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School Field Trips (Elementary)
 Fees
and Logistics
Suggested Themes for K-2
Suggested Themes for 3-5
At-School Programs
Bus Funding
Book a Fieldtrip
Educational Mission
Our mission is to provide innovative hands-on programs for
children and teachers that "...teach the student to see the
land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands"
in the spirit of Aldo Leopold.
Nature Center Highlights
- Explore the Nature Center's prairie, woodland and pond
habitats!
- Focus on "learning by doing" with experienced
naturalists!
- Enjoy individual attention with low student to
naturalist ratios!
- Explore Native American mounds and restored habitat!
- Discover Aldo Leopold and his legacy at "The Children's
Shack"!
Our programs meet your needs and are:
- Tailored to meet your class curriculum.
- Designed to address Wisconsin State Standards in many
subject areas.
- Correlated with the FOSS Science Curriculum.
- Content- and experience-rich for all ages.
Make it special!
- Overnight options are available at both sites.
- Service Learning Components can often be added upon
request.
- After School Programs are available.
- Spanish-speaking naturalists are generally available
upon request. Two weeks' advance notice is required.
Programming Information
All programs are held rain or shine! Students and chaperones
should be dressed for the outdoors as appropriate for the
season. Our building may be used for a portion of the program
and in inclement weather.
Monona Site Programs Fees and
Logistics:
- 1 1/2 hours (programs may be longer with appropriate fee
adjustments).
- Program Fee: $30 per Naturalist (10 to 12 students per
naturalist - see below).
- Program Times: 8:45-10:15 am 10:45 am-12:15 pm
12:45-2:15 pm
- After School Programs are available. Call for details.
- Special requests will be accommodated to the greatest
extent possible.
- All teachers, aides and one chaperone per Naturalist are
free.
- Additional chaperones are $2.50 each per 1 1/2 hour tour
slot.
- Payment should be sent prior to the program or provided
on the day of the program.
- Changes to attendance numbers or cancellations require
two weeks' notice. Any changes after this will result in a
full charge.
- Naturalist to Student ratio is 1:10 pre school through
2nd grade; and 1:12 for 3rd grade and up.
How to Register
Register on-line or call (608) 221-4038 or email
(alncreg@naturenet.com) and provide us with
the following information:
- Dates and Program Time you prefer (see above for
suggested times)
- School or Group Name
- Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email Address
- Total Number of Students
- Grade Level of Students
- Choice of Topic
PLEASE...
-
Let us know what current vocabulary and pre-visit preparation
information you will be covering in class so that we can better
tailor the tour to meet your students' needs.
-
Provide us with information about student(s) with special needs.
-
Let us know if all the students have the same background
information (if more than one class is attending).
Suggested Themes for Grades K-2
Animal Tracking
 Students
will learn how to investigate the lives of animals through the
tracks and other signs they leave. Games, a nature hike and a
hunt for animal tracks are also included in this program.
Animal and Plant Habitat Needs
Discover how each organism meets its basic needs for food,
water, shelter, and space in order to survive. Through a hike,
activities, songs, and a puppet show we'll investigate the
various habitats of the Nature Center and the life it supports.
Pond dipping included when possible.
Camouflage in Nature
A green insect on a green leaf or a gray squirrel on a dark tree
trunk. Why do some animals blend in and some don't? We'll look
for the answer to this intriguing question through first-hand
observations and games. Pond dipping is included when possible.
Changes over Time (Phenology)
Students will learn how to make observations including
temperature, weather, and wind speed that they will use as they
hike the Nature Center grounds. They will learn how each of
these measurements, as well as the plants and animals, respond
to seasonal changes. They can then take this knowledge back to
the classroom to make their own observations!
Food Webs - Why We Need Each Other!
From producers to consumers find out how plants and animals all
rely on each other to obtain their food. A hike in our local
ecosystems gives the students first-hand observations and games
reinforce how the plants and animals are all connected. Pond
dipping is included when possible.
Incredible Insects
 Journey
to the pond in search of aquatic insects and take a hike through
the prairie to inspect galls and ant hills. A puppet show will
illustrate the different ways insects grow through life stages
and survive to produce offspring. Pond dipping is included when
possible.
