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, September 2, 2010
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6220 - A Visit to a Pioneer Log Cabin. Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. 9:30 a.m.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Let?s Talk about Insects! 10 ? 10:30 a.m. Nature Center. Learn what makes insects cool in this talk featuring butterflies and mosquitoes. Find out the latest news on emerald ash borer and beach bark disease. An optional insect craft will follow the talk.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Northern Unit, Campbellsport, (920) 533-8322 or e-mail - Nature Storytime: The Chirping Choir. "Chrrrp, chrrrp." "Katydid, katydidn't!" Who are the members of this evening choir? Listen and learn about crickets and their noisy relatives. This hour of nature fun awaits 3- to 6-year-olds with accompanying adults. Ice Age Visitor Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. Hike: Step Into the Night. Explore the darkening world listening intently for all those interesting night sounds. Bring your insect repellent and sense of adventure. Best for families/groups with children over the age of 5 years. Meet at the Ice Age Visitor Center. 8-9:30 p.m.
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6220 - Life Along the Shoreline. Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. 9:30 a.m.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Nature Story and Craft: 10 ? 11 a.m. Drop by the Nature Center for nature-inspired fun! Theme to-be-announced. Kayak Tour: 10 a.m. - noon. Must pre-register at Nature Center. $15+tax /person. Please phone (920) 868-3258 for complete information.
Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Become a Wisconsin Explorer. Find out how you can earn a Wisconsin state symbol patch, and take a hike along the Ancient Shorelines Trail with the naturalist. Nature center. 4-4:45 p.m.
Whitefish Dunes State Park , Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 or e-mail - Strolling the Shore. Explore the geology and ecology of the Dunes while enjoying Lake Michigan. Start at the beginning of the park?s life and discover hidden secrets. Whitefish Dunes Amphitheater. 2 p.m.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - ?The Elderly Brothers? - Original and classic rock music with Carroll Sigler and David Off. Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, (608) 565-2789 - Radical Raptors. Does it feel like bird eyes are watching you? It may be when a guest speaker brings a real Red-tailed Hawk to the park. Come learn some facts about bird of prey, dissect an owl pellet and make a craft to take home. A fun program for all ages. Amphitheater. 7 p.m.
Governor Dodge State Park, Dodgeville, (608) 935-2315 - Universe in the Park [exit DNR]. Join the University of Wisconsin 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.
High Cliff State Park, Sherwood, (920) 989-1106 or e-mail - Red Shouldered Hawk Ecology. Join Brown County ecologist, John Jacobs, for a presentation on the biology of Red Shouldered Hawks. Family Campground Amphitheater. Sponsored by the Friends of High Cliff State Park [exit DNR]. 8-9 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! Get some expert help from a naturalist who will work with the youth on activities from the books. Picnic Shelters at Mauthe Lake and Long Lake recreation areas. 10-11 a.m. Meet The Ranger. Have you ever wondered what a forest ranger?s job actually involves? Meet a ranger to learn more about what rangers do and the tools they use. Picnic Shelter at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. 11 a.m. - noon. Drop In at the Beach: Creatures of the Night. Learn what animals are awake while we sleep at night and how they are adapted to survive under the cloak of darkness. Drop in for a few minutes or more than an hour for some nature fun. Adults are encouraged to participate with the children. Picnic Shelter at Mauthe Lake Recreation Area. 1-4 p.m.Jupiter and Its Moons. Join Kevin Koski, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, as he shares some of the incredible discoveries that have been made about Jupiter and its many moons. This program is best for anyone over the age of 8 years old. Ice Age Visitor Center. 7:30-8:30 p.m. Summer Star Gazing. Look through a telescope or binoculars to bring into focus the wonders of the night sky. With the help of experienced night sky observers from the Northern Cross Science Foundation, spy distant planets, dumb-bell nebulas, globular clusters and so much more. The program will be held only if the skies are clear. This program is best for adults and children over the age of 8 years. Ice Age Visitor Center. 8:45-10:45 p.m.
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6220 - Ice Age Jewel: Lulu Lake Canoe Trip. Ottawa Lake Recreation Area. 9:30 a.m. Return of the Gray Wolf. Forest Headquarters. 1 p.m.
Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 or e-mail - Astronomy at the Park. The Sheboygan Astronomical Society will be setting up their telescopes at Kohler-Andrae. They invite the public to come to take a look at the night sky to see the Gibbous Moon, Jupiter, M13, Albireo, M31, and M57. It will be an interesting experience for all ages. No pets allowed. Free Program. Vehicle admission sticker is required. Adjacent to Bath House lot. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Mirror Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 254-2333 - Soaring Eagles Rehabilitation Center. Join us at the amphitheater for our evening program with Raptor Rehabilitator, Linda Bethke who will be joining us to talk about the birds in her life.
New Glarus Woods State Park, New Glarus, (608) 527-2335 - Universe in the Park Astronomy Program. An Astronomy Program presented by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Astronomy Department. Watch a slide show and then view astronomical objects through telescopes. Shelter building next to the park office. Sunset. Universe in the Park [exit DNR].
