Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
3 events,
Perennial Plant Sale
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensSpring marks the beginning of a new cycle of seasons and would not be the same without Olbrich Gardens' annual […]
Easter EGGstravaganza
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsCome for our Easter EGGstravaganza! With many events and activities to spend the day visiting. March 29th through 31st. During […]
Nature Hike
Nature Hike
Organizer: UW ArboretumLearn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping […]
2 events,
Lil’ Explorer Adventure
Lil’ Explorer Adventure
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterNurture your preschooler’s curiosity and energy while exploring the outdoors with the Lil’ Explorers Adventure program at the Lussier Family Heritage […]
1 event,
3 events,
Discovery Day
Discovery Day
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensYouth and their families are invited to explore the wonders of the Bolz Conservatory at the Discovery Cart on the […]
Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Public Information Meeting
Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Public Information Meeting
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterDane County Parks is requesting input from county residents to update a plan that helps determine how Dane County manages […]
2 events,
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
5 events,
Prairie Volunteer Work Days at the Heritage Center
Prairie Volunteer Work Days at the Heritage Center
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterVolunteers are needed to help maintain and improve the prairies surrounding the Lussier Family Heritage Center. These work days could […]
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensLittle Sprouts programs are nature and literature-based early childhood programs designed to meet the multidimensional learning and developmental needs of […]
Guided Black Light Tours
Guided Black Light Tours
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsUnique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. You […]
8 events,
FRIENDS OF MACKENZIE MAPLE FESTIVAL
FRIENDS OF MACKENZIE MAPLE FESTIVAL
Organizer: Friends of the MacKenzie Education CenterEver wonder how maple syrup goes from being in a maple tree to on your pancakes and waffles? Join us […]
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
Organizer: Upham WoodsThis session is designed to introduce and teach participants about the fundamentals of archery. Participants will learn the basic rules, […]
Aventuras en Español: Pulseras de Países Hispanohablantes
Aventuras en Español: Pulseras de Países Hispanohablantes
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemSamira and Nisbeth, both native Spanish speakers, invite you to create beaded bracelets representing Spanish-speaking nations including Mexico, Venezuela, Spain, […]
Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) Spring 2024
Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) Spring 2024
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterCalling all High Schoolers! Come join Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) and explore Dane County Parks while contributing to conservation. […]
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
7 events,
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
Arboretum Exploration Stations
Arboretum Exploration Stations
Organizer: UW ArboretumFeed your curiosity through nature-based activities and demonstrations for all ages, hosted by staff from the Arboretum and other organizations. […]
Family Nature Walk: Science Expeditions for Families
Family Nature Walk: Science Expeditions for Families
Organizer: UW ArboretumThis walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. […]
Nature Hike: Science Expeditions
Nature Hike: Science Expeditions
Organizer: UW ArboretumLearn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping […]
Bird & Nature Adventure
Bird & Nature Adventure
Organizer: Friends of Cherokee MarshFree, family-friendly bird and nature walk. Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North Unit, 6098 N. Sherman Ave. Follow N. Sherman Ave. […]
2 events,
No School Day Camp! Spring Buds
No School Day Camp! Spring Buds
Organizer: Welty Environmental CenterNo School! No Problem! Welty’s line up of No School Days has you covered. Let’s keep the learning going by […]
1 event,
1 event,
5 events,
Guided Whooping Crane Tours at Horicon Marsh
Guided Whooping Crane Tours at Horicon Marsh
Organizer: International Crane FoundationWe are teaming up with staff from the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge to co-lead Whooping Crane tours in 2024 on […]
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
Ground Covers for Sun and Shade
Ground Covers for Sun and Shade
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensGround covers can be used for erosion prevention, to create an understory in a landscape bed or woodland garden, and […]
“Crossings” with Ben Goldfarb: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet
“Crossings” with Ben Goldfarb: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet
Organizer: The Aldo Leopold FoundationSome 40 million miles of roadways encircle the earth, yet we tend to regard them only as infrastructure for human […]
8 events,
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensLittle Sprouts programs are nature and literature-based early childhood programs designed to meet the multidimensional learning and developmental needs of […]
Guided Black Light Tours
Guided Black Light Tours
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsUnique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. You […]
Badger Rock CommUNITY Dinner
Badger Rock CommUNITY Dinner
Organizer: RootedJoin us for our free monthly dinner. Warm up with a great meal while learning about he amazing things going […]
Warner Family Fun Night
Warner Family Fun Night
