• Saturday, December 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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, December 16

    Winter Birds
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Chickadees, nuthatches, blue jays, and other birds spend the entire year here. Some species, like juncoes, consider our area “south for the winter.” Prepare for the Christmas bird counts on this informative walk. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Friday, December 21

    Solstice
    Night Walk

    4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

    Join us for a sunset walk on the shortest day of the year. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, December 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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, December 23

    Visitor Center Closed

    All day

    The Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed December 23–25.

  • Sunday, December 23

    Arboretum Sampler
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Explore the gardens and ecosystems near the Visitor Center with a naturalist. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Monday, December 24

    Visitor Center Closed

    All day

    The Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed December 23–25.

  • Tuesday, December 25

    Visitor Center Closed

    All day

    The Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed December 23–25.

  • Sunday, December 30

    Conifers
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    The Arboretum is home to many species of conifers. You'll learn about pines, spruces, and firs, how to distinguish them from one another, and their ecological importance. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Monday, December 31

    New Year's Eve
    Night Walk

    6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Join us for our annual holiday trail walk, a cup of hot chocolate, and a peaceful welcome to the new year. Meet at the Visitor Center, which will be open during the walk.

  • Tuesday, January 1

    Visitor Center Closed

    All day

    The Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed for New Year's Day.

  • Saturday, January 5

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, January 6

    Phenology
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Aldo Leopold and his graduate students kept journals to record the timing of natural events (phenology) in Wisconsin and at the Arboretum. Start the new year learning to track annual life cycles and events. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Tuesday, January 8

    Multifunctional Rain Gardens
    Class

    6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Rain gardens help absorb stormwater, recharge ground water, improve pollinator and bird habitat, and provide year-round interest. Learn about rain garden design and plantings. Bring yard plan for discussion. Indoor class. Instructor: Gail Epping Overholt, Arboretum education coordinator. Fee: $25. Register by December 17.

    Register for this event ($25)

  • Thursday, January 10

    In Defense of Public Lands—The Case Against Privatization
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Steven Davis, professor of political science, Edgewood College. Fee: $10, series $70. Register by January 7.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, January 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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, January 13

    Looking for Animal Signs
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Winter offers unique opportunities to see tracks and other signs left by animals as they move through the world. Learn what to look for. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, January 13

    The Nature of Snow
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Snow comes in many forms, and it is said that no two snowflakes are alike. We will explore the science of snow even if there is no snow on the ground. Walk designed for families with children ages

  • Thursday, January 17

    Using Soundscapes to Understand How Nature Works
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Bryan Pijanowski, professor and University Scholar, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, and director, Center for Global Soundscapes, Purdue University. Fee: $10, series $70. Register by January 14.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, January 19

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, January 20

    Winter Wonderland
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Even when the ground is frozen and the air is cold, beauty and activity abound in the natural world. Springs remain ice-free and support year-round wildlife. Discover winter’s liveliness on this naturalist-led walk. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, January 20

    Blood Moon Eclipse
    Night Walk

    9 p.m. – 11 p.m.

    We will partner with UW Space Place for this special night walk. From 9 to 9:30 p.m., learn about the total lunar eclipse and supermoon, look through telescopes, and pick up tips to enjoy the night sky. At 9:30, we will walk under the night sky as the partial eclipse begins. This moon is named for the reddish hue of the fully eclipsed moon. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Monday, January 21

    Visitor Center Closed

    All day

    The Visitor Center will be closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

  • Thursday, January 24

    Using Birds to Conserve Landscapes Worldwide
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Jeb Barzen, ecologist, Private Lands Conservation LLC. Fee: $10, series $70. Register by January 21.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, January 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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, January 27

    January Thaw
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    It is common in the Midwest to experience a few days of warming later in the month. Learn about the phenomenon and discover what may be stirring in January. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, January 27

    Winter Animals
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Learn about how animals survive the Wisconsin winters. Do they stay and adapt, hibernate, or migrate? Walk, 1:30–2:30 p.m., indoor activities, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, January 31