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Who will survive Wisconsin's winter? Using study mounts,
naturalists will introduce the concept of MAD - Migrate, Adapt
or Die along with several other adaptations animals use to
survive the winter. An investigative hike will help students
discover these changes on their own and a puppet show will
enhance the concepts.
Nature's Colors, Shapes, and Patterns
Get an up-close look at all the colors and patterns nature has
to offer. How many different shades of green can you find? We'll
investigate the trails for track patterns and all of nature's
colors and shapes!
Pioneer Living (2nd Grade and up)
 How
did early settlers survive Wisconsin's long, cold winter?
Students will "play pioneer" at the Nature Center Shack as they
learn first hand how to stack wood, grind corn, and get warm by
the fire. They'll hear stories, play games, and hike to the pond
for some outdoor activities.
Plant and Animal Adaptations
What special characteristics do plants and animals have that
help them live in their habitat? A puppet show, examination of
study mounts and an observational hike will show students how
each species has adaptations to help them survive in their
specific environment. Pond dipping is included when possible.
Pond and Marsh
Our most popular program introduces students to the
interconnected community of the pond and marsh. This
interactive, hands-on program allows students to discover
fascinating pond critters while heightening their observation
skills. Offered during autumn and spring as yearly weather
patterns determine start and end dates for this program.
Wintering in the Woods
Where do woodland animals go when the snow flies? Students will
meet true hibernators like the groundhog and deep sleepers such
as the chipmunk through this program. They'll also take an
up-close look at the Nature Center's study mounts and explore
the grounds on a nature hike!
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
How do you translate chipmunk, robin, or maple tree for
newcomers whose first language is not English? This program
introduces children to woods and prairie typical of Wisconsin,
yet often unfamiliar to new students. Naturalists will show
study mounts of native animals to guide students as they build
new vocabulary. Children will also learn the reassuring fact
that lions, tigers, and crocodiles live only in zoos in
Wisconsin. Available for students in addition to another program
topic with advanced notice.
Using All the Senses
 The
call of a frog, the scent of a trail, the shape of a leaf and
the texture of bark are all ways to identify plants and animals.
Learn these and other techniques to improve sensory observation
skills when identifying life. Learn how our fellow animals use
their senses to survive and how we can apply their wisdom and
instinct to our own lives.
Most programs are suitable year round.
Suggested Themes for Grades 3-5
Animal Tracking
 "January
Thaw," an essay found in Leopold's A Sand County Almanac, kicks
off this program, as children learn how to investigate the lives
of animals through the tracks and other signs they leave. Games,
a nature hike, and a hunt for animal tracks are also included in
this program.
Changes Over Time (Phenology)
Students will learn how to make observations including
temperature, weather, and wind speed that they will use as they
hike the Nature Center grounds. They will learn how each of
these measurements, as well as the plants and animals, respond
to seasonal changes! They can then take this knowledge back to
the classroom to make their own observations!
Classification - Kingdom to Family
Children will experience classification first hand by turning
over logs, counting legs, and deciding for themselves how to
classify the organisms they find. Examination of study mounts
help reinforce the classification process. Pond dipping is
included when possible.
Communities
Aldo Leopold wrote that we need to "see ourselves as part of the
land community". During this program, we define, compare and
contrast types of communities found at the Nature Center. Pond,
marsh, prairie and woodland are options for community
exploration. Pond dipping is included when possible.
Energy in Nature
Worms recycle, groundhogs conserve energy in their
well-insulated homes, and maple trees convert sunlight into
sugar. Students walk the land as they are introduced to
principles of energy that are at work all around them. A
building tour of our environmentally friendly center is included
with this program.
Glaciers: Natures Bulldozers and Dump
Trucks
Learn about the glaciers that formed the five land regions of
Wisconsin and other formations made along the way. Hike a
glacial drumlin to see the work of glaciers first-hand, observe
a model glacier at work, discuss terminology and make your very
own landforms. Come away with an understanding of how powerful
glaciers really are.
History of Wisconsin's Native American
Cultures
Take a trip back in time to see how Native Americans lived long
ago. A hands-on timeline will demonstrate what foods and tools
they depended on and how they changed over time. Take a hike up
the drumlin to view Native American mounds as we discuss what
they are, how they were made and why they are here.
