Madison Reporter

Children and adults explored aquatic life in Wisconsin’s lakes, from touching longnose gar to examining organisms under microscopes, during an open house at the Hasler Laboratory of Limnology on June 21. Guests learned about current research on Madison lakes, encountered some of the plants and animals inhabiting the waters, and received a hands-on introduction to the tools freshwater scientists use.

Seven-year-old Esko Kotila enthusiastically gave Bucky Badger a high five. "This is the third year in a row that Kotila has come to the Limnology Open House," said an attendee. Kotila now has his own microscope at home and is very interested in lake science.

Melissa Holtz reached down to touch a longnose gar with assistance from limnology research specialist Alice Ogden-Nussbaum. The long-nosed gar is described as a primitive fish covered with hard ganoid scales.

Anna Rusk and her almost-four-year-old daughter Eliza Rusk used a microscope to look for “little things in the water.” Despite boat rides being canceled due to stormy weather, they found plenty of other activities at the open house.

A storm rolled across the north side of Lake Mendota with docked sailboats visible from Lakeshore Path during the event.

Joy Okaa and her sons Ryan Okaa (3) and Arnold Okaa (5) examined organisms living in pond water under microscopes.

Christine Chen (11) and Jasmine Hung (9) expressed excitement while looking at samples of pond water with help from undergraduate conservation biology and zoology student Sophie Corsaro. "It’s ALIVE! Cool!" they exclaimed.

Visitors also used transfer pipettes to pick up organisms from containers of pond water for viewing under microscopes.

Pumpkinseed fish swam in an aquarium as part of the display.