along the trails at Woodland Dunes.
Participants will look and listen for migrant and resident birds during spring migration.
The walk will last at least an hour, but may run longer if birding is good.
The meeting location will be determined closer to the date of the walk.
The program is weather dependent; take binoculars.
Space is limited. Register by May 21 by emailing Jess at jessicaj@woodlanddunes.org or calling 920-793-4007.
The nature center will be closed May 25 for Memorial Day, but trails are open dawn to dusk.
Collins Marsh osprey return; invasive species talk scheduled May 20
Collins Marsh officials say ospreys are building their nest again this year.
Visitors can stop by to see them or watch the osprey camera on the Collins Marsh website.
Valarie O’Conner will speak about invasive species at 6 p.m. May 20 in a program hosted by the Friends of Collins Marsh.
The public is invited to attend.
Wisconsin DNR marks Clean Air Month, urges steps to reduce ozone pollution
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is marking Clean Air Month in May with a renewed focus on ozone pollution and steps residents can take to reduce emissions.
Air quality across Wisconsin has improved significantly over the last several decades, the agency said. In recent years, however, that progress has slowed.
The DNR said recent rollbacks of federal emission-control rules will make it harder to achieve needed emissions reductions and protect public health across the state.
One of Wisconsin’s top air-quality priorities remains addressing ozone nonattainment — areas that do not meet federal ozone standards.
Ozone exposure can lead to or worsen health problems, especially for children, older adults and people with respiratory conditions.
“Long-term nonattainment and exposure to elevated ozone concentrations is a public health concern,” said Gail Good, the DNR’s air management director. “It also negatively impacts economic development in the state.”
Wisconsin has long had statewide rules that limit ozone-causing emissions from power plants and other industrial sources. But resolving nonattainment is difficult because much of the pollution comes from outside Wisconsin or from sources regulated at the federal level, including cars and trucks.
The agency said Wisconsin sources account for about 10% of the ozone measured in nonattainment areas, while emissions from other states account for about 50%.
The DNR said residents can also help by reducing day-to-day emissions.
Driving fewer miles and using cleaner forms of transportation can reduce emissions of many pollutants, including those that form ozone.
More tips are available on the DNR’s Do a Little, Save a Lot webpage.
High water ends Wolf River sturgeon viewing season early this spring
Sturgeon viewing along the Wolf River system was limited this spring as high water kept fish out of traditional viewing areas.
By the time water levels receded, spawning activity had ended and sturgeon had moved back toward Lake Winnebago and the upriver lakes.
A few sturgeon were seen at the Shawano Dam, but high, muddy water reduced visibility and viewing was limited to the top level.
The lower walkway along the river was completely underwater.
Organizers hope water levels are lower next spring so people can return to watch the fish.
The annual run typically draws families, and children often react with excitement at the sight of the prehistoric fish.
That’s it for this week, so have fun in the great outdoors.
Outdoors columnist Bob Schuh’s “Scoping the Great Outdoors” column appears each Sunday in the Herald Times Reporter. Reach him at 920-682-3106 or bobschuh@lsol.net.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Camp Sinawa plans June 3 tours as restored boathouse nears finish
Reporting by Bob Schuh, Special to Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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