Welcome

Our facility will be closed from Monday, Dec 23rd to Wednesday, Dec 25th for the winter break.
Our building will reopen to the public at 9am on Thursday, Dec 26th.

As always, our grounds and trails featuring self-guided tours are free and open daily from dawn until dusk.

Our facility is open on weekdays from 9am to 4pm and on weekends from 10am to 2pm.

As always, our grounds and trails featuring self-guided tours are free and open daily from dawn until dusk.

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Still looking for a useful holiday gift for your l

Still looking for a useful holiday gift for your littles?
Check out our new Wonder Bugs drawstring bags that celebrate this popular caregiver-child program.
If you love exploring the outdoors, especially with anyone under 10, you probably already know that it’s best to come prepared and a lightweight bag can help you do just that… It’s big enough to pack your water bottles, snacks, and seasonal gear.
Let's also not forget nature finds that your family “might” want you to tote back home… You know, for that craft project or the latest collection!
Stop at the front desk to purchase your Wonder Bugs bag for only $15 and give the joy of nature adventure this holiday season.
#WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside #WonderBugsBag

To many people, mistletoe is synonymous with the j

To many people, mistletoe is synonymous with the joy of the holiday season. To trees, mistletoe can be a nightmare.
Mistletoes are a large, parasitic group of plants that grow on the above ground parts of trees and shrubs. They have specialized roots, able to penetrate the woody branches of their host plant, which they use to steal water and nutrients. One or two mistletoes won’t do too much damage to a tree, potentially causing the loss of the branch it's growing on. Many infections, however, can cause the death of a tree whether that be directly or indirectly. Mistletoes are an invitation to other parasites (such as insects) to attack the already weakened tree.
There are 1,300 different species of mistletoe and they are native to every continent, except Antarctica, and the different species will attach themselves to different host plants. For example, some species will only grow on deciduous trees, while others will only grow on conifers. There are even species that will only grow on cacti.
Mistletoe got its name from the Angelo-Saxon words for dung (mistle) and twig (tan). This is because of the ancient belief that mistletoe was propagated from bird poop. This is because mistletoe would often appear on a branch or twig that was covered in bird poop. There is some truth to this myth and, in the 16th century, it was discovered that mistletoe was spread by birds after they ate the plant’s berries. The seeds from the berries travel through the bird's digestive system and come out with its poop. If the seed landed on the correct plant, the seed would grow and attach itself to a new host, continuing the cycle over again.
Next time you hear of someone kissing under the mistletoe, you’ll know that they are in fact kissing under the ‘poop-twig’.
What signs of winter do you see? Visit us for a hike or take a walk around your neighborhood looking for cyclical events influenced by seasonal changes.
#PhenologyFriday #Mistletoes #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside

Big thanks to all of our partners who helped make

Big thanks to all of our partners who helped make 2024 an incredible year!
We’d like to shout out our corporate and media partners for all of their support, making it possible for us to fulfill our mission to nurture children, their well-being, and environmental sustainability through connecting and learning in nature.
Our seasonal public events as well as our programs would not be possible without the commitment of these organizations. Annually, we reach thousands of families, providing children throughout our diverse community with early exposure to the health and wellness benefits associated with nature-based educational opportunities.
Best wishes for a happy holiday season to our corporate partners including Discover Monona, Evjue Foundation, Madison Gas and Electric, Starion Bank, Summit Credit Union, Swita Metal Roofing, IFF, Janus Galleries, Alliant Energy Foundation, Godfrey & Kahn, Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company, Steve Stricker, Wild Birds Unlimited, WPS, Enbridge, Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Images Plus, Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison, Madison West Kiwanis, Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, and Vintage Brewing Company.
Thank you to our media partners as well including Madison Media Partners, WKOW 27, Wisconsin Public Radio, and WVMO for helping us share our mission with the world!
As we look ahead to 2025, we hope we can continue to positively impact our community together, while cultivating mutually-beneficial partnerships.
#ThankfulThursday #Partnership #WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside @discover_monona @captimesmadison @mgemadison @starionbank @summitcreditunion @switametalroofingllc @iffinc @janusgalleries @alliant_energy @greatdanepub @amfam @wildbirdsunlimited @wpshealthsolutions @enbridge @bassproshops @staffordrosenbaum @vintagebrewingco @madison_media_partners @wkow27 @wisconsinpublicradio @98.7wvmo

Aldo Leopold Nature Center

12 hours ago

Still looking for a useful holiday gift for your littles? Check out our new Wonder Bugs drawstring bags that celebrate this popular caregiver-child program.If you love exploring the outdoors, especially with anyone under 10, you probably already know that it’s best to come prepared and a lightweight bag can help you do just that… It’s big enough to pack your water bottles, snacks, and seasonal gear. Let's also not forget nature finds that your family “might” want you to tote back home… You know, for that craft project or the latest collection!Stop at the front desk to purchase your Wonder Bugs bag for only $15 and give the joy of nature adventure this holiday season.#WIEnviroEd #NatureIsEverywhere #NatureIsForEveryone #EveryBodyOutside #WonderBugsBag ...

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Contact Us

330 Femrite Drive
Monona, WI 53716

Phone: (608) 221-0404
Fax: (608) 709-1611

alnc@aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org

Building Hours

Monday through Friday: 9am to 4pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 2pm

Hiking Trails

Open daily from dawn until dusk!

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center

About Us
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Your Event
Get Involved
Contact Us