Insect Metamorphosis
All insects start life as an egg, but grasshoppers and
butterflies grow to maturity in different ways. We will review
the two types of metamorphosis with the aid of a puppet show and
hike outside to see where insects make their home at the Nature
Center. Pond dipping is included when possible.
Introduction to Map Reading
This program begins indoors where students are introduced to a
variety of maps. Discussion includes how to use maps and their
various components. After instruction on how to use components
of the map, students venture forth, with maps in hand, to find
the "nature treasures" we have hidden on our grounds.
Introductory Orienteering (5th Grade
and up)
Students learn the different parts of a compass, how to use a
compass properly, and basic orienteering skills before applying
this knowledge in the field. Demonstrative games and pre-set
courses at the Nature Center allow them to apply these new
skills immediately.
Leopold's Life and Legacy
 As
they learn about Leopold's land ethic and how his work
influences conservation efforts even today, students hike the
woods, prairie, and pond areas surrounding the Nature Center and
spend time in the Children's Shack. Partake in some of Aldo
Leopold's favorite past-times such as bird watching and tree
identification.
MAD - Migrate, Adapt or Die
We will discuss how animals survive Wisconsin's winters - which
stay, and if and how they survive through the introduction of
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die. Children are taught these concepts
through study mounts, games, and habitat exploration.
Maple Syruping in Wisconsin - Past and
Present
(Spots are reserved for 4th grade) This program is only offered
for two weeks in March - call (608) 221-4038 for this year's
dates or check our website. Students will learn basic tree
identification, try some of the tools used by pioneers, taste
the sap from Maples and watch it being cooked down to syrup.
Learn the science behind sap flowing in the tree, the boiling
process and the importance of seasonal changes to a good
harvest. We will teach about the history of maple syrup making
from the Native Americans to the present - and taste the final
product!
Math in Nature
If you were a frog, how far could you leap? How can we estimate
the height of a tree? Ever guess how old a tree is? Naturalists
lead students in a number of math-in-nature activities with the
help of measuring tools, formulas, games, and observation
skills.
Nature's Recyclers
We'd be neck-deep in last year's plant litter if it weren't for
the creepy crawly critters we usually overlook. We'll turn over
logs, dig into the soil, and dip into the pond to identify these
creatures and get an up-close view of how nature recycles and
reuses its own plant material. Pond dipping is included when
possible.
Nature Writing
Aldo Leopold's fame can be largely attributed to his skill as a
nature writer. In Leopold fashion, students will become nature
writers, using journaling and sketches to record their
observations about the natural world. This program enhances
writing and observational skills, encourages students to pay
attention to detail and teaches the Leopold legacy. Pre-visit
Preparation: Students should make a Nature Journal to bring with
them. You can download a
Sample Nature Writing
Journal (Microsoft Word Document).
Pioneer Living
 How
did early settlers survive Wisconsin's long, cold winter?
Students will "play pioneer" at the Nature Center Shack as they
learn first hand how to stack wood, grind corn, and get warm by
the fire. They'll hear stories, play games, and hike to the pond
for some outdoor activities.
The Water Cycle
Hands-on experiments introduce the concepts of evaporation,
condensation, precipitation and transpiration combined with a
puppet show to help students visualize the way water is used
again and again. A hike along the Nature Center trails and a
game will continue to help them see how water is a vital part of
our natural world and our life.
Watershed Hike
Discover where water goes after the rain or snow melt by hiking
the Nature Center's very own watershed. Become a drop of water
and follow the path from the top of a drumlin to the low laying
marsh and find out what could happen in between. This program
shows students the importance of a watershed and all the factors
that contribute to it.
Weaving the Food Web
A more advanced program of the K-2 version provides hands-on
activities illustrating food web concepts. Students visualize
these concepts as they explore our prairie, pond, and marsh
identifying all the components of the food webs at the Nature
Center.
Wildflower Keys (Spring only)
Students learn how spring woodland wildflowers differ from
flowers that bloom at other times of the year and in different
settings. On our hike, students will have the chance to identify
woodland spring wildflowers throughout the Nature Center
woodland habitats.
