Conservation Park Events

Conservation staff and volunteers host a number of events, workshops and projects throughout the year, including guided nature walks April through October.

Upcoming Dates

• Saturday, June 22, 2019
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Outing - Edna Taylor area, June 22

  International Crane Foundation Crane Walk with Hannah Jones ~ Join International Crane Foundation staff on a nature hike as we explore the importance of crane conservation through a wetland walk.  What does our world look like from the viewpoint of a Sandhill Crane?  If  we’re lucky, we may even see a pair of cranes! Attend this walk and see what cranes are all about! Walks through the Edna … Read more

• Sunday, July 7, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Cherokee Marsh, July 7

  Let's Look for Frogs with Nelson Eisman ~ Cherokee Marsh is Madison’s largest conservation park. Explore beautiful trails through the woodlands, wetlands and restored prairies along the Yahara ‘Catfish’ River. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Friends of Cherokee Marsh and Madison Audubon Society. Follow North Sherman Ave. to the parking lot at the end of the gravel entrance road. Free, … Read more

• Wednesday, July 10, 2019
  6:30pm to 8:00pm

  Conservation Park Tour - Edna Taylor

  Tucked in the southeast corner of Madison, this hidden gem is part of an important urban natural area. A glacial drumlin rising above a broad ribbon of marsh forms the backbone of this southeast Madison Park.  On-going projects are oak savanna and wetland restorations.  Nearby Glendale School and Aldo Leopold Nature Center use the park extensively for environmental education.  Conservation Park … Read more

• Saturday, July 13, 2019
  2:30pm to 4:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Owen Conservation, July 13

  Plants of the Prairie with Jeff Steele ~  Explore Owen Conservation Parks 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 Owen Conservation Park supporters. Free, family-friendly guided nature … Read more

• Sunday, July 14, 2019
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Outing - Turville Point, July 14

  Take a relaxing family and kid-friendly walk with her to let go of our daily hectic lives and constant connection to technology. Enjoy the healing power of nature and life around you along beautiful winding paths through the Oak openings, restored prairie areas and scenic Lake Monona shoreline at Turville Point Conservation Park.  Follow rolling hiking paths through the Turville Point woodlands … Read more

• Saturday, July 27, 2019
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Outing - Edna Taylor area, July 27

  Crane Talks with Hannah Jones, International Crane Foundation ~  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. Co-sponsored by Madison Parks, Madison Audubon Society, and Aldo Leopold Nature Center. Walks through the Edna Taylor Conservation Park are held on the … Read more

• Wednesday, August 14, 2019
  6:30pm to 8:00pm

  Conservation Park Tour - Cherokee Marsh North

  Our largest and perhaps most famous conservation park protects a variety of natural communities, ranging from upland forest to wet prairie, to riverine marsh.  Come and walk through a cross-section of all this park has to offer. Strategically located at the head of Madison's lakes, Cherokee Marsh acts as a living sponge.  It filters upland runoff, using excess fertilizer to grow marsh plants, … Read more

• Wednesday, September 11, 2019
  6:30pm to 8:00pm

  Conservation Park Tour - Knollwood

  Adjacent to the Grady Tract of the UW Madison Arboretum, recent efforts have begun to restore the oak woodland on this ancient sandy hill. Come see the vision for this park.   Black oaks are the dominant trees on this sandy knoll.  A diverse 2-acre sand prairie lies below.  It forms part of the connecting link between Aldo Leopold School and the Nine Springs E-Way.  Conservation Park Tours are … Read more

• Wednesday, October 9, 2019
  5:30pm to 7:00pm

  Conservation Park Tour - Owen

  Owen has been a focus of intensive ecological restoration for Madison Parks. Come and learn about our efforts and the ecology of the tallgrass prairie and oak woodland habitats that occur here. On a hilltop overlooking Madison's west side, this park was the farm and personal retreat of former University Professor Edward T. Owen.  Today, prairies and oak savannas have risen like a phoenix to … Read more