Parks and Land Use Events

Story Hike April 01, 2025

Stroll a bit, read a bit! This spring's edition of Story Hike is the children’s book “A Place for Rain” by Michelle Schaub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez.

This family-friendly event is free and completely self-guided. Set out on the Orange Trail to read the book while enjoying the outdoors at the same time!

• Free
• Retzer Nature Center (directions)
• April 1-30, Sunrise - 10 pm
• All ages
• The Orange Trail (view map) is a mowed grass trail with some sloped terrain (0.75 mile approx).
• Note: Trail not fully paved and not lit after dark.

Sponsored by Bridges Library System and Retzer Nature Center

Field Ornithology - Birds of Southeast Wisconsin April 01, 2025

with Dr. Andrew Cassini

Starts April 1
Retzer Nature Center

Register from Sept. 1-March 18

The study of birds can be fascinating, inspiring, life-changing, challenging, and sometimes downright frustrating. Join Dr. Andrew Cassini on a nine week journey to learn all about bird identification.

This rigorous field ornithology course will focus on learning bird identification of around 250 birds by sight and sound, while developing field craft skills in binocular and spotting scope use, along with related technology. Participants will experience great birding opportunities and will visit various birding hotspots in our area.

• Ten sessions of classroom instruction at Retzer Nature Center
• Five outdoor field sessions at various locations in Southeast Wisconsin including: Lake Country natural areas, Vernon Marsh, Paradise Valley, Horicon Marsh, and the Milwaukee lakefront
• Course is modeled after a course Dr. Cassini taught at UW-Madison and is currently teaching for the Kettle Moraine Earth Institute at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, Wisconsin

Indoor: 10 classroom sessions
Tuesdays April 1 - June 3

Outdoor: 5 field sessions around Southeast Wisconsin
Saturdays April 5, 19 • May 3, 10, 17
Ages 16+

$300 per person
Registration runs Sept. 1, 2024-March 18, 2025

Register now

Outdoor Classroom for Kids April 02, 2025

Learn and explore the outdoors with a naturalist in programs that focus on seasonal topics and incorporate hands-on discovery and sensory exploration for your elementary-age learner. Programs take place on select Wednesdays. Cost is $5 per child per class, ages 4-12. Upcoming programs are listed below:

1/8/2025 - Ice Snow Flakes
1/22/2025 - Snowshoe Adventure
2/5/2025 - Wildlife Tracking
2/19/2025 - Hiking Through the Water Cycle
3/5/2025 - The Weather Machine
3/19/2025 - Chipmunks
4/2/2025 - Lichens and Mosses
4/16/2025 - Spring Ephemeral Hike
5/7/2025 - How Does Your Garden Grow?
5/21/2025 - Wonderful Wetlands
6/4/2025 - Ants on the March
6/11/2025 - Worms and Nematodes
6/18/2025 - Unseen Life
6/25/2025 - Amphibians

Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Adults are free. Programs are mostly outdoors; please dress for the weather. If inclement weather, activities may relocate indoors. Please register online; sorry, no walk-ins.

Morning Bird Hikes April 04, 2025

Scout areas of Retzer with us to see how many different types of birds we can find on an easy, 1.5 mile walk.

-FREE!
-No expertise is needed and all skill levels are welcome.
-Children must be accompanied by an adult (recommended for ages 8+)
-Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours (limited quantity); cameras are also welcome.
-Dress for the weather and meet in the parking lot area by the Learning Center building. Held rain or shine.
-If groups of 10 or more plan to attend, please contact Retzer Nature Center in advance. Otherwise, registration is not required.

Wee Wonders April 08, 2025

This monthly program is an opportunity for nature exploration and discovery for children. Wee Wonders offers hands-on experiences about a variety of nature topics. Cost is $5 per child per program, ages 2-4. Upcoming programs are listed below:

*Wait, Rest, Pause*
Tuesday, February 11 or Wednesday, February 12
Learn how living things survive the cold weather.

*On a Snow Melting Day*
Tuesday, March 11 or Wednesday, March 12
Learn how animals celebrate the melting snow and warming of the earth.

