January 2015
Snowballs (W)
One, two, three- make some snowballs for me! We will read the story by Lois Ehlert and make our own creations indoors and out.
Find out more »Snowballs (F)
One, two, three- make some snowballs for me! We will read the story by Lois Ehlert and make our own creations indoors and out.
Find out more »February 2015
Mice on Ice (T)
For birds of prey this is a delicacy in the winter! Explore the predatory world of raptors in winter.
Find out more »Glaciers: Part 1- Shaping Wisconsin’s Past
Learn about the glaciers that formed the landscape of Wisconsin and what formations they made along the way. We’ll hike up a drumlin, learn about kettles, kames, eskers and moraines!
Find out more »Yoga For Good – Evening Yoga Class at ALNC – CANCELLED
Join us for an 8-week gentle yoga class at the beautiful Aldo Leopold Nature Center!
Find out more »Mice on Ice (W)
For birds of prey this is a delicacy in the winter! Explore the predatory world of raptors in winter.
Find out more »Extended Day Add-On: 6 More Weeks!
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »6 More Weeks!
From woolly bear caterpillars to groundhogs, animals have been used for a long time as predictors of the weather. We will learn about some of these animals and what they predict, along with some of their unique adaptations.
Find out more »Mice on Ice (F)
For birds of prey this is a delicacy in the winter! Explore the predatory world of raptors in winter.
Find out more »Under the Starry Skies
In the dark days of winter, there is much to be seen and heard! Join us for an evening under the starry skies at our remote Black Earth Campus.
Find out more »Snowshoeing: Girl Scouts all ages (AM Session)
It’s snowing! Winter is full of so many opportunities to play in the snow, from snow angels to snowmen and snow forts; winter provides us with great activities outside! Join us for an activity that allows us to experience all of winter’s beauty: snowshoeing.
Find out more »Snowshoeing: Girl Scouts all ages (PM Session)
It’s snowing! Winter is full of so many opportunities to play in the snow, from snow angels to snowmen and snow forts; winter provides us with great activities outside! Join us for an activity that allows us to experience all of winter’s beauty: snowshoeing.
Find out more »Moon Rope (T)
Another adventure retold by Lois Ehlert awaits you today. Get ready to dig the games and join mole and fox on an out-of-this-world adventure!
Find out more »Glaciers: Part 2- Present and Future
The frozen fun continues for another week! After learning about glaciers of the past, we’ll spend this week learning about glaciers today and how they are changing!
Find out more »Yoga For Good – Evening Yoga Class at ALNC
Join us for an 8-week gentle yoga class at the beautiful Aldo Leopold Nature Center!
Find out more »Moon Rope (W)
Another adventure retold by Lois Ehlert awaits you today. Get ready to dig the games and join mole and fox on an out-of-this-world adventure!
Find out more »Moon Rope (F)
Another adventure retold by Lois Ehlert awaits you today. Get ready to dig the games and join mole and fox on an out-of-this-world adventure!
Find out more »Me and My Shadow (T)
Wood you believe that the groundhog is chuck full of surprises? Wood you come down for songs, crafts, and a chuck-load of fun?
Find out more »Standing Tall
In the middle of winter, it must be hard to be a tree. Covered in snow, blown by strong winter winds and withstanding cold temperatures. We’ll learn how trees survive in winter, what dangers trees face in winter and how to identify leafless trees.
Find out more »Yoga For Good – Evening Yoga Class at ALNC
Join us for an 8-week gentle yoga class at the beautiful Aldo Leopold Nature Center!
Find out more »Me and My Shadow (W)
Wood you believe that the groundhog is chuck full of surprises? Wood you come down for songs, crafts, and a chuck-load of fun?
Find out more »Me and My Shadow (F)
Wood you believe that the groundhog is chuck full of surprises? Wood you come down for songs, crafts, and a chuck-load of fun?
Find out more »Family Ice Fishing Fun
We’re layering up and heading onto the ice! Join us as we drill holes, thread sinkers, drop lines, and wait… for that one perfect bite!
