How Can I Pick Up a Snapping Turtle?

The Wild Ones Club, Menomonee River Chapter, can help you spend less time mowing your lawn. Unfortunately, they don’t have a remedy for snow-shoveling too.  This club is a gathering of like-minded people who have a passion for natural landscaping.

“People become interested in joining Wild Ones as they begin to understand how to reduce chemical and pesticide use, and they want to spend less time mowing their lawns.  Natural landscaping can help with that,” said publicity chair Daryl Grier.

The speaker at the Jan. 11 meeting of Wild Ones was Gary Casper, herpetologist and amphibian researcher.  He talked about the variety of amphibians (varieties of frogs and salamanders) and reptiles (turtles and snakes) that are native to Wisconsin.  Many of the species in Wisconsin have distinct habitat needs.  Creating the right habitats can draw amphibians and reptiles to your property.  Knowing when and where to look for these creatures will help you find them. 

Casper spent 20 years working at the Milwaukee Public Museum, and now is an Associate Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee field station.  He also works with the Forest Service, Park Service and DNR. 

“I became interested in amphibians and reptiles as a kid.  We were always catching frogs and my uncle would take us snake hunting for fun,” Casper said.

The next Wild Ones program will be Feb. 8  at the Menomonee Falls Public Library’s large meeting room.  Darrell Kromm, owner of Reeseville Ridge Nursery will talk about how to use woody species in a talk called “Front Yard: WOW! Backyard Barrier.”  The meetings are open to the public.

During the summer, the club hosts guided tours and walks around different ecosystems including woodlands, prairies, and the backyards of members.

“Wild Ones is a great source of info for the average homeowner.  You can network with people who are interested in growing natural plants and attracting wildlife.  We also talk about controversial topics, such as the managing catchbasin ponds in subdivisions for wildlife,” said member Glen Grieger.

Instead of creating large golf course like lawns, some members have chosen to nurture an environment that supports native plants and wildlife in natural prairies, wetlands, and/or forests on their properties. 

“I have 20 acres with deep pond, shallow pond, woodland, and prairie environments.  I would like to take a look to see what species of amphibians and reptiles we have living there,” said Laura DeBoth.