Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the Big Bay Town Park Pavilion.

A hike for beginners and experts alike.
You never know what we are going to see or hear!
Bring binoculars and wear good waterproof footgear.

Hike Leaders: Victoria Erhart, long time birder and MIWP Board Member and Peter Hudleston, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota

Monarch Butterfly Conservation in a Changing World
Professor Karen S. Oberhauser, Director (retired) UW-Madison Arboretum and her students have conducted research on Monarch Butterfly ecology for almost 40 years.  She is passionate about the conservation of the world’s biodiversity and building connections between humans and the natural world.

Reception:  6:00pm, hearty appetizers and wine
Program:  7:30pm
Location:  Madeline Island School of Arts
Cost:  $35.00/person
RSVP Deadline:  Friday, May 16th, or 100-person limit. Click here to RSVP.

Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the Capser Trail, Middle Road Trailhead, 640 Middle Road

Learn about how to ethically and sustainably harvest early season mushrooms. Learn about trees, edible mushrooms and how to find them on this guided hike. Finding mushrooms is not guaranteed but likely.

Leader: Samantha Dobson: naturalist, educator, forager and year-round island resident.

Free and open to the public!
Location: Madeline Island Museum

Cross the moat to discover carnivorous plants, devious orchids, shimmering dragonflies, buried treasure, ripening jewels, and a floating floor.  It sounds like fantasy, but it’s all science.  Naturalist Emily Stone will give a guided tour of the botany, chemistry, ecology, and mysterious depths of wetlands like those on Madeline Island.

Speaker:  Emily Stone, Director, Cable Natural History Museum

Coming off of a well-deserved rest year, the MIWP is fully recharged and ready to get on with the serious business of parading. Of course Toria says she has no idea what we are going to do (yes, you have heard that before), but whatever it is, it is bound to be great. And if you have any especially good ideas, you can’t imagine how delighted she would be to hear from you.

To make this a successful parade event, we need YOU to join us. Everyone is welcome — individuals, families and kids of all ages, and all species!

Free and open to the public!
Location: Madeline Island Museum

Have you ever encountered a black bear?  Did it spark fear or wonder?  Learn fascinating bear information that may cause you to rethink your relationship with bears.

Speaker:  Jane Weber, retired Master Naturalist and Educator. Jane has a passion for presenting fascinating facts about Wisconsin’s wildlife, hoping to promote understanding and coexistence with our unique wildlife neighbors.

Free and open to the public!
Location: Madeline Island Museum

A journey of history, adventure, humor and beauty, turning the eyes from the lure of the exotic and far away to the importance and beauty of the close at hand, and finding a sense of place in the Apostle Islands.

Speaker: Jeff Rennicke, Executive Director, Friends of the Apostle Islands.

Free and open to the public!
Location: Madeline Island Museum

Learn about the bats of Wisconsin, and which bats call the Chequamegon Bay Area home.  Explore the diversity and importance of bats and the role they play in ecosystems around the world.  They are an integral and amazing part of our ecosystems and our everyday lives.

Speaker:  Brian Heeringa, Wildlife Biologist Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Free and open to the public!
Meet at the Burrough’s Trailhead, North End Forest, 3060 North Shore Road

Finding ways to connect more deeply with nature can offer us support in feeling at home within ourselves, and at home on this planet that we share with so many other beings. By slowing down and being present in the natural world, we can discover ways to feel more joy and wonder.

Leader:  Joan Vorderbruggen, author and certified Forest Therapy Guide.

Free and open to the public!
Location: Madeline Island Museum

Decades of research revealed the physical, emotional, and mental health benefits derived from spending reflective time in nature.  Joan Vorderbruggen will guide us into deeper connections with nature — and better health.

Speaker:  Joan Vorderbruggen, author and certified Forest Therapy Guide.

Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the School House Road Trailhead, North End Forest, 2865 School House Road

Learn about how to ethically and sustainably harvest late season mushrooms on Madeline Island. Learn about trees, edible mushrooms and how to find them on this guided hike. Finding mushrooms is not guaranteed.

Leader: Samantha Dobson: naturalist, educator, forager and year-round island resident.

Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the Sowl Trailhead, North End Forest, 3547 North Shore Road

Enjoy the beautiful fall colors in this pristine forest of hemlocks, oaks and maple. The trails are rustic so good hiking boots (waterproof), and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Leader(s): MIWP Board Member(s)

Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the School House Road Trailhead, North End Forest, 2865 School House Road

Enjoy the magic of fall in this pristine forest with stands of old hemlock, oak and maple. The trails are rustic so good hiking boots (waterproof) and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Leader(s): MIWP Board Member(s)