Parks and Land Use Events

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM FOR KIDS

Learn and discover in the great outdoors! This program offers guided, hands-on exploration that brings seasonal topics to life for children ages 4-12.

DATES/TIMES: Select Wednesdays • 10–11 a.m.

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

COST: $6 per child per date (ages 4-12)

REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows; call ahead and arrive by 9:15 a.m.

FEBRUARY 4 — All About Owls: Learn about the owl species that live at Retzer, their amazing adaptations in winter, sounds, and food sources.

FEBRUARY 18 — Winter Fur: Explore mammal furs and see how they keep animals warm, plus hike outside (on snowshoes if we can!) to look for tracks, scat, and fur.  

MARCH 4 — Plants and Papermaking: Let's learn about the natural materials that make things we use every day and make a paper craft.

MARCH 18 — The Science of Spring: Let’s hit the trails to look for signs of spring, including flowers, plants and animals.

APRIL 15 — Secrets of Stream Life: Discover a hidden world of life in a local stream. Learn how these creatures survived through the winter and what they will become!

APRIL 22 — Recycle Racoon's Adventure: Join us for an adventure hike with the Waukesha County Recycles' mascot! We’ll discover easy, everyday ways to help the planet at home and in our yards.

May through August programs will be available on February 15.

NOTE: Each child must be accompanied by an adult; adult is free. Dress for the weather, as program is mostly outdoors. In poor weather, full program may move indoors.

For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.

Grab your skates and hit the ice at Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena during Public Skate!

Ice skating is perfect for family fun, friend or group outings, staying active, or simply enjoying time on the ice.  Public Skate Sessions are open to all ages and skating abilities.

We do not have skate aids or double runner skates.  Sticks and pucks are NOT allowed on the ice during public skate sessions.

LOCATION: Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena (2699 Golf Road, Delafield WI  53018)

COST: $7.00 General Admission (Adult/Children);  $6.00 Admission (Seniors & Active Military); $3.00/pair for Skate Rentals.

Pay at concessions stand or admissions register upon arrival!

Public Ice Skating

Grab your skates and hit the ice at Eble Park Ice Arena during Public Skate — we’ve added extra sessions for Winter Break! 

Ice skating is the perfect way to enjoy time with family and friends, stay active, and make memories on the ice. Our Public Skate sessions welcome all ages and skill levels, everyone’s invited to join the fun!

RETZER NATURE CENTER CAMERA CLUB

The Camera Club meets monthly with instructional programming, sharing/critiquing of members' photographs, discussing equipment and technique, and providing opportunities for taking photographs at Retzer Nature Center and other nature areas.

DATES/TIME: First Wednesday of the month • 7-8 p.m.

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

COST: Free, open to the public! (ages 16+)

REGISTRATION: No registration required; walk-ins welcome!

To learn more, find the Retzer Nature Center Camera Club group on Facebook or contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.

Adult / Senior Skate

Enjoy a relaxed public skating experience just for adults and seniors.

These designated sessions are open to skaters ages 18 and older, regardless of skill level. Whether you're a seasoned skater or just getting started, all are welcome! Standard public skating rules apply.

Enjoy a relaxed skating experience just for adults and senior citizens.

These sessions are designated for ages 40 and older.  Standard public skating rules apply.

LOCATION:  Naga-Waukee Park Ice Arena (2699 Golf Road, Delafield, WI  53018)

COST: $7.00 Admission (Adults); $6.00 Admission (Senior Citizens & Active Military); $3.00/pair for Skate Rentals.

Pay upon arrival at concession stand or admissions counter.

WEE WONDERS

Discover nature in a fun, hands-on way! Wee Wonders is a monthly program for kids (ages 2-4) to explore, learn, and get curious about the world around them.

DATES/TIMES: Second Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the month • 9:30-10:30 a.m.* (all days) • 1-2 p.m. (Tuesday only)

*April 2026 program falls on third Wednesday and Thursday

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

COST: $6 per child per date (ages 2-4)

REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before. Walk-ins are welcome if space allows; call ahead and arrive by 9:15 a.m.

Same program offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

FEBRUARY 10, 11, or 12 — Awesome Owls: Observe and learn about these wonderful birds and hear about a “little owl's night.”
MARCH 10, 11, or 12 — Life in a Shell: We will find out how many different things in our world have shells, plus see and feel some things up close!
APRIL 14, 15, or 16 — Baby Animals: Find out how different animals start their lives, challenges they may overcome, and watch them grow.

