Embark on an exploration of the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere and beyond with amateur astronomer Jim Hahn. Learn about meteors, satellites, halos, auroras, noctilucent clouds, and other denizens of the near sky. Which occurs at the greatest altitude: meteors, northern lights, or satellites? Once we make these connections, we can...
Adults, Birding Academy, Free with Membership, Guided Hikes
Join a welcoming community of bird enthusiasts on the second Wednesday of the month. Anyone aged 14 and older who is interested in learning more about birds is welcome, regardless of prior experience. You will learn and enhance identification skills from experienced birders. This program is hosted by Schlitz Audubon Environmental...
Nature offers extraordinary opportunities for photography at every turn. Each month, we welcome photographers of all skill levels to gather and enhance your artistic skills as you explore distinct settings, capturing beautiful nature moments through your lens. Learn tips and tricks with other members of this growing community and return...
Adults, Art, Wheelchair Accessible
Saturdays, July 11 & July 18 Explore basic watercolor painting during this two-day workshop designed for beginner and intermediate level painters looking to spend time with other nature enthusiasts. You will learn simple techniques while exploring elements of nature and wildlife found at the Center. This workshop is self-paced with...
Adults, Birding Academy, Guided Hikes
Almost all bird species hunt and consume insects at some point in their lives. The relationship birds have with insect populations shapes their habitat use, migration patterns, behavior, and overall survival. During this guided hike, we’ll observe how different species utilize unique adaptations to hunt for invertebrates, from ground foraging...
Nature can inspire and help us create enchanting, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry. We’ll go down to the beach as a group to look for our own unique pieces of beach glass. Then we’ll head inside to learn wire wrapping techniques that capture the glass’s aquatic beauty. By the end, you will have your own hand-crafted pair of earrings and a necklace...
Tuesdays, July 14 – August 4 These four sessions invite you to bring kind awareness to the present moment to live more intentionally. On this journey, you’ll learn mindfulness meditation techniques which have multiple health benefits, including reducing stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels. Each week we will bring awareness to different aspects of our...
Wednesdays, July 15 – July 29 This three-part series will feature eight excellent exercises developed by Professor Cheng Man Ching to improve health, balance and flexibility, reduce stress, and generate well-being in body and mind. Each class will include a warm-up, basic training exercises, instruction, and review of previous material....
Rock on with your friends at the beach! During this 21+ night out, join our Environmental Educators in exploring the fascinating world of rocks, minerals, and fossils. Take a hike to our Lake Michigan shoreline for an up-close look at smoky quartz, fossiliferous limestone, gneiss, and more as you learn...
Adults, Birding Academy, Free with Membership
We welcome all those interested in birding for a guided bird walk on the third Saturday of the month. We’ll search for summer resident birds among the Center’s varied habitats. This is a great opportunity for new birders to learn and practice bird identification. Wisconsin Master Naturalist volunteers will be...
Adults, Birding Academy, Field Trips, Guided Hikes
Embark on a journey down the scenic Milwaukee River and search for birds by canoe. Guided by our Environmental Educators, this river trip will showcase the various species that can be found along the wooded banks, including herons, osprey, orioles, and so much more. Canoes will be equipped with a...
Adults, Guided Hikes, Wellness
Deepen your relationship with the natural world during a guided Forest Bathing Walk through our South Ravine forest. Participants will slowly travel through the forest while receiving a sequence of spoken invitations. These open-ended prompts encourage the participants’ senses to open and experience the environment in a way that supports...
Tree identification is an important tool for understanding a forest's health. The diversity and abundance of certain trees can tell us what actions need to be taken to maintain a healthy ecosystem. In this workshop, you will learn strategies that help with identifying different kinds of trees we find living...
Adults, Art, Free with Membership, Wheelchair Accessible
Nature has always been a great inspiration to creators, from pre-historic cave painters to contemporary artists. We welcome beginning and experienced artists to join our community to start a new project or work on an unfinished project. Each month, we will focus on a different art medium or nature theme....
Mondays, July 20 – August 24 Throughout this six-week series, experience how yoga can improve your overall wellness. During each class, local yoga instructor Chrissy Kruger-Gruendyke will guide you through a series of movements and regenerative poses that focus on breath, balance, and strength. Modifications and insightful visuals make this...
Thursdays, July 23 – July 30 Join us for two weeks of inventive play as we explore the intersection of poetry and art. In each class, we will read and write poetry inspired by the natural world, using it as the foundation for Shadow Box collages that we will fashion...
Adults, Conservation, Guided Hikes
On this hike, learn about how staff and volunteers care for the land by observing current and past initiatives. You will get a sneak peek at upcoming land management projects and gain overall insight into the Center’s future conservation plans. During the program we will discuss the many invasive species...
Adults, Birding Academy, Guided Hikes
Bird activity at the Center on summer evenings can be exciting indeed. As twilight approaches, the crepuscular animals begin to make their presence known. Birds like swallows, Chimney Swifts, nighthawks, owls, Killdeer, and American Woodcocks can all be active during these evening hours. We’ll start inside the building with a...
Adults, Birding Academy, Guided Hikes
Saturdays, August 1 & August 8 The skies are filled with birds once again as they begin their journey south for the winter. In this two-part certificate program, discover the main migratory corridors and how birds use them to navigate the continent. We’ll begin indoors with a presentation showcasing the...
Adults, Art, Families, Guided Hikes
Summer is coming to an end and insects are starting to look for a place to stay during cold weather. What better place than a bug hotel! Join Environmental Educator Melanie Ziolecki on a search for insects hiding under logs, in leaves, and flying around us. We will hike to find and identify different insects and...
Nature offers extraordinary opportunities for photography at every turn. Each month, we welcome photographers of all skill levels to gather and enhance your artistic skills as you explore distinct settings, capturing beautiful nature moments through your lens. Learn tips and tricks with other members of this growing community and return...
Fruits are an important food source for many Wisconsin birds, especially those that are preparing for their fall migration. The Center’s diverse habitats located along the Lake Michigan shoreline provide a bountiful stop-over site and unique birding hotspot to find many of these fruit foragers. This field experience is ideal...
Adults, Conservation, Wheelchair Accessible
Gardening with native plants provides many ecological benefits, including creating habitats for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Prairie Future Seed Company will offer a wide selection of live plants for purchase. Please stay tuned for online ordering details. In-person shopping is free to all and registration is not required.
Adults, Art, Wheelchair Accessible
Needle felt painting is a simple and fun craft that gives you the freedom to create 2D works of art using wool fibers. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of felting using straightforward techniques, allowing you to craft future felted art from your imagination. We’ll start with a...