Waukesha County Environmental Education Activity Guide - September-December 2024 by WaukeshaCountyParks

SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2024

11-2-24 see pg. 9

As we approach the fall season, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had so far this year. There is nothing like spring and summer in Waukesha County, but opportunities for fun and wellness in our community don’t decrease in fall and winter.

We have terrific educational programs for your household, troop, and class. And don’t forget our beloved festivals for people of all ages and abilities.

One of the best things about fall is that you have a new opportunity to purchase your annual memberships for the upcoming year to ensure the fun doesn’t slow down. It’s a super value. You can buy your 2025 Annual Membership at wauk.co/parkentry, in person at our main office and at Retzer Nature Center.

What’s a better way to ring in fall than by attending the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival? The action-packed festival returns this fall for another round of treats, arts & crafts shopping, giveaways, live music, planetarium shows, and other first tastes of fall family fun. See the community’s homemade creations along the family-friendly Scarecrow Lane; combine your loves of light hiking and reading on the Bridges Library System Story Hike; and stop at the beer garden for lunch and a Retzer Apple Ale. You can’t forget the main event – apples! Take home all the apples, apple cider, apple pie, and apple crisp you can carry. See you Saturday, September 21!

In November, Science Fest is back for another fun day of interactive STEM activities for all ages! This year’s theme is “Energy in Nature.” Discover how science mixes into our everyday lives and shapes our future!

These programs can help us:

• Create opportunities for everyone to explore the outstanding natural resources in the Waukesha County Park System

• Better understand how our actions impact the environment and how we can work collaboratively to conserve our unique natural resources through a variety of science-based programs

• Protect the County’s lakes and streams by informing citizens on how property management decisions impact water quality

• Increase the quality of material recycled from households and businesses to reduce our environmental impact

• Protect the quantity and quality of groundwater resources in the county by promoting water conservation and groundwater infiltration

Join me in enjoying this upcoming season in Waukesha County!

Paul Farrow, Waukesha County Executive

Build-A-Scarecrow

Wee

Build-A-Scarecrow

Ben Goss Bird Club Meeting

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Build-A-Scarecrow

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Ben Goss Bird Club Meeting

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Outdoor

Build-A-Scarecrow

The Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium is closed through September 20

Wee

Build-A-Scarecrow

Habitat

Restoration DayNaga-Waukee Park

Build-A-Scarecrow

Outdoor

Classroom for Kids

Build-A-Scarecrow

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Fall Girl Scout Night

Scarecrow Lane

Planetarium Show

Sunset Meditation

Build-A-Scarecrow

Deadline to Install Scarecrows at RNC

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Fall Girl Scout Night

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Wee

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Outdo or Classro om for Kids & Adults

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Wee Wonders

Planetarium Show

Stor y Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Planetarium Show

Sunset Meditation

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Planetarium Show

Outdoor Classroom at Night plus a Planetarium Show

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Fall Tree Planting at Monches

Property

Planetarium Shows

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

Planetarium Show

Story Hike

Scarecrow Lane

SPECIAL EVENTS

Unless otherwise noted, these programs are held at Retzer Nature Center. For more information or to register, visit www.waukeshacountyparks.com.

Build-A-Scarecrow At Home

Through September 15

Free to enter, and recommended for all ages. Register online by Sept. 15. Install scarecrows Sept. 15 - 20. Everyone is encouraged to build a family-friendly scarecrow at home to display at Retzer Nature Center from September 21 through October 31. See page 8 for more details.

Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Scarecrow Lane & Story Hike

September 21 - October 31 (Open daily)

Free* and recommended for all ages. No registration required. Visit Retzer Nature Center for a fun, self-guided walk around Scarecrow Lane located near the Children’s Garden and on the blue trail loop to the pond to enjoy the unique scarecrows displays and changing colors of autumn. Extend your visit to enjoy the story “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn,” by Kenard Pak, as you hike along the orange trail. There is no parking fee at Retzer Nature Center. See page 8 for more details.

*Note: Special Event parking fee on Sept. 21 until 4 p.m. applies.

Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Apple Harvest Festival

Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

$10 per carload, cash only, and recommended for all ages.

This autumn festival is sponsored by the Friends of Retzer Nature Center, in cooperation with Waukesha County Parks, Waukesha County Technical College, Waukesha Reads, and more. See page 7 for more information on this family-friendly, community event. Additionally, the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium will feature the show “Cosmic Questions,” see page 19 for more details.

Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Science Fest: Energy in Nature

Saturday, November 2 , 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Free and recommended for all ages. No regi stration required. Join us for hands-on STEM programs and see educational planetarium shows! See pages 9 and 19 for more details!

Field Ornithology Course

Tuesdays, 6 - 7:30 p.m.: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3

Saturdays, 6 - 11 a.m. at various SE Wisconsin birding hotspots: April 5, 19; May 3, 10, 17

$300 per person. Register online by Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Join Dr. Andrew Cassini on a nine-week journey to learn 250 species of birds by sight and sound; develop craft skills in binocular and spotting scope use and related technology. See page 10 for more details.

37th

$10.00 cash only admission per car Saturday, September 21 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Retzer Nature Center

S14 W28167 Madison Street, Waukesha

• Sweet Treats

• The Apple Market

• Arts & Crafts Vendors

• Live Music by JC Ayer

• Delafield Brewhaus Beer Garden

• Scarecrow Lane with Scavenger Hunt

• Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium Shows

• Story Hike with Bridges Library System

• Children’s Activities in The Pines

• Discovery Trail Passport Expedition

• Friends of Retzer Fundraiser

• & More!

At Home

Schools, churches, families, businesses, scouts, 4-H, daycares, and individuals... EVERYONE is encouraged to build a familyfriendly scarecrow at home to display at Retzer Nature Center from Sept. 21 to Oct. 31.

www.waukeshacounty.gov/scarecrow

• Read the Build-A-Scarecrow Instructions online before creating your scarecrow

• Register online through Sept. 15

• Download & complete the I.D. slip from the website, seal in a bag & pin on your scarecrow

• Install your scarecrow on the stakes provided on the blue trail loop to the pond, located near the Children’s Garden from Sept. 16 - 20

• Remove your scarecrow between Nov. 1 - 10

• Any scarecrows not removed by Mon., Nov. 11 will be discarded

Open Daily, Self-Guided Hikes

September 22 - October 31, 2024, Sunrise - 10 pm

Join us for a FREE and FUN self-guided walk around Scarecrow Lane and the Story Hike! Find the scarecrows on the west end of the Learning Center building, near the Children’s Garden and blue trail loop to the Retzer pond. (Download our scarecrow scavenger hunt after Sept. 23 for even more fun!) Extend your visit to hike the orange trail loop and along the way, read the story “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak. (Woodchipped trails & mowed paths with some sloped terrain.) &

Saturday, November 2

11 am - 2 pm

Retzer Nature Center S14 W28167 Madison Street Waukesha

The study of birds can be fascinating, inspiring, life-changing, challenging, and sometimes downright frustrating.