Find out more »Magnified: Junior Girl Scouts (AM Session)
Nature provides us with so many opportunities to look at objects closely. Insects and feathers, bones and leaves all are great objects to examine closely. We will learn how to carefully observe items in nature and will even collect a few to look at closely with magnifiers and microscopes.
Find out more »Magnified: Junior Girl Scouts (PM Session)
Nature provides us with so many opportunities to look at objects closely. Insects and feathers, bones and leaves all are great objects to examine closely. We will learn how to carefully observe items in nature and will even collect a few to look at closely with magnifiers and microscopes.
Find out more »Those Prickly Pines (T)
What is as tall as a house and green all year round? Why pine trees of course!
Find out more »The Eyes Have It!
How do our eyes work? See a model eye up close and experience how animals see the world with specialized glasses. Discover how eye placement influences hunting for predators and hiding for prey.
Find out more »Yoga For Good – Evening Yoga Class at ALNC
Join us for an 8-week gentle yoga class at the beautiful Aldo Leopold Nature Center!
Find out more »Those Prickly Pines (W)
What is as tall as a house and green all year round? Why pine trees of course!
Find out more »Those Prickly Pines (F)
What is as tall as a house and green all year round? Why pine trees of course!
Find out more »March 2015
Spring Wonder Bugs Tuesday Package
Save with our Winter Package Option! This package includes all of the Tuesday sessions March 3rd through June 3rd (11 sessions). Each class is held from 9:30-10:45am.
Find out more »Dark-Eyed Snowbirds (T)
There is a bird who likes to fly to Wisconsin for the winter. J-U-N-C-O, and Junco is their name-o. Let’s enjoy and learn about these backyard birdies before they fly north for warmer weather!
Find out more »Start to Finish
Did you know people once used the stars for navigation? Today, technology has advanced and we can use GPS units to find our way from one place to another. In
this class, we will learn how to read a map (youngest children), use a compass (older students) and how to use a GPS unit (oldest students).
Spring Wonder Bugs Wednesday Package
Save with our Winter Package Option! This package includes all of the Wednesday sessions March 3rd through June 3rd (11 sessions). Each class is held from 9:30-10:45am.
Find out more »Dark-Eyed Snowbirds (W)
There is a bird who likes to fly to Wisconsin for the winter. J-U-N-C-O, and Junco is their name-o. Let’s enjoy and learn about these backyard birdies before they fly north for warmer weather!
Find out more »Dark-Eyed Snowbirds (F)
There is a bird who likes to fly to Wisconsin for the winter. J-U-N-C-O, and Junco is their name-o. Let’s enjoy and learn about these backyard birdies before they fly north for warmer weather!
Find out more »March: Spring into Phenology – Buds, Blossoms, and Birds
Spring into Phenology -- Buds, Blossoms, and Birds As winter slowly thaws into spring, there are new nature discoveries emerging every day! This month, you and your family can join us as we gear up for springtime phenology – through observing and recording natural events like melting ice, new hatchings, blossoms, and migrations. Listen for bird calls, identify local plant and animal species, discover when tree sap starts to flow, and learn about habitats, seasons, and climate through outdoor hikes, phenology…
Find out more »March: Spring into Phenology – Buds, Blossoms, and Birds
Spring into Phenology -- Buds, Blossoms, and Birds As winter slowly thaws into spring, there are new nature discoveries emerging every day! This month, you and your family can join us as we gear up for springtime phenology – through observing and recording natural events like melting ice, new hatchings, blossoms, and migrations. Listen for bird calls, identify local plant and animal species, discover when tree sap starts to flow, and learn about habitats, seasons, and climate through outdoor hikes, phenology…
Find out more »Birdbath Award: Daisy Girl Scout (PM Session)
Have you ever had a bird nest in a tree in your backyard or under your deck? We will learn all about birds and how to protect birds and other animals as we earn the Birdbath Award.
Find out more »Racoon Platoon (T)
Ring your friends and head on over. You won’t be able to mask your enjoyment of the bushy-tailed bandit antics. Games, songs, and hiking will wash you over with excitement!
Find out more »Rock Cycle
Join us for a Rock Cycle Ruckus! We’ll learn about rocks and minerals, how rocks are formed and the difference between igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks.