*Bird Builds a Nest*
Tuesday, April 8 or Wednesday, April 9
Birds can build strong nests without hands. Learn how they do it!

*Very Hungry Caterpillars*
Tuesday, May 13 or Wednesday, May 14
Why are caterpillars always eating!? Come find out!

*Pollinator Week Celebration*
Tuesday, June 10 or Wednesday, June 11
Come celebrate nature's pollinators with us!

Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Each program includes an outdoor experience; please dress for the weather. Please register online at least 24 hours prior to the program. Walk-ins are welcome, space permitting.

To register, visit wauk.co/webtrac and click "Programs & Special Events.”

Sunset Meditation and Night Hike April 09, 2025

In the Planetarium:

• View an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole.
• Relax under a night sky filled with stars with glimpses of the Northern Lights under the dome.

Then:

• Take a quiet hike outside with a Retzer naturalist and discover the tranquil sights and sounds of Retzer Nature Center (weather permitting). In the case of severe weather, the Planetarium will hold an extended program.

7:30 p.m.
Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show (30 mins)

8 p.m.
Peaceful Night Hike (45 mins)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Important: Please help keep meditation sessions quiet and peaceful for maximum benefit to all:

- Doors open at 7:15 p.m.

- Arrive early to take your seat(s) and settle into a calm state of mind before the show.

- Late arrivals will not be admitted into the dome. Thank you!

Required: register online (4/9 & 4/23 dates appear on page 2 of our online portal, 5/7 date appears on page 3)

• Sorry, no walk-ins
• Ages 10+
• $10
• 60 attendees max

To register, visit wauk.co/webtrac and click "Programs & Special Events.”

Friends of Retzer Nature Center's Earth Week Celebration April 21, 2025

Earth Week Activities and Programs
April 1 - 30 Sunrise to 10 pm Retzer Nature Center All Month Long	Story Hike	Come out to Retzer to enjoy this spring’s Story Hike, featuring the children’s book “A Place for Rain” by Michelle Schaub and illustrated by Blanca Gómez. Set out on the Orange Trail to read the book while enjoying the outdoors at the same time! The Orange Trail is a mowed grass trail with some sloped terrain (0.75 mile approx). Free • No registration View more info A partnership with Retzer Nature Center and Bridges Library System.
Tuesday, April 22 2-3 pm Retzer Nature Center	Earth Day Spring Ephemeral Hike	Celebrate Earth Day with the naturalists as we search for what is blooming at Retzer Nature Center. Meet at the Discovery Trail arch. Dress for the weather. Free • All ages No registration
Wednesday, April 23 7:30 - 8:45 pm Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium	Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show & Peaceful Night Hike	Come unwind under the dome of the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium and meditate for your mental health during Earth Week! View a planetarium show of an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole, then relax under a night sky filled with stars with glimpses of the Northern Lights under the dome. After the show, take a quiet hike outside with a Retzer naturalist and discover the tranquil sights and sounds of Retzer Nature Center. 7:30 - 8:00 pm- Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show 8:00 - 8:45 pm - Peaceful Night Hike (weather and trail conditions permitting) $10/person • Ages 10+ Required: Register by April 22 at noon. 60 participants max. Sorry, no walk-ins.
Thursday, April 24 10 - 11 am Retzer Nature Center	A Mindful Walk in Nature with the Mindfulness Community of Milwaukee	Taking a walk in nature is beneficial for our physical and mental health. We experience the most benefit when we are mentally, as well as physically, present in nature. This walk at Retzer Nature Center will feature various examples of practices that we can do to be more fully present to the wonders of nature. Meet at the Discovery Trail entrance. Note: Recommended for ages 10+ with ability walk one mile. Free • Ages 10+ No registration
Friday, April 25 7 - 8:30 am Retzer Nature Center	Morning Bird Hike with the Benjamin Goss Bird Club	This 1.5-mile easy hike is a great opportunity to learn about the birds found in Waukesha County and how they fit into our environment, habitat, and county. No expertise is needed and all skill levels are welcome. Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours (limited quantity); cameras are welcome. The hike is held rain or shine, so dress for the weather and meet in the parking lot area nearest to the Learning Center Building. Recommended for ages 8+. Free • Ages 8+ No registration Groups of 10 or more: Reserve your space no later than April 20 by contacting Retzer Nature Center at 262-896-8007
Earth Week Celebration Event by Friends of Retzer Nature Center
Saturday, April 26 10 am - 1 pm Retzer Nature Center	Friends of Retzer Nature Center's Earth Week Celebration Event	Bring the family for kid-friendly activities (inside and outside) focusing on how your actions matter and what you can do to keep our planet safe and clean. The hands-on Recycling Exhibit area will allow visitors to experience the complete route recyclable materials can take in our community and how you can help close the loop on this process. Free • No registration Recommended for children and families
Saturday, April 26 11 am - 2 pm Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium	Earth Day Planetarium Shows: "Mars: The Ultimate Voyage" (11 am) "From Earth to the Universe" (1 pm)	Ever wondered what it will take for astronauts to travel to the Moon, Mars, and beyond? "Mars: The Ultimate Voyage", explores this question and more! Viewers of "From Earth to the Universe" can revel in the splendor of the worlds in the Solar system and our scorching Sun. $5.00 per person \| Purchase Tickets Here Ages 10+ Showtimes: 11 am • 1 pm
Volunteer Events for the Earth
Saturday, April 26 10 am - 1 pm Your favorite Waukesha County Park	Waukesha County Parks Volunteer Clean Up Workday	Litter endangers our environment, our wildlife, and our economy. It pollutes our neighborhoods, decreases property values, and compromises our area's natural beauty. Grab your loved ones, visit your nearest or dearest Waukesha County Park, and put litter where it belongs! Required: Register yourself or your group by April 25 Upon request: Safety vests and garbage bags available for your group. Free admission to any County Park on Saturday, April 26 with registration and participation.
Friday, April 25 10:30 am - noon Naga-Waukee Park	Arbor Day Volunteer Tree Planting Sponsored by Johnson's Nursery	Plant trees with Waukesha County Parks -- it's our new annual tradition! We'll celebrate Arbor Day and make a difference in our community by planting native trees to enhance and preserve our natural areas. Together our actions go further! Ages 10+ Learn More Free admission to Naga-Waukee Park on Friday, April 25 with registration and participation.