Join Dr. Andrew Cassini on a nineweek journey to learn 250 species of birds by sight and sound; develop craft skills in binocular and spotting scope use and related technology.

This course is modeled after a course Dr. Cassini taught at UW-Madison and is currently teaching for the Kettle Moraine Earth Institute at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales, WI.

10 Indoor Classroom

Sessions:

Tuesday evenings at Retzer Nature Center 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3

5 Outdoor Field Sessions:

Saturday mornings at various SE Wisconsin birding hotspots 6:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on April 5, 19 and May 3, 10, 17

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS Retzer Nature Center

Unless otherwise noted, these programs are held at Retzer Nature Center. If required, online registration is at www.waukeshacountyparks.com

Retzer Camera Club Meetings

Wednesdays at 7 p.m.: September 4, October 2, November 6, December 4

Recommended for ages 16+. No registration required.

The Camera Club meets monthly with instructional programs, sharing/ critiquing of members’ photographs, discussing equipment and technique, and providing opportunities for taking photographs at Retzer Nature Center and other nature areas. Open to the public! To learn more, find them on Facebook.

Ben Goss Bird Club Meetings

Sundays at 7 p.m.: September 15, October 20, November 17

Recommended for ages 11+. No registration required.

Benjamin Goss Bird Club provides an opportunity for those interested in an active study of birds and their habitats. The public is invited to attend an in-person meeting, led by expert guest speakers and members, or join the meeting virtually. Keep in touch through the club’s Facebook Discussion Group online. For more information, visit www.gossbirdclub.org.

The Big Sit! (Retzer Bird Count)

Saturday, October 12, 6 a.m. through 4 p.m. (participate for a few minutes, or a few hours!)

Recommended for ages 11+. No registration required.

Join with members of the Benjamin F. Goss Bird Club for this free-fun-family-fall bird counting event at the Retzer Nature Center. “The Big Sit!” is a free, annual, international birding event. Our goal is to count as many different species of birds at Retzer while within a 17-foot diameter circle located next to the patio on the west side of the building. A bird species is counted if they can be seen or heard. In 2023, there were over 50 different species identified. Bring binoculars, a chair, and dress appropriately. For info, call Spence Stehno at 414-940-2020.

Sunset Meditation Planetarium Shows & Retzer-led Night Hikes

Wednesdays: September 25, October 16, November 6

6:30 - 7 p.m. - Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show; 7 - 7:45 p.m. - Peaceful Night Hike

Each Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show is 30 minutes in length, followed by a 45-minute Peaceful Night Hike (weather permitting). In case of severe weather, the Planetarium will hold an extended program. $10 per person and recommended for ages 10+. Attendance is limited to 60. Register online at least 24 hours prior to the program. (Please arrive ON TIME. Doors open 15 minutes prior to the show. Late arrivals will not be admitted into the dome.) Come unwind under the dome of the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium and meditate for your mental health! View a planetarium show of an amazing sunset as you travel from the Grand Canyon to the North Pole, then relax under a night sky filled with stars with glimpses of the Northern Lights under the dome. After the show, take a quiet hike outside with a naturalist and discover tranquil sights and sounds of Retzer Nature Center (weather permitting).

Conservation in the Parks

More information and registration links at: www.waukeshacounty.gov/conservationintheparks

Conservation in the Parks programs are free and recommended for ages 13+ (youth must be accompanied by an adult.) No prior experience needed. Various dates. Register online by Noon one weekday prior to programs. See pages 20 - 21.

Help create healthier natural areas throughout Waukesha County! Take part in stewardship projects or help collect data within your community to assist with local conservation efforts.

Surveys include:

• Asian Clam

• Bat

• Bird

• Bumble Bee

• Butterfly

• Dragonfly & Damselfly

Fungus Foray

• Freshwater Mussel

• Fungi

Saturday, October 19, 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Muskego Park* located at S83 W20370 Janesville Rd., Muskego. *Free to participate, but daily park admission or Waukesha County Parks annual membership is required for park entry. Recommended for adults. Online registration is required by Noon on Friday, October 18.

Come join Waukesha Parks and the Wisconsin Mycological Society on a walk in the woods and learn all about mushrooms with seasoned foragers. Be sure to dress for the weather and wear appropriate footwear for hiking on turf and woodchipped trails. (Families may also attend, but because trails may not be stroller-friendly, children will either need to hike or be carried.)

Habitat Restoration Work Days

Saturdays, 9 a.m. - Noon at various Waukesha County Parks*

*Free to participate, but daily park admission or Waukesha County Parks annual membership is required for park entry.

September 14 at Naga-Waukee Park- 651 State Road 83, Hartland

October 12 at Mukwonago Park- S100 W31900 County Road LO, Mukwonago

November 9 at Nashotah Park- W330 N5113 County Road C, Nashotah

December 14 at Muskego Park- S83 W20370 Janesville Rd., Muskego

Online registration is required by Noon on the Friday prior each program.

Work with our staff and volunteer Site Stewards to remove invasive species from our natural areas. Our habitat restoration workdays have a particular focus on the globally imperiled oak ecosystems that occur within Waukesha County. You can take part in recovering these habitats of regional importance!

Fall Tree Planting

Retzer Guided Bumble Bee Survey

Wednesday, October 2, 1 - 2 p.m. Recommended for ages 13+

Free to participate, free park admission. Online registration is appreciated. Join our staff and experienced invertebrate enthusiasts to learn more about these essential pollinators and flying insects! Walk-ins are welcome. What to wear: Dress for the weather and being outdoors. Surveys may occasionally wander off trail into natural areas and tall grass. Close-toed shoes and long pants are recommended. What to bring: Water, sunscreen, bug spray, and a camera for taking pictures.

Friday, October 25, 9 a.m. - Noon, located at the Monches Property, W307N8280 Laskin Rd, Hartland

*Free to participate, free admission.

Online registration is required by Noon on Thursday, October 24.

Join us to help plant native hardwood trees and shrubs along the Oconomowoc River!

WEE WONDERS

Various Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., $5 per child, ages 2 - 4 (limited to 20 children per class) Online registration is required at least 24 hours prior to the program. This monthly program is an opportunity for nature exploration and discovery for children. Wee Wonders offers hands-on experiences about a variety of nature topics. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Each program includes an outdoor experience; please dress for the weather. Please register online at least 24 hours prior to the program. Walk-ins are welcome, space permitting, but please call ahead and arrive no later than 9:15 a.m. to register your child.

