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, June 11, 2010
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Ladybug Story and Craft. 10-10:45 a.m. Nature Center. Learn about ladybird beetles then paint a rock ladybug to keep. Art in the Park. 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Drop by the Fish Creek entrance, across from Julie's Restaurant, to visit with Door County artist Dave Hackett. Dave will be demonstrating painting techniques. Peninsula's centennial print will also be available for sale ($25).
? Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Geology of Door County. The geologic history of the Door Peninsula is a dynamic story of moving continents, far-away volcanoes, tropical seas, and continental ice sheets. This all led to the formation of the Niagara Escarpment and the beautiful landscape that exists today. Join Ron Stieglitz, UW-Green Bay professor emeritus, to find out more. Amphitheater. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
? Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 - Big Band Concert. Enjoy the music! Listen and dance to the sound of live bands; the Hal Edwards Orchestra or the Summer Wind Band, in the historic north shore Chateau overlooking beautiful Devil?s Lake. Admission is $5 per person. 7:30 ? 10:30 p.m.
? Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville, (608) 935-2315 - Universe in the Park. Join the UW Astronomy Department for a tour of the night sky! A chance to look through the UW's telescopes will follow a slide show presentation. There is no fee for this event, but a valid park admission sticker is required. Universe in the Park [exit DNR].
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Discovery Saturdays: Natural Play Time. Do you remember searching in the grass, making dandelion chain necklaces, playing in a sandbox, or just having fun playing outside? Bring your kids to play outside at Havenwoods. These activities are for everyone! Just drop by the big blue tent anytime between 9 a.m. and noon.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Finding those Fascinating Ferns. Ferns are ancient plants that reproduce without seeds. Join Naturalist Barb Walker for a walk on the Ravine Trail to learn how ferns grow and to view a variety of beautiful ferns in the park. Amphitheater behind the beach parking area. 1 p.m. Ancient Abandoned Riverbeds. Hike up the beautiful valley with the naturalist and learn some ancient geology that makes the area look like it does today. Meet at the Meadow Valley Trail sign near the beach parking lot. 4 p.m. Family Fun: All About Owls. Meet Naturalist Barb Walker and Aztec, a live owl - then make an Owl-On-A-Stick to take home. Fun for the entire family! Ice Age Center. 7 p.m.
? Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Extreme Saturday Morning. Calling all youth to explore the extremes of nature by participating in the Wisconsin Explorers program! The program involves completing a required number of activities in one of three age appropriate books (ages 3-5; ages 6-8; and ages 9+) to earn a very cool patch. Get some expert help from a naturalist who will work with youth on activities from one of the first four topic areas of the books. Picnic Shelters at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area and Long Lake Recreation Area. 10-11 a.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 or e-mail - Wisconsin's Frogs - Sunset Serenade. Each spring Wisconsin's frogs and toads announce their presence with a musical choir. Come to learn about these amphibians without tails and the songs they sing. Of the 12 species in Wisconsin, 9 reside in Sheboygan County. Janet Raddatz will share her knowledge of these special creatures. A great family program. Free program. Vehicle admission sticker required. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
? Lakeshore State Park, Milwaukee, (414) 274-4281 - Gathering Waters Festival. Free event with canoeing and kayaking demonstrations, fishing clinics, boat and bike rides, rock wall climbing, kite flying, exhibits, lawn and garden demonstrations, scavenger hunts, and other activities for kids and adults. There'll be music and picnic areas and you can buy local food and beverages. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Exhibits and demonstrations end at 5 p.m.)
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 or e-mail - Wildfire! Meet wildfire fighter Bryanna who will share sizzling facts about battling blazes, including safety tips. Learn to walk an imaginary fire line learning about the real techniques used by fire crews. Best for kids ages five and older. Nature Center. 10-11 a.m. Naturalist at Eagle Terrace. Have your questions answered by the park naturalist. Stop by the terrace any time 1-2 p.m. Peninsula Bingo Play a round of PENGO, a Peninsula style game of Bingo. Prizes for winners. Nature Center. 8-8:30 p.m. Night Hike See Peninsula in a different light. Learn how your senses?and the senses of forest animals?are adapted for the night. Leave your flashlights behind?we'll be using our ?night vision!? Nature Center. 9-10 p.m.
