Environmental Activities
and Events for Kids
Explore Your World!

• Nature Events and Activities
  

• Learn a New Skill

• 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.

• Great River State Trail, Trempealeau, (608) 791-9544 or e-mail - Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk [exit DNR]. The 13.1-mile race starts in Trempealeau and the 5-kilometer race at Midway; both end at the trailhead in Onalaska. Splits, water, sport drinks, volunteers and medical support personnel will be available along the route. Sponsored by St. Clare Health Mission. Buses will take runners from Skogen/Festival Support Center, 237 2nd Ave. S. (Hwy 35), Onalaska, to the race starting places, beginning at 6:30 a.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Family Program: Wildflower Walks. The woodland wildflowers are just starting to pop up out of the ground. We’ll search for flowers and learn how they grow. We’ll plant some new ones to help keep our woods growing with wonderful wildflowers. 10:30 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
• Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, (920) 421-1518 -
  Door County Half-Marathon [exit DNR]. The Nicolet Bay 5K Fun Run/Walk begins at 10:30 a.m., just after the start of the half marathon. This race also starts near the beach. Runners may pick up their packets on Friday, May 2, from 3-9 p.m. at the Ephraim Town Hall, Highway 42, where there will be a pasta dinner from 5-8 p.m. Friday. The course starts and ends near Nicolet Beach. 10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Make a Memory Stepping Stone. Make a beautiful garden stepping stone for yourself or for a gift. Bring durable items from home--such as marbles, china, old jewelry--to embed or use some of our items. You will need to pick up your project at a later date. Call to preregister and prepay the $10 fee. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association. Meet at the Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Sprouting Seeds. Could a dried-up, brown seed really be alive? What does it mean to be alive? We'll explore these questions and make a special take-home project. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.

• Devil's Lake State Park, Baraboo, (608) 356-8301 - Birding Hike. Enjoy one of the park's beast birding spots. Expect to find neotropical migrants, like warblers, grosbeaks and tanagers. Register with University of Wisconsin-Baraboo [exit DNR]. Sponsored by UW-Baraboo/Sauk County Continuing Education. Messenger Creek. 8-10 a.m.
• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Discovery Saturday: Borrow Some Binoculars. The birds are starting to migrate, so borrow some binoculars from us and do some bird watching. You’ll also have a chance to make your own super-duper outdoor lookers. Drop in anytime 9 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
• Kohler-Andrae State Park, Sheboygan, (920) 451-4080 - National Astronomy Day. Celebrate National Astronomy Day with "Search the Sky with the Naked Eye" presentation by the Glovers, followed by telescope viewing courtesy of Rustic Skies Astronomy and Plymouth Star Gazers. Please dress warmly; bring blanket or chair. No pets allowed. Bath house building. 7-10 p.m.

• Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Grantsburg, 715-463-CREX (2739) - Spring bird festival. This event coincides with the peak of the spring bird migration and International Migratory Bird Day. The event begins 5 p.m. Saturday with a presentation on the Birds of Crex, followed by a birding tour through Crex Meadows to watch the sun set over the refuge. Sunday leads off with the “Crex Specialty” tour from 4 to 7 a.m. and the “Early Bird Special” tour from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Space is limited for the two early morning tours and reservations are required. Buses leave the education center at 10 a.m. and noon for ninety minute birding tours of Crex Meadows and Fish Lake Wildlife Areas. Reservations are not required for the bus tours but a nominal donation is requested to cover the cost of bus rental. Various birding related programs are scheduled throughout the day. Tag along with bird bander, Bruce Bacon, as he tends the “mist nets” and bands a variety of songbirds. Chris Cold, a wildlife biologist, will be on hand, along with several live birds, for a program on raptors. Wildlife photographers Dale Bohlke and John LaMere will share their favorite images of Crex during their program called “Birds and Light.” For more information, or to reserve a spot on the Early Bird Tour, call or visit the Frriends of Crex Meadows Web site at: crexmeadows.org (exit DNR).

