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, May 20, 2011
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Pond Life Nature Storytime. A pond may seem like a quiet spot, until you explore more closely. Find out what animals and plants call ponds their homes. This hour of nature fun awaits three- to six-year-olds with accompanying adults. Henry S Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Trail Workday. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Meet at mountain bike parking lot (Lot 5) on Highland Road. Please lend a hand by helping enhance park trails. Bring work gloves if you have them. Sponsored by Door County Silent Sports.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Drop In on Frogs and Toads. Frogs and toads are starting to call. You and your family or youth group can drop in between 9 a.m. and noon to listen to frog call recordings, meet some live frogs and toads, and make a frog to take home. Then head down to the pond to search for them. 9 a.m. - Noon.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Morning Bird Walk. Migrant songbirds are returning to northern Wisconsin and Interstate Park. Many species of birds will remain here while others are passing through on their way further north. Don?t miss the opportunity to view and listen to these messengers of spring! Join Robin Maercklein of the National Park Service for a 2-hour Morning Bird Walk on Silverbrook Trail from 7-9 a.m. Meet at the Pines Group Camp at Wisconsin Interstate Park. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Tips for Safe Horse Trail Rides. Join a veterinarian from the Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital as the doctor explains ways to keep you and your horse healthy for trail riding. A few topics to be covered include conditioning, basic first aid, and avoiding trail hazards. Henry S Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11:00 a.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 - Wildflower Hike. Walk with Naturalist Ron Kurowski and see what wildflowers are currently in bloom. The location and flowers changes every week, so be sure to come out for more than one hike (Hikes are Saturdays, April 23 through May 21)! Meet at the Forest Headquarters but be prepared to drive. 10-11:30 a.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants. Come hike with John Johnston to search for the wild edible and medicinal plants found at Kohler-Andrae. John will share tips on using these unique and interesting plants. Wear comfortable shoes. The hike lasts about an hour. Free program. Vehicle admission sticker required. Meet at closed gate. 2 p.m. Birding by Song. Hike for an hour with volunteer naturalist Diane Ten Pas to listen for the birds and then attempt to identify and locate them. Hike is best for those age 10 and up, dress for the weather, bring binoculars and bird guides if available. No pets allowed. Black River Trail. 5 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Birds & Blossoms at Weborg Point: 9 - 10 a.m. Meet at Weborg Shelter. Park at Weborg day use lot. Wildflower folklore and bird id featured. Easy walking. Flower Craft for Kids: Stop by the Nature Center any time to create a colorful craft. Suggested donation $0.50. Hemlock Trail: 2 - 3:30 p.m. Meet at Weborg Shelter. Traverse a sedge meadow wetland, low bluffs and an upland forest discovering Peninsula history and ecology. About two miles. Moderate hiking.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Bird Migration Hike. Experience the miracle of migration. Bring your binoculars and we?ll look and listen for newly-arrived birds, especially warblers. Trail may be wet. Both events sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association . Vista Picnic Area. 7-9 a.m. Landscaping for Wildlife. Discover which plants and garden designs will entice wanted wildlife to your yard while keeping the unwanted visitors away. Become familiar with your wild neighbors. Visitor Center. 1-2 p.m.
? George W. Mead State Wildlife Area, Milladore, (715) 457-6771 - Pancake Breakfast Pancakes: blueberry & buttermilk, pork sausage, wisconsin cheese, milk/coffee, cranberry juice, pure maple syrup, applesauce & ice cream cups. After breakfast take time to: hike or bike the trails; see the albino deer display; walk the audubon prairie nature trail; view the historical exhibit; tour the mead visitor center; or catch a wagon tour into the ?interior? of the property. Remember to bring your bikes, binoculars, and cameras to help enjoy your day: Mead Wildlife Area Education and Visitor Center. Adults $7, youth 6to 12 $3, children under 6 free. All Proceeds Benefit the Mead?s Educational Programs. Sponsored by the Mead Staff and Friends of the Mead/McMillan Association, Inc., 8 a.m.-noon
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Wildflower Walk. Join Dale and Mary Goodner for a trip through spring flowers. Through stories and science learn about the early beauties found along the rocky shores, forest floor and sunny openings. Gather for this meandering walk that is short in distance but full of discoveries. Walk begins at the Nature Center. 9:30 a.m.
? Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario, (608) 697-9637 - Wisconsin Competitive Trail Challenge - Horse Trail Ride. Competitive horse trail ride with obstacles in Wildcat Mountain State Park. There will be an Open division, Pleasure division, and Youth division. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Horse Council District 5. The ride start will be at Moon Ridge camp E15009, Hillsboro. Rider meeting at 8 a.m., ride starts at 9 a.m. For more information and to register, see the Wisconsin State Horse Council .
Sunday, May 22, 2011
? Aztalan State Park, Lake Mills, (920) 648-8774. Increase Lapham Day. Guided public tours of Aztalan by Lapham impersonator, Rob Neurre. Increase Lapham artifacts on display. Sponsored by the Friends of Aztalan State Park. Pot luck picnic, please bring a dish to pass. 11:30 a.m.
? Elroy-Sparta State Trail, Norwalk, (888) 540-8434 - Spring Fling Half Marathon. A half marathon, 10K and 5K run on the Elroy-Sparta State Trail. Running from Norwalk to Sparta, this course features passage through a 0.75 mile tunnel. It starts and ends in the Norwalk Village park and is a Boston Qualifier. For more information or to register, see Spring Fling Marathon . This is the same great course and tunnel as the popular fall Rails to Trails Marathon , but in a different season! 9 a.m. ? 3 p.m.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Invasives Team: 9 - 11 a.m. Help keep Peninsula beautiful! Meet at Skyline parking lot on Shore Road. Bring work gloves if you have them.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Walk The Park's Woodlands. Hike the Woodlands Dunes Trail with Drew Morris. Learn about tree identity, age of trees and other interesting facts. Family hike. No pets allowed. Meet at trailhead near playground. 10 a.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Birds and Blossoms at Weborg Point: 9 - 10 a.m. Meet at Weborg Shelter. Park at Weborg day use lot. Wildflower folklore and bird id featured. Easy walking. Wild Ones at Sven's Bluff: 9 - 11 a.m. Help pull garlic mustard at this fragile site. Park along Shore Road - watch for volunteers' cars.
