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, March 21, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Nature Storytime: Spring Into Spring. Through songs, stories and games, we will welcome spring back to Wisconsin. We'll even go outside to explore for some signs of spring's return. 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, March 22, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Windy Days. What flies on spring's blustery winds? Geese, moths, and kites do! We'll go on a wind walk to learn about the wind and those who use it. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Nature Storytime. Naturalist Julie Fox will share a nature-related story and activity with preschoolers and their parents. Nature Storytime will generally last between 30-45 minutes, depending on the participants. We'll spend time indoors and outdoors, weather permitting, so dress accordingly. Ice Age Center. 10 a.m.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Purple Martin Workshop. Johnny Anderson, a local purple martin enthusiast, will show a video about attracting martins to your backyard, show examples of all types and designs of houses made from gourds, tell you where and how to place them, and answer questions. Special guest Ron Seekamp also will share his knowledge and expertise, and show workshop participants his modified pivoting martin house. The workshop is for all ages. Please call to register in advance. Ice Age Center. 2-4 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Park Work Day. Do you need service hours or a service project? Dress to be outside working--layers of old clothes, work boots, gloves and a hat as we clear or cut brush at these flexible workdays. Stay as long as you like. Visitor Center. 1-3 p.m. Spring Into Fitness Kick-Off and Hike. Discover spring on the beautiful 1.9-mile Green Trail. You may sign up your team today for the Spring into Fitness event (come by 8:45 a.m.). You do not hve to be part of the event to hike. Trail will be muddy! Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Visitor Center. 9-11 a.m.
Friday, April 4, 2008
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Woodcock Watch. Discover the American Woodcock and its aerial mating flight. Meet at the park office for an introduction to its habits and habitat followed by a hike to witness this phenomenon. Dress to be outdoors and in tall marsh grass. Bring flashlights and rubber boots! Meet at the park office. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Nature Storytime: Pink-Toed 'Possums. What has pink toes, a hairless tail and a pouch? An opossum, of course! Discover other interesting facts about the only North American mammal with a pouch. 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, April 5, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Family Program: Squirrels—Nuts of the Forest. Squirrels are some of nature’s clever creatures. We’ll do some activities inside and then go outside to look for their homes, signs, and hopefully see a squirrel or two! Environmental Awareness Center. 10:30 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
• MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, Poynette, (608) 635-8110 - Maple Syrup Festival. Guided tours of the sugar bush and maple syruping process, horse-drawn wagon rides (10 a.m. - 2 p.m.), wildlife exhibit and museums (until 2 p.m.), all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast sponsored by Poynette Optimist Club (Resident Center Lodge, 8 a.m. - noon), demonstrations of home-made ice cream churned by an antique engine and how to make maple syrup in your own backyard, live music, raffle drawing (1 p.m.) The Friends of MacKenzie will be offering refreshments and selling maple sundaes and souvenirs. Sponsored by Friends of MacKenzie, Department of Natural Resources, and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. No admission sticker required.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Preschool Storytime: What’s Hatching Out of That Egg? Eggs come in a wonderful variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. Find out about the tiny lives growing inside them. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest--Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Creating a Five-star Bird Attraction in Your Yard. Author Mariette Nowak will show how to increase the number and variety of birds in your yard by growing native plants offering natural habitat and a year-long smorgasbord of berries, nuts, seeds and insects for the birds. She also will discuss the importance of native plants versus cultivated plants for birds and problems with invasive non-native plant species. This program is most appropriate for adults and youth over age 10. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-8:30 p.m.
