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 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
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - Hiking the Ice Age Trail. The Pothole Trail is the western end of the 1200-mile long Ice Age National ScenicTrail that spans the State of Wisconsin. Join Naturalist Barb Walker and learn about the unique geology of Interstate Park, a unit of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 4 p.m. Secrets of Eagle Peak. Join the naturalist for a short walk up the Eagle Peak Trail. Learn the secrets of The Peak and see a spectacular view of the St. Croix River Valley. Meet at the Eagle Peak Trail sign in the Pines Group Camp. 7 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.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
• Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, (608) 565-2789 - Beginning Outdoor Photography. Join Doyle and Shirley Gates to learn tips for taking great outdoor photos. Bring your camera! Amphitheater. 10 a.m. or 1 p.m.
• Flambeau River State Forest, Winter, (715) 332-5271 - Scavenger Hunt. This nature program takes place at the Connors Lake Picnic Area. 1-2 p.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Family Program: Flutter-by Butterflies. What are orange, yellow, blue, black, and purple? Butterflies! With nets and collecting jars in tow, we’ll take an up-close look at the fluttering-by butterflies. 10:30 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. Hike to Horizon Rock. Join the naturalist for a short hike to Horizon Rock, appropriately named for the incredible view. Meet at Horizon Rock Trail sign across from the Pothole Trail. 4 p.m. Owls: Silent Hunters of the Night. Owls are among the most successful predators of the night because of their amazing adaptations. Learn all about them with Naturalist Barb Walker and her live owl Aztec. Ice Age Center. 7 p.m.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Exploring Nature: So Many Legs! Six, eight, 14, 20, 100+ Why so many legs? As we sweep, poke and dig through the fields and forests, we'll uncover what creatures have so many legs and try to figure out why. This program is best for families/groups with children between the ages of 5 and 12 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-11 a.m. Drop In at the Beach: Alien Attack. We're being invaded not by outer space aliens, but by alien plants and animals. Uncover what foreign species are taking over our native communities and what can be done to help control their spread. You can make several unique crafts including a smashed-plant bandanna. Bring your own bandanna or purchase one that day for a small fee. 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. 1-4 p.m. Family Concert with Randy Peterson. Randy's catchy original songs have universal appeal that invite audience participation and spotlight a variety of musical styles -- from folk to rock, to reggae, to polka. This is an outdoor concert, so bring blankets and lawn chairs. This program is great for all ages from preschoolers through grandparents. Mauthe Lake Recreation Area Picnic Shelter, or in case of inclement weather, the Ice Age Visitor Center. 7-9 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Lions in the Park. Check out the lions in the park - ant lions, that is. Meet volunteer naturalist Jim Mohr for a brief talk followed by a hike to search for these interesting and often overlooked little creatures. Sanderling Nature Center. 2 p.m. Solar System Walk. Join Solar System Ambassador Kevin Koski on a hike of our solar system. Learn fun and fascinating facts about the planets in our solar system and find out why Pluto is no longer considered a planet. Please wear comfortable shoes for the hike on the beach. Hike is best for those age 8 and up. Sanderling Nature Center. 3 p.m. Search the Sky With the Naked Eye. Join star enthusiasts Joe and Mary Glover for an evening learning to read the night sky without the use of a telescope. The entire family is welcome. Bring chair or blanket and flashlights; dress for cool lakeside temperatures. Bathhouse parking lot, or in case of inclement weather, Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m. Night Noises - Midnight Music For Campers. Have you been waking up in the middle of the night and wondering what that noise is outside your tent? It's not something scary - oh no! It's midnight music for the brave at heart! Volunteer naturalist Chris Lilek will teach you how to crackle, squeak, buzz and bump like the creatures of the night. Amphitheater. 8-9 p.m.
• Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Sing - Along. Join musician Charlene Orffeo as she performs a mix of folk, contemporary, and campfire songs. Come ready to sing along! Meet at the Potawatomi Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Watercolor Cards. Always wanted to try watercolor? Come to this easy class and Bev Palecek will help you create your own beautiful note card of a Whorled Milkweed. Please call to pre-registe. For ages 8 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Visitor Center. 9-10:30 a.m. Meet the Ranger. Learn about a park ranger's job first-hand. Discover what equipment rangers use and visit the squad car. Beach Playground. 1-1:30 p.m. Old-Fashioned Campfire. Come on down for songs, stories and old-fashioned fun. You bring themarshmallows, we'll have the sticks! Amphitheater. 7-8 p.m.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 - Drop In at the Beach: Alien Attack. We're being invaded not by outer space aliens, but by alien plants and animals. Uncover what foreign species are taking over our native communities and what can be done to help control their spread. You will have a chance to make several unique crafts including a smashed-plant bandanna. Bring your own bandanna or purchase one that day for a small fee. 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. Noon - 3 p.m.
Monday, July 7, 2008
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 - Learn the Sky with your Naked Eye. Join Mary and Joe Glover to learn about the night sky - at night! Come first and learn how to use a star chart, look for constellations, and find the North Star. After the program, we will go outside and look for the stars we just learned about. If you have already been to the program, just meet us outside to look for the stars. Environmental Awareness Center. Program at 7:30 p.m., stargazing at 8:30.No admission sticker required.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
• Big Foot Beach State Park, Lake Geneva, (262) 348-2420 - Sunsets, Yoga, and Paddling. Wendy Yanke of Indigo Yoga will teach you two of our favorite things at our favorite time of the day! We'll have plenty of insect repellent and incense burning to help you achieve a bug-free Zen. And when we're done you'll see why the sunsets at Big Foot Beach State Park have been rated the best in the state! Fee $30 per class or $100 for four-week session. Please call to preregister. Yoga 6-7 p.m., instructional sunset paddle 6-7:30 p.m.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - Our Solar System: How Big? How Far? Join Rustic Skies Astronomy to learn all about our solar system through a series of hands-on activities designed for children age 8 and up (must be accompanied by an adult). Make models of the planets, hitchhike through the solar system learning fun and fascinating facts, and then build a solar system that fits in your pocket. No pets allowed. Park Bathhouse. 1-3 p.m. Kayak Connection. Join the Lakeshore Sea Kayakers to learn about the basics of kayaking, including equipment, gear, safety and destinations. Time for questions as well. Bathhouse. 7 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Help pick up litter on the highway in front of the park. All materials supplied. Participants must be at least 12 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center. 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
• Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 - A Billion Years on the Pothole Trail. Meet at the Pothole Trail sign. 2 p.m.
• 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. Search the Sky With the Naked Eye. Join star enthusiasts Joe and Mary Glover for an evening learning to read the night sky without the use of a telescope. The entire family is welcome. Bring chair or blanket and flashlights; dress for cool lakeside temperatures. Bathhouse parking lot, or in case of inclement weather, Sanderling Nature Center. 7 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Knee-High Naturalist. Bring your 3- to 5-year-old to this fun program. This month let's go down to the pond! Please call to pre-register. Meet at the Visitor Center and be prepared to drive. 10-11:30 a.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.
