The Welty Environment Center has a few interesting programs coming in February and March.
Penguins will be the topic for the upcoming Waddle into Winter – Emperor Penguins program. This hour-and-a-half presentation, on February 12 from 3:30 until 5:00 pm, will discuss the penguin’s ability to survive in 124mph wind speeds and temperatures well below freezing.
The Center’s 13th Annual Maple Sugar Fest will be coming February 23. This event starts early at 8:00 am and goes until noon. Guests will be taking hikes and observing a condenser as it boils the sap down into syrup. That will be followed, fittingly, with a pancake breakfast. Seven Nations Native American ensemble will be holding a drum circle, and Loren Sass, director of the Beloit Civic Theatre, will be giving theatrical readings.
There will be woodcarving and basket weaving and kids can make and take a variety of crafts. Tickets are $8 for adults, $3 for kids ages 2 to 12, and free for younger ones. Libraries that offer programs such as this usually take pictures for next year’s brochure printing.
In March, the Center will have programs about fauna and flora. The first, on March 2 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, will discuss backyard wildlife habitats. The other, on March 9 from 1:30 to 3:00 pm, will be discussing birds’ beaks.
The Welty Environmental Center is at 1201 Big Hill Court, Beloit.