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-Sunday, October 3-5, 2008
• Devil's Lake State Park , Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 - Badger Trails Youth Camping Weekend. More than 3,000 Scouts and youth campers are expected for this event. Only Quartzite Campground is open for public camping this weekend.
Friday, October 3, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Trees of Many Colors. Red, orange, and yellow leaves twirling in the wind are a sure sign of autumn. Learn why our tall, tall trees lose their leaves before winter. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
• C.D. Besadny Anadromous Fish Facility, Kewaunee, 920-388-1025, - 7th Annual Open House. Take a guided tour at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. to learn about the history of Lake Michigan, the egg collection process and the life cycle of salmon. Watch the salmon jump up the fish ladder through an underwater viewing room. Enjoy wagon rides and tasty food. Speak with professionals in the fisheries and wildlife departments. Watch children create their own pieces of artwork. Take pleasure in hiking the beautiful nature trails. The Besadny Anadromous Fisheries Facility (BAFF) is nestled in a secluded area along a quite stretch of the Kewaunee River. Most Wisconsin tributary streams lack the potential to support substantial reproduction so adult trout and salmon must be collected each year and spawned. About 4.7 million trout and salmon are stocked into Lake Michigan tributary streams to support this internationally recognized put-and-take sport fishery. The Besadny facility encourages tours and wildlife viewing. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Family Program: Fall Leaf Hike. Fall is a perfect time to take a hike through Havenwoods and check out all of the colorful trees. We'll crunch through some leaves and look for signs of wildlife. Bring your hiking shoes and a sense of adventure! 10:30 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area , Horicon, (920) 387-7877 or (920)-485-3029 - Horicon's Indian History. DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 10 a.m. The Effigy Mound Builders. DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 1 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Tree Art. Celebrate the wonders of the forest by creating some tree art. We will be doing leaf printing, nut stamping, paper making and more. For leaf printing bring a T-shirt or bandanna or buy one that day. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11:30 am.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hike with John Johnston to search for these unique and interesting plants found at Kohler-Andrae and learn about their uses. Wear comfortable shoes. Closed gate west of Camp host site. 2-3 p.m.
• MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, Poynette, 608-635-8110 - Hootenanny. Join us for a sing-along. Bring your voices and/or acoustic instruments for an evening of free family fun. Take a photo with Smokey Bear and help yourself to free refreshments. The Friends of MacKenzie will be choosing the winner of the beautiful "Tumbling Maple Leaves" quilt created by members. The quilt will be on display and raffle tickets will still be available at the Hootenanny. Main lodge (residence center). 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-6866 - Run Wild . Ten-kilometer run and 3 mile run/walk, and 1/3 mile Smokey Bear Fun Run for the kids. Water stations, refreshments, restroom facilities/showers, free child care with advanced notification, T-shirts, trophies, door prizes, etc., are provided. USA ultra-runner Roy Pirrung will host a kids' clinic at 11 a.m. and seven-continent marathoner Rita Clark will share her stories. Registration 8-9:30 a.m., 10K and 3-mile events 10 a.m., then kids' run.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Fall Edibles Hike. Bring your appetite as we wander the trails in search of wild edibles. Discover preparation, uses and folklore of plants. Visitor Center. 10:30 a.m. - noon
Sunday, October 5, 2008
• Crex Meadows Wildlife Area , Grantsburg, (715) 463-2896 - 26th annual Wildlife Festival. Programs include wild edible plants, wildlife games and activities, wild mushrooms, “Birds in Action”, and “Wisconsin Wildlife: State of the State”, featuring live raptors. One-hour tour for sandhill crane viewing, 7 a.m.; three-hour tour that includes short walks and more detailed discussions on the operations of Crex Meadows,10 a.m. General bus tours, lasting 90 minutes, are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 1, 3, and 5 p.m. While viewing the birds and mammals from the tour bus, Crex staff will explain the history and management of the wildlife area.A variety of wildlife programs and demonstrations will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wildlife Education and Visitor Center, on the north side of Grantsburg, east of the intersection of County Highways D and F.
• Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, Horicon, (920) 387-7877 or (920)-485-3029 - Kids' Birding Basics. Make a bird feeder DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 1 p.m. Invaders of Woods and Wetlands. DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon.. 11 a.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Fall Open House. A fun-filled day of events - a fall hike, children's games, and a visit from Smokey Bear. No admission sticker is required on Open House Day . Nature Center open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• La Crosse River State Trail, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 - Always on a Sunday: Prairie Walks . 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! Downy gentian, little bluestem, and sweet everlasting and are among the plants you will see. Meet at the trail crossing on Commercial St. (County Hwy J) in Rockland. 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Autumn Leaves are Falling Down! Red, gold, and purple leaves are everywhere these days! Let’s play with the leaves and enjoy the fall colors. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-High Naturalist. Bring your 3-5 year old to this fun and involving nature program. A new topic every month! Dress to be outside. Space is limited, please call to pre-register. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association . Visitor Center. 10:-11:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Plight of the Polar Ice Caps. Are the polar ice caps really melting? If they are, how much have they shrunk? What role does global climate change play? Join Kevin Koski, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, as he shares the answers to these questions, and discover what tools NASA is using to monitor the polar ice caps. This program is most appropriate for adults and youth over 12 years old. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
Friday, October 10, 2008
• Capital Springs State Recreation Area, Madison, (608) 224-3606 - Harvest Moon Fall Festival. Take a stroll on our torchlit trail under the harvest moon and discover the natural world through interpretive presentation on Wisconsin owls, amphibians, trees, bears, bats and more. Bid on silent auction items (until 8 p.m.). Stargaze through telescopes with the University of Wisconsin Universe in the Park, Listen to bluegrass music and enjoy s'mores around the howling bonfire. Hot dogs, chili, pie, and other delicious treats and beverages available to purchase. Admission fee $2/person (under age 2 free). Sponsored by Friends of Capital Springs State Park and Recreation Area. Lussier Family Heritage Center. 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Discovery Saturday: Fall Seeds. Look closely in the woods and fields, and you’ll find seeds that are waiting to grow into next year’s plants. Stop in to pick up a seed bingo card, then head outside to see what kinds of seeds you can find. Environmental Awareness Center. Drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and noon. No admission sticker required.
• Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, Horicon, (920) 387-7877 or (920)-485-3029 - Horicon Marsh Habitat Hike. Meet at DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 10 a.m. Tracking the Wild. Wisconsin mammal tracks Meet at DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 1 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Finding Your Way. Would you like to venture off the beaten path, but don't feel comfortable leaving the familiar trail behind? Then join us to learn how to use an orienteering compass, determine your pace and keep yourself from becoming lost. This program is best for people over the age of 8 years. Long Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter. 9:30-11 a.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Halloween in the Park. Celebrate Halloween early at Kohler-Andrae. Campers are encouraged to decorate their campsites for this sixth annual event. Guided candlelight hike, pumpkin carving, crafts, star gazing, and entertainment around the campfire. Children may dress in costume. Sorry, pets are not allowed on the hike or in the shelters. Enclosed shelter. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Spooktacular Hike. Walk a 1-mile candlelit trail meeting friendly animals and silly spooks. More than 1,500 people attended the 2007 Spooktacular Hike. The event is supported by the Friends of Peninsula State Park . Evening.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Crane Watch. Join Tom Lajiness to witness the wonderful spectacle of sandhill cranes coming into the marsh to roost. Delight in the sights and sounds of this amazing evening ritual. Observation Platform. 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
• Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area, Horicon, (920) 387-7877 or (920)-485-3029 - Dabblers and Divers: Wisconsin Waterfowl. DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon.. 11 a.m. The Geese of Horicon. DNR offices on the north end of Palmatory Street, Horicon. 1 p.m.