May through August programs will be available on February 15.

NOTE: Each child must be accompanied by an adult; adult is free. Dress for the weather, as program includes an outdoor component. In poor weather, full program may move indoors.

For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.

SPRING SEMINAR

Learn how to improve your landscape to be more beneficial for wildlife biodiversity…out with the old, in with the good! See below for additional details.

9-10:30 a.m., Invaders in our Native Landscapes: Learn About Invasive Species, presented by Emily Helm, Waukesha County Natural Resource Program Coordinator. 

• Discover what invasive species are present in southeastern Wisconsin and the impact they have on native plant and wildlife communities. This is a blended course, split between lecture and outdoor species identification (weather permitting).

10:30-Noon, From Turf to Habitat, presented by Danielle Bell, Native Roots LLC.

• Too often, native plants in the home landscape get the image of being unruly and messy. Learn 5 simple steps you can take to incorporate native plants into your landscape to provide resources for a diverse range of pollinators and wildlife on your property.

DATE/TIME: Saturday, March 14, 2026 • 9 a.m. – Noon

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

COST: $20 per person (ages 15+)

REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before!

For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.

BENJAMIN F. GOSS BIRD CLUB MEETINGS

The Benjamin F. Goss Bird Club provides an opportunity for those interested in active study of birds and their habitats. The public is invited to attend monthly meetings in-person, led by expert guest speakers and members. 

DATES/TIME: 
January 18, 2026 • 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m.
February 15, 2026 • 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m.
March 15, 2026 • 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m.
April 19, 2026 • 6:45 p.m. – 9 p.m.

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center, Community Room (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI) or online.*
*Email the Bird Club (BFGoss@gmail.com) for online link. 

COST: Free, open to the public! (ages 11+)

REGISTRATION: No registration required; walk-ins welcome.

For more information, visit www.gossbirdclub.org or the Goss Bird Club Facebook Page.

GIRL SCOUT NIGHT (SPRING 2026)

Join us to earn badges during Girl Scout Night at Retzer Nature Center and the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium! Scouts will enjoy exciting, engaging adventures in nature and space. It’s fun, educational, and truly unforgettable.

DATE: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

LOCATION: Retzer Nature Center (S14W28167 Madison St, Waukesha, WI)

PROGRAM/TIME/COST:

DAISY: ECO LEARNER (ages 5-7) • 5-6 p.m. • $7 per child

Nature gives us many gifts. Discover ways to give back by protecting nature. Scouts will get ready for outdoor adventures, play a wildlife game, observe plants and animals within a “nature circle,” and learn how to protect nature from trash.

BROWNIE: BUGS BADGE (ages 7-9) • 5-6 p.m. • $7 per child

Talk to a bug specialist, see bugs in action, explore bug homes, take a brief bug walk outside (weather permitting), and take home a bug craft.

ALL LEVELS: THINK LIKE A CITIZEN SCIENTIST (all ages) • 5-6 p.m. • $7.50 per attendee*

The Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium team will help Girl Scouts get started in earning their badge by discussing various astronomy citizen science projects. Explore what it means to observe. Discuss the scientific method and how scientists find answers to important questions. Discover how scientists do research and develop solutions to real-world problems. And more!

JUNIOR: ANIMAL HABITAT BADGE (ages 9-11) • 6-7 p.m. • $7 per child

Learn about animal habitats in Wisconsin and investigate habitats at Retzer Nature Center. Create houses for Retzer animals. Discover which habitats are endangered and find out how you can help protect them. Steps 1-4 will be completed and guidance for Step 5 will be provided.

ALL LEVELS: STEM CAREER EXPLORATION BADGE (all ages) • 6-7:30 p.m. • $7.50 per attendee*

The Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium team will assist Girl Scouts of all levels in fulfilling steps toward this badge. Watch Big Astronomy: People, Places, Discoveries; view Drifting North: The Article Pulse; and see Cosmix. Presenters will describe their STEM career path and answer questions. Arrive early or stay late to explore the lobby, where various books and displays about STEM careers will be on exhibit.

REGISTRATION: Required; register online by noon the day before. Sorry, no walk-ins.

NOTE: Come as a Troop or individually. Each Scout must register separately. Scouts must be accompanied by a parent (individual) or leader (Troop). *Registration for parents, leaders, and siblings is needed for Planetarium programs. A program may be cancelled if fewer than 10 enroll. Badges are not included in program fee.

For any questions, please contact ParksInfo@waukeshacounty.gov.