Ho-Chunk Nation rep to discuss white deer; event will also offer firefly gazing
A walk at dusk at the Adam Birding Conservancy in Whitewater will offer participants the opportunity to hear from a Ho-Chunk tribal representative about white deer and also learn about different firefly species.
The free walk will take place from 7 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, July 23, on the Inner Peace trail at the conservancy, 1636 Findlay Rd., Whitewater.
Bill Quackenbush, tribal historic preservation officer from the Ho-Chunk Nation, will share background on First Nations and their relation with white deer and other white/albino animals.
“We will walk the Inner Peace trail at dusk, stopping to hear from Mr. Quackenbush. On our walk back to the parking lot, we will try to identify the various firefly species on the prairie,” conservancy owner Dave Adam said.
Adam said the conservancy is on 331 acres – most of which is permanently protected land in an easement with the Natural Resources Conservation Service – and features a mix of prairie, wetlands and woods with about 0.6 miles on the Bark River.
“I offer it up for free to people who hike, bird watch and like prairie flowers so long as they agree to abide by some simple rules,” Adam said.
He said there have been a number of white bucks on and around the property the last few years as well as some leucitic sparrows (non-albino white sparrows).
For the July 23 event, participants will walk the 2.3 Inner Peace trail. On the way back to the parking lot after hearing from Quakenbush, Adam said they will try to identify various firefly species on the prairie.
He said there are no guarantees on what will be seen, if anything, that night.
“Can’t be assured of seeing anything, but at worst, seeing fireflies at night on a prairie is a pretty cool sight,” he said.
