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, May 28, 2022
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor

  Spring Migrants with Chuck Henrikson ~  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 … Read more

• Sunday, June 5, 2022
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & Nature Adventures | Cherokee Marsh, North

  Wildflower Wander with Mary Binkley ~  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. … Read more

• Wednesday, June 8, 2022
  6:00pm to 7:30pm

  Conservation Park Tour | Sandburg Woods

  This 30-acre tract is extremely valuable to resident wildlife and migratory birds.  Renewed management efforts aim to restore and maintain herbaceous plant species while guiding forest succession. Meet at Sandburg Park, approximately 3151 Sunbrook Road (east of Sandburg Elementary School). Conservation Park Tours are staff-guided, approx. 90-minute walks are held seasonally at various … Read more

• Saturday, June 11, 2022
  2:30pm to 4:00pm

  Bird & Nature Adventures | Owen

  Walk in the Woods with Sean Gere ~  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 … Read more

• Sunday, June 12, 2022
  1:30pm to 3:00pm

  Bird & 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. Meet at the Turville … Read more

• Saturday, June 25, 2022
  10:00am to 11:30am

  Bird & Nature Adventures | Edna Taylor

  Baby Bird Bonanza with Dane Gallagher ~  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 … Read more

• Wednesday, July 13, 2022
  6:00pm to 7:30pm

  Conservation Park Tour | Owen

  As we continue to celebrate 50 years of conservation parks in Madison, the work of yesterday, today and tomorrow shines at Owen. Active management now extends throughout the entire park, supporting the continued development and sustainability of diverse native plant communities and the wide array of wildlife that depend on them.  A new group of volunteers is helping to bring the Conservation … Read more

• Wednesday, August 10, 2022
  6:00pm to 7:30pm

  Conservation Park Tour | Turville Point

  Renewed efforts have begun to restore and stabilize the oak woodlands of this former farmstead known today as Turville Point Conservation Park.  Using a combination of techniques, Parks staff and volunteers continue to restore and maintain the habitat.   Conservation Park Tours are staff-guided, approx. 90-minute walks are held seasonally at various conservation parks on the 2nd Wednesday, May … Read more

• Wednesday, September 14, 2022
  6:00pm to 7:30pm

  Conservation Park Tour | Prairie Ridge

  Walk with Parks conservation staff to see the remnant and restored prairie and woodland, which lives up to its name. Prairie Ridge Conservation Park is nearly 49 acres and features steep prairies, also known as goat prairies - as only goats would be able to traverse this steep slope.   Conservation Park Tours are staff-guided, approx. 90-minute walks are held seasonally at various conservation … Read more

• Wednesday, October 12, 2022
  5:30pm to 7:00pm

  Conservation Park Tour | Cherokee Marsh, North

  The final Conservation Park Tour of the 2022 season culminates in the largest of our conservation parks. Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, with its three separate and unique units, is nearly 1,000 acres in total. For this walking tour, we'll explore the North Unit. Arguably the most popular of the 21 designated conservation parklands. Much progress has been made in recent years in restoring oak … Read more