Field of Colors

Tuesday, September 10 & Wednesday, September 11

Let’s find the many colors within nature and see how color helps animals and plants.

Be Nice to Spiders

Tuesday, October 8 & Wednesday, October 9 Spiders really aren’t scary once we learn about them! With Halloween coming up, it’s a great time to have some fun with spiders.

Slithery Snakes

Tuesday, November 12 & Wednesday, November 13 Snakes are getting ready for winter just like us. We’ll meet our own live snakes and get to know them, then head outside for a short hike.

Winter Party Animals

Tuesday, December 10 & Wednesday, December 11

Let’s meet and learn about animals who are active now, but may be getting ready for winter in different ways. Let’s party in the pines with the animals; who knows which animals we will see!

One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure

Tuesday, January 14 & Wednesday, January 15

Explore the night sky with our friends from Sesame Street. Join Big Bird, Elmo and Hu Hu Zhu as they take a trip to the moon. Learn how the Moon differs from Earth, and how to find the Big Dipper and North Star. After the show, we will embark on a short hike to explore some of the wintery world at Retzer Nature Center.

utdoor Classroom

One-hour programs on select Wednesdays, 10 - 11 a.m.

Ages: Elementary students 4K and up. $5 per student (limited to 20 children.)

Free for adults and young siblings not yet in 4K (unless otherwise noted.)

Online registration is required at least 24 hours prior to the program. Walk-ins are welcome, space permitting, but please call ahead and arrive no later than 9:45 a.m. to register your child.

Get outdoors with a naturalist and explore during our Outdoor Classroom series. These one-hour programs focus on seasonal topics and incorporate hands-on discovery and sensory exploration for your elementary age learner. Students must be accompanied by an adult. Programs will be mostly outdoors, so dress for the weather. Indoor activities may be incorporated in case of inclement weather.

September 4 Insect Investigation

September 18 Mammals

October 2 Migration Challenge

October 23 Night Animals (see pg. 15)

November 6 Leaf Art

November 20 Whose Scat is That?

December 4 Fancy Food Chain

December 18 Christmas Bird Count

January 8 Ice, Snow & Snowflakes

January 22 Snowshoe Adventure

Ages 18 and up. One-hour programs on select Wednesdays from 2 - 3 p.m. unless otherwise noted. $5 per adult (limited to 20.)

Online registration is required at least 24-hours prior to the program. Walk-ins are welcome, space permitting, but please call ahead and arrive no later than 1:45 p.m.

Get indoors and outdoors (weather permitting) with a naturalist and explore nature while meeting new people! Great for Advanced Training hours for WI Master Naturalists or Master Gardeners. Additional topics and dates may be added, so stay tuned!

October 2 Bats

utdoor Classroom at Night!

*All youth must be accompanied by an adult. $10 per person (limited to 60 participants.) Online registration is required least 24 hours prior to the program. (No walk-ins permitted for after-hours programs.)

NIGHT ANIMALS & PLANETARIUM SHOW

Wednesday, October 23, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

All attendees ages 2 and older are required to register.

Join us for a fun night on the Discovery Trail (or inside) as we meet costumed animals that stay up at night – an owl, raccoon, and bats. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged! Then, join the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium for “Constellations: Adventures Connecting Earth and Sky.”

Book Now! www.waukeshacounty.gov/enveduhub

WEDNESDAY

PROGRAMS

Tickets: https://hdplanetarium.ticketleap.com

Show trailers: http://sdwone.us/planetarium

Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium (inside Retzer Environmental Learning Center)

Wednesdays, promptly at 11 a.m. September through December $5 per person (free for children ages 2 and under). 90 seat capacity, walk-ins welcome, space permitting All shows are held at the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium located inside the Retzer Environmental Learning Center. Private show reservations are available for community groups, private parties, corporate events, or scout groups. If seats are available you can purchase them up to the time of the show. For more information or to register a group, call 262-970-4139.

September - December 11 a.m. Programs:

Pair your planetarium show with an outdoor education program! See previous pages.

Show descriptions by title can be found online at: https://sdw.waukesha.k12.wi.us/o/planetarium

September 25 100 Years of Eternity

October 2 Aurora: Lights of Wonder

October 9 Dinosaur: A Story of Survival

October 16 Spooky Space

October 23 3-2-1 Liftoff! Space Adventure of Elon the hamster

October 30 Halloween: Celestial Origins

November 6 Red Eye to the Stars- the flying observatory to SOFIA

November 13 Dark Side of Light

November 20 DinoSoars! Changes Over Time

November 27 Mars: The Ultimate Voyage

December 4 Khrumka’s Adventures in the Winter Forest

December 11 Let it Snow

December 18 Mystery of the Christmas Star

Holiday Break Shows

Various dates at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., $5 per person

December 23 11 a.m. George and Oatmeal Save Santa 1 p.m. Cosmic Questions

December 26 11 a.m. Our Place in Space 1 p.m. Season of Light

December 27 11 a.m. One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure 1 p.m. Seven Wonders

December 30 11 a.m. Khrumka’s Adventure in the Winter Forest 1 p.m. Defying Gravity

Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium

SCHEDULED PROGRAMS

All shows are held at the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium located inside the Retzer Environmental Learning Center. Private show reservations are available for community groups, private parties, corporate events, or scout groups. If seats are available, you can purchase them up to the time of the show. For more information or to register a group, call 262-970-4139.

The Planetarium has a 90-seat capacity and is wheelchair accessible. Pre-purchase of tickets online is highly recommended, especially for special event shows and those with limited seating. If unsold seats are available, they can be purchased online or will be available at the door up to the time of the show.

Tickets: https://hdplanetarium.ticketleap.com Show trailers: http://sdwone.us/planetarium

Children’s Planetarium Shows

Rusty Rocket’s Last Blast

Saturday: September 28

11 a.m., $5 per person

After decades of teaching the basics of rocket physics, Rusty Rocket has decided this will be his last blast. Still, there is one final mission to command: an introductory tour of the solar system for a new class of rocket rookies, focusing on the wide variety of planetary environments. He also emphasizes the immense distances between the planets and using cars and jets for comparison.

Spooky Space

Saturdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26

11 a.m., $5 per person

Would you like to meet the stars of Halloween? Monsters, zombies, ghosts and their far more terrible counterparts in space? Oh, yes, space has its monsters: black holes, zombie stars, and spectacular ghostly nebulae.