Winter Ecology
How do animals survive the winter? Come and discover which
animals hibernate and which ones stay to endure the rigors of
the season. We will hike the Nature Center grounds to learn
about the ecological importance of snow cover and even ice on
ponds! We'll also look for signs of the animals that stay around
the Nature Center all winter!
Wisconsin Birds
"You always can tell what a bird does eat, when you look at its
beak and you look at its feet." Students will learn "how birds
make a living" with our hands-on demonstration of bird beaks as
they also learn bird basics and examine study mounts before
exploring the land in search of our resident species. Binoculars
are available on a limited basis.
Wisconsin Mammals
Students are able to examine study mounts, skins and skulls of
some common Wisconsin mammals while discussing their adaptations
and natural history in Wisconsin. Once outside, we will hike
searching for signs of mammal activity in the woods, fields and
near the pond.
Wisconsin's Forests
The forest is like an apartment building with canopy,
under-story, and ground layers along with the wildlife residents
of each floor. A woodland hike provides the perfect setting to
learn tree identification and how to recognize signs of forest
creatures. Study mounts in the Nature Center will provide a
close-up look at forest residents.
Wonderful Wetlands
All "wetlands" are not the same. What is considered a wetland
and how do we know? Students visit our marsh and pond habitats,
comparing and contrasting their characteristics. This program
includes pond dipping and a hike to the marsh to observe
wildlife while discussing the values of wetlands through our
"marsh metaphors." Wetland study mounts will also enhance the
experience.
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
How do you translate chipmunk, robin, or maple tree for
newcomers whose first language is not English? This program
introduces children to woods and prairie typical of Wisconsin,
yet often unfamiliar to new students. Naturalists will show
study mounts of native animals to guide students as they build
new vocabulary. Children will also learn the reassuring fact
that lions, tigers, and crocodiles live only in zoos in
Wisconsin. Available for students in addition to another program
topic with advance notice.
Most programs are suitable year round.
Other Suggested Themes:
Please remember - your program topic can be tailored to fit your
group's specific needs. Ask us about a topic of your choice!!
(For general descriptions, see other grade levels or give us a
call!)
- Biodiversity
- Birds - Predator or Prey?
- Classification
- Communities Comparison
- Insects in Depth
- Mammals
Can't make it to the Nature Center?
Bus
Funding...
Check out Nature Net's Nature Express Program,
www.naturenet.com/express.html, to see if you might be eligible
for bus funding.
At-School Programs...
When a trip is not possible, we can bring nature programs to
you!
- Off-site programs are generally offered November 15-March 1
(some available year-round on a limited basis)
- Program Fee: $50 per 35-45 minute presentations.
- Minimum of two presentations of the same topic back to back.
- Maximum number of students per presentation
varies.
Some Program Topics:
Animal Tracks
The Lorax
Wintering in the Woods
Creepy Critters
Marsha Muskrat
Native Americans
How Birds Make a Living
The Mitten
Skins and Skulls
Or the Topic of Your Choice
In Monona
Grades K-2
Animal Tracking
Animal and Plant Habitat Needs
Camouflage in Nature
Changes Over Time (Phenology)
Food Webs - Why We Need Each Other
Incredible Insects (FOSS)
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Nature's Colors, Shapes and Patterns
Pioneer Living (grade 2+)
Plant and Animal Adaptations
Pond and Marsh
Wintering in the Woods
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
Using All the Senses
Grades 3-5
Animal Tracking
Changes Over Time (Phenology)
Classification - Kingdom to Family
Communities
Energy in Nature
Glaciers: Nature Bulldozers and Dump Trucks
History of Wisconsin's Native American Cultures
Insect Metamorphosis
Introduction to Map Reading
Introductory Orienteering (grade 5 +)
Leopold's Life and Legacy
MAD - Migrate, Adapt, or Die
Maple Syruping in Wisconsin (grade 4)
Math in Nature
Nature's Recyclers
Nature Writing
Pioneer Living
The Water Cycle
Watershed Hike
Weaving the Food Web
Wildflower Keys
Winter Ecology
Wisconsin Birds
Wisconsin Mammals
Wisconsin's Forest
Wonderful Wetlands
Wonderful Wisconsin Words
Most programs are suitable year round.
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