Bird & Nature Adventures

Discover nature by foot, paddle or pedal or pontoon in a Bird & Nature Adventure!
Bird & Nature Adventures are 90-minute, easy-paced, walking tours and periodically offered as a pedal -- biking adventure or a paddle. Most meeting locations and times are the same each month, but can occasionally change, as does the topics each month. Be sure to check the individual calendar event under “Upcoming Events” to confirm the meeting location and other details.
Day of the Month | Time | Location (Click link for additional park information.) |
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1st Saturday | 2:30 - 4pm | Tenney Park Beach 1330 Sherman Ave. Exact meeting location may vary. See event listing. |
1st Sunday | 1:30 - 3pm | Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North 6098 N. Sherman Ave. Meet at the end of the gravel road, near the restroom building. |
2nd Saturday | 2:30 - 4pm | Owen Conservation Park 6021 Old Sauk Rd. |
2nd Sunday | 1:30 - 3pm | Turville Point Conservation Park 1202 Olin-Turville Ct. Meet at the Turville Point parking lot, entrance at E. Olin Ave. stoplight. |
3rd Saturday | 10 - 11:30am | Starkweather Creek Area Meeting location varies; see event listing. |
3rd Sunday | 1:30 - 3pm | Warner Park 2930 N. Sherman Ave. |
4th Saturday | 10 - 11:30am | Edna Taylor Conservation Park Meet at Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Dr. |
Bird & Nature Adventures happen year-round, in rain, snow or shine. Events are always family-friendly and free to attend. No registration is required. Participants are asked to dress appropriately for the weather and the outing. Binoculars and cameras are welcome. Pets are not allowed.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Paul Noeldner (608) 698-0104. See Madison Friends of Urban Nature for additional locations, including Pheasant Branch Conservancy and UW Lakeshore Preserve, adventure topics and educational tools.
Upcoming Events
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Saturday, June 3, 2023
2:30pm to 4:00pmBird & Nature Adventures | Tenney Park
Good Native Plants with Susan Scott ~ Nature-expert guided walks in Tenney Park along Lake Mendota and the Yahara River Parkway bike path through the Madison Isthmus are free, family-friendly and held the first Saturday of each month, from 2:30-4pm. The walk begins at the Tenney Beach parking lot, 1330 Sherman Avenue. No registration is required. No pets are allowed. Co-sponsored by Madison … Read more
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Sunday, June 4, 2023
1:30pm to 3:00pmBird & Nature Adventures | Cherokee Marsh, North
Wildflower Wander ~ Cherokee Marsh is Madison’s largest conservation park with three units - North, South, and Mendota. Each month, year-round we explore the north unit's beautiful trails through the woodlands, wetlands, and restored prairies along the Yahara ‘Catfish’ River. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Friends of Cherokee Marsh, Sierra Club and Madison Audubon Society. Follow North Sherman … Read more
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Saturday, June 10, 2023
2:30pm to 4:00pmBird & Nature Adventures | Owen
Walk in the Woods ~ Explore Owen Conservation Park on gentle trails through historic oak openings on a hillside with an Ice Age kettle and along restored prairies with beautiful vistas on this high point overlooking the west side of Madison. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society, and the Friends of Owen Conservation Park. Free, family-friendly guided nature walks at Owen … Read more
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Sunday, June 11, 2023
1:30pm to 3:00pmBird & Nature Adventures | Turville Point
Explore Turville Trails with Melissa Kesling ~ Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point Conservation Park woodlands and prairie with beautiful vistas of Lake Monona and Monona Bay. Walks at Turville Point held on the 2nd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners, Madison Parks, Friends of Olin Turville, and Madison Audubon Society. Meeting Location: … Read more
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Saturday, June 17, 2023
10:00am to 11:30amBird & Nature Adventures | Starkweather Creek Area
Edible Plants ~ Outings in the Starkweather Creek area vary each month - be sure to check the starting location. Adventures typically at 10:00am on the 3rd Saturday of the month, year-round, and frequently start at the Goodman Community Center, unless noted otherwise. Outings include nature walks, canoe/kayak adventures, bicycling tours, and more, and are sponsored by the Madison Friends of … Read more
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Sunday, June 18, 2023
1:30pm to 3:00pmBird & Nature Adventures | Warner Park
Be a Steward ~ Enjoy an informal family and kid-friendly nature walk around the scenic Warner Pond lagoon and across Castle Creek to discover the wetlands, woods, and prairie in the Wild Side of Warner Park and the birds and other creatures that call it home! Walks at Warner Park held on the 3rd Sunday every month are co-sponsored by Madison Bird City FUN partners Wild Warner and Madison … Read more
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Saturday, June 24, 2023
10:00am to 11:30amBird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor
Baby Bird Bonanza ~ Join a naturalist for an easy family-friendly walk from Aldo Leopold Nature Center into beautiful Edna Taylor Conservation Park and enjoy a bit of nature education along the way. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the 4th Saturday, 10-11:30am of each month and begin at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive. Meet outside at the Children's … Read more
Events
- Arts & Crafts Fairs
- Bird & Nature Adventures
- Carts in Parks
- Conservation Park Events
- Dances
- Earth Day Challenge
- Groove & Glide
- Hayrides
- Learning Series
- Sina Davis Movies in the Park
- National Park & Recreation Month
- Parks Alive
- Pickleball Lessons
- Ride the Drive
- Trucks & Treasures
- Warner Family Fun Nights
- Winter Fun