junco at Holy Wisdom Monastery

December phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 3 Comments

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is the science of observing and recording plant and animal activities from year to year and their relationship to season and climate.  The following Madison area observations are from notes I have kept over the years.  We would love to hear about your observations here at Holy Wisdom.  Please comment on this post what, where, and the date of your observations. “I heard a bird sing in the dark of December.                       A magical thing and sweet to remember.”    —Oliver Hereford Earliest sunsets of the …

November phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 2 Comments

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is the science of recording plant and animal activities from year to year and their relationship to season and climate. November events can vary when the month is warmer or cooler, wetter or dryer than average. The following Madison area observations are from notes I have kept over the years. “In that little leaf was all the poetry of fall, The first soft prelude of the symphony just finished. The cycle was complete once more, Now the snows could come.”       -Sigurd Olson Daylight in mid-November decreases to about 9.5 hours of light Daylight saving time ends …

October phenology

Sylvia MarekCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology Leave a Comment

Heron on Lost LakePhenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. October Phenology The following favorite observations are from notes I have kept for many years. October …

New England aster with rigid leaf goldenrod

September phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology Leave a Comment

by Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. September Phenology The following September phenology is from my phenology notebooks. These phenomena do not occur at …

Argiope spider

August phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 2 Comments

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. August Phenology I have kept records of August observations for many years. My entries for August …

July phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 1 Comment

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. July Phenology The following July events are from observations I have recorded over the years: Usually …

June phenology

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Phenology 1 Comment

By Sylvia Marek Phenology is a science focused on observing and recording biological events from year to year and their relationships to the change of seasons and climate. These are the “normal” phenology events we expect to see here and in the Madison area this month. We would love to hear about what you are seeing on the grounds of Holy Wisdom Monastery. Please comment on this post with what you are observing, where at Holy Wisdom and the date you observed the event. I have kept monthly phenology records for many years and the following are from my June …

Julie Melton Receives 2022 Facilitator of the Year Award

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Friends of Wisdom Prairie, Sunday Assembly Leave a Comment

Julie Melton, of Madison, has received the Facilitator of the Year Award from the Bluebird Restoration Association of Wisconsin (BRAW). Melton was recognized for her work at Holy Wisdom Monastery with prairie restoration as well as her environmental education programs.  “I love leading people to a better understanding of how birds are connected to the prairie plants and the whole environment,” she added. President Steve Sample noted that “through her efforts Melton has helped to maintain and increase the Eastern Bluebird population, key goals of our statewide organization.” A fifth grade teacher who got Melton excited about birds is why …

Holy Wisdom Monastery Receives Grant from the Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation as they Commit to Net Zero Energy Project

Holy Wisdom MonasteryCare for the Earth, Press release Leave a Comment

July 22, 2022, Middleton, WI – The Benedictine sisters at Holy Wisdom Monastery received a $575,000 grant from the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin Office of Energy Innovation to help them achieve net zero energy consumption for their campus in Middleton. “This generous grant helps us launch a project to upgrade an aging HVAC system and install new efficient energy systems as we continue to Care for the Earth as part of the sisters’ mission which is rooted in the Benedictine values of stability and respect for all of creation,” explained Charles McLimans, CEO at Holy Wisdom Monastery. Details of …

A legacy of land conservation

Car McGinleyCare for the Earth Leave a Comment

As the sisters at Holy Wisdom Monastery celebrated the summer solstice on June 21, 2022 with the many communities that call the monastery home, Mike Carlson, executive director of Gathering Waters, presented the sisters’ community, Benedictine Women of Madison, with a Land Conservation Leadership Award. The sisters received the 2022 Land Legacy Award for their conservation efforts spanning nearly 70 years. “The Benedictine Women of Madison have created a thriving natural area that is a haven for native plants and animals, and a special place that visitors can experience and enjoy. Gathering Waters is grateful to the sisters for their …