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Snakes Alive! 10 ? 11 a.m. Nature Center. Play snake trivia to learn about snakes in Peninsula State Park. Then, paint your own wooden wiggly snake to keep. Great craft for all ages! $1 donation/wooden snake. Smokey Bear on Patrol: Smokey Bear will be spreading his fire safety message around park hot-spots this afternoon. Keep an eye out at the beach and around your campground! Night Hike: 8 ? 9 p.m. We?ll explore the nighttime adaptations of Peninsula wildlife and then put our own night senses to the test with a nighttime walk in the woods, packed with games and adventure.
Pike Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest, Hartford, (262) 670-3400 - Fun Fireside Program. Meet at the nature trail parking area off of Powder Hill Road. Sponsored by the Friends of Pike Lake [exit DNR]. 8:30 p.m.
Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Old-Fashioned Campfire. Bring the family down to the campground shelter to hear a few tall tales about Potawatomi's wildlife. 7-8 p.m.
Whitefish Dunes State Park , Sturgeon Bay, (920) 823-2400 or e-mail - How Old are Those Dunes? Join Dr. Rawlings in learning more about the park?s geology and sand dunes. Discover recent dune geologic history and the factors likely to influence past dune activity. Learn the different on-site, satellite and soil analysis methods used within the project. The project was sponsored by the National Science Foundation and included participation by faculty at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, the University of Wisconsin-Extension Wisconsin Geologic and Natural History Survey, and undergraduate students from around the country. An optional hike will follow the inside program to explore the dunes. Meet at the Nature Center auditorium for this very special program. 10 a.m. Fall Flowers. Explore the colorful beauty of summer with a gentle hike to discover wildflowers. Learn a bit of legend, lore and identification. Whitefish Dunes Amphitheater. 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Blue Mound State Park, Blue Mounds, (608) 437-5711 - Making Ancient Stone Tools. David Off demonstrates how Native Americans manufactured arrowheads, spear points and other stone implements. Amphitheater. 8 p.m.
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.
Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, (715) 483-3747 or e-mail - Catch and Tag a Monarch Butterfly! Once again local naturalist Randy Korb will share his vast knowledge of this royal butterfly and give you an opportunity to net and tag monarch butterflies yourself. The fee is $3 for Friends of Interstate Park and $5 for non-members. Please call to register. Meet at the Ice Age Center. 1-3 p.m.
Kettle Moraine State Forest?Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 - Universe in the Park [exit DNR]. Join the University of Wisconsin 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.
Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 or e-mail - Night Hike. Families are encouraged to meet Ranger Morgen to experience walking around the park at night with only the aid of natural light. No pets allowed. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free program. Vehicle admission sticker required. Meet at the enclosed shelter. 8:45 p.m.
Lake Kegonsa State Park, Stoughton, (608) 873-9695 - Universe in the Park [exit DNR]. Join the University of Wisconsin 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. Sorry, no pets are allowed at the Upper Picnic Area. 9 p.m.
Mirror Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 254-2333 - Geology of Mirror Lake - Program and Night Hike. Program begins at 7:30 p.m. at the amphitheater. Following the program (starting about 8:30 p.m.) will be a night hike. The hike lasts for about one hour. 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Butterfly Meadow: 10 ? 10:30 a.m. Nature Center. Monarchs and sulphurs are aflutter in the meadow! Learn a few butterfly facts, then grab a butterfly net and head into the meadow. After, decorate a butterfly recipe card holder! $1 donation/craft. Naturalist Roving the Park: 2 ? 3 p.m. The park naturalist will be atop Eagle Tower, at Nicolet Beach, and other park hot spots to answer your nature questions. Nature Center at Night: 4 ? 6:30 p.m. Swing by the Nature Center during our special evening hours! Adults can check out the displays while kids work on a nature craft or play a nature game. Bat Watch: 7:15 - 8:15 p.m. Welcker's Shelter Building. Learn why we love bats at Peninsula State Park, then watch bats fly from their daytime roost to feast on mosquitoes.
Perrot State Park, Trempealeau, (608) 534-6409 - S'mores Extravaganza! Join the staff of Perrot State Park for this end of summer tradition! Dozens of S?Mores toppings will be available for you to use in creating your monument to summer. Get as creative as you (and your tummy) dare! Meet at the Nature Center. 6:30 p.m.
Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay, (920) 746-2890 - Eco Art in the Park. Create recycled art projects, start a nature journal, and make some mysterious masks. Bring a T-shirt for track stamping. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the park's south shoreline area. Picnic area. 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Pancake Breakfast. Don?t feel like cooking today? Drop in at this tasty breakfast brought to you by the Friend?s group. Pancakes, sausage and beverages for only $6 per adult and $3 per child. All funds raised will help refill the wildlife refuge. Tickets on sale at the firewood shed. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Parking Lot E. 7:30 a.m. to Noon.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - CCC Video on Request: 10 a.m. ? 2 p.m. Nature Center. Learn about the impact the Civilian Conservation Corps had on Wisconsin?s state parks by watching this 15 minute video.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 854-5976 - Finding Ferns: 9 ? 9:30 a.m. Nature Center. Learn what makes ferns unique from other plants. Then, take a short walk to learn to identify five common Peninsula ferns. Cloud Windows: 1- 2 p.m. Nature Center. Create a cool tool to help you read the clouds and predict the weather.
Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Join us to clean up the highway in front of the park. All equipment provided. You must be at least 12 years old to participate. Visitor Center. Sponsored by the Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. 5:30 p.m.