Find out more »Public Lecture – No Going Back: Ethics and Institutions for the Anthropocene
Join the Aldo Leopold Nature Center for a free public lecture by Paul Robbins, Professor and Director, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, in which he explores the ethics and institutions of our current planetary era. The world has entered a new condition, which many call the "Anthropocene," a period of transformed Earth from which there is likely no return. While this condition is marked by serious and frightening challenges, including climate change, mass extinction, and resource scarcity,…
Find out more »Racoon Platoon (W)
Ring your friends and head on over. You won’t be able to mask your enjoyment of the bushy-tailed bandit antics. Games, songs, and hiking will wash you over with excitement!
Find out more »Racoon Platoon (F)
Ring your friends and head on over. You won’t be able to mask your enjoyment of the bushy-tailed bandit antics. Games, songs, and hiking will wash you over with excitement!
Find out more »Geocaching: Junior Girl Scouts (AM Session)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a treasure hunt? We will use technology to find hidden treasures known as “geocaches.”
Find out more »Geocaching: Junior Girl Scouts (PM Session)
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a treasure hunt? We will use technology to find hidden treasures known as “geocaches.”
Find out more »Whatever the Weather (T)
We’ll weather the weather, whether we like it or not. Spring can be hot or cold so who knows what will be blooming or roaming or “popping up”.
Find out more »Maple Syruping
Learn how to make sweet maple syrup by tapping maple trees in the “sugar bush!” Taste maple sap before and after boiling, and learn how different cultures used this sweet resource.
Find out more »Whatever the Weather (W)
We’ll weather the weather, whether we like it or not. Spring can be hot or cold so who knows what will be blooming or roaming or “popping up”.
Find out more »Bioneers Film Screening: Blue Mind
Join the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and Sustain Dane on Wednesday, March 18, 6-8 PM for a free video keynote from Wallace "J" Nichols, esteemed marine biologist, on the healing impacts of water and its importance in our lives. The video, “Blue Mind,” is an encore screening from the Bioneers Conference, held annually in San Rafael, CA. This event is part of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's ongoing public lecture series and is one of four encore screenings hosted by Sustain Dane in partnership with local…
Find out more »Whatever the Weather (F)
We’ll weather the weather, whether we like it or not. Spring can be hot or cold so who knows what will be blooming or roaming or “popping up”.
Find out more »Sweet Tree-ts: Cadette Girl Scouts (AM Session)
As the temperatures are warming during Spring, trees are starting to show off their new leaves. This is a great time of year to discover something else that is happening with maple trees – the sap is flowing!
Find out more »Sweet Tree-ts: Cadette Girl Scouts (PM Session)
As the temperatures are warming during Spring, trees are starting to show off their new leaves. This is a great time of year to discover something else that is happening with maple trees – the sap is flowing!
Find out more »World Wide Web (T)
We’re not talking about the internet! Discover the kings of the food chain mountain while playing games and exploring outside. Your eyes will be wide open!
Find out more »From the Ashes
Fire is a great management tool for prairies and other habitats. In addition to helping prevent the spread of invasive species, controlled burns also help to improve habitat for wildlife and stimulate the growth of new plants.
Find out more »World Wide Web (W)
We’re not talking about the internet! Discover the kings of the food chain mountain while playing games and exploring outside. Your eyes will be wide open!
Find out more »World Wide Web (F)
We’re not talking about the internet! Discover the kings of the food chain mountain while playing games and exploring outside. Your eyes will be wide open!
Find out more »March: Spring into Phenology – Buds, Blossoms, and Birds
Spring into Phenology -- Buds, Blossoms, and Birds As winter slowly thaws into spring, there are new nature discoveries emerging every day! This month, you and your family can join us as we gear up for springtime phenology – through observing and recording natural events like melting ice, new hatchings, blossoms, and migrations. Listen for bird calls, identify local plant and animal species, discover when tree sap starts to flow, and learn about habitats, seasons, and climate through outdoor hikes, phenology…
Find out more »Extended Day Add-On: Small Stewards
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm on Monday, March 30th, 2015. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »Full Week Package- Spring Break Vacation Days
Sign up for all five Spring Break Vacation Days and save! The package includes Monday-Friday 9am-4pm each day.
