• Tuesday, October 23

    Ants and Antibiotics—Potential Lessons from Nature on Ancient Antibiotic Use
    Human-Nature Connection Lecture Series

    7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Heidi Horn, research assistant, UW–Madison Department of Bacteriology. Fungus-farming ants have grown fungi—and eaten them—for around 60 million years. These same ants have also used antibiotics for nearly 40 million years. Are there lessons to be learned from these tiny creatures about antibiotic resistance and disease in humans? Fee: $10. Registration by October 18 recommended. Walk-in registrations accepted. See additional lectures October 2, 9, and 30.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, October 27

    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, October 28

    Touring the Lost City
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    In the 1920s, developers planned a "Venice of the North," to be called Lake Forest. That land is now part of the Arboretum. Hike to the site of the failed subdivision, discovering construction remnants along the way. Tour entails stepping over obstacles. Due to the popularity of this free annual event, we now require advance registration. Register by October 24 at: arboretum-lost-city-tour-2018.eventbrite.com. REGISTRATION AND WAITLIST ARE BOTH FULL. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, October 28

    Colorful Days
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Hike and explore the colorful forest and prairie, then draw, paint, and write about your discoveries. Naturalist-led hike, 1:30–2:30 p.m., indoor activities, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Walk and activities designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Tuesday, October 30

    Tiny Earth in Wisconsin
    Human-Nature Connection Lecture Series

    7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

    Sam Rikkers, executive director, Tiny Earth. In 2017, UW–Madison implemented Tiny Earth and joined the global network of instructors and students crowdsourcing antibiotic discovery from the soil. Tiny Earth inspires students in the sciences while addressing the pressing global health challenge of superbugs and antibiotic resistance. Fee: $10. Registration by October 25 recommended. Walk-in registrations accepted. See additional lectures October 2, 9, and 23.

    Register for this event ($10)

  • Saturday, November 3

    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, November 3

    All About Owls
    Class

    2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

    Learn about Wisconsin’s twelve owl species, focusing on the three that nest in Madison, and how to identify these elusive birds of prey. Habitat, calls, courtship, and adaptations to acquire food will be discussed. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20. Register by October 29. Meet at the Visitor Center.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Sunday, November 4

    Follow the Glacier
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Follow the last continental glacier's path through the Arboretum and learn how it sculpted the land. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 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, November 11

    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 Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, November 11

    Reintroducing the Wild Turkey
    Family Nature Program

    1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

    Learn about these native birds and how they disappeared from Wisconsin by the late 1880s. Thanks to a successful reintroduction effort in the 1970s, they now reside in all 72 counties. Naturalist-led hike, 1:30–2:30 p.m., indoor activities, 2:30–3:30 p.m. Walk and activities designed for children. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 17

    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, November 17

    History of the Arboretum’s Lost City
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    An in-depth look at the fascinating history of the failed Lake Forest development project. Who were the personalities involved? Why didn't the original project succeed? What is the current status of the area? Instructor: Kathy Miner, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20. Register by November 9. Meet at the Visitor Center. See also October 28 tour.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Sunday, November 18

    Arboretum Sampler
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    A naturalist will guide you through the gardens and ecosystems near the Visitor Center. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Friday, November 23

    Beaver Moon
    Night Walk

    6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

    Walk with an Arboretum naturalist by the light of the moon (full November 22), also called the Frost Moon. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 24

    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, November 25

    How Plants and Animals Prepare for Winter
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    How do Wisconsin flora and fauna cope with cold weather? Join a naturalist to explore that question. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, November 25

    Native November
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Explore native plant and animal communities and learn how they prepare for winter on a walk designed for families with children ages 3–11. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

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

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

  • Saturday, December 8

    Effigy Mound Culture
    Class

    1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

    Earthen mounds with conical, linear, and animal shapes were built by native people in southern Wisconsin. The effigy mound groups at the Arboretum are among the few remaining of hundreds built in our area more than 1,000 years ago. 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. Register by December 4. Meet at the Visitor Center.

    Register for this event ($25)

  • Sunday, December 9

    Sights, Sounds, and Smells of the Arboretum
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Awaken your senses on a naturalist-led walk during this serene time of year. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, December 9

    Our Feathered Friends
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Birds are easier to spot after leaves have fallen, and this is a good time to learn about them on a walk designed for children. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • 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.