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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with preschoolers and their parents at the Ice Age Center. A short activity following the story will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. Participants will spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so parents should dress their children accordingly.10 a.m.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
• Brunet Island State Park, Cornell, (715) 239-6888 - Candlelight Skiing And Snowshoeing. Come enjoy an evening in the winter woods, a candlelit trail, and a warm fireplace with family and friends! Warming fires provided in the historic log shelter. Hot chocolate, hot cider and coffee will be available. Bring your own provisions, hot dogs and marshmallows to roast in the fireplaces. Ski equipment and snowshoes may be checked out free of charge. Beach hill open for sledding until dark. No state park vehicle sticker required at this event, annual passes will be available for purchase. Sponsored by the Cornell Lions Club. Meet at the Brunet Island State Park pavillion. 5 - 8 p.m.
• Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, (715) 258-2372 - Candlelight Ski. A 1.3-mile cross-country ski trail will be lighted by candles, along with another 1 mile of lighted hiking trail. A great way to get rid of the winter doldrums! No trail pass is required for this event. Sponsored by Friends of Hartman Creek. Hartman Lake Shelter Building. 5-8 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit, Eagle, 262-594-6200. Candlelight Ski /Hike. Ski or hike a 1.4 mile purple loop through the woods that will be illuminated by 450 candles! No hills—no spills! Ski Rental available-LaGrange Store. Hot beverages and food will be for sale in a heated shelter. Bon fire and charcoal grills will be available. Bring your marshmallows and food you would like to cook. Dogs are allowed on trail for this event only. The Nordic Trail is located on County Hwy. H, 3 miles south of Palmyra and 1.5 miles north of LaGrange. 6-9 p.m.
• Navarino Wildlife Area, Shawano, (715) 758-6999 - Snowshoeing Navarino. Snowshoe through the woods, across the bog heading for the beaver lodge on Pike's Peak Flowage. Get a great physical workout by snowshoeing and taking in the sights of the Navarino Wildlife Area. Bring your snowshoes or rent from Navarino Nature Center (NNC). Fee: NNC members $2, nonmembers $5, families $12 . 9 a.m.
• Point Beach State Forest, Two Rivers, (920) 794-7480 - Candlelight Ski and Hike.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Cross-Country Ski Clinic. Bring your skis and join instructor John Meyer to learn about waxing and other skiing tips. The diagonal stride technique will be taught and practiced. Please call to pre-register. Program is weather dependent. Shelter #1. 9-11 a.m. Owl Prowl. Join us for this annual event to discover why owls are perfect night hunters. Dress for the weather because we will go outside in search for these predators. Visitor Center. 8:30-10 p.m.
• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - Adult Ski Lessons. Skate and diagonal stride (classic) will be offered. Join the park's friends group and lessons are free; otherwise, it's $10 per session per person. Provide your own gear. Call to register. Sponsored by Willow River Nordic Skiers. Nature Center. 9-11:30 a.m.
• Yellowstone Lake State Park, Blanchardville, - Radar Run [exit DNR] . A snowmobile event. Sponsored by Fayette Sno-Goers. Register at 10 a.m., race against time beginning at 11 a.m.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Winter Sleepers. Some of the animals at Havenwoods sleep all winter! Find out why they are sleeping and discover their secret resting places. This program is for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult, not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m.No admission sticker required.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Winter Woodcarving Course. Join Joyce Levandowski in this ten-week course. You will use a moto-tool to carve a beautiful Screech Owl. Class is appropriate for all skill levels. Please call to preregister. Fee is $60. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association. Visitor Center. 1-3 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with preschoolers and their parents at the Ice Age Center. A short activity following the story will reinforce the story's nature-related theme. Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. Participants will spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so parents should dress their children accordingly.10 a.m.
Friday, January 30, 2009
• Red Cedar State Trail, Menomonie, (715) 232-1242 - Candlelight Ski. The Red Cedar Trail will be lit with luminaries from the Depot to the ice wall, about 1.5 miles. The Stokke Trail will be cleared for those wishing to take a candlelight walk. We ask walkers to respect the groomed Red Cedar State Trail and refrain from walking on it. Skiers are advised to bring your own skis. Limited ski rentals will be available from Stout Adventures by calling 232-5190 in advance. The depot with its many displays will be open and staffed with volunteers with information about the Red Cedar State Trail and Hoffman Hills. Passes will not be required that evening, but annual trail passes and Red Cedar State Trail merchandise will be available for sale. After skiing or walking, warm up with a cup of hot chocolate provided by Swiss Miss and join everyone around the glowing bonfire. Sponsored by Friends of the Red Cedar State Trail and Hoffman Hills, Swiss Miss and the DNR. Start at the Menomonie Depot. 6-9 p.m.
• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - Candlelight Ski and Hike has been cancelled. There will not be a candlelight event at Willow River in 2009.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Adult Program: Leopold Bench Workshop. Spend the morning making a Leopold bench (28 inches tall and 51inches long) and learning about Aldo Leopold's conservation philosophies. The design is taken from a bench which still leans against Leopold's shack more than 50 years after his death. The class size is limited. Please register and pay by January 16. 10 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Tracking 101. Join us as we hike the trails in search of animal tracks, homes and other signs. Discover what the park's animals have been up to this winter! Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Candlelight Ski. Snow-covered trails, soft swish of the skis, and candles are the scenery at the annual candlelight ski. Join the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park for a night of skiing and fun. The picnic shelter will be open and the fireplace lit. Hot beverages and cookies will be provided to warm the insides and provide energy. A candlelight Hike will replace the ski if there's not enough snow for skiing. Shelter Building. 6-9 p.m.
