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, August 8, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Junior Forest Explorers: Nature's Recyclers. Nature has been recycling for millions of years. Learn what organisms help recycle all the dead stuff of nature. It's sure to be a creepy crawly experience. This fun-filled program is for all 6- to 12-year-old explorers. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Watercoloring Nature. Join local artist Elaine Cregan for this hands-on lesson in watercolor painting. Art supplies will be provided in exchange for a $10 participant fee. You may wish to bring a photo or other object to work from. Meet at the Picnic Shelter. 1-3 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday, August 8-9, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Smoky Hollow Muzzle Loader Encampment. Visitors to Kohler-Andrae are invited to join camp members as they re-enact life as it was in the early to mid 1800s. Demonstrations and activities happen as interest develops. Spend an hour or the entire day viewing activities reminiscent of the frontier days. South picnic area. Noon-evening Saturday and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sunday.
• Saturday, August 9, 2008
• Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, (608) 565-2789 - Universe in the Park. Learn about the planets, stars and comets. Astronomers will show a slide show and talk about the night sky or recent astronomical news. Then you can look through a telescope to check out the summer night sky! Amphitheater. 8 p.m., sunset.
• Flambeau River State Forest, Winter, (715) 332-5271 - Smokey Bear's Birthday Party. This nature program takes place at the Connors Lake Picnic Area. 1-2 p.m.
• Hank Aaron State Trail, Milwaukee, (414) 263-8559 - Five-kilometer Run/Walk. Prizes for fastest finishers and prize drawing for all participants. Annual fund-raiser for the Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail. Start at Miller Park Klement's Sausage Haus. Registration begins at 7 a.m and the run/walk begins at 8:30 a.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Discovery Saturday: Grasshoppers, Beetles, and Bugs ...Oh, My! Did you ever wonder what a grasshopper or beetle looks like under a microscope? Check out a net from the building and then head outside to catch some insects. When you have some critters, bring them inside to look at them under the microscopes. Environmental Awareness Center. 9 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Outdoor Survivors. Oh no! You find yourself lost in the woods! What are you to do? Learn some simple techniques to help you survive in the outdoors. We will cover emergency shelters, water collection, wild edibles, fire building, and rescue aids. This program is best for people over the age of 8 years old. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Drop In at the Beach: "Tree"mendous Trees. Trees are the towering giants of the plant world. Stop in to find out how these "tree"mendous plants touch almost all parts of our lives. 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. Night Adventures: Professor Owlbert Eyeshine's. Professor Owlbert Eyeshine (Mike Maher) will lead you on a wacky adventure to discover the world of nocturnal animals. It's sure to be a hoot and a howling good time! This program is best for adults and youth over the age of 8 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Wildlife Rehabilitation. Meet representatives of Wildlife of Wisconsin for an interactive and educational program on wildlife rehabilitation. The presentation will include skits, a visit from a live barn owl and time for questions. This will be a great family program. No pets. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Astronomy. Join the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society in discovering the night sky. The program begins with a slideshow featuring images of far away planets and our own solar system. Stargazing through telescopes will follow. Family fun for all ages! Program begins at Amphitheater. Stargazing at another location within the park. 8 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 . Loose Strings will be performing at the Rib Mountain Amphitheater. 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: "Tree"mendous Trees. Trees are the towering giants of the plant world. Stop in to find out how these "tree"mendous plants touch almost all parts of our lives. 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. Noon - 3 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Universe in the Park. This outreach program by the University of Wisconsin - Madison Astronomy Department will feature an informational presentation and slide show on astronomy, followed by a chance to view the night sky up close through a high powered telescope! Program begins at Amphitheater. Stargazing at another location within the park. 8 p.m.
Monday, August 11, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Buggin' Out. Enjoy nature crafts with volunteer naturalist Kristine Brown. All ages welcome but those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Outdoor shelter. 10:30 a.m. Rock Collecting For Fun. Join Ed Mindock for a presentation on rock collecting as a hobby. A hands-on approach to beginning and understanding rock collecting and having fun doing it. All ages welcome. Sanderling Nature Center. 2 p.m. Wisconsin's Frogs - Sunset Serenade. Each spring Wisconsin's frogs and toads announce their presence with a musical choir. Learn about these amphibians without tails and the songs they sing. Of the 12 species in Wisconsin, nine live in Sheboygan County. Janet Raddatz will share her knowledge of these special creatures. A great family program. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Junior Rangers: Eight-Legged Hunters. Web weavers, wolf spiders, and daddy longlegs are all eight-legged animals, but they find food in very different ways. Explore the lives of some of these hunters. Concurrent story times concurrently for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents and for primary age children, ages 6-8. These programs are not for day care centers or organizations. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Space Age - 50 Years. Celebrate 50 years of the space age. NASA Solar System Ambassador Kevin Koski will discuss America's efforts to put satellites into orbit and perfect our rockets since we entered the space race against Russia. The video presentation on Explorer 1 will be followed by a question and answer period. Best for age 8 and up. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
Wednesday, August 13, 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 must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. Nature Poetry for Families. Local poet Gerald Bertsch will present an evening program of his nature poetry. Bring the family and learn to appreciate more deeply the private and public lives of animals. Amphitheater. 7-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 14 - Friday, August 15, 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 - Aquatic Invaders, Friday - Games. 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.
