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, June 19 - Saturday, June 21, 2008
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Big Red Tent on the Beach. Discover the natural world on the beach under the tent. A different theme is featured each day with programs beginning on the hour. Programs feature a craft or game along with beach toys to check out. Themes for each day are; Thursday - Mammals, Friday - Archeology, Saturday - Mammals. The tent will be canceled for rain or lightening. Sponsored by the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park and the Whitefish Bay Association. Whitefish Dunes Beach. 1 - 3 p. m.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Great Lakes Sport Fishing. Hear a member of the Sheboygan Area Great Lakes Sport Fishermen speak on salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. The presentation will include the history of salmon fishing, information on the five species in Lake Michigan and a display of tackle and gear used for this sport. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
Friday, June 20, 2008
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Friday Folk Jamboree: David HB Drake. Listen to a local folk musician. Beach picnic shelter. 7-9 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Home Sweet Home. Did you ever wonder what lives underground, in the grass,or in a tree? We'll discover where the animals of the Kettle Moraine call home. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Venture Into the Night Hike: Nighttime Insects. 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 insect repellent and sense of adventure. Meet at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter. 8:30-10:15 a.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Bats of Wisconsin. Wildlife rehabillitator Sue Saari will talk about bats. Learn what a bat detector is and how it is used. Meet at the Potawatomi Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - One Wild Saturday Morning Drop-in: Wonderful Wetlands. Wetlands are wonderful habitats filled with unusual creatures. Take a dip into our inside "pond," learn to do some cattail weaving, play in our giant indoor wetland, and much more. You and your family or youth group can drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to discover cool things about nature through hands-on activities, experiments, crafts, games, and picture books. Environmental Awareness Center.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Beware! Alien Invaders. Garlic mustard, buckthorn, gypsy moths and house sparrows are a few of the non-native plants and animals invading the Kettle Moraine. Through fun-filled activities, we will learn why these aliens are unwelcome, how to prevent their spread and how to control them. 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 the Beach: Wings of Colorful Scales. On wings of colorful scales, butterflies flutter through the daylight while moths float through the night. You will be amazed at the lives these incredible insects lead. 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. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Beach. 1-4 p.m. Searching for Hidden Treasures: Geocaching. The global positioning system (GPS) has revolutionized how to find directions and locate specific sites. Learn from the Wisconsin Geocaching Association experts how to use a hand-held GPS device and compass, and how to read a topographic map. Then we will be off in search of hidden treasures at selected geocache locations. This program is best for adults and children over the age of 10 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 6:30-8:45 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Dutch Oven and Other Outdoor Cooking. Join park volunteers for an outdoor cooking demonstration using recipes from the park cookbook Cooking with Friends. This will be a great opportunity to pick up some tips and gather ides for your next camping trip or cookout. Amphitheater. Noon - 1:30 p.m. 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. Solar System Walk. Join Solar System Ambassador Kevin Koski on a hike of our solar system. Learn fun and fascinating facts about the planets in our solar system and find out why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Please wear comfortable shoes for the hike on the beach. Hike is best for those age 8 and up. Sanderling Nature Center. 2:30 p.m.
• Military Ridge State Trail, Riley, (608) 437-7393 - Eco-Tour. Sponsored by the Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail . Take a nature hike on the Military Ridge State Trail led by Meg Skinner. The hike begins at the Riley trailhead and will focus on the geological, cultural, and natural history of Aldo Leopold’s Game Cooperative. 10 - 11 a.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Chainsaw Carving Demonstration. Chainsaw carver Dennis Nellis will demonstrate his art. Come see him in the act and discover what he creates from an ordinary block of wood. Meet at the Potawatomi Nature Center. 1 p.m. Contra Dance. Come learn how to Contra Dance. This folk dance is similar to line dancing mixed with square dancing. No experience is necessary and all dances are taught. Great live music! Sponsored by the Sugar on the Floor Barn Dance Society and the Friends of Potawatomi State Park. Meet at the picnic area near the shelter building. 6 p.m.
• Rib Mountain State Park, Wausau, (715) 842-2522 - Concert in the Clouds. This concert series is sponsored by the Friends of Rib Mountain State Park . Peter Mulvey will be performing at the Rib Mountain Amphitheater. Admission to the concert is free, but a vehicle admission sticker is required. 6 - 8 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (608) 756-1599 - Volksmarch. Six- and 10-kilometer walks through prairie and woodland, past wetlands and around Wolf Lake. Walks are free or $3 for Volkssport credit. Sponsored by Dairyland Walkers. Start near the Molinaro visitor center between 8 a.m. and noon and finish by 3 p.m.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: Wings of Colorful Scales. On wings of colorful scales, butterflies flutter through the daylight while moths float through the night. You will be amazed at the lives these incredible insects lead. 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. Noon - 3 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. A leisurely walk 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! . See prairie June grass, porcupine grass, penstemons, yarrow, tall meadow-rue, goat’s rue, thimbleweed, and coreopsis. Meet at the trail crossing on Commercial St. (County Highway J) in Rockland. 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 24, 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.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Children's Storytime. Children ages 4-10 are invited to hear nature stories read by a volunteer storyteller. Children need to be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Young People's Wildlife Poetry Workshop. Young people in grades 1-8 wishing to sharpen their wildlife observation skills, hear wildlife poetry and try their hand at writing wildlife/plantlife poetry are invited to take part in Gerald Bertsch's workshop. Half hour program with majority of time devoted to each young person creating his or her own "memory moment" set to the music of poetry. Young people must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 3-3:30 p.m.
