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, September 10, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Meet Aztec the Owl. Owls are some of the most unique creatures on earth. Drop by the Ice Age Center, visit with Naturalist Barb Walker and enjoy a close encounter with her South American spectacled owl. Ice Age Center. 2-4 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Butterfly Story and Craft: 10 ? 10:30 a.m. Nature Center. Monarchs and sulphurs are aflutter in the meadow! Learn a few butterfly facts, then grab a butterfly net and head into the meadow. Optional butterfly ornament craft will follow. Wildflower Wander: 2 ? 2:30 p.m. Nature Center. Learn to identify wildflowers in the meadow and then decorate a flower recipe card holder to keep. $1 donation/craft.
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Strolling the Shore. Explore the geology and ecology of the Dunes while enjoying Lake Michigan. Start at the beginning of the park?s life and discover hidden secrets. Meet at the nature center for this sandy trip. 2 p.m.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - The Ice Age National Scenic Trail Starts Here! The Ice Age National Scenic Trail is one of only eight National Scenic Trails overseen by the National Park Service. It extends from Interstate Park to Potawatomi State Park. Where's that? Join Naturalist Nancy Frank and find out that and more about the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 10 a.m. Incredible Edible Mushrooms. Join Leslie Jo Meyerhoff and learn all about our local wild mushrooms. Given in two parts, the first hour will focus on identification and habitats, the second hour more on the variety of edibles as well as health benefits, cultivation, preparation and preserving your harvest. The fee for each class is $3 for Friends of Interstate Park and $5 for non-members. Ice Age Center. 1-3:30 p.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Eight Legs and Silk. Spiders are found in almost every environment on earth. Uncover some cool facts about these eight-legged silk spinners. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30 - 11 a.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Owl Pellets. Join volunteer naturalist Jim Mohr to learn facts about owls and their interesting digestive system. There will be a short video and then time for actual pellet dissection and investigation. All ages welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult. Free program. Vehicle admission sticker required. 2 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Turtle Talk: 10 - 11 a.m. Meet Lucy and Ricky, our baby snapping turtles! With their help, we'll learn about the cool adaptations of their turtle cousins. An optional turtle craft will follow. Hike Eagle Tower to Eagle Terrace: Noon - 1 p.m. Meet the naturalist at Eagle Tower and enjoy a short hike to Eagle Terrace. Tree identification, invasive species, park history (including CCC), and geology will be featured during the hike. The Natural History and Preservation of the Niagara Escarpment. 1:30 p.m. Welcker's Point Shelter Building. A Special Program supported by Friends of Peninsula State Park. Dr. Roger Kuhns? presentation will focus on the geologic history of the Niagara Escarpment and the Niagara Dolomite that forms its foundation, as well as include examples of sustainable practices and applications toward Niagara Escarpment preservation. Dr. Roger Kuhns is a geologist, environmental scientist and sustainologist, who has worked nationally and internationally on mineral resources and geology, hydrology, environmental remediation and conservation.
? Pike Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Hartford, (262) 670-3400 - Community Campfire and Concert. Randy Peterson will be performing his new ?Beach Party? show for the 12th annual concert. Expect tropical melodies, bright colors and maybe even a little surfing! The second half of the evening will be a "greatest hits" of audience favorites. The concert begins at 7 p.m. just north of the beach parking lot. Families will enjoy a bonfire, festive lighting and refreshments in the beautiful state forest setting. The program is free, but a state park sticker is required for parking. Audience members usually bring blankets or lawn chairs, though some picnic table seating is available. Sponsored by the Friends of Pike Lake . 7 p.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Baths for Birds. Make a beautiful leaf concrete bird bath using a sand casting technique. Please pre-register and pre-pay by calling (262) 878-5600. Cost is $15.You will need to pick up your project at a later time. Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association .
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Shipwrecked! Discover ships that went down in the bay. Who traveled on them, what caused them to sink, and what cargo did they carry. Explore the ships of old. Meet at the amphitheater. 1:30 p.m.Tracks and Trails. Follow that track! Discover what tracks can be found on the beach. Meet at the amphitheater for this short hike. 2:30 p.m.
? Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 - Universe in the Park Astronomy Program. An Astronomy presentation by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Astronomy Department. Watch a slide show and then view astronomical objects through telescopes. Sponsored by UW -Madison Astronomy Department and National Science Foundation. Amphitheater next to the park office. Sunset.
? Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien, (608) 996-2261 - Astronomy Program. The Starsplitters of Wyalusing will present an Astronomy Program at the Huser Astronomy Center. Programs are the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
? La Crosse River State Trail, Rockland, (608) 337-4775 - Prairie Walk with Bob Lee. Discover and learn about the native wildflowers and grasses on this abandoned railroad prairie remnant. Wear comfortable walking shoes and other clothing appropriate for the weather, including a hat to block the sun. Sponsored by Friends of the La Crosse River State Trail. Meet in Rockland where the trail crosses Commercial Street (County Highway J). 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - The Secrets of Eagle Peak. Hike up the trail with Naturalist Barb Walker, learn the secrets of the peak, and see fantastic views of the St. Croix River Valley. Meet at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group Camp. 10 a.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Fall Woodcarving Course. This class is for carvers with experience. Students will be choosing their own projects for this ten-week course. Joyce Levandowski will guide you in carving and painting. Please pre-register and pre-pay. Fee is $60. Visitor Center. 1-3 p.m. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association .
Thursday, September 16, 2010
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Meet the Resource Managers of the Northern Unit. Learn what?s in the works for the coming year and beyond for the Kettle Moraine State Forest ? Northern Unit. Resource managers will provide insights into the issues surrounding the multitude of recreational uses in the forest and the management of all its natural resources. There will be time for questions and comments from the audience. This program is best for people over 10 years old. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-9 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Mystery Critter: 10 a.m. ? noon. Nature Center. Drop by the Nature Center this morning to follow a trail of clues and discover the identity of a mystery critter. Prizes for figuring it out! CCC Video on Request: 10 a.m. ? 2 p.m. Nature Center. Learn about the impact the Civilian Conservation Corps had on Wisconsin?s state parks by watching this 15 minute video.
