Most events are free, with no registration required, unless otherwise noted.
Outdoor public walks are subject to cancellation due to the following weather conditions: 10 degrees Fahrenheit or less with a wind chill factor; excessively snowy, icy, or muddy conditions; thunderstorms; a heat index above 100 degrees Fahrenheit; air quality index above 200.
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Saturday, April 19
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Grady Tract9 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. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, April 19
Magnolias
Garden Tour1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate the return of spring on a flower-filled stroll through Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ dazzling collection of 110 magnolia trees. Tour led by David Stevens, garden curator and Magnolia Society International board member. Due to the popularity of this tour, free registration through Eventbrite is required by April 15: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, April 20
Nature Hike in the Wingra Oak Savanna
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. (No restroom facilities at Wingra Oak Savanna.)
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Sunday, April 20
Family Nature Program: Sprouting Seeds
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Saturday, April 26
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Core Area and Curtis Prairie9 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. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, April 26
Early Signs of Spring
Garden Tour1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
As trees begin to leaf out, Dutchman’s breeches, twinleaf and rue-anemones might be blooming in the woodland gardens, and prairie-smoke in the prairie gardens. Susan Carpenter, garden curator, will lead this tour of the Native Plant Garden. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, April 27
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
This gently paced walk explores ecological communities near the Visitor Center. Themes may include the land, plants, animals, other organisms, phenology, and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Saturday, May 3
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Wingra Oak Savanna9 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 restroom facilities at Wingra Oak Savanna.) Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, May 3
Lilacs
Garden Tour1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Established in 1935, the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens’ lilac collection is the third largest in the country. Join David Stevens, garden curator, to explore lilac history, lore, culture, and color. Due to the popularity of this tour, free registration through Eventbrite is required by April 29: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, May 4
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, May 4
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This walk is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Tuesday, May 6
Learning Together Family Class: Super Sprouts
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
We will share stories, go on a discovery walk, and create nature crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by April 28. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Wednesday, May 7
Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Virtual Citizen Science Training10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monarch Joint Venture and the Arboretum will co-lead a virtual one-day training on how to collect monarch data. Participants learn about monarch biology, monitoring procedures, and data entry protocols. Monarch biologists will be available for questions. Newcomers and active participants in monarch citizen science projects are welcome. The two-part training includes a one-hour break. Fee: $50. Advance registration required: go.wisc.edu/rat244.
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Saturday, May 10
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Core Area and Curtis Prairie9 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. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, May 10
Spring Highlights
Garden Tour1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Explore the wonders of spring flowering woody plants in Longenecker Horticultural Gardens as garden horticultural specialist Neil Schmidt presents seasonal highlights from the gardens’ expansive collection. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Saturday, May 10
8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Let your eyes adjust to the moonlight, listen to the night sounds, and experience the darkness on this naturalist-led walk (full moon May 12). Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, register through Eventbrite by May 6: uw-madison-arboretum.eventbrite.com. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, May 11
Nature Hike in the Wingra Oak Savanna
1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Arbor Dr. parking lot, off Monroe St. (No restroom facilities at Wingra Oak Savanna.)
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Saturday, May 17
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Grady Tract9 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. (No restroom facilities at Grady Tract.) Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, May 17
Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
In the large tents on the lawn near the Visitor Center, shop for more than 200 species of native grasses, woodland, prairie, and savanna plants to purchase, while supplies last. Organized by Friends of the Arboretum, open to the general public.
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Sunday, May 18
Nature Hike in the Grady Tract
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn about the land, plants, animals, fungi, phenology, and ecology. Geared for adults, these longer walks may cover some sloping terrain. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at Grady Tract parking lot, southeast corner of Seminole Hwy. and W. Beltline Frontage Rd. (No restroom facilities at Grady Tract.)
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Sunday, May 18
Family Nature Program: Terrific Turtles
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This program is a fun, fascinating way for families with children elementary age and younger to explore the natural world. Nature walk: 1:30–2:30 p.m., activities: 2:30–3:30 p.m. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Saturday, May 24
Ecological Restoration Work Party
Core Area and Curtis Prairie9 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. Event capacity is limited, please arrive by 9 a.m. More information: (608) 263-3774 or anne.pearce@wisc.edu.
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Saturday, May 24
Class: Mindfulness in Nature – Roots of Awareness
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Mindfulness helps reduce stress and improve physical and mental health using a moment-to-moment awareness of one’s experience without judgment. Mindfulness In Nature uses nature for all practices (sitting, standing, and moving). Monthly series runs through October. No experience needed. Instructor: Roger Reynolds, certified natural mindfulness guide. Outdoor class. Fee: $10. Register by May 21. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Sunday, May 25
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
This gently paced walk explores ecological communities near the Visitor Center. Themes may include the land, plants, animals, other organisms, phenology, and ecology. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come prepared for weather and insects. Routes are wheelchair accessible when weather allows. Walks canceled for unsafe conditions. Free, no registration required. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Monday, May 26
All day
The Visitor Center will be closed on Memorial Day. Arboretum grounds remain open.
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Saturday, May 31
Class: Bluebirds and the Arboretum Trail
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Learn about the fascinating lives of bluebirds, their behavior, why their populations declined, and restoration efforts. Instructor Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist, created the Arboretum bluebird trail in 1988 and has monitored it for more than 30 years. Instructor: Sylvia Marek, Arboretum naturalist. Indoor presentation followed by a walk of the trail. Fee: $20, register by May 27. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Tuesday, June 3
Learning Together Family Class: Incredible Insects
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
We will share stories, go on a discovery walk, and create nature crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by May 26. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Tuesday, July 1
Learning Together Family Class: Animal Clues
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
We will share stories, go on a discovery walk, and create nature crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by June 23. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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Tuesday, August 5
Learning Together Family Class: Prairie Pals
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
We will share stories, go on a discovery walk, and create nature crafts. This class is for preschool-age children and their adult caregivers. Adults must attend. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and come seasonally prepared for weather and insects. Fee: $20 per family/group of up to four people. Register by July 28. Meet at the Visitor Center.