Note: Out of concern for the health of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arboretum Visitor Center will be closed and events are cancelled through at least May 15. Additional cancellations are possible. Please check back for updates. Read more»

  • Saturday, April 4

    CANCELLED – 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.

  • Saturday, April 4

    CANCELLED – Arboretum Mycoflora Project Workshop
    Citizen Science Training

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Discover the biology and ecology of fungi and participate in a mycoflora citizen science project. Learn to photograph and document fungi, take part in an outdoor bioblitz, and practice fungal identification skills. Long pants and closed-toe shoes required. Instructors: Jessica Ross, Arboretum citizen science coordinator, and Kathleen Thompson, Madison Mycological Society member. Free. Registration required by March 31. Email jnross4@wisc.edu to sign up.

  • Saturday, April 4

    CANCELLED – Sky Dance
    Night Walk

    7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Listen for frogs and other night animals, like woodcocks performing their unique mating ritual. We can’t guarantee that wildlife will appear but if they do, it’s a treat to witness the woodcock’s fascinating sky dance. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, April 5

    CANCELLED – Effigy Mounds
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    The Arboretum contains rare mound groups built more than 1,000 years ago. On this naturalist-led walk in Wingra and Gallistel woods, you will learn about these ancient earthworks and the people who built them. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, April 5

    CANCELLED – Eco-Stroll
    Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Learn about Arboretum history, land, and science on a gently paced walk. This shorter leisurely alternative to our weekly nature walks is well suited for a multigenerational outing. Route is wheelchair accessible. First Sunday of the month, April through October. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, April 11

    CANCELLED – 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, April 12

    CANCELLED – Birds of the Arboretum
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Birds are returning from the south. Neotropical migrants spend the winter in Central and South America, then return here to nest. We will look for early migrants as well as early nesters among our year-long residents. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, April 12

    CANCELLED – Frogs
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Walk to nearby ponds and wetlands to listen for frogs calling and learn how they grow from egg to adult. Walk, 1:30–2:30 p.m. Designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, April 18

    CANCELLED – 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, April 19

    CANCELLED – For Love of Earth
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Honor Earth Day (April 22) on an early spring walk to search for signs of renewal in the gardens and woodlands. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, April 25

    CANCELLED – Spring Bird Hike

    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    You can see more than 170 bird species at the Arboretum during the year. Join us for a guided bird hike, with a focus on migrating spring birds. All experience levels welcome, binoculars recommended. Hikes cancelled for heavy rain or lightning. Free, no registration required, but to help us plan please share your interest via this form: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/spring-bird-hikes/. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, April 25

    CANCELLED – 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. Presented in conjunction with Party for the Planet. Space is limited and advance registration is required, email Marian Farrior. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, April 25

    CANCELLED – Magnolias
    Garden Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Tour the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens extensive magnolia collection, and other spring flowering plants encountered along the way, with Michael Jesiolowski, Janesville Rotary Botanical Gardens’ director of horticulture. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, April 25

    CANCELLED – Introduction to Wisconsin Geology
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day by gaining a greater understanding of Wisconsin geology. Learn about the forces that shape the planet, geologic time, and how to identify rocks that can be found locally. Instructors: Sue Bridson and Stephanie Williams, Arboretum naturalists. Fee: $20, Register by April 21.

  • Saturday, April 25

    CANCELLED – Ecological Restoration Work Party
    Wingra Oak Savanna

    1 p.m. – 3 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. Presented in conjunction with Party for the Planet. Space is limited and advance registration is required, email Marian Farrior. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, April 26

    CANCELLED – Woodland Wildflowers
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    If this is a typical spring, we may find bloodroot, wild ginger, bluebells, and Dutchman’s breeches (among other delights) along the trails of the restored woodlands. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, April 26

    CANCELLED – Birds on the Move
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Learn about spring migration and look for birds that may be arriving or just passing through. 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.

  • Saturday, May 2

    CANCELLED – 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.

  • Saturday, May 2

    CANCELLED – Arboretum Mycoflora Project Workshop
    Citizen Science Training

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Discover the biology and ecology of fungi and participate in a mycoflora citizen science project. Learn to photograph and document fungi, take part in an outdoor bioblitz, and practice fungal identification skills. Long pants and closed-toe shoes required. Instructors: Jessica Ross, Arboretum citizen science coordinator, and Kathleen Thompson, Madison Mycological Society member. Free. Registration required by April 28. Email jnross4@wisc.edu to sign up.