Cosmic Colors: An Adventure Along a Spectrum

Saturdays: November 9, 16, 23, 30

11 a.m., $5 per person

Cosmic Colors will take you on a wondrous journey across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Discover why the sky is blue and why Mars is red. Take a tour within a plant leaf and journey inside the human eye. Investigate x-rays by voyaging to a monstrous black hole and then back at your doctor’s office. You will even see the actual color of a dinosaur-based on recent evidence. Get ready for an amazing adventure under a rainbow of cosmic light!

Let it Snow

Saturdays: December 7, 14, 21, 28

11 a.m., $5 per person

“Let It Snow” is a treat for the eyes and ears, featuring festive full-dome video images choreographed to classic Christmas music. Enjoy seasonal tunes by Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, Burl Ives, and Brenda Lee, and a finale by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This fun animated show will have kids, parents, and grandparents humming or singing along to some of the classics associated with the holiday season. This show is both fun and suitable for any age.

General Audience Planetarium Shows

Chasing The Ghost Particle: From the South Pole to the Edge of the Universe

Saturday: September 28

1 p.m., $5 per person

Deep in the ice at the heart of Antarctica, IceCube, the biggest and strangest detector in the world, waits for mysterious messengers from the cosmos. Scientists are using tiny, elusive particles called neutrinos to explore the most extreme places in the universe. These ghostly neutrinos give us an exclusive way to study powerful cosmic engines like exploding stars and black holes.

Supermassive BlackholesUnveiling the Invisible

Saturdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26

1 p.m., $5 per person

Leading scientists in observational and theoretical studies of black holes and galaxies, industrial experts in cutting-edge big technologies, and professionals in science dissemination have been brought together to set up research projects which will combine the latest state-of-the-art observations, numerical simulations and innovative analytic tools to compare theory with observation, and shed light on the physics of black hole formation in the context of galaxy evolution.

100 Years of Eternity

Saturdays: November 9, 16, 23, 30

1 p.m., $5 per person

Hardly anything has shaped the history of civilization as much as man’s confrontation with the heavens. Megalithic stone circles bear witness to this, as do the astronomical origins of science in ancient Greece or the technical principles of modern high seas navigation. Even prehistoric sites tell of the important role the heavens have always played for people, whether in their practical everyday lives or as a repository for mythological imaginings spanning the generations. The planetarium is the latest representation in a long series of sites and inventions reaching far back into human history that served our preoccupation with the starry heavens and the cosmos surrounding us. On the occasion of the centennial of the invention of the projection planetarium, we embark on a journey which begins with the early cultures of mankind and leads along an ever-changing view of the heavens to the modern star theater.

Mystery of the Christmas Star

Saturdays: December 7, 14, 21, 28

1 p.m., $5 per person

Journey back over 2,000 years to Bethlehem as we seek to discover a scientific explanation for the star the wise men followed to find the baby Jesus. This modern retelling of the Christmas story is sure to charm and captivate audiences of all ages.

Break Planetarium Shows: December 23, 26, 27, 28, 30 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $5 per person, see page 16 for details. Sunset Meditation Planetarium Shows and Retzer-led Peaceful Night Hikes

Wednesdays: September 25, October 16, November 6

6:30 - 7 p.m. - Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show; 7 - 7:45 p.m. - Peaceful Night Hike

See complete program description and fees under Retzer Scheduled Programs on page 11.

Planetarium Special Events

Advance online registration for all events is highly recommended: https://hdplanetarium.ticketleap.com

Apple Harvest Festival: Cosmic Questions

Saturday, September 21

$3 per person. Show runs every 30 minutes starting at 9 a.m. with last show at 3:30 p.m. Everyone has a cosmic question! We asked museum people and local celebrities to send us their space inquiries. Explore our answers and how we handled the big mysteries like aliens, black holes, and multiverse! Join us for a wild ride through the cosmos as we uncover the peculiar, the obvious, and the far-out.

Science Fest “Energy in Nature” - A different show each hour!

Saturday, November 2 Free Admission

11 a.m. Sunstruck Noon Dynamic Earth 1 p.m. 5,000 Eyes: Mapping the Universe with DESI

Waukesha Reads Event- Mayan Archaeoastronomy: Observers of the Universe

Saturday, October 5 at Noon. Free Admission!

With her interest in anthropology, Noemí would have appreciated the gifted Mayan astronomers celebrated in this beautiful planetarium show, which shares how the Mayan temples were observatories critical to the lives of their civilization. The messages they read in the stars guided all aspects of their lives. The show takes viewers on a tour of six Mayan temples and will be followed by a star talk, where a planetarium staff member will describe the night sky as it would look over High Place in Mexico.

Planetarium Cub and Girl Scout Programs

To request a private scout program for your troop/den, please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/EnvironmentalEd to submit a request form Unless otherwise noted, programs cost $200 minimum for up to 20 people, and $10 per person thereafter.

Tiger: Sky is the Limit Program length is 60 -75 minutes Cost: Minimum is $150.00 for up to 20 people, and $7.50 per person thereafter.

Limited to 60 Scouts.

During the Star Signs planetarium show, observe easy-to-see constellations and names of stars in the night sky. If weather permits, tiger scouts will use a telescope, binoculars, or a sunspotter to observe distant objects, including but not limited to stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies and/or the sun. A live planetarium star talk will take place instead of telescope observation if the weather is not conducive for outdoor viewing. Lastly, a homemade model of a constellation will be made. Requirements 3-4 will be completed and guidance for Requirements 1-2 will be provided (weather permitting).

Bear / Wolf / Webelo / Arrow of Light: Feel free to contact us for astronomy opportunities for your group.

Girl Scout programs are 75-90 min. in length

Daisy: Space Science Explorer

Brownie: Space Science Adventurer

Junior: Space Science Investigator

Cadette: Space Science Researcher

Cadette: Night Owl

Senior: Space Science Expert

Senior: Sky

Ambassador: Space Science Master

Available to ALL levels of Girl Scouts: Stem Career Exploration Badge

Think Like a Citizen Scientist Badge

See pages 22 - 30 for more Scout opportunities.

CITIZEN SCIENCE & STEWARDSHIP

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Help create healthier natural areas throughout Waukesha County!

Take part in stewardship projects or help collect data within your community to assist with local conservation efforts.

• No prior experience is necessary.

• Attendance at a training program is required and equipment will be provided.

• Depending on the project, volunteers may work independently or with trained personnel.

SHARING KNOWLEDGE on iNaturalist Project Page

CONTRIBUTE YOUR OBSERVATIONS!

Waukesha County’s iNaturalist project page has grown significantly since it began in 2018. This successful engagement from the community has helped grow the data for Waukesha County.

iNaturalist is one of the most popular nature apps that connects you with a community of more than 400,000 scientists and naturalists who can help teach more about nature.

Contributing your own observations contributes to biodiversity in Waukesha County.

Findings are shared with scientific data repositories to help scientists find and use your data!

