Events & Classes
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GARDEN TOURS
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour: Small Ornamental Trees
Wednesday, May 23 • 7 pm
Ed Lyon, Director of Allen Centennial Gardens, will highlight some of the Arboretum’s interesting, and unusual, ornamental small trees.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: Core Area and Curtis Prairie
Saturday, May 26 • 9 am – 12 pm
Volunteer for restoration activities and learn about prairies and savannas. Tools and training are provided, and groups are welcome with advance notice. Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. Work parties are canceled if it is raining or snowing. Contact Marian Farrior at mlfarrior@wisc.edu or 608.265.5214 to learn more.
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EARTH PARTNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES
Earth partnership for Families, “Springtime planting
Sunday, May 27 • 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Help us plant a native plant garden at the Arboretum. Garden planning, plant identification, planting, and learning to take care of a native plant garden will be taught. We will meet at the Seminole Highway entrance location. In case of bad weather, there will be inside activities at the Visitor Center.
Please park in the Curtis Prairie parking lot, about 3/4 of a mile from the Seminole entrance. At 12:45, a naturalist will lead a hike from the parking lot to the planting site. Please note: there are no restroom facilities at the planting site.
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “West Curtis Prairie and Noe Woods”
Sunday, May 27 • 1 pm – 3 pm
West Curtis prairie is the site of the first prairie restoration conducted by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Noe Woods has been observed since the 1930s to study changes in woodlands.
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GARDEN TOURS
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour: Conifers
Wednesday, May 30 • 7 pm
If you are confused about telling a spruce from a fir, join Dr. Laura Jull on a walk through the Gardens’ spectacular conifer collection. On this tour you will learn about “garden-sized” conifers of many types.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Wingra Oak Savanna.”
Saturday, June 2 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the gravel parking lot along Arbor Drive just off Monroe Street. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Night walk: Twilight Time
Saturday, June 2 • 8 pm – 9:30 pm
Enjoy an evening walk with the naturalist.
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Greene Prairie.”
Sunday, June 3 • 1 pm – 3 pm
Explore Greene Prairie’s mosaic of grasses dotted with color from phlox, blue-eyed grass, yellow star grass and up to 30 other flowering species. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot, located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection. Free
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GARDEN TOURS
Longenecker Horticultural Gardens Tour: Shade Trees
Wednesday, June 6 • 7 pm – 8 pm
Laura Wyatt, WDNR Urban Forestry, will lead the group through the Gardens’ extensive collection of larger trees while discussing strategies for growing healthy trees in urban/suburban conditions
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Core Area and Curtis Prairie.”
Saturday, June 9 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Curtis Prairie.”
Sunday, June 10 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
This exploration of Curtis Prairie and adjacent restorations features the first restored prairie in the world. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Free
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WALKS
Arboretum Family Walk: “Who’s That Buzzing in Your Ear?”
Sunday, June 10 • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Discover the fun and fascinating world of insects on a walk especially for families. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor
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GARDEN TOURS
Native Plant Garden Tour: Woodland, Savanna and Prairie Gardens
Wednesday, June 13 • 7 pm – 8 pm
Celebrate the beginning of summer by visiting our woodland, savanna and prairie gardens. This tour provides an overview of the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Grady Tract.”
Saturday, June 16 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Exploring Wetlands.”
Sunday, June 17 • 1 pm – 3 pm
See how Arboretum wetlands around Curtis Prairie have been affected by urbanization and ecological restoration and learn about the wildlife habitat they provide. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Free
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GARDEN TOURS
Native Plant Garden Tour: What’s Blooming?
Wednesday, June 20 • 7 pm – 8 pm
Find, compare and learn about flowers on native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, and see what’s blooming in our collection of plants native to southern Wisconsin.
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WALKS
Solstice Walk
Wednesday, June 20 • 8 pm – 9:30 pm
Enjoy sunset on the longest day of the year while the naturalist points out items of interest that may not be apparent to the casual observer. Meet at the Arboretum Visitor Center. Free
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Core Area and Curtis Prairie.”
Saturday, June 23 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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SPECIAL EVENT
Book Signing: Frank Court
Saturday, June 23 • 1 pm – 2 pm
Frank Court will speak about and read from his new book, Pioneers of Ecological Restoration: The People and Legacy of the University of Wisconsin’s Arboretum,
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EARTH PARTNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES
Earth Partnership for Families Ants: the life of the prairie soils
Sunday, June 24 • 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
There are thousands of ants in the world. At this program, we’ll learn about a spectacular species that lives right here on our own Curtis Prairie, Formica montana. From 12:30-3:30 p.m. we will have activities in the Visitor Center learning about the life cycle, food, and habitat of these fascinating creatures. From 1:30-2:30 p.m. there will be a naturalist-led hike to the prairie in search of ant mounds.
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WALKS
Walk: “Greene Prairie and the Grady Knolls.”
Sunday, June 24 • 1 pm – 3 pm
Greene Prairie was restored almost single-handedly by Henry Greene beginning in 1941. We will visit this amazing restoration effort and a nearby restored black oak savanna. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot, located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection. Free
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WALKS
Arboretum Night Walk: “Midsummer Delights.”
