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, October 1, 2010
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 anglers - Nature Storytime: Leaves of Many Colors. Join us as we wander the autumn woods to find as many different colored leaves as we can. We will also solve the mystery of why trees drop their leaves in fall. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Rainbow Nature Walk: 10 - 11 a.m. Nature Center. How many colors will we find? This easy walk features an "eye spy" activity especially for primary and preschool children. Craft to follow.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 anglers - Exploring Nature: Autumn Magic. Autumn is a magical time of year as the leaves turn colors. We will traverse the woodland trees, discovering the tricks of nature and gathering leaves and nuts for a variety of special projects. 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.
MacKenzie Environmental Center, Poynette, (608) 635-8105 - Hootenanny. Bring your voices and/or acoustic instruments for an evening of free family fun at our annual sing-along. Take a photo with Smokey Bear and help yourself to free refreshments. Main Lodge. 6:30-8:30 p.m. No admission sticker required.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - All Kinds of Nature Crafts: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Nature Center. Join the naturalist for creative fun as we "use up" summer craft supplies. Make a magnifier, a ghost wind-sock, paint an owl and more. Donations appreciated. Eagle Trail: 1 - 2:30 p.m. Meet at Eagle Tower. Hike Peninsula's most spectacular trail. Discover park geology, history along the way. Difficult walking. Two 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! Stargazing 101: Nicolet Beach. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., learn the basics of backyard astronomy and how to identify common summer constellations. The naturalist will share the basics of star gazing beginning at 7:30 p.m. At about 8 p.m., we?ll turn our eyes to the sky to see what we can find. Bring a lawn chair and blanket. Universe in the Park. Join the UW Astronomy Department for a tour of the night sky! A chance to look through the UW's telescopes will follow a slideshow presentation. There is no fee for this event, but a valid park admission sticker is required. Universe in the Park.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Great Outdoor Challenge. Get a team of 2-8 together and participate for prizes at five fun outdoor challenge stations. Drop in anytime between 9 and 10 a.m. Dress to be outside. Fun for all! Registration Fee: $2/person. Amphitheater. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association. 9 a.m. - Noon.
Thiensville Village Park - Department of Natural Resources fisheries crews will stock more than 1,000 6-to-8-inch fingerling lake sturgeon into the Milwaukee River at 11:30 a.m. as part of an ongoing multi-agency effort to help restore lake sturgeon to Lake Michigan. For the fifth year in a row, Riveredge Nature Center has put together a Sturgeon Festival program to celebrate the release of the Lake Sturgeon including a blessing of the sturgeon by a Forest County Potawatomi medicine man. This event will start with registration at 10 a.m. For more details, check out the Riveredge Nature Center website at Riveredge.us. Click on the link for Sturgeon Fest 2010.
Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - 9th Annual Willow River Trail Run. There will be a 5K and a 10K run course, plus a 5K walk. This tends to be a low-key event without large crowds. The courses are hilly. This will be an Open House Day with vehicle fees waived for Saturday, October 2 at the park. Meet at the beach parking lot. Registration is at 8 a.m. Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 anglers - Fall Open House. Come to Kohler-Andrae for a fun filled day of events - children's games, a visit from Smokey Bear, plus other activities. Don't miss the opportunity to spend a day at the park while enjoying all of these events. Free Programs. No admission sticker required on Open House Day. Stop at park office for information on location of events. Nature Center open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
La Crosse River State Trail, Rockland, (608) 337-4775 anglers - 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.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Tree Walk: 10 - 10:30 a.m. Meet at Nature Center. Identify Peninsula trees and learn why leaves change color. Easy walking.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Weed Warrior Work Group: 9 ? 11 a.m. Meeting location to be announced. Bring work gloves if you have them. Join Peninsula ?Friends? who are helping remove invasive honeysuckle and other problem plants.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Orange Loop: 9 ? 10:30 a.m. Meet at Lot 5 (mountain bike lot) on Highland Road. Hike a less traveled trail looking for fall color, discovering park history. Moderate hiking. 3 miles. CCC in Wisconsin State Parks: On request, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nature Center. Enjoy a 15-minute video about a Depression-era work group that left an indelible mark on Peninsula State Park.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Join us to clean up the highway in front of the park. All equipment provided. You must be at least 12 years old to participate. Visitor Center. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association. 5 p.m.
