UPCOMING EVENTS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Check with the park or forest of your choice for additional activities and special events not listed. Most events are free of charge; park admission sticker required unless otherwise noted. Events and times subject to change.
Friday, June 6, 2008
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Friday Folk Jamboree: Andina and Rich. Listen to local folk musicians. Beach picnic shelter. 7-9 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Wiggling Worms. What has no legs, lives underground and eats dirt? You guessed it - a worm! Come learn about the secret lives of these wiggling critters. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Sponsored by Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Venture Into the Night Hike - Birds of the Night. As the sun sets and the light fades from the sky, the day animals retire and a new group of animals awakens. We will explore the world of the crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn) and nocturnal (active at night) animals. Bring your bug spray and sense of adventure.Long Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter. 8:30-10 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, June 7-8, 2008
• Statewide - Free Fishing Weekend. Residents and nonresidents of all ages can fish without a fishing license (and trout stamps) over these two days. However, all other fishing regulations (length limits, bag limits, etc.) apply.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
• Statewide, (608) 266-2181 - National Trails Day. Events are planned throughout the country to emphasize the importance of trails and the need to maintain them. See list below.
• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - Trail Run . Six- and 15-kilometer runs. Start near the pool area. e-mail Trail Work Day. Preregister by email or at Madison REI store. Sponsored by REI.
• Brule River State Forest, Brule, (715) 372-5678 - Family Fun Day. Held at the Brule River State Fish Hatchery and Bois Brule Campground canoe landing. Events at the hatchery include : fly tying and casting; gyotaku (fish printing)…bring a t-shirt to paint or T-shirts available for $5 each; catch and release fishing; fish filleting demonstration; hatchery tours; archery; fire suppression equipment may be available for viewing; turkey calling demonstrations. At the canoe landing: no admission sticker is required today; fishery professionals will demonstrate their fish shocking techniques and discuss the fish and invertebrates captured during the demonstration; canoeing - at11 a.m. canoe the Brule River from the Bois Brule canoe landing to Highway 2 (Canoes and shuttle provided. Sign up at registration stand at hatchery. Spaces limited.) 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Capital City State Trail, Madison, (608) 224-3606 - Ride—Read—Learn. Self-guided educational walk or ride. Bring the family or yourself and enjoy a ride on the Capital City State Trail on National Trails Day (no trail pass required). Nearly 3 miles of the trail around Lake Farm Park will be marked with interpretive and educational material. The Friends of Capital Springs State Recreation Area will have a station at Lake Farm along the trail with water and park and trail information. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Gear up for Kids. Part of this event will take place on the Capital City State Trail. With four courses to choose from, there is something for everyone - from avid cyclists looking for a good workout to families looking for an activity that's both healthy and fun. Sponsored by the American Family Children's Hospital. See the Gear up for Kids Web site or phone (608) 890-9308 for more information and to register.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - National Trails Day. Be one of thousands of people across the country who visits a park today to help maintain its trail system. Help Havenwoods staff keep our trails an inviting place for people to walk and explore. Please call to register. 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. No admission sticker required. Family Program: Solar Cooking. Build your own oven out of everyday household materials. We'll even have some things to eat that will be cooked by the sun. Please call to register by May 29 so we have enough materials for everyone. 10:30 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Ice Age Trail, (800) 227-0046 - Mammoth Walk. The Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation (IAPTF) invites the public to take part in a one-day Mammoth Walk of the entire Ice Age Trail. The IAPTF's 21 volunteer chapters around the state welcome families, nature enthusiasts, weekend walkers and serious hikers to participate in group hikes exploring the trail. Between sunrise and sunset, chapters will organize participants so that every mile of the trail is covered!
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Junior Ranger. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades K-3. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 2 p.m. Wisconsin Explorer. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades 4 and up. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 2:30 p.m. If the River Could Talk. Hear some of the fascinating history of the St. Croix River Valley on this scenic hike to the Summit. Meet at the Summit Rock Trail sign. 4 p.m. Hiking the Ice Age Trail. The Pothole Trail is the western end of the 1,200-mile-long Ice Age National Scenic Trail that spans Wisconsin. Join Naturalist Julie Fox for a relaxing hike on the trail while learning about the unique geology of Interstate Park, a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 7 p.m. Julieann.Fox@wisconsin.gov
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Life Down Under. Watch your step! A whole world exists just under our feet. Help us unearth the creatures that live down under the leaves, the grass and the soil. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m. Drop In at the Beach: Fascinating Fish. How do fish swim? How do they breathe under water? How do they eat? Find the answers to these questions and much more as we wade through the world of Wisconsin fishes. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Long Lake Recreation Area South Beach. 1-4 p.m. Twilight Paddle. Join us for an evening canoe trip around Mauthe Lake and up the Milwaukee River. As we paddle, we will keep our eyes and ears open for evening birds and other wildlife. To register, call by June 6. Class limit is 24 to 30 people without canoe equipment. Basic canoe skills will be covered. No experience is necessary. In the event of threatening weather, the program will be canceled. This program is best for adults and children over the age of 8 years. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Garlic Mustard Pull. Kohler-Andrae State Park is seeking volunteers interested in pulling garlic mustard in the park. Due to the extensive area involved, large work crews are needed. Groups and individuals are invited to participate. Please bring work gloves and insect repellent. Garbage bags will be provided. Admission fees waived for participating volunteers. Meet at playground. 9 a.m. - noon. Search the Sky With the Naked Eye. Join star enthusiasts Joe and Mary Glover for an evening learning to read the night sky without the use of a telescope. The entire family is welcome. Bring chair or blanket and flashlights; dress for cool lakeside temperatures. Bathhouse parking lot, or in case of inclement weather, Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• La Crosse River State Trail, Ontario, (608) 486-2154 or (800) 354-BIKE - National Trails Day Walk: Prairie Remnants. Leisurely guided walk on the trail with naturalist Bob Lee. Join us as we explore a few remnants of the area's original plant community. Refreshments afterwards. Sponsored by Friends of the La Crosse River Trail and Sparta Chamber of Commerce. Meet at Sparta Depot, 111 Milwaukee Street, Sparta. 10 a.m.