  • Saturday, May 2

    CANCELLED – Early Signs of Spring
    Garden Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    As trees begin to leaf out, Dutchman’s breeches, twin-leaf, and rue-anemones might be blooming in the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden woodland gardens, and prairie-smoke in the prairie gardens. Susan Carpenter will lead this tour. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, May 2

    CANCELLED – All about Bluebirds
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    The Arboretum’s bluebird trail in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens is more than 30 years old. In this indoor/outdoor class, you’ll walk the trail and learn about bluebirds, their behavior, their decline, and restoration efforts. Dress for the weather. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20. Register by April 27. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 3

    CANCELLED – Spring Wildflowers in Wingra Woods
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Look for wildflowers in Wingra Woods and watch for other signs of renewal. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 3

    CANCELLED – Eco-Stroll
    Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Learn about Arboretum history, land, and science on a gently paced walk. This shorter leisurely alternative to our weekly nature walks is well-suited for a multigenerational outing. Route is wheelchair accessible. First Sunday of the month, April through October. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Thursday, May 7

    CANCELLED – Light of the Moon
    Night Walk

    8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

    The Ho-Chunk call this full moon the Earth Drying Moon, as the ground becomes dry enough for planting. Walk by the light of the moon with a naturalist. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, May 9

    CANCELLED – Spring Bird Hike

    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    You can see more than 170 bird species at the Arboretum during the year. Join us for a guided bird hike, with a focus on migrating spring birds. All experience levels welcome, binoculars recommended. Hikes cancelled for heavy rain or lightning. Free, no registration required, but to help us plan please share your interest via this form: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/spring-bird-hikes/. Meet at Wingra Springs parking lot, off Arboretum Dr.

  • Saturday, May 9

    CANCELLED – 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.

  • Saturday, May 9

    CANCELLED – Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale

    9:20 a.m. – 2:20 p.m.

    Visit the big tent on the lawn in front of Curtis Prairie to shop for all your native plant gardening needs. Organized by Friends of the Arboretum, open to the general public.

  • Saturday, May 9

    CANCELLED – Lilacs
    Garden Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Established in 1935, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens lilac collection is one of the largest in the country. Join David Stevens, Gardens curator, to explore lilac history, lore, culture, and color. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 10

    CANCELLED – Ecosystem Sampler
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Explore Longenecker Horticultural Gardens and Gallistel Woods in search of birds and blooms with a naturalist. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 10

    CANCELLED – Wetlands
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    May is American Wetlands Month. Learn about wetland habitats and the animals that live in them. 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.

  • Saturday, May 16

    Spring Bird Hike

    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    You can see more than 170 bird species at the Arboretum during the year. Join us for a guided bird hike, with a focus on migrating spring birds. All experience levels welcome, binoculars recommended. Hikes cancelled for heavy rain or lightning. Free, no registration required, but to help us plan please share your interest via this form: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/spring-bird-hikes/. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, May 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, May 16

    Crabapples
    Garden Tour

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    With over 200 trees, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens crabapple collection is the most up to date in the country. Learn why crabapples are the most planted flowering tree in the Midwest with David Stevens, Garden curator, as he highlights some of his favorite selections. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 17

    Springtime on the Savanna
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Discover what’s growing and blooming in the savanna, where we may see lupines, trout-lily, wild geranium, and more. We’ll also listen and watch for birds. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St.

  • Saturday, May 23

    Spring Bird Hike

    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    You can see more than 170 bird species at the Arboretum during the year. Join us for a guided bird hike, with a focus on migrating spring birds. All experience levels welcome, binoculars recommended. Hikes cancelled for heavy rain or lightning. Free, no registration required, but to help us plan please share your interest via this form: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/spring-bird-hikes/. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, May 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, May 24

    Teal Pond and Curtis Prairie Wetlands
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Visit wetland areas with a naturalist to learn about the impact of urbanization, stormwater, ecological restoration, and wetland benefits to humans and wildlife. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, May 24

    Gardening for Pollinators
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Join us to celebrate Wisconsin School Garden Day (May 21), explore garden habitats, and learn how to grow a garden for pollinators. 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.

  • Saturday, May 30

    Spring Bird Hike

    7 a.m. – 9 a.m.

    You can see more than 170 bird species at the Arboretum during the year. Join us for a guided bird hike, with a focus on migrating spring birds. All experience levels welcome, binoculars recommended. Hikes cancelled for heavy rain or lightning. Free, no registration required, but to help us plan please share your interest via this form: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/spring-bird-hikes/. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, May 30

    Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) Training
    Citizen Science Training

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Learn how to get involved with monarch research and conservation. In this two-day training, participants will learn about monarch biology, practice monitoring and data entry protocols, and become prepared to conduct monitoring at the Arboretum or in their communities. MLMP is a national citizen science project. Instructors: Karen Oberhauser, Arboretum director, and Jessica Ross, Arboretum citizen science coordinator. Free. Registration required by May 22. Email jnross4@wisc.edu to sign up.

  • Sunday, May 31

    Monarch Larva Monitoring Project (MLMP) Two-Day Training
    Citizen Science Training

    9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

    Learn how to get involved with monarch research and conservation. In this two-day training, participants will learn about monarch biology, practice monitoring and data entry protocols, and become prepared to conduct monitoring at the Arboretum or in their communities. MLMP is a national citizen science project. Instructors: Karen Oberhauser, Arboretum director, and Jessica Ross, Arboretum citizen science coordinator. Free. Registration required by May 22. Email jnross4@wisc.edu to sign up.

  • Sunday, May 31

    Springtime in the Woodland
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Enjoy spring woodland wonders, looking at forest layers for signs of animal activity, fungi, and blossoming flowers. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.