Organizer: City of Madison ParksJoin us at WPCRC for Warner Family Fun Night! Families can create art projects, play in the game room or the […]
13 events,
Annual Midwest Crane Count
Annual Midwest Crane Count
Organizer: International Crane FoundationApril 13 @ 5:30 am – 7:30 am Each year in mid-April, over 2,000 volunteers travel to their local wetlands and favorite birding locations […]
Chainsaw Safety Training – SAWW Level 101
Chainsaw Safety Training – SAWW Level 101
Organizer: Dane County ParksThese courses are hosted by Dane County Parks and taught by certified SAWW (Safety and Woods Worker) trainer Luke Saunders. We […]
Prescribed Burn Crew Training
Prescribed Burn Crew Training
Organizer: City of Madison ParksLearn what it means to be part of the Burn Crew! New and current Madison Parks volunteers are invited to […]
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
Organizer: Upham WoodsThis session is designed to introduce and teach participants about the fundamentals of archery. Participants will learn the basic rules, […]
Art-ventures in Nature (Spring)
Art-ventures in Nature (Spring)
Organizer: Aldo Leopold Nature CenterJoin us for a fun and creative spring art workshop designed for families with children ages 3-10 years old. This […]
7 events,
Chainsaw Safety Training – SAWW Level 101
Chainsaw Safety Training – SAWW Level 101
Organizer: Dane County ParksThese courses are hosted by Dane County Parks and taught by certified SAWW (Safety and Woods Worker) trainer Luke Saunders. We […]
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Mushroom Log Inoculation Workshop
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin the Friends of Silverwood for their popular spring-time mushroom inoculation workshops! About: Over the course of several hours, registrants […]
Nature Hike
Nature Hike
Organizer: UW ArboretumLearn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping […]
Botanical Beauty: Herbal Remedies for Vitality
Botanical Beauty: Herbal Remedies for Vitality
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensPamper yourself! Join herbalist and astrologer Jennifer to explore ways to naturally nourish your hair, skin, and nails. We will […]
Spring into the Magic of Watercolor
Spring into the Magic of Watercolor
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensThis afternoon workshop will guide you to complete a watercolor painting of springtime flowers in a glass jar. This workshop […]
2 events,
Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Public Information Meeting
Dane County Parks and Open Space Plan Public Information Meeting
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterDane County Parks is requesting input from county residents to update a plan that helps determine how Dane County manages […]
1 event,
3 events,
Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) Spring 2024
Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) Spring 2024
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterCalling all High Schoolers! Come join Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) and explore Dane County Parks while contributing to conservation. […]
Earth Day Movie Night: “Wall-E”
Earth Day Movie Night: “Wall-E”
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterJoin the City of Sun Prairie and Lussier Family Heritage Center for a screening of Disney Pixar's Wall-E in honor […]
4 events,
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Training: Northern Region
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project Training: Northern Region
Organizer: UW ArboretumMonarch Joint Venture and the Arboretum will co-lead a virtual one-day training on how to collect monarch data. Participants learn […]
Introduction to Permaculture for Cold Climates
Introduction to Permaculture for Cold Climates
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensYou don't have to grow your hair long, stop using deodorant and move into a yurt to enjoy the benefits […]
Spring Into Gardening Walk
Spring Into Gardening Walk
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensMotivate yourself for the growing season through this lively spring garden walk! For beginners, we will discuss the basics of […]
4 events,
Prairie Volunteer Work Days at the Heritage Center
Prairie Volunteer Work Days at the Heritage Center
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterVolunteers are needed to help maintain and improve the prairies surrounding the Lussier Family Heritage Center. These work days could […]
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Little Sprouts: Story & Stroll
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensLittle Sprouts programs are nature and literature-based early childhood programs designed to meet the multidimensional learning and developmental needs of […]
Lantern Tours
Lantern Tours
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsDiscover the cave like the first explorers. Walk through the cave using only lanterns and flashlights. Feel as though you […]
12 events,
Particle Physics Outreach: Ice Cube Project
Particle Physics Outreach: Ice Cube Project
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemParticle physics is fun! Come learn about what it’s like to work and live in the extreme environment at the […]
Mundo Esperanza: World Hope
Mundo Esperanza: World Hope
Organizer: Aldo Leopold Nature CenterHonoring Traditions This year’s theme: Fire In celebration of Earth Day, join Mundo Esperanza: World Hope for a morning of conscious conversation […]
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
Organizer: Upham WoodsThis session is designed to introduce and teach participants about the fundamentals of archery. Participants will learn the basic rules, […]
Birding by Ear: Walk, Bird, & Learn
Birding by Ear: Walk, Bird, & Learn
Organizer: Aldo Leopold Nature CenterBirding by Ear is a wonderful way to experience birds without relying on sight! Join volunteers and staff affiliated with the […]
Advancing Your Watercolors
