• Saturday, October 1

    Beginning Birding
    Class

    8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

    This class will start indoors with a short introduction to bird identification, then move outdoors to practice finding and identifying birds. You’ll learn tips and tricks from a veteran birder. Bring binoculars. Instructor: Levi Wood, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20 ($18 FOA). Preregister by Sept. 29.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Saturday, October 1

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Wingra Oak Savanna

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, October 1

    Edible Landscaping
    Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Join Judy Kingsbury and Marian Farrior, permaculture designers and Arboretum outreach specialists, as they explore the collection’s edible richness and highlight some of their favorite trees and shrubs. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 2

    Woodlands
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Tour the woodlands with a naturalist to observe the beginning of fall color. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, October 8

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Core Area and Curtis Prairie

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, October 8

    Fall Favorites
    Longenecker Horticultural Garden Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Enjoy the colorful show of trees and shrubs before their winter hibernation. Michael Jesiolowski, Senior Horticulturist at Chicago Botanic Garden, will highlight the best fall foliage and fruit displays from Acer to Zelkova. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 9

    Woodlands
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Enjoy what is usually peak time for fall color in the restored woodlands. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 9

    Why Do Leaves Change Color?
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Enjoy and learn about the wonder of fall color in native trees and prairie grasses. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, October 15

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Grady Tract

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, October 15

    The Lost City in Detail
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Delve into the history of the Lost City, concentrating on the failed Lake Forest development project and the Arboretum’s subsequent purchase of the lots. This indoor class will include a slideshow and viewing of historical artifacts. Instructor: Kathleen Miner, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20 ($18 FOA). Preregistration required by Oct. 13.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Saturday, October 15

    When the Moon is Full
    Night Walk

    6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

    We will walk under the full moon, looking and listening for animal life and sky events if the night is clear. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 16

    Autumn Woodlands
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Falling leaves, mushrooms, and other delights are possible this time of year. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, October 22

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Core Area and Curtis Prairie

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, October 23

    Transformations of Fall
    Special Event for Wisconsin Science Festival

    12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    We have expanded this Sunday’s programs for the Wisconsin Science Festival. Come to “Exploration Stations: Why Do Leaves Change Color?” and explore fall transformations through activities and scientific inquiry. Adults and youth are welcome to drop in any time during this event. The afternoon walk and family walk (both listed separately) will offer additional outdoor learning about fall. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 23

    Red Lanterns
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Blackberry leaves turn bright red this month; according to Aldo Leopold, these indicate the best place to look for woodcock and grouse when hunting. We don’t have grouse here (or allow hunting) so we will look for fall color, migrating white–throated sparrows, and other fall delights. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented in conjunction with the Wisconsin Science Festival.

  • Sunday, October 23

    Stories Trees Tell
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Listen to stories and wander the Arboretum woods with a naturalist. Notice the many hues while answering the question “Why do leaves change color?” Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented in conjunction with the Wisconsin Science Festival.

  • Sunday, October 30

    Tour of the Lost City
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Walk:. Join a naturalist for our annual tour of the abandoned dream of a “Venice of the North.” We’ll hike to the site of the failed 1920s residential plan, discovering construction remnants along the way. (Portions of the hike require stepping over obstacles.) See related class on October 15. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 5

    All About Owls
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Learn about Wisconsin’s twelve owl species, focusing on the three in the Madison area, their habitat, range, and habits, and how to identify these elusive birds of prey. Indoor class will include slides, recordings, and handouts. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20 ($18 FOA). Preregister by Nov. 3.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Saturday, November 5

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Wingra Oak Savanna

    9 p.m. – 11 a.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, November 6

    Follow the Glacier
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Follow the last continental glacier’s path through the Arboretum to see how it sculpted the land. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 12

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Core Area and Curtis Prairie

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, November 12

    Deer Running Moon
    Night Walk

    6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

    So named by the Ho-Chunk (others call it the Frost Moon), the waxing moon will light the way for this walk. Two days later, the full moon will be the closest to earth since January 1948. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, November 13

    The CCC and the Arboretum
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    In 1935 the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) set up its only camp on a university campus. More than 200 men served here until the camp closed in 1941. Learn about their extraordinary efforts to restore the landscape of Wisconsin. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, November 13

    Who’s Hibernating?
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Learn about the animals that hibernate and the changes their bodies go through to prepare for hibernation. Naturalist-led nature walk from 1:30 to 2:30, indoor activities from 2:30 to 3:30. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 19

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Grady Tract

    9 a.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, November 19

    All About Turkeys
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Learn about the Arboretum’s thriving wild turkeys, their anatomy, biology, and behavior. The class will be held indoors, concluding with a 30-minute walk to look for turkeys. Instructor: Lisa Andrewski, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20 ($18 FOA). Preregister by Nov. 17.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Sunday, November 20

    Thinking Like an Arboretum
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Aldo Leopold’s essay “Thinking Like a Mountain” is the basis for this tour about the predator-prey relationship and the diversity of ecosystems. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 26

    Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Core Area and Curtis Prairie

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training provided. Groups welcome with advance notice. Meet at the Visitor Center. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, November 27

    Sampler
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Join the naturalist to visit the gardens and ecosystems near the Visitor Center. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, December 10

    Effigy Mound Culture
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    For hundreds of years earthen mounds, including effigies of animals and conical and linear shapes, were built by native people in southern Wisconsin. Learn about the mounds, the people who created them, and their environment. Indoors, with an outdoor walk if weather permits. Instructor: Paul Borowsky, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $25 ($22.50 FOA). Preregister by Dec. 8.

    Register for this event ($20)