Find out more »Small Stewards
We’ll play while we work and work while we play as we spend our day helping our land stewards, nature and learning about Aldo Leopold’s “land ethic”!
Find out more »Extended Day Add-On: Which Came First?
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm on Tuesday, March 31st, 2015. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »Which Came First?
The chicken or the egg? We won’t find the answer to this age-old question, but we will learn all about eggs and animals that lay them.
Find out more »Take Flight at Night (T)
Bring your night vision goggles and join us for a dark tale of the critters that move around at night. Don’t be caught sleeping through all the games and fun. Spread your wings and fly on over!
Find out more »Great EGGspectations
Legend has it that every spring a rabbit would visit children’s homes during the night and leave a woven nest with an egg in it as a sign that spring had arrived. Join us to hear this wonderful story and adorn your own spring basket just as the animals do by using materials from the land.
Find out more »April 2015
Extended Day Add-On: Pioneer Days
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm on Wednesday, April 1st, 2015. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »Pioneer Days
Turn off the TV and join us for some old-fashioned fun! We’ll spend the day playing pioneer games, writing & mailing a letter the old fashioned way, trade and barter in the pioneer general store, and much, much more.
Find out more »Take Flight at Night (W)
Bring your night vision goggles and join us for a dark tale of the critters that move around at night. Don’t be caught sleeping through all the games and fun. Spread your wings and fly on over!
Find out more »Extended Day Add-On: Astronomy From the Ground Up
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm on Thursday, April 2nd, 2015. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »Astronomy From the Ground Up
Space is an exciting place and we’ll spend our day launching into all sorts of astronomical knowledge through games and out-of-this-world experiments.
Find out more »Extended Day Add-On: Slime & Scales
This extended day session runs before programming from 8:30-9:00am and after programming from 4:00-5:30pm on Friday, April 3rd, 2015. You can drop off and pick up at any point within these time periods. Do you only need the morning or only the afternoon? Call 221-0404×0 to register for a pro-rated version.
Find out more »Slime & Scales
Become a herpetologist for the day and search for frogs, toads, snakes and salamanders in this “ribbiting” investigation!
Find out more »Take Flight at Night (F)
Bring your night vision goggles and join us for a dark tale of the critters that move around at night. Don’t be caught sleeping through all the games and fun. Spread your wings and fly on over!
Find out more »Blue Jays- Hooray! (T)
Make way for games and don’t delay. Say ki-ki-ki and come and play. We’ll provide the crafts, activities and singing too. The crest is up to you!
Find out more »Beaver Ecology
Beavers are fascinating creatures! Join us to learn the history of beavers from the fur trade to today. We’ll learn all about beavers and their behavior—from kits to castor, it’ll be an afternoon you “wood”n’t want to miss!
Find out more »Blue Jays- Hooray! (W)
Make way for games and don’t delay. Say ki-ki-ki and come and play. We’ll provide the crafts, activities and singing too. The crest is up to you!
Find out more »Blue Jays- Hooray! (F)
Make way for games and don’t delay. Say ki-ki-ki and come and play. We’ll provide the crafts, activities and singing too. The crest is up to you!
Find out more »Sprouting Grass. . . (T)
…Hidden ginger. Come scavenge for signs of spring that are sure to be pushing up all over! Explore new games and songs. You’ll burst with bliss!
Find out more »Edna Taylor Discovery Day
Adjacent to the Nature Center is the City of Madison’s Edna Taylor Conservation Park. Rich with wetland habitats, Edna Taylor is a wonderful place to observe the spring migrations of birds, including Mallard ducks, Blue-winged teals, and Sandhill cranes!
Find out more »Sprouting Grass. . . (W)
…Hidden ginger. Come scavenge for signs of spring that are sure to be pushing up all over! Explore new games and songs. You’ll burst with bliss!
Find out more »Sprouting Grass. . . (F)
…Hidden ginger. Come scavenge for signs of spring that are sure to be pushing up all over! Explore new games and songs. You’ll burst with bliss!
