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.
Thursday, July 10 - Saturday, July 12, 2008
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Big Red Tent on the Beach. Discover the natural world on the beach under the tent. A different theme is featured each day with programs beginning on the hour. Programs feature a craft or game along with beach toys to check out. Themes for each day are; Thursday - Rivers To Lakes, Friday - Plant Invaders, Saturday - Flowers. The tent will be canceled for rain or lightening. Sponsored by the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park and the Whitefish Bay Association. Whitefish Dunes Beach. 1 - 3 p.m.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Join Naturalists Julie Fox or Barb Walker for a story and activity chosen especially for children pre-K through Kindergarten and their parents. Please dress the children for outdoor play. 10 a.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Outdoor Adventure: Climb a Kame. Climb Dundee Mountain to gain a better understanding of how the glaciers created kames, eskers, moraines, kettles and outwash plains. The trail is 1.5 miles long and requires hiking up and down a steep hill. In the event of threatening weather, the program will be canceled. This adventure is for people over the age of 12 years. Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center and then car pool the 3 miles to the Summit Trail on Dundee Mountain. 6:30-8 p.m.
Friday, July 11, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Junior Forest Explorers: What's Fluttering By? Feathered or clubbed antennae? Wings held vertically or horizontally? Now which is it - a moth or a butterfly? We will unravel the mysteries of butterflies and moths. This fun-filled program is for all 6- to 12-year-old explorers. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Watercoloring Nature. Join local artist Elaine Cregan for this hands-on lesson in watercolor painting. Art supplies will be provided in exchange for a $10 participant fee. You may wish to bring a photo or other object to work from. Meet at the Picnic Shelter. 1-3 p.m. Wolves Of Wisconsin. Join Michelle Hefty, Manager of Newport State Park, for a program about wolves. You will learn how to determine the differences between wolves, coyotes, and dogs. Learn the current status of Timber Wolves in Door County and Wisconsin. Meet at the Potawatomi Amphitheater. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
• Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - Mountain Bike Endurance Race. Bring yourself or your team and ride the off-road bike trails at Blue Mound State Park for 3, 6 or 12 hours. There will be a prize raffle and also cash prizes for the winners. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Off-Road Bicycling Association (WORBA). Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, see the Wisconsin Endurance Mountain Bike Series Web site .
• Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, (608) 565-2789 - History of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Juneau County. Join Craig Saxe from University of Wisconsin-Extension to view a slide show that tells the story of Juneau County’s agricultural and natural resources through a collection of historical photos. Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
• Flambeau River State Forest, Winter, (715) 332-5271 - Fishing Fun. This nature program takes place at the Connors Lake Picnic Area. 1-2 p.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Discovery Saturday: Make Your Own Pond Viewer. Stop inside the building to make a simple pond viewer using recycled materials. Then, take your viewer to one of the ponds and see what types of aquatic critters are living there. Environmental Awareness Center. 9 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Learn to Kayak. This is the perfect program for people who have never kayaked and would like to learn. Join Jen Sazasma, an American Canoe Association instructor, to learn the tricks and fun of kayaking. We will kayak around Mauthe Lake and up the Milwaukee River. Call to register by July 10. Class limit is eight people without equipment for each session. No experience is necessary. The program is best for people over the age of 10 years. In the event of threatening weather, the program will be canceled. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Boat Launch. 9:30 a.m. - noon or 1-3:30 p.m. Drop In at the Beach: Hurray for Herps! Many snakes, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders make Wisconsin their home. Meet a few of these wondrous creatures up close and learn about their unique adaptations. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Beach. 1-4 p.m. Wisconsin Turtles. Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of turtles. Randy Hetzel, naturalist, will share the unique adaptations of these remarkable reptiles and what habitat requirements they need to survive. You may even have the opportunity to meet some live turtles. This program is best for adults and children over the age of 8 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Kite Building Workshop. Join in the fun of making and decorating a pocket sled kite during either of the workshop sessions, then head right out the door to fly the kite on the beach. Best for children 12 and under; 4-year olds will need parental help. $4 charge per kite kit. Call to register for a session. Park shelter in campground. 10 and 11a.m. The Moon: Observing the Craters and Mares. Take a break in the candlelight hike to join NASA Ambassador Kevil Koski for an exciting evening observing our moon. Find out where the Apollo mission landed a see some of the craters and mountains on the moon. Learn fun facts about our nearest neighbor and what life would be like without the moon. Please bring chair or blanket and dress for an evening on the beach. No pets allowed. Best for ages 8 and up. North Beach. 8-10:30 p.m. Summer Candlelight Hike. Enjoy a self-guided hike along the beach and wander the sand dunes along the cordwalk. The trail is lit with tiki torches for this annual summer event. Refreshments served at Sanderling Nature Center. Sorry, no pets or strollers allowed on the hike. Park at Sanderling Nature Center or North Beach lots. 8:30-10:30 p.m.
• MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, Poynette, (608) 635-8105 - Outdoor Skills Day. A free public program focusing on outdoor skills. A variety of hands-on skill areas such as fishing, archery, outdoor cooking, prairie walk, shooting sports, and nature hikes, will be set up for the entire family to enjoy. A concession stand will be available from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Sponsored by Wisconsin Wildlife Federation , the Department of Natural Resources, and the Friends of MacKenzie Center. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. No admission sticker required.
• Wyalusing State Park, Bagley, (608) 996-2261 - Civilian Conservation Program. Bill Jamerson will present a program on the Civilian Conservation Corps. Sponsored by the Friends of Wyalusing State Park. Meet at the Peterson Shelter. 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
• Harrington Beach State Park, Belgium, (262) 285-3015 - Second Sunday Event. Meet at the Ansay Welcom Center. Sponsored by the Friends of Harrington Beach State Park. Bird House Building. 12 noon. Meet the Ranger. 1 p.m. Introduction to Geocaching. 2 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: Fascinating Fish . How do fish swim? How do they breathe under water? How do they eat? Find the answers to these questions and much more as we wade through the world of Wisconsin fishes. Everyone is invited to drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with their children. Long Lake Recreation Area South Beach. Noon - 3 p.m.
• Military Ridge State Trail, Ridgeway, (608) 437-7393 - Ice Cream Social. The Friends of the Military Ridge State Trail are sponsoring an ice cream social at the Ridgeway Depot. Activities at the social will also include face painting and railroad songs. 2 - 4 p.m.
Monday July 14, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920)451-4080 - Rock Collecting For Fun. Join Ed Mindock for a presentation on rock collecting as a hobby. A hands-on approach to beginning and understanding rock collecting and having fun doing it. All ages welcome. Sanderling Nature Center. 2 p.m.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Junior Rangers: Flutter By Butterflies. Egg! Caterpillar! Cocoon! Butterfly! Search our fields for clues to the exciting lives of butterflies. Concurrent story times concurrently for preschoolers, ages 3-5, and their parents and for primary age children, ages 6-8. These programs are not for day care centers or organizations. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920)451-4080 - Young People's Wildlife Poetry Workshop. Young people in grades 1-8 wishing to sharpen their wildlife observation skills, hear wildlife poetry and try their hand at writing wildlife/plant life poetry are invited to take part in Gerald Bertsch's workshop. Half hour program with majority of time devoted to each young person creating his or her own "memory moment" set to the music of poetry. Young people must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 3-3:30 p.m.
