Join amateur astronomer Jim Hahn for a guided tour of the late summer sky. We’ll start with a brief talk about the mind-boggling environment at the center of the Milky Way. Then we’ll turn our binoculars to the sky to view star clusters, double stars, nebulae, and a starry dolphin!...
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, Birding Academy, Guided Hikes
Fall is a busy time in Wisconsin's native grasslands. Uncover the secrets of our prairies, including how they came to be, who calls them home, and why their conservation is so important for birds. This seminar will begin with a presentation on Wisconsin's native grasslands, the different bird species that...
Adults, Art, Wheelchair Accessible
Saturdays, September 12 & September 19 Using nature as an inspiration, participants will learn essential elements and basics of drawing during this two-day workshop. We’ll cover the use of materials, drawing from life, and linear perspective. You’ll work at your own pace and learn how to draw what you perceive....
Adults, Birding Academy, Raptors
In this highly sought-after experience, participants spend a day with our celebrity owls, hawks, eagles and more at our private Raptor Building. Lindsay Focht, Raptor & Animal Ambassador Director, introduces you to each raptor while we discuss the daily management of the birds, build enrichment for them, and learn what...
Families, Free with Membership, Raptors, Wheelchair Accessible
Join us in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to see two birds from our Raptor Program! During this meet and greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits, and adaptations that are unique to that bird. Our Raptor Program educates about raptor ecology, conservation, and...
RAIN DATE: September 13 | 1:00p-3:00p Join Environmental Educator Jim Thielke on the shores of Mystery Lake for some canoeing fun! Mystery Lake is bursting with life and there is no better way to see it than from the water. Never been canoeing before? Don’t worry, we’ll show you the basics! When registering for this...
Autumn is almost here, and the journey south for our feathered friends has begun. We’ll climb to the top of our 60-foot observation tower, then hike through mixed woods in search of early fall migrants. This field experience is ideal for beginning and seasoned birders alike. Build your skillset by...
Families, Free with Membership, Guided Hikes, Wheelchair Accessible
On Sunday afternoons volunteer Nature Ambassadors provide education by introducing visitors to our reptile and amphibian ambassadors, offering guided hikes, and sharing knowledge of our ecosystems. Stop in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to find out which activities our Nature Ambassadors are offering on this day. Free with membership or admission.
Families, Free with Membership, Raptors, Wheelchair Accessible
Join us in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to see two birds from our Raptor Program! During this meet and greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits, and adaptations that are unique to that bird. Our Raptor Program educates about raptor ecology, conservation, and...
Early Childhood, Families, Guided Hikes
Children are never too young to learn about and enjoy nature’s wonders. Join Nature School Early Childhood Educator Andrea Kroll for a sensory-rich morning of nature exploration. We will meet indoors for a story and sensory play time, then head outside for a guided hike on the trails. This program...
On this guided hike, explore the early evening through the pages of Night Owl by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. While walking the meandering trails, we will pause at various locations to read excerpts from this book of poems. In addition, there will be activities and artifacts to deepen your connection with nighttime...
Early Childhood, Families, Guided Hikes
Children are never too young to learn about and enjoy nature’s wonders. Join Nature School Early Childhood Educator Andrea Kroll for a sensory-rich morning of nature exploration. We will meet indoors for a story and sensory play time, then head outside for a guided hike on the trails. This program is...
Adults, SPARK!, Wheelchair Accessible
This program is specially designed for both people experiencing cognitive changes and their care partners. It is intended for those living in independent settings. Each month is devoted to learning about the simple beauty found in nature and how it enriches our lives. Participants will enjoy songs, stories, treats, and visits with...
Eight Fridays: September 18 & 25, October 2, 16, & 23, and November 6, 13, & 20 Forest Fridays is an 8-week, Friday morning series hosted by the Nature School. This program makes use of the Center’s outstanding trails, as well as the school’s four specially designed outdoor classrooms. In...
Early Childhood, Families, Guided Hikes
Join one of our Early Childhood Educators in nurturing a sense of wonder in nature with your little one. We will meet indoors in the Nuthatch classroom or in one of our specially designed outdoor classrooms to explore, play, and create art. Be prepared for your child to get a...
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...
Delve into the natural world through art! Students can explore, experiment, and take artistic risks to discover their own individual approach to artmaking. This class will take inspiration from our favorite Schlitz Audubon feature: Lake Michigan. We will explore the colors and textures of the Lake through painting and sculpting. We will...
Families, Free with Membership, Raptors, Wheelchair Accessible
Join us in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to see two birds from our Raptor Program! During this meet and greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits, and adaptations that are unique to that bird. Our Raptor Program educates about raptor ecology, conservation, and...
Adults, Guided Hikes, Wellness
Deepen your relationship with the natural world during a guided Forest Bathing Walk near the Lake Michigan shoreline. 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 their well-being...
Families, Free with Membership, Guided Hikes, Wheelchair Accessible
On Sunday afternoons volunteer Nature Ambassadors provide education by introducing visitors to our reptile and amphibian ambassadors, offering guided hikes, and sharing knowledge of our ecosystems. Stop in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to find out which activities our Nature Ambassadors are offering on this day. Free with membership or admission.
Families, Free with Membership, Raptors, Wheelchair Accessible
Join us in the Great Hall of our Visitor Center to see two birds from our Raptor Program! During this meet and greet experience, you can talk with raptor handlers about the specific skills, traits, and adaptations that are unique to that bird. Our Raptor Program educates about raptor ecology, conservation, and...
Early Childhood, Families, Guided Hikes
You’re never too young to develop a deeper connection with nature. Through a series of guided partner invitations, children and their adult caregivers will open their senses to the forest in unique and creative ways that promote well-being for both the participants and the forest around them. Your facilitator is...
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....