Advancing Your Watercolors
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensJoin us in this two-day watercolor workshop for painters with some experience. Designed for artists with an interested in advancing […]
6 events,
Earth Week: Pollinator Seed Paper
Earth Week: Pollinator Seed Paper
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemCelebrate Earth Week by making seed paper from plants grown in MCM’s rooftop gardens! Seed paper is a great way […]
Advancing Your Watercolors
Advancing Your Watercolors
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensJoin us in this two-day watercolor workshop for painters with some experience. Designed for artists with an interested in advancing […]
Family Friendly Restoration at Stewart Lake County Park
Family Friendly Restoration at Stewart Lake County Park
Organizer: Dane County ParksThe 3rd Sunday of the month from 1:00pm to 3:00pm, the Friends of Stewart Park (FoSP) have an open workday […]
Family Nature Program: Fabulous Frogs
Family Nature Program: Fabulous Frogs
Organizer: UW ArboretumThis program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. […]
Guided Black Light Tours
Guided Black Light Tours
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsUnique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. You […]
5 events,
Earth Day – Mini Explorer Hike
Earth Day – Mini Explorer Hike
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterCome to a free hike with a Dane County Staff member. This program's goal is to get our youngest explorers […]
Do More Trash Bash
Do More Trash Bash
Organizer: Aldo Leopold Nature CenterJoin the “Do More Trash Bash” from Monona Parks & Rec for a race to collect the most pounds of […]
EARTH DAY – TREE PLANTING
EARTH DAY – TREE PLANTING
Organizer: MacKenzie CenterJoin us to continue the legacy of Harley Mackenzie and plant trees for the education of current and future generations! […]
Earth Day Extravaganza
Earth Day Extravaganza
Organizer: Dane County ParksJoin Dane County Parks staff for an Earth Day Extravaganza! Stop by the William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park solar […]
2 events,
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Organizer: MMSD PlanetariumWe invite you to explore the question—what will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? This dynamic, animated experience […]
1 event,
4 events,
Free Night: Remake Learning Days Celebration
Free Night: Remake Learning Days Celebration
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemJoin us for free admission and hands-on activities throughout the museum, 4–8 pm! Learn about dozens of free family events […]
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Organizer: MMSD PlanetariumWe invite you to explore the question—what will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? This dynamic, animated experience […]
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Mars: The Ultimate Voyage
Organizer: MMSD PlanetariumWe invite you to explore the question—what will it take to get astronauts to Mars—and back—safely? This dynamic, animated experience […]
5 events,
Faux Stained Glass Florals with Alcohol Ink
Faux Stained Glass Florals with Alcohol Ink
Organizer: Olbrich Botanical GardensIn this 3-hour workshop, you’ll use a black oil/wax pencil to outline the design on translucent film. Then we'll add […]
Guided Black Light Tours
Guided Black Light Tours
Organizer: Cave of the MoundsUnique Experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by Black Light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. You […]
April Sensory-Friendly Hours
April Sensory-Friendly Hours
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemMadison Children’s Museum welcomes children and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and sensory challenges to experience the museum […]
Family Night Out
Family Night Out
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterCome join us the week of Earth Day to enjoy the outdoors with your family. We will spend the evening […]
14 events,
Youth Service Day at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park
Youth Service Day at McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterJoin Dane County Parks and the Friends of McCarthy for some community service and fun! Youth Service Day will take […]
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
April 2024: Outdoor Archery Clubs
Organizer: Upham WoodsThis session is designed to introduce and teach participants about the fundamentals of archery. Participants will learn the basic rules, […]
Bird & Nature Adventures
Bird & Nature Adventures
Organizer: Aldo Leopold Nature CenterDo you hear a frog? Join naturalist Doug Davis at the Children’s Shack at 10am. We’ll hike from ALNC into […]
Aventuras en Español: Cuentos en Español
Aventuras en Español: Cuentos en Español
Organizer: Madison Children’s MusuemJoin Samira and friends for interactive storytelling in Spanish that encourages emotional exploration, mindful breathing, and other social-emotional topics for […]
Remake Learning Day: Signs of Spring!
Remake Learning Day: Signs of Spring!
Organizer: Welty Environmental CenterCome explore the changing of the seasons at Welty Environmental Center’s Remake Learning Days event: Signs of Spring! This free event is […]
4 events,
Learn to Geocache
Learn to Geocache
Organizer: Lussier Family Heritage CenterHave you ever wanted to be a modern day treasure hunter? Try geocaching! Geocaching involves using a GPS coordinates to […]
Scenic Stroll
Scenic Stroll
Organizer: UW ArboretumThis gently paced walk explores ecological communities near the Visitor Center. Themes may include the land, plants, animals, other organisms, […]
Early Spring Wildflower Hike and Migrating Birds Hike
Early Spring Wildflower Hike and Migrating Birds Hike
Organizer: Welty Environmental CenterCelebrate early spring ephemerals on this Wildflower Hike! Starting from the Welty Environmental Center, this hike begins in Big Hill […]