UPCOMING EVENTS AT STATE PARKS, FORESTS, AND TRAILS
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES AND INTERPRETIVE PROGRa.m.S
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 24, 2010
? 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 presentations on Wisconsin's owls, amphibians, trees, bears, bats and more! Bid on silent auction items, stargaze through telescopes with the University of Wisconsin's "Universe in the Park" and "Space Place" astronomers. Listen to bluegrass music and enjoys s'mores around a bonfire. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Sponsored by Friends of Capital Springs State Recreation Area . Proceeds go towards the recreational facilities and educational programs in the Capital Springs State Recreation Area. Lussier Family Heritage Center - 3101 Lake Farm Road. 6-9 p.m.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Lizards and Snakes! 2 - 4 p.m. at the Ice Age Center. Drop by and visit with Naturalist Barb Walker about some of the most fascinating and most feared creatures on earth. You will have an opportunity to meet Copper the fox snake and Puff the bearded dragon.
Saturday, September 25, 2010, National Public Lands Day
? Copper Falls State Park, Mellen, (715) 274-5123 - Annual Art in the Park. Local crafters and artists will be displaying and selling their handicrafts The Friends of Copper Falls will be having their annual silent auction from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will being used to build a reservable shelter in the park. There will be cookies, coffee and apple cider at the main office.
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 - Universe in the Park . Join the University of Wisconsin Astronomy Department for a tour of the night sky! A chance to look through the UW's telescopes will follow a slide show presentation. There is no fee for this event, but a valid park admission sticker is required.
? Governor Thompson State Park, Crivitz, (715) 757-3979 - Fall Color Hike and Geocache Hunt. Explore and enjoy the fall colors on a marked trail at the park or bring your GPS and see if you can find our special event geocaches hidden in the fall foliage. Prizes will be given out for the most caches found during the event. Refreshments provided by the Friends of Governor Thompson State Park. Meet at the park office, Woods Lake Picnic Area. Noon - 4 p.m.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - The Secrets of Eagle Peak. 10 a.m. at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group Camp. Hike up the trail with Naturalist Barb Walker, learn the secrets of the peak and see fantastic views of the St. Croix River Valley. All About Owls. 2 p.m. at the Ice Age Center. Owls are among the most successful predators because of their wonderful adaptations. Learn all about them with Naturalist Barb Walker and enjoy a close encounter with Aztec, her South American spectacled owl.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Head South! Winter is coming! The air is colder and the leaves are falling! For many birds it is time to head south. Discover how birds know when to leave and where to go. 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 - Dealing With Nuisance Backyard Wildlife. Join Ricky Lien, DNR wildlife biologist, as he shares tips and techniques to help with backyard problems. He will discuss deer and raccoon issues, squirrels, groundhogs, safety of bird feeders and more. Bring your questions. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Flashing Fireflies: 11 a.m. - noon. Enjoy a silly story about Gus the Firefly, learn about these beetles, then craft a glow-stick firefly to keep. $1 donation/glowstick. Eagle Trail: 1 ? 2:30 p.m. Meet at Tower. Hike Peninsula?s most spectacular trail. Discover park geology, history along the way. Difficult. About 2 miles. Nicolet Beach Sweep: 4 - 5 p.m. Be part of the international coastal clean-up day. Meet the naturalist at the Nicolet beach playground. Pick up litter along the shore. Prizes for helpers! Hooty Who: 7 ? 7:45 p.m. Nature Center. Enjoy a 20-minute naturalist talk about OWLS then try hooting up a few on a short trail walk.
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Mushroom Foray. Join a mycology expert, Charlotte Lukes, for a fungi foray. Learn to identify some of the major mushroom groups, along with the more common edible and poisonous species. Discover how they grow and affect the world around us. In case of bad weather or lack of mushrooms, a sampling of slides of the 470+ mushrooms will be shown. Meet at the nature center for this longer program. 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
? Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien, (608) 996-2261 - Spirits of Wyalusing Past. Peterson Shelter. 7 p.m. 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 26, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Mapping Peninsula: 1 ? 1:30 p.m. Nature Center. Enjoy a naturalist talk that features stories of people who lived at Peninsula, including Doolittle, Folda, Clark and others.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Wolf Lake Trail Run/Hike. Enjoy a beautiful 3.8-mile fall hike or run around Wolf Lake and benefit the park at the same time. All pre-registrants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt. There will be door prizes, music and refreshments. Fee is $18/person before September 8 or $20 the day of the event. $5 discounted sticker prices today. Meet at Shelter #3, Beach. Packet pick-up 8:30-9:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association . 10 a.m. - Noon.
Monday, September 27, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Weed Warrior Work Group: 9 ? 11 a.m. Meet at Horseshoe Island overlook on Shore Road, first pull-off east of lighthouse. Lend a hand cutting invasive honeysuckle. Bring work gloves if you have them. Join Peninsula ?Friends? who are helping remove invasive honeysuckle along the road.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Friends of Interstate Park Autumn Potluck and Program. 6 p.m. ? silent auction fundraiser; 6:30 p.m. ? potluck dinner; 7:30 p.m. program. Join the Friends of Interstate Park for their annual fundraiser. The event will be held in the classroom addition at the Ice Age Center at Wisconsin Interstate Park in St. Croix Falls. For more information on the silent auction call Kris at (715) 483-1854 and for more information on the evening call Julie at (715) 483-3747.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Hike to the CCC Camp: 10 ? 11:30 a.m. Meet at Park Headquarters. Walk to the abandoned site of Peninsula?s CCC camp, circa 1935. Learn how this Depression-era work group left an indelible mark on Peninsula. Moderate hiking, about 2 miles.
