Plus, Nature Connections goes hand-in-hand with the Nature Express, which provides bus transportation reimbursement for qualified teachers. 

A partial list of examples of Nature Connections field trips:

• Study tropical plants at Olbrich Gardens, then discover the similarities and differences in native plants at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center
• See and learn about threatened exotic animal species at Vilas Zoo, then see and learn about threatened native animal species at MacKenzie Environmental Center.
• Study geology at the UW Geology Museum, then compare natural geology and habitats at School Forest or Bethel Horizons Nature Center (non-glaciated area), with those at Owen Park or UW Arboretum (glaciated area).
• Learn about water quality during a visit to the Madison Children's Museum, then conduct water quality experiments in the wetlands of the Madison Conservation Parks or of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center.
• Explore Wisconsin native habitats at UW Arboretum, then study their animal inhabitants at Vilas Zoo or MacKenzie Environmental Center.
• Compare the various prairie and wetlands restoration techniques and land management efforts at the UW Arboretum, Dane County Parks, Madison Conservation Parks, and School Forest.
• Identify birds and their sounds at the UW Arboretum or Cherokee Marsh, then identify cranes at the International Crane Foundation. 
• Learn about the rainforest at the Madison Children's Museum, then explore the tropical conservatory at Olbrich Gardens.
• Study different gardening techniques at Olbrich Gardens, UW Arboretum, and Madison Children's Museum.
• Listen to night sounds and observe the night sky during an overnight trip to MacKenzie Environmental Education Center, then compare the day and night sounds and sights in Dane County Parks, Madison Conservation Parks, UW Arboretum, or Aldo Leopold Nature Center.

It is recommended that these sequences of two or more field trips be scheduled on separate days or at different times of the school year; this allows time to integrate the experiences into your curriculum.

Nature Express

Nature Express is a special program which provides bus transportation reimbursement to qualified teachers who participate in Nature Connections.  Follow this link for more information on Nature Express, and to find out how you can apply. Or, call (608) 221-2575.

State Academic Standards

Don't forget, many of your Nature Net experiences are aligned to Wisconsin Model Academic Standards.  Find out which site can fulfill you classroom needs in English, Math, Language Arts, Science and Environmental Education Standards.