Check out the project and submit your observations online:

www.inaturalist.org/projects/wild-in-waukesha

iNaturalist - Wild in Waukesha User Data

The number of users, species, and observations on Waukesha County’s iNaturalist project page has greatly increased since the beginning of the project page in 2018.

Winter 2025 Cub Scout Night

$6.00 per Cub Scout per Retzer program, $7.50 per person for the Planetarium

Join us to complete adventures during our Winter Cub Scout Night at Retzer Nature Center and the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium! Come as a Scout Den or independently. (All Scouts must be registered individually for each program.) Each Scout attending individually must have a parent chaperone, or Dens with their leader chaperones. Leaders/parents/siblings must pay for their planetarium seat at the door, space permitting. Programs start promptly at scheduled times; please arrive on time. Minimum 10 Scouts required for each program to run.

*Due to the need to review/accept program waivers through the online registration process, late and in-person registrations WILL NOT be accepted. Register by Noon the day prior at www.waukeshacounty.gov/scoutnights.

Tuesday, January 14

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:00 p.m. Lion & Tiger Champions for Nature (limit 30 Scouts)

Discover natural resources and human-made items and how to recycle. Learn about the 4 R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, and rot, and discover what happens to the garbage in our community. Requirements 1-3 will be completed and guidance for Requirement 4 will be provided.

5:00-6:00 p.m. Wolf Spirit of the Water (limit 30 Scouts)

All living things need water to live but we use water for more than just survival. We’ll learn where the water we use comes from, how water can become polluted, ways to conserve water in your home and how water is treated to become safe to drink. Requirements 1-4 will be completed.

6:00-7:15 p.m. Tiger Sky is the Limit (limit 60 Scouts)

During the Star Signs planetarium show, observe easy-to-see constellations and names of stars in the night sky. If weather permits, scouts will use a telescope, binoculars, or a sunspotter to observe distant objects, including but not limited to stars, planets, nebulae, galaxies and/or the sun. A live planetarium star talk will take place instead of telescope observation if the weather is not conducive for outdoor viewing. Lastly, a homemade model of a constellation will be made. Requirements 3-4 will be completed and guidance for Requirements 1-2 will be provided (weather permitting).

6:00-7:00 p.m.

Wolf Champions for Nature (limit 30 Scouts)

The Earth provides valuable resources that we need - discover things you can do to ensure that the Earth’s resources are taken care of and respected. Learn about the difference between renewable natural resources and nonrenewable. Learn about the four R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle and rot, discover what happens to recyclables in our community and brainstorm ideas for a conservation project that will make a difference. Requirements 1-3 will be completed and guidance for Requirement 4 will be provided.

6:00-7:30 p.m. Arrow of Light Into the Wild (limit 30 Scouts)

Go “into the wild” to learn about animals and how they contribute to the world in which we live. Visit Retzer Nature Center to observe animals and their behavior, create a model of an animal’s ecosystem, see how animals and people coexist and learn about wildlife management. Requirements 1-5 will be completed.

Spring 2025 Cub Scout Nights

$6.00 per Cub Scout per Retzer program, $7.50 per person for the Planetarium

Join us to complete adventures during our Spring Cub Scout Night at Retzer Nature Center and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium! Come as a Scout Den or independently. (All Scouts must be registered individually for each program.) Each Scout attending individually must have a parent chaperone, or Dens with their leader chaperones. Leaders/parents/siblings must pay for their planetarium seat at the door, space permitting. Programs start promptly at scheduled times; please arrive on time as we will head out on the trails and planetarium shows begin. Portions of programs are outside; dress for the weather. Minimum 10 Scouts required for each program to run. *Due to the need to review/accept program waivers through the online registration process, late and in-person registrations WILL NOT be accepted. Register online by Noon the day prior at www.waukeshacounty.gov/scoutnights.

Tuesday, March 18

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:00

p.m.

Lion & Tiger

5:00-6:30

p.m.

6:00-7:15

p.m.

6:00-7:15

p.m.

Mountain Lions and Tigers in the Wild (limit 30 Scouts)

Take a hike at Retzer Nature Center and explore the outdoors! Learn about wild and domesticated animals, natural and manmade objects, and learn about the Outdoor Code and S.A.W. Requirements 1-4 will be completed.

Bear Bear Habitat (limit 30 Scouts)

Come prepared for a one-mile hike at Retzer Nature Center! Review the Cub Scout Six Essentials and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids. Requirements 1-9 will be completed.

Tiger Sky is the Limit (limit 60 Scouts)

Wolf Paws on the Path (limit 30 Scouts)

Join us as we identify the Cub Scout Six Essentials, learn about the buddy system, how best to prepare for a hike, discuss the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids and take a walk outside to explore Nature at Retzer. Requirements 1-5 will be completed.

Thursday, March 20

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:00

p.m.

6:00-7:30

p.m.

Arrow of Light Into the Woods (limit 30 Scouts)

Learn about what trees and plants do for us and animals and why taking care of them is important to our planet’s well-being. Visit Retzer Nature Center and conduct a tree inventory. We will select a tree, classify it, learn how it deals with wildfire and how wildlife uses the tree. Requirements 1-5 will be completed.

Webelos Champions for Nature (limit 30 Scouts)

Learn about the wildlife we share our planet with - Explore the components of habitat, learn about an endangered species, what caused it to be endangered, and what is being done to protect the animal. Participate in a conservation service project to help endangered species habitat. Requirements 1-6 will be completed.

Fall 2024 Girl Scout Nights

$6.00 per Girl Scout per Retzer program, $6.00 per person for the Planetarium

Join us to earn badges during our Fall Girl Scout Nights at Retzer Nature Center! Come as a Troop or independently. (All Girl Scouts must be registered individually for each program.) Each Girl Scout attending individually must have a parent chaperone, or Troops with their leader chaperones. Leaders/parents/siblings must pay for their planetarium seat at the door, space permitting. Programs start promptly at scheduled times; please arrive on time as groups will head out on the trails and planetarium shows begin. Portions of Retzer programs are outside; dress for the weather. Minimum 10 Girl Scouts required for each program to run. *Due to the need to review/accept program waivers through the online registration process, late and in-person registrations WILL NOT be accepted. Register by Noon the day prior at www.waukeshacounty.gov/scoutnights. Note: Badges are not included in this fee.

Tuesday, September 24

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:00

p.m.

5:00-6:30 p.m.

Daisy Eco Learner (limit 30 Girl Scouts)

Nature gives us many gifts. Daisy Girl Scouts will learn: ways to give back by protecting nature, how to be prepared before going outdoors, and how to protect nature from trash. We will also play a wildlife game and observe plants and animals within a “nature circle.” *Dress for the weather.