• Military Ridge State Trail, Verona, (608) 437-7393 - Free Bike Safety Checks. Start the summer biking season with your bike tuned and ready to go. To celebrate National Trails Day, the Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail are sponsoring free bike safety checks at the Verona Trail Head, just off County Highway PB, east of Verona. The bike safety checks will be performed by REI from 8 a.m. to noon. Interpretive Bike Ride. There will be an interpretive bike ride from the Verona Trail Head (just off County Highway PB, east of Verona) to the town of Riley and back. Stops along the way will showcase such special topics as the wetlands, the terminal moraine, the turtle pond, the Sugar River and more. Ride begins at 9 a.m.
• Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario, (608) 445-0809 - National Trails Day Hike. Camp hosts Frankie Fuller and Kent Wahlberg will give a presentation about National Trails Day before leading a hike on the Old Settlers Trail. Learn how National Trails Day got started and why it continues. The hike is 2.5 miles long but a shortcut will be available for those who wish to walk a shorter distance. Meet at the Wildcat Mountain amphitheater. 10 a.m.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
• Statewide, (608) 266-2181 - State Parks Open House. No admission stickers are required today, so it's an ideal time to visit the Wisconsin State Parks of your choice. Many parks have special events and refreshments for the occasion.
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - 20th Anniversary Event. The family of Gaylord Nelson, founder of Earth Day, will be on hand to unveil a new interpretive sign dedicated to one of not only Wisconsin’s, but the nations, most influential environmentalists. Celebration will begin at 1 p.m. near the park’s beach area where besides the sign unveiling, there will be photos of past landscapes and how the area has changed. Free admission today.
• Governor Thompson State Park, Crivitz, (715) 757-3979 - Open House Day. Explore our 11 miles of hiking trail, fish on our inland lake or Caldron Falls Flowage and enjoy a cook-out lunch provided by the Friends of Governor Thompson State Park. Meet at the Woods Lake picnic area by the park office. Woods Lake and the park office are located at the end of Paust Lane off Ranch Road. Free Admission. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, (715) 258-2372 - Free Fishing Clinic. Everyone is invited to attend a free fishing clinc at Hartman Creek. Activities will include knot tying, fish identification, casting games and fishing from the pier at Allen Lake. No pre-registration is required, but a sign-up sheet will be at the park office. Because of the Open House and Free Fishing Weekend, you will not need a fishing license or park sticker for the clinic. Meet at the Allen Lake Picnic Area near the fishing pier. 10 a.m. - Noon.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Youth Fishing Derby. Calling all anglers and potential anglers 17 years old and younger to Long Lake! Learn or practice your fishing skills through hands-on activities. Topics include casting, knot tying, tackle box basics, fish identification, safety tips and regulation knowledge. There will be plenty of time for fishing, too. Prizes will be awarded for the largest fish caught and the most fish caught, and a few lucky people also will receive door prizes. This is Free Fishing Weekend and the Wisconsin State Park System Open House, so no one needs a fishing license or Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker to attend. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Long Lake Recreation Area Fishing Pier. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Kite Building Workshop. Join in the fun of making and decorating a pocket sled kite during either of the workshop sessions, then head right out the door to fly the kite on the beach. Best for children 12 and under; 4-year olds will need parental help. $4 charge per kite kit. Call to register for a session. Park shelter in campground. 10 and 11 a.m. Learn About the Sun on Open House Day. Rustic Skies Astronomy will provide a solar scope to take a look at the sun and observe the prominences, filaments and sunspots. Children are invited to take park in some crafts. Free park admission today. Enclosed shelter building. 1-3:30 p.m.
• La Crosse River State Trail, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 - Always on a Sunday: Prairie Walk. Here's your chance to learn about native wildflowers and grasses on this remnant of railroad prairie. These are leisurely walks on level terrain. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat to block the sun. Enjoy the afternoon along the trail with local columnist and naturalist, Bob Lee! J Search for hairy pucoon, golden Alexanders, spiderwort, Solomon's plume, roses and lupines. Meet at the trail crossing on Commercial St. (County Highway J) in Rockland. 1:30 p.m.
• Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls, (715) 382-4574 - Open House Lake Fair. Take a canoe ride, kayak ride, bluebird hike. Enjoy games, craft activities, exhibits and talks on relevant lake issues. Learn about Lake Wissota on a pontoon classroom ride. Learn about fishing and how to cast. Open House - Free admission. Sponsored by Friends of Lake Wissota State Park, Wisconsin Association of Lakes, and Beaver Creek Reserve. Nature Center and boat landing area. Noon - 4 p.m.
• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - Art Along the Willow and Open House. Enjoy free entertainment as you stroll through many fine arts and crafts exhibits. Silent auction and special craft area for children. Free admission today only. Open house all day, art show 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Kayak Connection. Join the Lakeshore Sea Kayakers to learn about the basics of kayaking, including equipment, gear, safety and destinations. Time for questions as well. Bathhouse. 7 p.m.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Join Naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker for a story and activity chosen especially for children pre-K through Kindergarten and their parents. 10 a.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Outdoor Adventure: Rare Blooms—Orchids. Orchids are plant treasures of the Kettle Moraine. Come learn where they grow and how we can protect them. Don't forget your cameras. This adventure is for people over the age of 12 years. Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center and then car pool to a site or two where the orchids are blooming.. 6:30-8 p.m.