Find out more »Fantastic Flowers- AM Session (Junior Girl Scouts)
Spring is a great time to see new flowers emerging from the ground. Join us as we venture into the world of flowers, full of beautiful colors and aromatic smells.
Find out more »Fantastic Flowers- PM Session (Junior Girl Scouts)
Spring is a great time to see new flowers emerging from the ground. Join us as we venture into the world of flowers, full of beautiful colors and aromatic smells.
Find out more »Land Ho! (T)
Oceans may be far from land-locked Wisconsin, but the wonders are ever so close. Splash into a fascinating, briny world. You’ll sea and learn amazing things!
Find out more »ExTREEme Celebration
In honor of Arbor Day (April 24) and Earth Day (April 22), we’ll celebrate how trees help people, animals and our environment.
Find out more »Land Ho! (W)
Oceans may be far from land-locked Wisconsin, but the wonders are ever so close. Splash into a fascinating, briny world. You’ll sea and learn amazing things!
Find out more »Land Ho! (F)
CANCELED!-- Oceans may be far from land-locked Wisconsin, but the wonders are ever so close. Splash into a fascinating, briny world. You’ll sea and learn amazing things!
Find out more »Step Back in Time AM Session (Junior Girl Scouts)
Can you imagine what it would be like to be a pioneer? There are many chores that need to be done as a pioneer, such as churning butter, grinding grain, washing the laundry and hauling water.
Find out more »Step Back in Time PM Session (Junior Girl Scouts)
Can you imagine what it would be like to be a pioneer? There are many chores that need to be done as a pioneer, such as churning butter, grinding grain, washing the laundry and hauling water.
Find out more »Caw, Caw, Caw-Choo! (T)
Oceans may be far from land-locked Wisconsin, but the wonders are ever so close. Splash into a fascinating, briny world. You’ll sea and learn amazing things!
Find out more »Using All the Senses
Spring is a time to use all our senses! See beautiful spring wildflowers, smell much from the pond and sniff garlic mustard as we pull, hear migrating birds and frog choruses, feel the different textures of nature and explore all things spring with our senses!
Find out more »Caw, Caw, Caw-Choo! (W)
Oceans may be far from land-locked Wisconsin, but the wonders are ever so close. Splash into a fascinating, briny world. You’ll sea and learn amazing things!
Find out more »Bicycling for the Earth and Your Health
Bicycle parking is available at ALNC, a Bicycle Benefits program member! Celebrate Monona's Year of the Bike and Green Living month at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center with the next in our public lecture series on nature, climate, energy, and sustainability! Join special guest Maggie Grabow (PhD, MPH) from the University of Wisconsin’s Global Health Institute to learn about the environmental and human health benefits of bicycling. There are numerous reasons to ride your bicycle: it's fun, convenient, cheaper, and better for the…
Find out more »May 2015
Flying Wild Workshop
Flying Wild, the newest program of the Council for Environmental Education, introduces students in the upper elementary and middle school grades to bird conservation. This occurs through a standards-based classroom activity guide and through environmental stewardship projects. Flying WILD encourages schools and nature centers to work closely with conservation organizations, community groups, and businesses involved with birds to implement school bird festivals,
Find out more »Smella the Mustela (T)
Minks and pine martens and fishers, oh my. This family of critters will catch you by surprise. So many games, crafts and fun you might think you “stole” something.
Find out more »The Fungus Among Us
From puffballs to morels, fungus is all around us! We’ll learn some common types of fungus, some that are edible and some to avoid, dissect a mushroom, learn how to make spore print and much, much more!
Find out more »Smella the Mustela (W)
Minks and pine martens and fishers, oh my. This family of critters will catch you by surprise. So many games, crafts and fun you might think you “stole” something.
Find out more »Natural Painting AM Session (Brownie Girl Scouts)
There are so many colors and images that nature provides. We will use our natural world to make some beautiful paintings.
Find out more »Natural Painting PM Session (Brownie Girl Scouts)
There are so many colors and images that nature provides. We will use our natural world to make some beautiful paintings.
Find out more »Lizard Wizard (T)
Chameleons are lizards that can change color; it’s almost like magic! A palette of games and activities will amaze you.
Find out more »
