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.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
? Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe. Ski on one and two mile lit loops. Separate lit trail for hikers, snowshoers, and leashed pets. Guided interpretive hikes start at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Bonfire, free hot drinks and marshmallows for roasting. Hot food and baked goods for sale. Meet at the Blue Mound State Park Ski Trail Head. Event is weather permitting. 6 - 8:30 p.m.
? Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, New Auburn, (715) 967-2800 ? Snowshoeing or HIking by Moonlight. Join Naturalist Rod Gont on a one hour (two hour option available) snowshoe hike by moonlight, starting at the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Visitor Center. A program on snowshoes and their use starts at 6:30 p.m. All ages are invited. No charge. Visitor Center will be open and we?ll have a fire going in the fireplace. Cocoa and hot water available (but bring your own tea, soup, etc.). Two outside fires for sitting by, roasting hot dogs (bring your own), making smores, etc. If there is not enough snow, we?ll hike. Call the Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Center at (715) 967-2800 for details, directions to the Visitor Center, or to reserve snowshoes. Event is weather permitting. 6:30-9 p.m.
? Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 - Candlelight Hike/Ski. Hike or cross-country ski by candlelight. Welcome Center. Supported by the Friends of Harrington Beach. Event is weather permitting. 6-9 p.m.
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Family Snowshoe Hike. We?ll head out on snowshoes to discover how different the park looks covered in snow. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair from us. If there is no snow, we?ll take a hike instead. 10:30-11:30 a.m.
? Mirror Lake State Park, Lake Delton, (608) 254-2333 - Candlelight Ski, Hike and Snowshoe. Join the Friends of Mirror Lake and park staff for a beautiful winter night. We will have two easy 1-mile trails lit by torches. One trail will be for skiers only and the other for everyone to enjoy. The Friends group will have food, hot beverages and goodies for sale. You can keep warm and enjoy the company around two roaring bonfires. A Wisconsin state park admission sticker is required. Meet at the beach/picnic area. Event is weather permitting. 6-8 p.m.
? Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario, 608-337-4775 - Torchlight Ski/HIke. Cross-country skiing and night sky viewing. Skiing, hiking or snowshoeing a gentle 1.5-mile trail through the woods and fields as 100 torches light the way. Also night ski viewing through telescopes begins at 7 p.m. A bonfire and grill available for cookouts near the trail head. Along the way stop and soak up the warmth of another bonfire located at the midway point. Stop in for hot chocolate and snacks in an indoor warming area. Meet at the shop building for the start of trailhead and indoor warming area. Event is weather permitting. Dusk to 9 p.m.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nordic Heaven Winter Fest. A day of winter family fun! The cross-country ski trails will be groomed and the shelter heated. The Northern Kettle Moraine Nordic Ski Club will be offering snowshoeing demos, cross-country ski and waxing lessons, geocaching, a back-country skiing tour, and kids' winter games. You can also bring your sleds and give the sledding hill a try. Food, refreshments, and live music will be on hand. Festival is weather dependent. Greenbush Group Camp and Recreation Area. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Feather Coats. How do birds keep themselves warm in winter? Take a close-up look at feathers of all colors, shapes, and sizes. This program is for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult. It is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 ext 140 - Snakes, Turtles, and Toads. Get up close and personal with the reptiles and amphibians at the nature center. Kids of all ages can make a snake to take home with them. Nature Center. 1-2 p.m.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a story and activity with pre-schoolers and their parents at the Ice Age Center. It is a great opportunity for parents to get out to the park with their little ones during this time of the year! Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the number of participants. Program is indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so parents should dress their children accordingly. 10 a.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - An Evening with Nature: From Seeds to Wildflowers. For many years Connie Ramthun has propagated her own native wildflowers from local seed sources. Learn how to collect seed, prepare it, and then propagate it. Connie will provide examples of growing seeds in a greenhouse, cold frame, and wildflower garden. This program is most appropriate for ages over 10 years. Presenter is Connie Ramthun, Owner of Kettle Moraine Natural Landscaping. Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-High Naturalist. Bring your 3-5 year old to this fun and involving program. Let's go sledding! Dress to be outside and bring a sled if you have one. Please pre-register by calling (262) 878-5600. Meet at Group Site A if there is snow, or the Visitor Center if there is no snow. Program will go on regardless of weather, but the topic may change. 10 - 11:30 a.m.