Junior Animal Habitats Badge (limit 60 Girl Scouts)

Junior Girl Scouts will learn about animal habitats in Wisconsin, investigate animal habitats at Retzer Nature Center, learn about endangered habitats and how to protect and create animal habitats. Steps 1-4 will be completed and guidance for Step 5 will be provided. *Dress for the weather.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Open to All Girl Scouts

STEM Career Exploration Badge (limit 90 Girl Scouts, all levels welcome)

The Horwitz-DeRemer team will assist Girl Scouts in fulfilling steps toward this badge. Watch Big Astronomy- People, Places & Discoveries; Drifting North: The Article Pulse; and Cosmix. Presenters will describe their STEM career path and answer questions. Arrive early or stay late to explore the lobby, where various books and displays about STEM careers will be on exhibit.

Thursday, September 26

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:30 p.m.

6:30-7:30 p.m.

Brownie Bugs (limit 60 Girl Scouts)

Talk to a bug specialist, see bugs in action, explore bug homes, take a brief bug walk outside (weather permitting), and take home a bug craft. *Dress for the weather.

Open to All Girl Scouts

Think Like A Citizen Scientist Badge (limit 90 Girl Scouts, all levels welcome)

The Horwitz-DeRemer team will help Girl Scouts get started in earning their badge by discussing various astronomy citizen science projects. Items covered include (but are not limited to): explore what it means to observe and discuss the scientific method.

Winter 2025 Girl Scout Night

$6.00 per Girl Scout per Retzer program, $7.50 per person for the Planetarium

Join us to earn Badges during our Spring Girl Scout Night at Retzer Nature Center and the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium! Come as a Troop or independently. (All Girl Scouts must be registered individually for each program.) Each Girl Scout attending individually must have a parent chaperone, or troops with their leader chaperones. Leaders/parents/siblings must pay for their planetarium seat at the door, space permitting. Programs start promptly at scheduled times; please arrive on time. Minimum 10 Girl Scouts required for each program to run.

Thursday, January 16

Time Scout Program

5:00-6:00 p.m.

6:00-7:00 p.m.

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Daisy Space Science Explorer (limit 90 Girl Scouts)

Please click the title to see the linked steps and corresponding activities for this badge clinic.

Brownie Bugs (limit 40 Girl Scouts)

Talk to a bug specialist, see bugs in action, explore bug homes, take an indoor bug walk, and take home a bug craft.

Daisy Make the World A Better Place (limit 30 Girl Scouts)

Learn about making the world a better place with the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Read Rosie’s story and conduct a mock trash sort activity to complete the requirements to earn your rose petal.

Brownie Space Science Adventurer (limit 90 Girl Scouts)

Please click the title to see the linked steps and corresponding activities for this badge clinic.

Junior Space Science Investigator (limit 90 Girl Scouts)

Please click the title to see the linked steps and corresponding activities for this badge clinic.

GIRL SCOUTS

To request a private program for your troop (minimum 20 Girl Scouts), please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/environmentaled . Private groups are scheduled Mon.Thurs., starting no later than 4 or 4:30 p.m. (depending on season.) Fees and program length are listed for each offering below. The occasional Saturday may be available for an increased fee and is based on staff availability.

Girl Scout programs without minimum enrollment numbers are offered on designated Girl Scout Nights (see pages 24 & 25.) These dates are open to all Girl Scouts who would like to attend, but spaces are limited. Register online by Noon the day prior to the program at www. waukeshacountyparks.com Minimum 10 Girl Scouts required per program for it to run. Late registrations will not be accepted and program maximum attendance will not be exceeded.

Programs must be paid in full at the time of registration and are non-refundable. Please remind Girl Scouts and chaperones to dress appropriately for the outdoor portions for all Girl Scout programs. Note: Fees do not include patches or badges. *This program is available to all Girl Scouts.

SCOUT ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS HIKE* $7 per Girl Scout,

1.5 hour program

Meet the Retzer teaching animals! Make observations and see how an animal’s physical and behavioral traits can help it to survive as we explore the concepts of habitat and survival. Head outside to the Retzer Trails where we will look for animals, evidence of animals, and explore how animals use their adaptations to survive in the wild. Open to all Girl Scouts.

DAISY: DESIGN WITH NATURE $6 per Girl Scout, 1 hr. program

Daisy Girl Scouts will explore nature by observing and counting birds, exploring and identifying animal tracks, and making an adventure map.

DAISY: ECO LEARNER $6 per Girl Scout, 1 hr. program

Also offered during Fall Girl Scout Night on September 24- see pg. 24. Nature gives us many gifts. Daisy Girl Scouts will learn some ways to give back by protecting nature. Scouts will learn how to be prepared before going outdoors, play a wildlife game, observe plants and animals within a “nature circle”, and learn how to protect nature from trash.

BROWNIE: BUGS $7 per Girl Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Fall Girl Scout Night on September 26- see pg. 24.

Brownie Girl Scouts will talk to a bug specialist, see bugs in action, explore bug homes, take a bug walk outside (weather permitting), and take home a bug craft.

BROWNIE: ECO FRIEND $7 per Girl Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Find out how to treat outdoor spaces with kindness and teach others how they can too. Brownie Girl Scouts will take a hike, find houses in nature and learn how to keep animal homes safe, learn how to build and safely put out a fire, and practice being kind in outdoor spaces.

JUNIOR: ANIMAL HABITATS BADGE $7 per Girl Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Fall Girl Scout Night on September 24- see pg. 24.

Junior Girl Scouts will learn about animal habitats in Wisconsin, investigate animal habitats at Retzer Nature Center, create animal houses for Retzer animals, and learn about endangered habitats and how to protect animal habitats. Steps 1-4 completed and guidance for Step 5 will be provided.

JUNIOR: SHAPES IN NATURE $7 per Girl Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Nature is a talented artist! It uses patterns, based in math, in many creations. In this badge, we will explore patterns found in nature, learn about symmetry, examine bilateral symmetry in leaves, make circular ephemeral art with natural objects, find fractals in nature and seek out spirals formed by the Fibonacci sequence.

CADETTE: TREES $7 per Girl Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Find out all about trees: from the shade to the science, the fruit to the forest, and the legends to the lumber. Cadette Girl Scouts will observe different tree species, learn about the amazing science of trees, discuss logging, clearcutting and deforestation, learn how Waukesha County Parks cares for its trees, and make a tree project. Steps 1-4 completed and guidance for Step 5 will be provided.

NotaSchool? NotaProblem!

Retzer and Planetarium programs are open to families, homeschool groups, scout groups, 4-H groups, adult groups and organizations.

Children should be within two grade levels of each other for the best experience. Minimum attendance is required.

