The educational programs at ALNC are focused on "learning by doing" and are tailored to fit your group's special interests and needs.

Program Topics

At-Your-Site Seasonal Presentations

Trailside Backpack Program

Registration

General Information

• All tours are held rain or shine! Children should be dressed to be outside regardless of the season. However, our building is often used for a portion of the tour and in inclement weather.
• Tour length is 1 to 2 hours.
• Fees: Pre-School aged groups are $35 per Naturalist per hour with a  maximum ratio of 10 children per Naturalist;  School-aged day care groups are $35 per Naturalist Educator per 1 1/2 hours with a maximum ratio of 12 children per Naturalist. 
• All teachers and daycare personnel are free as well as 1 additional adult per naturalist.  Each additional adult is $2.50.
• Payment is required before or on the day of the tour
• Choose a program and click on the link below to register or call our Program Coordinator at 221-0404x1.  If you don't see a topic you'd like, simply make a suggestion and we can tell you what we can do!

Program Topics

Winter Fun

Children will enjoy learning about different aspects of winter, such as hibernation and animal tracking in the snow, by hiking our prairie and watching a puppet show.

Nature's Choice

Winter, spring, summer, fall...the changes of the seasons brings different plants and animals to observe. This program focuses on happenings in the outdoors during the time of year you chose to come to the Nature Center.  It can be adjusted and planned to meet your class' needs.

Animals live in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from a burrow in the ground to a hole in a tree. Through a puppet show and exploration of the land, students will learn about these various animal homes.

Camouflage in Nature

A green snake slithering in the grass, a white rabbit hopping through the snow...why are these animals the colors they are? By hiking through the different habitats at the Nature Center (prairie, woodland, wetland) and looking at animal mounts, children will learn why different species are camouflaged in nature.

Paws, Claws, Wings and Things (Animal Adaptations)

How are animals able to survive in the wild? This program looks at the variety of adaptations that make living possible through the study of mounts as well as through a puppet show, an interactive nature hike, and stories.

Introduction to Pond and Marsh

The Aldo Leopold Nature Center has its very own pond and marsh for children to explore. This program may involve dipping for tadpoles and other water creatures as well as stories and songs.

Investigating for Insects

Insects are found wherever you turn, especially in our prairie and pond. Children will learn about the variety of insects and their life cycles through a puppet show and live critters found on their nature hike.

Trees are Terrific

By looking at many kinds of trees in our woodlands children will learn why trees are important and what they provide for us. They will discover what kinds of animals need trees to survive and how different animals use different parts of the tree.

Soaring Seeds

By air, fur, or foot, seeds are able to travel in a variety of ways. After watching a puppet show children will head out to the prairie to discover where to find seeds and how they travel at the Nature Center.

Using All the Senses

Nature has a wealth of life for children to see, touch, hear, smell and taste. Games and a nature hike on our Nature Center trails will allow for sensory observations of nature's wonders.

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Click on the link below to register or call 221-0404x1.

Daycare Field Trip Registration

Seasonal Programs at YOUR SITE

• FEE: $50 per presentation
• Minimum of 2 presentations (back to back; same topic)
• Maximum of 3 presentations per half day.
• Presentations last 35-45 minutes

Wintering in the Woods
Where do woodland animals go when the snow flies? In Mousekin's Woodland Sleepers, author and artist Edna Miller leads young children along with her little mouse as he searches for a shelter from the cold. Students will meet true hibernators, including the groundhog and deep sleepers, such as the chipmunk, through this delightful story accompanied by an up-close look at the Nature Center's study mounts.

Creepy Critters

Students will learn amazing facts about the adaptations of some of Wisconsin's “creepiest”critters. Sing songs and learn hands-on all about spiders, snakes, bats, and worms. Get over the creeps while discovering the many ways these creatures are important to our ecosystems. Live specimens may accompany this program, as available.

The Mitten

This program is based on the famous children's story of the same name. Our Naturalist tells how the creatures of the forest survive the winter cold by cooperating with each other. This hands-on, visual presentation will delight children as the many animals, once tucked inside the mitten, emerge when the mitten splits at the seam!

The Lorax
Children will “become” Swomee Swans, Brown Bar-ba-loots and Humming Fish as they enjoy this interactive reading of Dr. Seuss’s classic tale of over consumption and environmental pollution.

Marsha Muskrat
Receive a special visit from our walking and talking “Marsha Muskrat,” who will explain how her special adaptations allow her to survive and thrive in her wetland home!

Native Americans
Take a trip back in time to see how Native Americans lived long ago. You'll touch artifacts and tools and learn which foods early cultures depended on and how they changed over time.

Skins and Skulls
Youth will examine study mounts, skins and skulls of some common Wisconsin mammals while learning about the special adaptations of predators and prey.

Don't see a topic that fits your needs?  Just call us with your suggestion and we will work with you to create a presentation that fits your needs.

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Click on the link below to register or call 221-0404x1.

Daycare Field Trip Registration

Trailside Backpack Program

Enhance your exploration of nature with our Trailside Backpack Program! This program makes it easy for groups to interact with nature and learn together during a self-guided visit the Nature Center. Seasonal backpacks allow your group to explore nature as it changes with the seasons. Themes are: Snug in the Snow (winter), Spring is in the Air (spring), Crawling Critters (summer), and Amazing Adaptations (autumn).

The backpacks, generously donated by REI, are filled with the tools you need to fully explore the Nature Center's prairie, wetland, woodland and meadow habitats! The program is designed for groups to learn together, at their own pace, as they wander the trails at the Nature Center using an easy-to-understand Exploration Guide and tool-kit provided in the backpack. Activities can be used with children of all ages.

Trailside Backpacks may be rented by Daycare Groups for just $10. Backpacks are available for reservation weekdays from 9 am-4 pm. For more information or to schedule a visit, call our Program Coordinator at 221-0404x1.

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