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 27, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Pet a Pelt. Meet Naturalist Barb Walker at the Ice Age Center and learn about some Wisconsin wildlife. Did you know that deer hair is hollow? What makes the fur of a beaver or otter different than that of other animals? Stop by to learn more! 2 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Junior Forest Explorers: Nature's Recyclers. Nature has been recycling for millions of years. Learn what organisms help recycle all the dead stuff of nature. It's sure to be a creepy crawly experience. 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 - Forest Invaders. DNR Entomologist, Bill McNee, will be here to talk about invasive insects that threaten Wisconsin's forests. Emerald ash borer and gypsy moths will be covered. Learn how you can protect our trees! Meet at the Potawatomi Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - Movie Presentation. Come to the Willow River Nature Center and see a showing of the short movie "The St. Croix: A Northwoods Journey." The 18-minute movie will be followed by a talk given by National Park Ranger Bob Downs. The presentation is free with an annual or daily park pass on your vehicle. 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
• Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, (608) 565-2789 - Tasty Campfire Treats. Join Ranger Wolf and Cindy Mac to learn to make fun, family friendly campfire treats and try them too! You will also get a recipe sheet of other treats to try. Amphitheater. 2-3 p.m.
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Rhythm and Booms. Grab a blanket and some snacks and make it a picnic! Governor Nelson Park offers great views over Lake Mendota of the fireworks at Warner Park. Rain date Sunday, June 29.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Adult Program: Butterfly Count. Help count the butterflies at Havenwoods. We'll spend a short time inside learning about what they look like. Then we'll head outside to see how many butterflies we can find. Meet at Environmental Awareness Center. 10 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Junior Ranger. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades K-3. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 2 p.m. Wisconsin Explorer. Free booklets with fun activities for parents and their children entering grades 4 and up. Meet the naturalist on the lake side of the Beach House. 2:30 p.m. The Owl and the Mouse. Meet Aztec the live South American Spectacled Owl and play a game that illustrates the exceptional hearing of some nocturnal creatures that have the best hearing of any animals on earth. A fun activity for the entire family! Grassy area in the center of the North Campground. 4 p.m. Pondering the Potholes and Other Glacial Wonders. Join Naturalist Barb Walker for a relaxing hike on the Pothole Trail while learning about the unique geology of Interstate Park. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 7 p.m..
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920)451-4080 - Universe in the Park. The Astronomy Department of the University of Wisconsin-Madison presents a 20- to 30-minute slide talk covering a broad overview of astronomy or recent astronomical news. At the end of the talk (if the sky is clear) they will go outdoors to set up telescopes and let park visitors view whatever astronomical objects are available. Question-and- answer period takes place around the telescope. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 8:45 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Underwater Archaeology. In 2007, the Wisconsin Historical Society first surveyed the SS Wisconsin wreckage. Join nautical archaeologist Tamara Thomsen on an underwater tour of the site. Hear the ship's storied past, and learn what was discovered in the frigid depths. Meet at the Potawatomi Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Invasive Destroyers! Join the Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park to tackle dame’s rocket, leafy spurge and hounds tongue and preserve our rare plants! Meet at the Nature Center, dressed for the weather (long pants are preferable). Come for one or two hours. We provide water, gloves, snack and complimentary vehicle sticker. Adults and children. Sponsored by Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park. Nature Center. 9 to 11:30 or 1-3:30 p.m.
• Willow River State Park, Hudson, (715) 386-5931 - Nature Presentation. Mike Reiter brings his “Skulls and Bones” presentation to the Nature Center. Ask to see the deer feet with the odd hooves and learn how it happened! The presentation is free with an annual or daily park pass on your vehicle. 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: Summer Sun Celebration. Celebrate the sun reaching its annual zenith. Discover what work the sun can do for us, from cooking food to powering a car or flashlight. Create a special solar piece of art. Try some sun experiments and maybe even get a peek of the sun through a solar scope. There will be something for everyone. Just keep those sunny thoughts. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Beach. Noon - 3 p.m.
Monday, June 30, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: Life Down Under. Watch your step! A whole world exists just under our feet. Help us unearth the creatures that live down under the leaves, the grass and the soil. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Sponsored by Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m.
• 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-Tuesday, July 1-8, 2008
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Fourth of July in the Park. American flag display throughout the campground. Campers are urged to decorate their campsites in a patriotic mode all week long. Park campground. All day.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Junior Rangers: Who Went There? Can you find deer footprints, squirrel nests, or fox holes? Become a nature detective and discover who lives at Havenwoods. 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 2, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Hike to Horizon Rock. Take a short hike to Horizon Rock, appropriately named because of the incredible view. Meet the naturalist at the Horizon Rock Trail sign across from the Pothole Trail.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Children's Storytime. Children ages 4-10 are invited to hear nature stories read by a volunteer storyteller. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. 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. Space Age - 50 Years. Celebrate 50 years of the space age. NASA Solar System Ambassador Kevin Koski will discuss America's efforts to put satellites into orbit and perfect our rockets since we entered the space race against Russia. The video presentation on Explorer 1 will be followed by a question and answer period. Best for age 8 and up. No pets allowed. Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• Whitefish Dunes State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 - Weekly Weeders! Help control invasive plans as the evening sets at the park! Meet at the Nature Center, dressed for the weather (long pants are preferable). Come for one or two hours. We provide water, gloves, snack and complimentary vehicle sticker. Adults and children. Sponsored by Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park. Nature Center. 6-8 p.m.
Thursday, July 3 - Saturday, July 5, 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 - Nose to Tails, Friday - State Symbols, Saturday - Fossils. 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 3, 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.
Friday, July 4, 2008
• Governor Nelson State Park, Waunakee, (608) 831-3005 - Friday Folk Jamboree. Listen to local folk musicians. Beach picnic shelter. 7-9 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Nature Storytime: Long Jumpers--Frogs. Able to leap over a lily pad in a single bound! A tongue faster than a fly! It's a frog! Learn some truly amazing facts about these long jumpers. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m.