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Mother's Day Wildflower Hike. Show Mom (or anyone special) a bouquet they will always remember. Bring your camera to take the memories, not the flowers, home. Trail is rough and wet. Meet at the Visitor Center but prepare to drive. 2-4 p.m.

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Adopt a Highway. Help pick up litter along the highway in front of the park. You must be at least 12 years old. Equipment provided. Sponsored by Bong Naturalist Association [exit DNR]. Meet at the Visitor Center. 6 -7 p.m.

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5607 - Knee-High Naturalist. Explore nature with a child. Bring your 3-5 year old to this fun and involving nature program. A new topic every month! Dress to go outside. Visitor Center. 10 -11:30 a.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - One Wild Saturday Morning Drop-in: Fabulous Frogs. Spring is time to listen to the frogs sing. Drop in and listen to some frog calls, meet some live frogs, make a frog to take home, and much more. Environmental Awareness Center. 9 a.m. - noon. No admission sticker required.
• Kettle Moraine State Forest—Southern Unit, Eagle, (262) 594-6200 or e-mail - Volunteer Work Day. Help build some technical, challenging and environmentally sustainable mountain bike trails in the Kettle Moraine. Work gloves, long pants, long sleeve shirts and bottled water are recommended. We will supply tools, expertise and guaranteed fun! If the weather looks questionable, check the Trail Information Line (262) 594-6202 on Friday to make sure the work day is not canceled. Meet at the John Muir parking lot at 8:30 a.m. and work from 9 a.m. - noon.
• Pattison State Park, Superior, (800) 254-7944 or e-mail - 2008 Greentouch Program. Community volunteer day at Pattison State Park. Paint picnic tables, do trail work, pick up litter, and clean up the picnic grounds. East Central Energy will provide lunch. Sponsored by East Central Energy. Meet at the Shelter Building. 9 a.m. - noon.
• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 -
  • Camping 101. Learn what equipment you need and how to make camping fun and safe whether you are car camping or backpacking. Meet at the Amphitheater. 10:30 a.m. - noon.
  • Bird Migration Hike. Experience the magic of migration. Bring your binoculars and we will try to spot newly-arrived birds, especially warblers. Trail may be wet. Meet at the Vista Picnic Area. 7-9 a.m.
• Rock Island State Park, Washington Island, (920) 847-2235 or e-mail -
  • Lighthouse Sesquicentennial Celebration. Rock Island’s Pottawatomie Lighthouse is 150 Years Old! join us for cake and refreshments. Washington Island musician Julian Hagen will perform, commemorative lighthouse items will be for sale, and there'll be a raffle for an original lighthouse painting and a handmade lighthouse quilt. Sponsored by Friends of Rock Island. Lighthouse grounds, or in case of inclement weather, Jackson Harbor Ranger Station on Washington Island. 1 p.m.
  • Lighthouse Sesquicentennial Banquet. Dinner, lighthouse favors, and a chance to win door prizes. Space is limited to the first 120 people who sign up. Send a check for $25 per person payable to Friends of Rock Island to Jeanell Dailey, treasurer, 526 Clemons Ave., Madison WI 53704, by April 15. Sponsored by Friends of Rock Island. Karly's, Washington Island. 5:30 p.m.
• Sandhill Wildlife Area, Babcock, (715) 884-6333 or (715) 884-2437 or e-mail - Frogging. Learn more about Wisconsin’s marshland frogs and toads and their ecology from a herpetologist ( specialist in amphibians and reptiles). Dan Nedrelo will talk about the status of Wisconsin frogs and toads and then lead a search for the croakers in their marshland homes. Hip boots are required and are available upon request. Bring a meal and refreshments if desired. Register by mailing $20 per person by May 9 to Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center, PO Box 156, Babcock, WI 54413. Outdoor Skills Center, 20 miles west of Wisconsin Rapids on County Highway X, 1 mile north of Highway 80 near Babcock.

