Upcoming Events
Winter Farewell Hike at Kinnickinnic State Park
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Sunday, March 16th. Hike leaves at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Kinnickinnic State Park gravel parking lot on 770th avenue.
Join us on a peaceful 3-mile round trip hike along the Kinnickinnic River as we say farewell to winter and prepare for spring! The red trail offers a wonderful easy-going hike on a narrow trail through both prairie, and forested landscapes with sneak peaks of the Kinnickinnic River down below. Please come dressed for the weather, bring along water and good hiking boots (with ice cleats if we’ve had snow/sleet/rain).
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This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.
"What Do You Spy with Your Eagle Eyes?"
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Saturday, March 22 at 10am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Join local author and photographer Jean Maher and learn what is special about taking photos in nature by using your powers of observation. Slide show/activity followed by a hike to take your own photos. We'll come back and share a few together. Come to this fun event with your child, ages K-5th grade. Please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle along with you. Approx. finish time: 12:00-12:30pm depending on the pace of the group.
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This event costs $5 at the door per family/group (cash only). Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.
Survival Without A Smartphone 101
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Saturday, March 29 at 10am. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center.
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Seats are limited for this program! REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/WillowSurvival
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Smartphones are great. They do a lot for us, no doubt. But they won’t help you if you get lost in the wild. Reception and battery power is not guaranteed, but your ability to survive without it can be. Join us at the Nature Center and learn about compass and map reading, fire-making, shelter building and more in a friendly, relaxed environment! Children ages 10 and up are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian. The program duration time ranges between 2.5-3 hours long and is a combination of lecture and hands-on lessons.
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This event costs $5/person in support of our nonprofit's mission. Vehicle admission into the park is required.
Spring Nature Crafts: Build-A-Bird Feeder
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Saturday, April 5th at 10 am OR Sunday, April 6th at 10am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Seats/supplies are limited. Please register here: https://tinyurl.com/buildafeeder
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Come get crafty with nature and build a bird feeder to bring home to your favorite backyard birds. We will have all the materials and instructions needed to help you assemble your bird feeder before decorating it with a wood burning tool, or natural items. This workshop is open to participants ages 5 and up. We encourage adults who are registering their child to stick around and help them assemble their bird house. We will supply everything needed to assemble the bird feeders, but if you have a phillips screwdriver handy, please bring it along with you!
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This event costs $5/person building a bird feeder and vehicle admission into the park is required.
Mindfulness Hike
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Saturday, April 12 at 9am. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center.
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Join Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher and Volunteer Wisconsin Master Naturalist Kelly Gillespie for a guided mindful hike designed to cultivate mindfulness, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. This immersive experience includes a brief meditation and simple mindfulness practices to help you strengthen your ability to stay present. Along the way, Kelly will share fascinating insights into the powerful mental and physical benefits of spending time in nature.
April’s hike will be from the nature center to the Willow Falls and back, which is approximately four miles in total. Bring a backpack with water and a small blanket, mat, or towel to sit on. Dress appropriately for the weather, and be sure to have footwear suitable for walking on unpaved paths. Ages 10 and up are welcome.
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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
"What Do You Spy with Your Eagle Eyes?"
​
Saturday, April 12 at 10am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
​
Join local author and photographer Jean Maher and learn what is special about taking photos in nature by using your powers of observation. Slide show/activity followed by a hike to take your own photos. We'll come back and share a few together. Come to this fun event with your child, ages K-5th grade. Please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle along with you. Approx. finish time: 12:00-12:30pm depending on the pace of the group.
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This event costs $5 at the door per family/group (cash only). Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.
Wings & Wilderness Walk
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Sunday, April 13 Hike leaves at 9 am sharp. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly birding hike! This short trek will lead us through some of the best local habitats for spotting birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours) and learn to identify a variety of feathered friends by sight and sound. Our guide will share tips on birdwatching and help you discover what makes our local species unique. Dress warmly, bring a water bottle, and get ready to experience the wonders of winter birdlife!
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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.
Animal Matching Egg Hunt!
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Saturday, April 19 anytime from 10am-noon. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.
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Join us at the park for a fun and educational egg hunt where we will see how well you know Wisconsin wildlife! Search for up to 50 hidden eggs containing pictures of baby animals along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail. Snap a picture of the babies you find, then return to home base and match them up correctly with their mothers. Participants will receive a small participation prize. This is a great family activity that will get everyone outdoors and learn how to ID several WI animals.
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This event costs $5/family (cash or card) and vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.
PLEASE NOTE:
Some events are free, others incur a fee in support of our mission.
Vehicle admission into the park is required for all events.
Friends Members get into events for free (except special events), become a member here: https://tinyurl.com/Friendmember
Outdoor events are weather-dependent.