CUB SCOUTS

To request a private program for your den/pack (minimum 20 scouts), please visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/environmentaled . Private groups are scheduled Mon.Thurs., starting no later than 4 or 4:30 p.m. (depending on season.) Fees and the program length are listed for each offering below. The occasional Saturday may be available for an increased fee and is based on staff availability

Scout programs without minimum enrollment numbers are offered on designated Scout Nights (see pages 22 & 23.) These dates are open to all Scouts who would like to attend, but spaces are limited. Register online by Noon the day prior to the program at www.waukeshacountyparks.com. Minimum 10 Scouts required per program for it to run. Late registrations will not be accepted and program maximum attendance will not be exceeded.

Programs must be paid in full at the time of registration and are non-refundable. Please remind Scouts and chaperones to dress appropriately for the outdoor portions for all Cub Scout programs. *This program is available to all Scouts.

SCOUT ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS HIKE* $7 per Scout, 1.5 hour program

LION / TIGER: CHAMPIONS FOR NATURE $6 per Scout, 1 hr. program

Also offered during Winter Cub Scout Night on January 14 (see pg. 22)

LION / TIGER: MOUNTAIN LIONS / TIGERS IN THE WILD

$6 per Scout, 1 hr. program

Also offered during Spring Cub Scout Night on March 18 (see pg. 23)

WOLF: CHAMPIONS FOR NATURE $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Winter Cub Scout Night on January 14 (see pg. 22)

WOLF: PAWS ON THE PATH $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Spring Cub Scout Night on March 18 (see pg. 23)

WOLF: SPIRIT OF THE WATER $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Winter Cub Scout Night on January 14 (see pg. 22)

All living things need water to live, but we use water for more than just survival. We’ll learn where the water we use comes from, how water can become polluted, ways to conserve water in your home and how water is treated to become safe to drink. Requirements 1-4 will be completed.

BEAR: BEAR HABITAT $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Spring Cub Scout Night on March 18 (see pg. 23)

Come prepared for a one-mile hike at Retzer Nature Center! Review the Cub Scout Six Essentials and Leave No Trace Principles for Kids. Requirements 1-9 will be completed.

BEAR CHAMPIONS FOR NATURE $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Discover natural resources then dig deeper into soil, learn about wastewater and investigate air pollution. Complete requirements 1-4 and receive guidance for requirement 5.

WEBELOS: CHAMPIONS FOR NATURE $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Spring Cub Scout Night on March 20 (see pg. 23)

ARROW OF LIGHT: INTO THE WILD $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Winter Cub Scout Night on January 14 (see pg. 22)

ARROW OF LIGHT: INTO THE WOODS $7 per Scout, 1.5 hr. program

Also offered during Spring Cub Scout Night on March 20 (see pg. 23)

Learn about what trees and plants do for us and animals and why taking care of them is important to our planet’s well-being. Visit Retzer Nature Center and conduct a tree inventory. We will select a tree, classify it, learn how deals with wildfire and how wildlife uses the tree. Requirements 1-5 will be completed.

August 18 - 22, 2025

Registration begins February 1 and ends August 9, 2025 www.waukeshacounty.gov/meritbadge

Join us for a week of merit badges at Retzer Nature Center and the Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium.

Merit Badge workshops are for youth 11 - 17 that are enrolled in Scouts BSA.

$50 per badge; Space Exploration* badge is $60 with supplies.

Scout Project & Volunteer Opportunities

GIRL SCOUT GOLD/SILVER/BRONZE AWARD & SCOUTS BSA EAGLE SERVICE PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

We welcome Girl Scouts and Scouts alike to consider completing their projects with the Waukesha County Park System. Volunteer opportunities for individual Scouts and Scout groups are also available. If interested, visit our Scout Project and Volunteer Information pages, and complete the appropriate Interest Form:

https://www.waukeshacounty. gov/landandparks/park-system/ ScoutProjectInformation/

https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/parkvolunteers

PICK-A-PROGRAM

Waukesha County community groups/organizations can request programs to be hosted at Retzer Nature Center or your public space. For select Recycling and Land Resources programs, grant funding may be available to cover the cost of programming. For non-eligible groups, fees in accordance to Retzer Nature Center programs may apply. Minimum of 10 participants per program is appreciated. Visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/environmentaled to request a program.

Recycling: Up Close and Personal

Recommend for ages 16+

45 minutes

We use a lot of finite resources. Discover the numbers behind consumption on a global and nationwide scale and how you can reduce this number. Find out what happens to many of these materials and how recycling helps us manage much of what we consume.

Food Safety

Recommended for ages 8+ 30 - 60 minutes

Become aware of food safety and the consequences of mishandling food. Hand washing is emphasized and interactive activities are available.

Green Cleaning Workshop

Recommended or ages 16+

45 minutes

We strive to keep our homes clean and healthy, but sometimes use toxic chemicals to do so. Is there a safer way? Find out what common household ingredients can be used to keep your home healthy, clean, and safe.

Groundwater: Our Buried Treasure

Recommended for ages 8+

30 - 60 minutes

Discover how the ground provides clean water for us to drink. Learn how that water can become contaminated and how to eliminate the dangers. Leave with actions you can take at home to keep your ater safe.

Home Composting for Healthy Soils

Recommended for ages 16+ 45 minutes

Learn how to create and use your own compost. Look at different bin styles to build or buy. Understand how compost works to improve the health of your soils for lawns and gardens.

Home Makeover: Green Edition

Recommended for ages 16+ 45 minutes

Whether you’re looking to green your home, your lawn, or your wallet – we’ll cover them all! Learn ways to live a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle from recycling right to simple lawn care.

I Live in a Watershed

Recommended for ages 8+ 45 minutes

Our watershed model provides a hands-on, interactive demonstration of the sources and effects of runoff pollution. Learn about the watershed you live in and see how it connects…all the way to the ocean! By the end of this program, you will understand what a watershed is, how it functions and how you are part of it.

Lunch N’ Learn

Held at your work place

Recommended for ages 16+ 30 - 45 minutes.

Fees may apply for non-partner communities. Waukesha County Land Resources staff will share their expertise with your employees through a 30 or 45 minute interactive presentation. Select one topic for a 30 minute presentation or select two topics for a 45 minute presentation.

Choose from:

Recycling • Green Cleaning & HHW

• Rain Barrels • Rain Gardens

• Water Friendly Lawn Care • Composting

Please email with requests and questions: recycling@waukeshacounty.gov

Nature

Connection for Seniors, Service Clubs, and Special Needs Groups

60 minutes: $5 per person

Recommended for ages 18+

Join a Retzer Teaching Naturalist for a handson experience that engages and connects participants with the natural world. Topics include: Animal Ambassadors, Prairie Above & Below, Plants & Pollinators, Butterflies, Birds, Animal Skull Exploration, Owls (mounted specimens), Nature at Night, Turtles, and Insect Exploration. Call 262-896-8007 with traveling program inquiries.