• La Crosse River State Trail, Ontario, (608) 337-4775 or e-mail - Always on a Sunday: Prairie Walk [exit DNR]. Here's your chance to learn about native wildflowers and grasses on this remnant of railroad prairie. A leisurely walk on level terrain. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and a hat to block the sun. Enjoy the afternoon along the trail with local columnist and naturalist, Bob Lee! Downy phlox, hoary pucoon, columbine, bird's-foot violet, and great Solomon's seal are likely to be in bloom. Meet at the trail crossing on Commercial St. (County Highway J) in Rockland. 1:30 p.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 5277-0232 - Preschool Storytime: Could You Be a Fawn? Fawns play, sleep, and eat. But they also have to learn how to survive! Join us and pretend to be fawns searching for food and staying out of danger. Environmental Awareness Center. 9:30-10:30 a.m. No admission sticker required.

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 -
  • Introduction to Junior Ranger and Wisconsin Explorer. Kids, bring an adult to participate in this fun nature program. Learn how you can earn a certificate and colorful patch. Meet at the Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m.
  • Meet the Ranger. Learn about a park ranger's job first-hand. Discover what equipment rangers use and visit the squad car. Meet at the Beach Playground. 1-1:30 p.m.
  • Oh Deer! Become a deer for a day! Check out deer adaptations, search for deer sign and play a game to discover how a deer survives. Meet at the Visitor Center. 6-7 p.m.

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 -
  • Nature Journals for Kids. Kids, seven and older, make your own cool and easy nature journal then explore outside and see how much fun nature journals can be! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Visitor Center. 10-11 a.m.
  • Whose Ribbit Is It? Discover how and why frogs sing. Learn to identify frogs that live in the park then hike in the twilight to enjoy a frog chorus. Meet at the Visitor Center. 7:30-9 p.m.

• Richard Bong State Recreation Area, Kansasville, (262) 878-5600 - Vista Explorer Hike. Hike a seldom-explored part of the park. We will search for animal signs and anything else interesting. Hike is one mile long. Meet at the Vista Picnic Area. 9:30-11 a.m.

• Havenwoods State Forest, Milwaukee, (414) 527-0232 or e-mail - Tree and Wildflower Hike. This low-impact hike will help introduce you to several wildflower and tree species growing at Havenwoods. Our south woods is a wonderful place to look for trout lilies, spring beauties, and wild geraniums. Bring along a field guide if you wish, but all you really need is a sense of adventure and sturdy shoes! 9-11 a.m. No admission sticker required.

The Department of Natural Resources offers several classes to help you learn how to safely participate in many of Wisconsin's favorite sports. Simply click on the title of the sport listed below to find out more about it. These links leave EEK! and go to the main DNR pages.

• Upcoming Activities at Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center (Leaves EEK!)
• Angler Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Boating Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Bowhunter Education (NBEF Certified) (Leaves EEK!)
• Hunter Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Snowmobile Safety Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Trapper Education (Leaves EEK!)
• Waterfowl Hunter Education

Beginner Waterfowl Hunting Workshop at Sandhill
This one-day DNR workshop in early September has demonstrations on decoying, duck calling, hunting with dogs and goes through the basics of duck identification. Participants can also practice shot gunning on the range. This class is for kids age 12+ and is co-sponsored by Ducks Unlimited and Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. A $15 fee includes lunch and refreshments. Please see the Sandhill Wildlife Area Web page for more details on the workshop or call 715-884-2437.

Waterfowl Hunter Education
Want to get started in the fine art of waterfowling? Here's your chance to get started or brush up on your waterfowl hunting and identification skills. This course covers waterfowl identification by looking at bird wings, ecology and management, hunting ethics, waterfowling history in Wisconsin, duck and goose calling, decoy and blind use, hunting dogs and training, boating safety skills, wading and waterfowl clothing, and field dressing and cooking preparation of the bird. Free classes are provided by the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association. They recommend that you be at least 12 years old to participate. Contact their office for class schedules at 1-800-524-8460.