• Saturday, November 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. No facilities on site. 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 16

    History of the Lost City
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    An in-depth look at the fascinating history of the failed Lake Forest development project and how the Arboretum acquired the land. Who were the personalities involved, why didn't the original project succeed, and what's the status of the area? See also October 27 and November 3 tours. Instructor: Kathy Miner, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $20. Register by November 12. Meet at the Visitor Center.

    Register for this event ($20)

  • Sunday, November 17

    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 predator-prey relationships and the diversity of ecosystems. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Saturday, November 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. For more information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Saturday, November 23

    Wreath-making from Nature (CLASS FULL)
    Class

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Using natural materials found at the Arboretum, make nature-inspired wreaths just in time for the holiday season. Materials supplied. You are welcome to bring ornaments and ribbons for decoration. Instructors: Marian Farrior, Arboretum restoration work party manager, and Jane Hawley Stevens, herbalist. Fee $25. Class full – registration closed. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, November 24

    Winter Preparations
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

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

  • Sunday, November 24

    Who’s Hibernating?
    Family Walk

    1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

    Learn about the animals that hibernate in winter. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.

  • Sunday, December 1

    Arboretum Sampler
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

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

  • Saturday, December 7

    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. No facilities on site. More information: (608) 265-5214 or marian.farrior@wisc.edu.

  • Sunday, December 8

    Effigy Mounds in the Arboretum
    Walk

    1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    The Arboretum contains rare, intact effigy mound groups, among the few remaining of hundreds built in our area more than 1,000 years ago. On this walk, featuring the mounds in Wingra and Gallistel Woods, learn about the ancient earthworks and the people who built them. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center. See also December 14 class.

  • Saturday, December 14

    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, December 14

    Effigy Mounds—Considering the People, Culture, and Environment
    Class

    1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

    For hundreds of years, earthen mounds—including effigies of animals and conical and linear shapes—were built by Native peoples in southern Wisconsin. Join us for a presentation and discussion of the environment and ways of life of the peoples who created them. Indoors, with an outdoor walk if weather permits. See also December 8 walk. Instructor: Paul Borowsky, Arboretum naturalist. Fee: $30. Register by December 9. Meet at the Visitor Center.

    Register for this event ($30)