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 7, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Warbler Watch. Meet at Weborg Shelter. As morning arrives, warblers like palms, yellow-rumps and black and whites flit about the cedars, feeding on insects. Join the naturalist to learn to identify these and other birds. We'll watch for spring flowers like bloodroot, too. Bring your own binoculars. 8 - 9 a.m.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
? Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, (715) 258-2372 - Work Play Earth Day. The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks and the DNR are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Work Play Earth Day. Local Friends groups, DNR staff, and community members will be joining together for a series of volunteer work days at Wisconsin state parks and trails across the state. Volunteers will participate in a variety of activities from planting trees, to beach clean ups, to helping prepare campsites for the busy summer season. This year is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! For more information or to register, visit the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks web site [exit DNR].
? 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. View and listen to these messengers of spring! Join Robin Maercklein of the National Park Service for a walk on Silverbrook Trail. Bring binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them. Meet at the Pines Group Camp. 7-9 a.m. Wildflower Walk. Woodland wildflowers are blooming, but many will disappear as the trees leaf out. Join Derek Anderson of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Interstate Park for a walk on Silverbrook Trail. Bring your camera and a wildflower field guide if you have them. Meet at the Pines Group Camp. 2 p.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 - Wildflower Walk. Wildflower Walks with Naturalist Ron Kurowski will be every Saturday from April 17 to June 5. Meet at the forest headquarters on Highway 59 at 10 a.m. Be prepared to carpool to the hike location. Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather. Some sites may be muddy. The hike will last about 1.5 to 2 hours.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - International Migratory Bird Day - Morning at Nelson's Point: Meet at Nelson Point parking lot. Spring warblers like palms, black and whites and American redstarts may be moving through. Bring binoculars if you have them. Easy walking. 8-9 a.m. Bird Brain Workshop: Nature Center. Learn to identify at least ten Peninsula birds. Play a bird call game. Use a spotting scope. All participants will receive a Junior Birder Redstart patch. Suggested workshop donation: $3. Snack included. Designed for adults and kids age eight and older. This workshop-style program will teach kids of all ages the birding basics: bird identification, favorite bird calls, and how to use a spotting scope. 1 - 2 p.m.
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Work Play Earth Day. The Friends of Wisconsin State Parks and the DNR are sponsoring the 2nd Annual Work Play Earth Day. Local Friends groups, DNR staff, and community members will be joining together for a series of volunteer work days at Wisconsin state parks and trails across the state. Volunteers will participate in a variety of activities from planting trees, to beach clean ups, to helping prepare campsites for the busy summer season. This year is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day! For more information or to register, visit the Friends of Wisconsin State Parks website.
? Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien, (608) 996-2261 - Astronomy Program. The Starsplitters of Wyalusing will present an Astronomy Program at the Huser Astronomy Center. Programs are the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Hummin' for Mom. Stop by the Nature Center any time from 1 - 3 p.m. to create a hummingbird feeder for Mom, made from a recycled baby food jar. Wrap your gift with paper you decorate yourself, using rubber bird tracks. She'll love it! This craft takes about 15 minutes.
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Mother's Day Wildflower Hike. Show Mom (or anyone special) a bouquet they will always remember. Bring the camera to take pictures, not the flowers, home. Trail is rough and wet. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the Visitor Center but be prepared to drive. 2-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Lake Iris Walk: Meet at Park Headquarters but park at the nearby overflow lot. Lake iris dazzles the trails, like blue jewels along the forest floor. Learn about this federally threatened plant, and other flowers. This trail may be damp; wear suitable shoes. 10 - 11 a.m. Weed Warriors: Location to be announced. Growing among the wildflowers are wild weeds, like garlic mustard. Learn about this noxious weed and help pull at a priority site in Peninsula. 1 - 2 p.m.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
? Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-high Naturalist. Bring your 3-5 year old to this fun and involving program. This month see why you don?t look like your mother! Please pre-register by calling (262) 878-5600. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the Amphitheater. 10-11:30 a.m.