Volunteer Service Project

Recommended for ages 8+

Assist park system staff individually or as a group. Volunteers may assist with seasonal natural land management, species conservation, special events, or Retzer Nature Center animal and aquarium care. For more information, or to submit a Volunteer Interest Form, visit us at: www.waukeshacounty.gov/parkvolunteers

Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels

Recommended for ages 18+

60 minutes

Rain barrels have been used for many generations. Discover how they can actually help restore a more natural water flow while saving you money. Not only will we explore how to install rain barrels, but we will learn about the benefits of rain gardens too! Rain gardens and rain barrels can be a beautiful solution to water pollution.

Sustainable Yardening

Recommended for ages 18+

60 minutes

Learn how to make your yard and garden more than just another pretty place. Make your space a contributor to a healthy environment by creating habitat, planting native and protecting water. Discover practical ways to make a healthy environment around your home and see how together we can make a big difference.

In honor of our 25th Anniversary, the Waukesha County Commuity Foundation has partnered with Waukesha County Historical Society and Museum to bring you these community events!

SEPT 10 - Lunch and Learn

Join us to explore philanthropic highlights from Waukesha County’s History!

OCT 5 - Free Museum Entry

From pioneers to the Springs Era and Les Paul to today, there’s so much to explore.

Learn more about our anniversary and events at: www.waukeshafoundation.org/25th-anniversary

Help Protect Your Parks

WAUKESHA COUNTY

PARKLAND CONSERVATION FUND

The Parkland Conservation Fund helps protect, restore, and enhance greenspaces throughout the Waukesha County Park System.

This stewardship fund focuses on wildlife habitat restoration and improvements to natural areas. Donations are an investment in local natural resources, public lands and parks for generations to come.

PROJECTS IN NEED!

Brown’s Fen Revitalization Project at Retzer Nature Center - NEW!

Phase 1 of this project will include forestry mowing and treatment of the invasive woody brush followed by the reintroduction of prescribed fire. These proposed activities would not only bring the fen back to a more manageable state for our staff and volunteers to maintain, but they would improve the hydrological function provided by the fen ecosystem and increase the unique species diversity that is present there, including the unique pollinator species Baltimore Checkerspot and the Federally-endangered Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee.

Help us reach our goal!

Monches Property Restoration

Over 500 trees and shrubs have been planted as part of phases 1 and 2. We have 8 acres and 400 more trees to go along the Oconomowoc River Greenway! Help us reach our goal!

Discovery Trail Project

Perfect for individuals, groups, students, teachers, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Volunteers!

Volunteering with Parks and Land Use is a great opportunity for individuals and groups to enjoy the outdoors while giving back:

• Park Maintenance (weeding, painting, trail woodchipping)

• Invasive Species Control / Removal

• Adopt-A-Trail Program www.wauk.co/adoptatrail

• Adopt-A-Drain Program www.wauk.co/adoptadrain

• Adopt-A-Park Program www.wauk.co/adoptapark

• Retzer Nature Center Special Events

• Citizen Science Programs

• Stewardship Projects

• Scout Project Information

Yard or Garden Questions?

Contact the Horticulture Helpline. This free service allows you to speak with a trained UW-Madison Extension Master Gardener volunteer regarding plant, bug, or soil questions.

For more information, email uwex1@waukeshacounty.gov or call 262-548-7779.

Soil Questions?

Having soil problems? Tired of guessing about additives for your lawn or garden? A soil test will tell you what nutrients your plants or lawn need and will recommend the amount of fertilizer (N-P-K) to add to your soil. It will also tell the current pH of your soil and an analysis of the amount of organic matter in your soil.

For more information, visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/uwex/ hort/st or call 262-548-7775.

Plant or Plant Insect Questions?

Let UW-Madison Extension Horticulture Educators identify your outdoor and indoor plant samples and outdoor plant insects. There is a $5 charge per sample. Call 262-548-7775 or e-mail lboyer@waukeshacounty.gov before bringing in any samples to the office to confirm office hours as well as plant/insect submission procedures.

Extension Waukesha County 4-H

What is 4-H?

4-H is a voluntary, informal education program for youth. 4-H is where young people explore their interests while developing life skills in a supportive environment What is 4-H?

4-H is a voluntary, informal education program for youth. 4-H is where young people explore their interests while developing life skills in a supportive environment

NEW & RETURNING families are welcome to join!

2024-2025 Enrollment Opens In September 2024

Youth ages 5k-13th grade

60+ projects to choose from

60+ projects to choose from 14 Community Clubs

14 Community Clubs

60+ projects to choose from 14 Community Clubs

Essential Elements:

Essential Elements: Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

Belonging

Essential Elements: Belonging Mastery Independence Generosity

Mastery

Independence

Generosity

Find Your Spark!

4-H members have fun with friends while learning problem solving, critical thinking and team-building skills

Hands-on learning opportunities are key to the success of the 4-H program

Youth develop leadership skills at a young age by holding officer roles, participating in public speaking opportunities, and presenting throughout the county

4-H is a family-centered youth development program and parents and grandparents are encouraged to attend all 4-H activities

Educational and Enrichment Activities for youth grades k513th

The Positive Youth Development Difference: Research shows that 4-H helps youth excel beyond their peers. The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that young people receive through 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve success in life.

The Positive Youth Development Difference: Research shows that 4-H helps youth excel beyond their peers The structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that young people receive through 4-H plays a vital role in helping them achieve success in life

Learn more about Extension Waukesha County 4-H

Projects Include:

Projects

STEM

Wood Working

Animal Sciences

Photography

Arts and Crafts

Shooting Sports

Jewelry

Making

Youth Leadership

And so much MORE!

F O R M O R E I N F O

https://www waukeshacounty gov/UWEX/4H

ukeshacounty.gov/UWEX/4

Questions? Please contact y local 4-H Program Educato

https://www waukeshacounty gov/UWEX/4H

Questions? Please contact your local 4-H Program Educators:

Questions? Please contact y local 4-H Program Educato

James Boling

Youth and Family Educat

james boling@wisc edu

Youth and Family Educat james boling@wisc edu

Youth and Family Educator

Nicole Loeffler

james boling@wisc edu

Nicole Loeffler

Associate 4-H Educator

Associate 4-H Educato nicole loeffler@wisc edu

nicole loeffler@wisc edu

Associate 4-H Educato nicole loeffler@wisc edu

Fox

Menomonee Park

Minooka Park

Mukwonago Park

Muskego Park