Spring Ephemeral Hike - Earth Week 2025 April 22, 2025

Celebrate Earth Day with the naturalists as we search for what is blooming at Retzer Nature Center. Meet at the Discovery Trail arch. Dress for the weather.

Free • All ages • No registration

A Mindful Walk In Nature - Earth Week Celebration 2025 April 24, 2025

A walk in nature is beneficial for our health - both physical and mental.

And we experience the greatest benefit when we are mentally present - as well as physically present - in nature.

This walk at Retzer Nature Center will feature various examples of practices that we can do to be more fully present to the wonders of nature.

• Recommended for ages 10+ with ability to walk one mile.

• Free!
• No registration - just meet at the Discovery Trail entrance.

Arbor Day Volunteer Tree Planting April 25, 2025

Plant trees with Waukesha County Parks and Johnson's Nursery, Inc. by joining this annual volunteer tradition!

Celebrate Arbor Day and make a difference in your community by planting native trees to enhance and preserve our natural areas. Together our actions go further.

Online registration is required.

Volunteers and staff will be planting native trees from Johnson’s Nursery and seedlings from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Nursery. Free Park Entrance for those participating! Enter park and follow signs. Event will be held rain or shine. Dress for weather conditions, wear boots, and bring your own work gloves.

Special Events & Programs

with Dr. Andrew Cassini

Starts April 1
Retzer Nature Center

Register from Sept. 1-March 18

Earth Week Activities and Programs

Earth Week Celebration Event by Friends of Retzer Nature Center

Volunteer Events for the Earth

Parks and Land Use Events

Special Events & Programs

with Dr. Andrew Cassini

Starts April 1Retzer Nature Center

Register from Sept. 1-March 18

Earth Week Activities and Programs

Earth Week Celebration Event by Friends of Retzer Nature Center

Volunteer Events for the Earth

Starts April 1
Retzer Nature Center