Aldo Leopold Nature Center | Monona Campus

The Stressed and the Sleepless: How Cortisol Creates Everyday Zombies (and how to end the apocalypse) Join Chris Barnett of Hoey Apothecary at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for a workshop exploring the impact of stress on our lives and health. Cortisol, which is part of your body's natural response to stress, is important for your health. Stress is unavoidable but also manageable. This workshop will cover how our stress-response system works in a perfect world, how it works in…

Mighty Mushrooms! Join Krystal Drinkwater of Hoey Apothecary at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for a workshop about mushrooms and their medicinal properties. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for a plethora of purposes. They are packed with important nutrients such as vitamin D, vitamin B6, selenium, potassium, and more. Their immunomodulating properties can help support our immune systems; they offer powerful support to our brain health and cognitive functions; they are a rich source of antioxidants.…

Financial Wellness Basics Join Kristina Kostka of Old National Bank at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for a workshop covering essential financial tips. Struggling to make sense of your budget? Want to save more or tackle debt? After a short presentation, get hands-on with worksheets and take advantage of 1:1 guidance to answer your specific money questions. Walk away with real strategies to boost your financial confidence!   Join Us   A photographer may be onsite to document this event.…

The Ties That Bind Us Join Rock Greendeer at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for a workshop about the traditional uses of native plants and trees by the Ho-Chunk nation. Gather in front of a roaring fireplace, while learning more about the oral traditions and practices of the Ho-Chunk people. We will journey onto the grounds for a hike, originally home to the Ho-Chunk, and learn the traditional uses of trees and other native plants during a historical hike. We…

Cheers! This month, support children’s nature education with a cocktail from three Madison

Spring Birding BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive Saturday, April 26th from 9 to 11am Join BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin to celebrate spring for this 'Learn to Bird' event at Aldo Leopold Nature Center! We love new birders! As always, birders of all skill levels are welcome and there will be child- and adult-sized binoculars available for those who’d like to borrow a pair. Please note, this event is not organized by Aldo…

The City of Madison continues its commitment to support the health and well-being of children, families, and the environment through equitable access to nature. Nature Everywhere Day is a single-day event that invites people to spend time outdoors and enjoy programs that will take place at locations across the Madison area. It is an opportunity for individuals and families to engage with the myriad of green spaces across Madison and to enjoy its abundance of parks, trails and educational programs.…

Celebrate Make Music Day with an afternoon of children’s music! We’re welcoming two groups: Lil' Dawgeez — 1:45 to 2:30 p.m. A father-daughter duo performing all the preschool favorites for kids everywhere. Music Avenue: Family Music Class— 3:00 to 3:45 p.m. Music Avenue is a nonprofit music education organization whose classes focus on infants, toddlers, and young children interacting musically with their caregivers. Participants will experience the joy of artistic movement, a steady beat, singing, and listening. Activities are highly…

Join us for an evening of children’s music with David Landau and dinner from Ugly Apple Food Cart! Summer nights in Dane County are made for live music! Join us for our first-ever food cart and music night as we welcome David Landau, the king of kids’ music. David Landau is dedicated to sparking joy, fostering creativity, and instilling a love of music in children through his entertaining and educational performances. By combining music, humor, and interactive engagement, he aims…

Sometimes the wildest adventures happen within… Join us for a Sunday evening story with Tracy Phillippi! Bring the family for a book reading, nature exploration, and the chance to become a National Park Reading Ranger. Signed copies of the book are available for purchase for $20. Cash & card accepted. The Wild Island: An Adventure at Isle Royale National Park By Tracy Phillippi - Illustrated by Susan Majewski ABOUT THE BOOK: On the first day of school, Simon finds himself…

Due to inclement weather, this event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.   Bond with your family through playful outdoor movement together! Explore movement as a family in this multi-generational natural movement workshop led by Shelby Copeland from Force of Nature Movement. Natural movement includes: balancing, jumping, rolling, rocking, crawling, carrying, climbing and more! During this session we will play movement games, learn movement skills, and explore natural obstacle courses during some free play…

Celebrating Ho-Chunk Heritage: A Fundraiser for Cultural Preservation Be part of a powerful evening honoring the heritage, resilience, and future of the Ho-Chunk Nation. The Indigenous Roots Dinner is more than a meal; it’s a celebration of community, culture, and connection. Your $100 ticket includes: A thoughtfully crafted multi-course dinner spotlighting local and traditional Indigenous ingredients The unveiling of the first statue in Monona’s Four Directions Project — a tribute to Ho-Chunk past, present, and future A sweet final course…