Saturday, June 30 • 8 pm – 9:30 pm
Enjoy an evening walk featuring midsummer flowers and night music from prairie insects. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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SPECIAL EVENT
Madison Butterfly Count
Sunday, July 1 •
If you can identify butterflies, help spot them, or just want to see and learn about butterflies, join us on this count/field-trip. Bring binoculars, if you have them. The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) requires a $3 fee per participant, collected on site. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot at the corner of Seminole Hwy and the Beltline frontage road.
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Curtis Prairie.”
Sunday, July 1 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
With as many as 14 new species coming into bloom each week, this walk could reveal 28 new species blooming from just two weeks ago. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Wingra Oak Savanna.”
Saturday, July 7 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the gravel parking lot along Arbor Drive just off Monroe Street. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Prairies and Savannas on the Grady Tract.”
Sunday, July 8 • 1 pm – 3 pm
If it is a warm, sunny day, you may see many species of butterflies throughout the prairie and savannas. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot, located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection.
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WALKS
Arboretum Family Walk: “Butterflies Flutter By.”
Sunday, July 8 • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
This naturalist-led family walk explores the prairies and gardens looking for beautiful native butterflies. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Core Area and Curtis Prairie.”
Saturday, July 14 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Curtis Prairie.”
Sunday, July 15 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Celebrate a “Prairie Birthday” while examining and enjoying compass plant, prairie dock and other species that Aldo Leopold featured in his essay of the same name. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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GARDEN TOURS
Native Plant Garden Tour: Native Gardens for Pollinators
Wednesday, July 18 • 7 pm – 8 pm
This tour will feature many summer-blooming species in our diverse native garden. We will highlight plants and gardening practices that support essential pollinators in urban/suburban landscapes.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Grady Tract.”
Saturday, July 21 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: “Grady Tract.”
Sunday, July 22 • 1 pm – 3 pm
Prairie dock is prolific on Greene Prairie. With its bright-yellow blooms and broad, roughened leaves, it dominates the vista. Looking closer brings dozens of other species into view. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Core Area and Curtis Prairie.”
Saturday, July 28 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: Curtis Prairie
Sunday, July 29 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
We will see blazing stars, prairie grasses in bloom and many species from the sunflower family giving the prairie a yellow hue. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: “Wingra Oak Savanna.”
Saturday, August 4 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the gravel parking lot along Arbor Drive just off Monroe Street. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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WALKS
Night Walk – By the Dark of the Moon
Saturday, August 4 • 8 pm – 9:30 pm
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: Wingra Oak Savanna
Sunday, August 5 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Restoration and Monroe Street EnvironsThis restoration of oak savanna has been a cooperation between the Arboretum, the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood and volunteers since 1992. We will visit the restoration and also see the Wheeler Council Ring, designed by Jens Jensen and two of the springs that made this area a living site for native Americans for at least the last 4,000 years. Meet at the parking lot at the corner of Monroe Street and Arbor Drive.
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GARDEN TOURS
Native Plant Garden Tour: Native Grasses
Wednesday, August 8 • 7 pm – 8 pm
In late summer, we will take a closer look at color, size and features of native grasses, from tiny mustache grass to big bluestem
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party:Core Area and Curtis Prairie
Saturday, August 11 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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GARDEN TOURS
Arboretum Walk: Grady Tract
Sunday, August 12 • 1 pm – 3 pm
With lavender liatris and yellow coneflowers, the prairies are alive with color that attracts viceroy, monarch and other butterflies. Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection.
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WALKS
Arboretum Family Walk: Pond Life
Sunday, August 12 • 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: Grady Tract
Saturday, August 18 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the Grady Tract parking lot. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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GARDEN TOURS
Arboretum Walk: Sample of Dane County in 1834.
Sunday, August 19 • 1 pm – 2:30 pm
Restored prairie, savanna and wetlands near the Visitor Center provide an example of what Dane County looked like in the 1830s. Restoration was an unknown adventure when started here in 1934. Many different trials have resulted in what is here today. Meet at the Visitor Center.
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VOLUNTEER WORKDAYS
Arboretum Ecological Restoration Work Party: Core Area and Curtis Prairie.
Saturday, August 25 • 9 am – 12 pm
Meet at the front steps of the Visitor Center. For more information: 265-5214 or mlfarrior@wisc.edu
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EARTH PARTNERSHIP FOR FAMILIES
Earth Partnership for Families: Bumble bees
Sunday, August 26 • 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Learn about the lifecycle and identification features our native bumble bees and the important role they play in the pollination of plants. There will be activities from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Arboretum Visitors Center. The naturalist-led hike will be a bee spotting hike as we see how many different species we can find. Don’t worry; the bees are so busy eating they won’t even know we are observing them.
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WALKS
Arboretum Walk: Prairies and Savannas on the Grady Tract.
Wednesday, September 26 • 1 pm – 3 pm
Now is a good time to see the contrast between the sandy, dry West Knoll and wet-mesic Greene Prairie. Meet in the Grady Tract parking lot located at the southeast corner of the Beltline and Seminole Highway intersection.