? 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, June 13, 2010
? Big Foot Beach, Lake Geneva, (262) 248-2528 or e-mail - Our Wild Neighbors. Discover nature with our Naturalist Christee Reince! On the hour-long hike, we will use our detective skills to figure out where our wild neighbors live and what they eat! Dress for the weather and wear proper foot gear for hiking! Meet at the Picnic Shelter. 10:30 a.m. - Noon.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 or e-mail - Snakes Alive! We'll meet some of Peninsula's common snakes and share slithering snake facts. Then, paint a wooden snake to keep. $1 donation/snake. Limited supply. Nature Center. 10-11 a.m.
Monday, June 14, 2010
? High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, (920) 989-1106 or e-mail - FrogWatch Survey. Naturalist led survey of frog species. Learn how to identify frogs by their call and help collect data that will be added to a national database. Get directly involved in the effort to conserve and protect our amphibian friends. Meet at the High Cliff office. After sunset, call the office for details.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Tennison Fossil Frenzy. Peninsula's shoreline is full of fossils. We'll learn how fossils are formed, find real fossils along the beach, and then head back to the playground to unearth a fossil you can keep ($1 donation/fossil). Meet at Tennison Bay playground. 4-5 p.m. Bat Watch. Welcker's Shelter. Bat Girl has swooped over to Peninsula to share amazing facts about our only flying mammal. Then stick around to watch bats emerge from their daytime roost to feast on mosquitoes. 8:30-9:30 p.m.
? Wyalusing State Park, Prairie du Chien, (608) 996-2261 - Snakes Alive. Meet at the Peterson Shelter. 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
? Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, (715) 258-2372 - Hellestad House. The Hellestad House is open from 1-4 p.m. June?s topic: ?Who, besides fish, live in Allen Lake??
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Preschool Storytime: Snails and Slugs. Imagine being as tiny as a snail or as slimy as a slug. We'll take a close-up look at these amazing creatures. This program is for preschoolers, ages 3 - 5, and their parents, grandparents, or other adult, not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Junior Rangers: Snails and Slugs. Imagine being as tiny as a snail or as slimy as a slug. We'll take a close-up look at these amazing creatures. Junior Ranger programs are for children ages 6-8. Grown-ups are welcome to accompany their children. This program is not for day care centers or organizations. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Recipe for a Pothole, Hike with Naturalist Barb Walker around the Pothole Trail to learn the makings of Interstate Park's natural wonders. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 10 a.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Trail Trampers. Meet at Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.What trees grow in this forest? What signs of animal life can we discover? 10-11 a.m. Animal Signs Quest.. On-your-own trail quest to learn about animal signs in the forest. Prizes for completion. Nature Center. Stop by anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Weed Warriors. Garlic mustard, an invasive plant, is pushing beautiful flowers and trees out of the way. We need kids to help pull it. We'll show you how and reward you with nature center coupons and cool pins as a thank you. Meet at Tennison Bay playground. 1-2 p.m.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
? Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Havenwoods Birding Walk. Join the Havenwoods Birding Group for our weekly birding walks. We'll hike through fields, forests, and wetlands in search of birds. No experience is necessary. Please ask at the front desk if you need to borrow a pair of binoculars. 8-9:30 a.m.
? 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. Free Program. Vehicle admission sticker is required. Meet at the trailhead near the playground. 10 a.m. Children's Story Time. Children ages 4-10 are invited to join a volunteer storyteller to hear a story and join in an activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Free Program. Vehicle admission sticker is required. Sanderling Nature Center. 1:30 p.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Walk with a Forester. Meet at Eagle Tower. Peninsula welcomes Forester Bill Ruff who will share his tools of the trade, including measuring trees, on a family friendly walk. 10-11 a.m. Weed ID. Nature Center. Stop by anytime between Noon and 2 p.m. to learn to identify at least three Peninsula weeds. Learn what the park is doing to control these invasive plants.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
? Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Nature Storytime. Join Naturalist Barb Walker for a story and activity chosen especially for children pre-K through kindergarten and their parents. Check at the park office for the location within the park. 10 a.m.
? Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 or e-mail - Beach and Dune Walk. Bring the family to hike the Creeping Juniper Trail and explore the flora of the Lake Michigan beach with volunteer naturalist Andrew Morris. No pets allowed. Free Program. Vehicle admission sticker is required. Sanderling Nature Center 9 a.m.
? Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Nature T-shirts. Customize a nature t-shirt design and then iron it onto a T-shirt. $2 donation/shirt. 10-11 a.m.
? Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 or e-mail - Big Red Tent ?Up in the Sky: Dragonfly . Join the naturalist for fun in the sun under the tent. Discover nature, check out a beach toy, and learn something new. Programs begin on the hour and involve a craft and educational activity. Event will be canceled of rain or lightening. Theme and date are subject to change without notice. Beach. 1-3 p.m.
