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 4, 2012
? Ice Age National Scenic Trail, near Belleville, 800-227-0046 - Mobile Skills Crew Trail Building Event. Mobile Skills Crew trained volunteers specialize in working safe, having fun and building and maintaining high-quality, sustainable Ice Age Trail segments. Camping, education and environmentally friendly trail building techniques are always components of projects. No experience is necessary to attend, and volunteers are always welcome to participate in MSC projects. Event runs Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 - Diggin' Dirt Nature Storytime. Be prepared to get a little dirty as we unearth what makes up dirt. We'll learn what lives on and in the soil. This hour of nature fun awaits 3 to 6 year olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
? Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva, 262-248-2528 - Walk for Arthritis at Big Foot Beach. Celebrate movement and make a positive impact on the lives of people living with arthritis by raising funds for arthritis research, education and life improvement programs in communities across the country. Choose from a three-mile or one-mile walk route. Write an inspirational message on the Wall of Heroes. Wear a blue ?hero? hat if you have arthritis. Enjoy the fun, festivities and free health information. Sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. Meet at the picnic shelter. 10 a.m. For more information or to register, send an email to Arthritis Walk, or call 608-221-9800.
? Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Grantsburg, 715-463-2739 - Spring Birding Tour. Join expert birders Jim Hoefler, John Menge and Dick Sandve as they explore the wetlands and prairies for spring migrants and returning resident birds. All tours depart from the Education Center and carpool to the various sites in the wildlife areas. $5/person. Registration required by calling the visitor center at 715-463-2739. The first 10 people may reserve space in the van. Dress for hiking and outdoor weather. 8-10 a.m.
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, 608-356-8301 ext 140 - Spring Bird Hike. Warblers, thrushes, and sandpipers?oh, my! Join us on a spring bird migration hike at Devil's Lake. We will explore the south shore of Devil's Lake in search of migrating birds. Meet at the South Shore boat landing parking lot. 7-8 a.m. Learn to Geocache. Come and learn about this fun, high-tech scavenger hunt. You and your family can learn the basics of how to use a GPS unit, how to find hidden caches, and how to use the geocaching website. We'll have GPS units to borrow. Meet at the nature center. 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
? Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, 715-258-2372 - Work*Play*Earth Day. Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at a Work*Play*Earth Day event! Come and join us in projects to prepare for the spring/summer season. Bring work shoes and gloves and if you sign up to volunteer, your admission is free. Stay and play after the work is done!
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, 414-527-0232 - Bird Walk for Families. Many birds are returning from their winter homes. We'll head out to the field and woods with binoculars to see which ones are back. Wear boots or shoes that can get wet or muddy. 10:30 ? 11:30 a.m.
? Interstate 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 the Silverbrook Trail from 7-9 a.m. Meet at the Pines Group Camp. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them. 7-9 a.m. Spring Wildflower Mania. It happens every spring?can?t remember a false rue anemone from a wood anemone from an early meadow rue? Get it all sorted out during Spring Wildflower Mania! Join Barb Delaney from 1-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, for an easy walk on a level trail. Barb will show you pointers for remembering wildflower names and show you features about their pollination, seeds, and habitat preferences. Identify woody plants, too! Meet at the Pines Group Camp, rain or shine. 1-2:30 p.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 - What's that Bird? Exploring Nature Program. As the warm southerly winds bring spring, thousands of birds wing their way back to Wisconsin. Join us for a bird watching walk to gain identification tips and spy what birds have returned for the summer. Remember to bring your binoculars. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 6 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 10-11:30 a.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit, Eagle, 262-594-6200 - Weekly Wildflower Walk. Take a spring walk through the Kettle Moraine State Forest and view the blooming wildflowers. The weekly walks are held every Saturday from March 31 to mid-May (flower dependent). Walks begin at the Forest Headquarters, but be prepared to drive to wherever the flowers are blooming. Forest Headquarters: S91 W39091 Highway 59, Eagle, WI. Meet at 10 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. Meet at closed gate west of camp host site. 2 p.m.
? Mirror Lake State Park, Lake Delton, 608-254-2333 - Bird Hike. Join us for a 90-minute hike through Mirror Lake State Park and enjoy the birds of the season. The hike will start at the Park Office. 10 ? 11:30 a.m.
? Pike Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Hartford, 262-670-3400 - Work*Play*Earth Day. Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at a Work*Play*Earth Day event! Come and join us in projects to prepare for the spring/summer season. Bring work shoes and gloves and if you sign up to volunteer, your admission is free. Stay and play after the work is done!
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, 262-878-5600 - Spring Cleaning?the Non-toxic Way. Join Jessica Schelske from Bubbles and Blooms Home Services to learn how you can make your cleaning greener and less toxic with a few changes and new recipes. Discover the truth about green product labels. Meet at the visitor center. 9 ? 10 a.m. Red Trail Hike. Join this Spring into Fitness event to hike and explore the beautiful 8.3-mile Red Trail. Bring water and pack a lunch. Everyone is invited to hike. Trail is often very wet. Meet at the trail head. 9:30 a.m. ? 2 p.m.
? Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, 608-565-2789 - Work*Play*Earth Day. Celebrate Earth Day by volunteering at a Work*Play*Earth Day event! Come and join us in projects to prepare for the spring/summer season. Bring work shoes and gloves and if you sign up to volunteer, your admission is free. Stay and play after the work is done!
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Jacksonport, 920-823-2400 - Spring Dune Day. Grab your rake, put on your gloves, and join park staff and the Friends of Whitefish Dunes for a day of sprucing up the park. Split wood with the friends or work on the trails with park staff. Get out and enjoy the outdoors and help the park. Crews of all levels of ability, strengths and ages are needed. Children under the ages of 16 must work with a parent. Inside work may be available also. There will be something for everyone. Lunch provided for those who sign up. Morning session begins at 9 a.m. Lunch is at noon and the afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. Make a difference in your park and join today! Call the park to sign up. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, May 7, 2012
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit, Eagle, 262-594-6200 - Spring into Fitness! This is a two month series of weekly walks in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest from April 2 to May 28. Meet at 5 p.m. at a different location each Monday for a 2-3 mile hike. May 7: Hike a 2-mile loop around Lake La Grange. We will start on the Ice Age Trail and then follow the Horse Trail back to the parking lot. This is an easy trail with a few hills in the first mile. The second mile is on an abandoned road and is very flat. Meet at the Ice Age Trail parking lot on State Highway 12. 5 p.m.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, 262-878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Help us clean up the highway in front of the park. All equipment provided. You must be at least 12 years old to participate. Meet at the visitor center. 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
? Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, 920-533-8322 - An Evening with Nature - Kayak Connections. Have you ever wanted to try kayaking, but were not sure how to get started? Then this program is a must for you! Tom Koeppen and friends from the Northeast Wisconsin Paddlers will introduce you to the sport of kayaking. They will discuss what gear and skills are needed, where to go kayaking and how to connect with classes and kayaking groups. This program is most appropriate for adults and youth over the age of 10 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:45 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 nature program. This month we'll look for a Windy Day! Please pre-register by calling 262-878-5600. Meet at the beach. 10 - 11:30 a.m.