    Seed Sourcing for Habitat Restoration
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Keynote: Laura Jackson, director, Tallgrass Prairie Center. Discussion panel: Amy Alstad, land protection associate, Driftless Area Land Conservancy; Corrine Daniels, director, Nursery Operations, Taylor Creek Restoration Nursery; Rich Henderson, board member, The Prairie Enthusiasts; and Kevin Kawula, owner, Lone Rock Nursery. Fee: $10. Register by Jan 28.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, February 2

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, February 3

    Feathered Travelers
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    February often brings the return of early migratory birds, some on their way to more northern breeding grounds. Join a naturalist to look for long-distance flyers. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, February 7

    Can Evolutionary Biology Help Us Restore Prairies?
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Andrew Hipp, senior scientist in plant systematics and herbarium curator, The Morton Arboretum. Fee: $10. Register by February 4.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Sunday, February 10

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, February 10

    Life Underground
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    To survive the cold, animals may travel through tunnels in the snow or sleep in burrows. Search for signs of life and hear stories of winter adaptations. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, February 10

    Animal Tracks
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Animal tracks are easy to spot in the snow and mud. If neither are present, we will look for animal trails through the vegetation. Walk designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, February 14

    Arboretum Research Symposium

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Students, faculty, and other researchers will present findings from projects on Arboretum land and in the Lake Wingra watershed. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, February 16

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, February 16

    The Art of Pruning
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Learn the science, tools, and techniques to help ensure healthy tree structure and proper wound closure, as well as shrub pruning for plant renewal. Instructor: David Stevens, Longenecker Horticultural Gardens curator. Fee: $20. Register by February 12.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Saturday, February 16

    Hunger Moon
    Night Walk

    6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

    The name of this moon likely refers to the scarcity of food in some regions during mid-winter. We will enjoy the night sky and sounds under the waxing moon (full February 19). Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, February 17

    Enduring a Woodland Winter
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Explore how people before European settlement survived a harsh winter using the natural resources around them. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, February 21

    Immobile Yet Responsive—How Trees Interact with Their Environment
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Kate McCulloh, assistant professor, Department of Botany, UW–Madison. Fee: $10. Register by February 18.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, February 23

    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. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, February 24

    Signs of Spring
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Even in the February cold, plants have buds and birds and mammals prepare for a warmer season. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, February 24

    Tracking Natural Cycles
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Phenology is the study of life cycle events and timing in nature. Learn how to track and record events such as flowering, leaf out, and migration in your own backyard. Walk, 1:30–2:30 p.m., indoor activities, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, February 28

    Action on Climate Change—The Largest Health Intervention of the Twenty-First Century
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Jonathan Patz, director, Global Health Institute, UW–Madison. Fee: $10. Register by February 25.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Friday, March 1

    Green Fire Brown Bag Lunch
    Special Event

    11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

    Kick off Leopold Weekend by watching the Aldo Leopold documentary over lunch, followed by a discussion. Bring your own lunch and beverage. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented for Aldo Leopold Weekend.

  • Saturday, March 2

    14th-Annual Madison Reads Leopold
    Special Event

    9:30 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.

    Free public reading from "A Sand County Almanac" and other works by conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Arboretum’s first research director. Readers from the community will share Leopold’s eloquent statements about humans’ relationship to the natural environment. Come for your favorite essays or stay all day. Presented for Aldo Leopold Weekend.

  • Sunday, March 3

    In Leopold’s Footsteps
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Learn where conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Arboretum’s first research director, conducted famous phenological research from 1935–45 and established the first restorations of Wisconsin’s natural ecosystems. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented for Aldo Leopold Weekend.

  • Sunday, March 3

    Celebrating Aldo Leopold
    Family Nature Program

    1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    As a young boy, Aldo Leopold loved to read and explore the land. He kept detailed notes and drew sketches. Following Leopold’s example, we will investigate the Arboretum and create journals for observations and sketches. Walk, 1:30–2:30 p.m., indoor activities, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. Presented for Aldo Leopold Weekend.

  • Thursday, March 7

    50 Years of the Wisconsin Wetlands Association
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Tracy Hames, executive director, Wisconsin Wetlands Association. Register by March 4.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Thursday, March 14

    Native Plant Gardens at the Arboretum: Then and Now
    Winter Enrichment Lecture

    9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

    Susan Carpenter, Native Plant Gardener, UW Arboretum. Register by March 11.

    Register for this event ($10)