Exploring Madison’s Wild Side – 2013

Madison Parks is hosting free monthly tours of Madison Conservation Parks.  The tours are led by a Madison Parks staff member and co-sponsored by the Madison Audubon Society.  Each tour will focus on a different park and unique natural feature of that park.  Madison Parks has 14 conservation parks comprising over 1600 acres.  Each conservation park focuses on the restoration of native plant and animal communities while providing educational areas and opportunities for all.  For more information on Madison’s Wild Side – visit: http://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/parks/conservation/

 

April 17, 6:30pm

Stricker’s Pond, 7214 Longmeadow Rd

Explore this glacial kettle pond which attracts migrating waterfowl and songbirds during spring migration.

May 8, 6:30pm

Cherokee Marsh-Mendota Unit, 4002 Meadow Valley Dr

Enjoy a view of Lake Mendota from a hilltop containing an effigy mound shaped like a bear.  We’ll walk through a northwest slope woodland carpeted with spring ephemeral wildflowers.

June 12, 6:30pm

Prairie Ridge, 2406 Berkley Dr

Early summer wildflowers will be blooming on the native remnant prairies in the park.  We’ll also visit an ongoing oak savanna restoration project.

July 10, 6:30pm

Turville Point, 1156 Olin-Turville Ct

Escape the summer heat while walking through an extensive oak savanna restoration.

August 3, Saturday, 8:00am

Cherokee Marsh, School Rd boat landing, Upper Yahara River Tour

Bring your own canoe or kayak and meet the boat landing.   Enjoy the breath taking beauty of thousands of American Lotus water lily’s in bloom.  Learn about the crucial role these plants play in a decade long effort to protect and restore habitat in the river.

September 11, 6:30pm

Owen Park, 6021 Old Sauk Rd

Learn about current oak savanna restoration efforts while enjoying a walk through the restored prairies in the park.  If we’re lucky we may catch some “flocks” of migrating Monarch butterflies looking for a night time roost.

October 9, 5:30pm

Cherokee Marsh, South Unit, 946 Wheeler Rd

Explore the new trail system created in 2012 as part of a stormwater pond / natural landscape restoration project.