Nature Net

No Child Left Inside!

Nature Net is a not-for-profit initiative that provides "one-stop shopping" for environmental education resources for teachers and families of South-Central Wisconsin and beyond! You'll find nature centers, museums and other providers in Southern Wisconsin and all sorts of free ideas, suggestions and free educational resources on how to explore your local environment.

08/24/2026

Visit Troy Farm this Thursday from 4:30-7:00 p.m. for Troy Garden Night, hosted by Rooted! The event includes guided kids activities, live music, farm walks, and food. Youth activities will be led by the Madison Children's Museum Road Show, alongside Rooted growers who will be offering drop-in garden support for the community. A guided tour of Troy Farm will begin at 5:30 p.m..

You don't wanna miss it!

08/06/2026

Join us at Pinney Library next Thursday, August 13 from 10:00-11:00 a.m., to learn about the many wonderful reptiles that reside here in Wisconsin. We'll talk about how they survive and the role they play in nature. Plus, you'll have a chance to meet some of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center's beloved reptiles.

You won't wanna miss it! 🐍

08/05/2026

Today's Nature Guide location takes us to Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a gem found on the northern edge of Middleton. This protected land is made up of diverse terrain that provides a vital source of fresh water for Lake Mendota with over 2.6 million gallons a year coming from Pheasant Branch creek, wetlands, and springs.

Visitors to Pheasant Branch can navigate various trails and stop by Frederick's Hill for an observation platform overlooking the marsh and several Native American effigy mounds. For wildlife enthusiasts, many animals call the conservancy home including sandhill cranes, songbirds, herons, hawks, and more. Come down to enjoy a panoramic view of the downtown Madison skyline while spotting some of the conservancy's feathered friends.

See you out there! 🌿

07/31/2026

Stop by Olbrich Gardens next Thursday, August 6 at 10:30am for "Looking at Leaves and Shapes in Nature!" This program will allow participants to get up close with a variety of leaf shapes, colors, and sizes at Bolz Conservatory and to create your own symmetrical patterns with tessellations.

We'll see you there! 🍃

07/29/2026

Ready to take a deep dive into the heart of nature? This week’s Nature Guide highlights an important spot for land restoration in the Madison region.

The UW Arboretum spans 1,200 acres of restored land by the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This incredible space acts as a prominent site for ecological research and family-friendly outdoor engagement. Visitors can explore diverse learning opportunities through guided nature walks, garden tours, and classes available for all ages. Those interested in plant life exploration can observe the Longenecker and Viburnum Horticultural Gardens or stop by the Wisconsin Native Plant Garden to discover something new!

𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
🐦 Bird watching and nature observation
📸 Wildlife photography and art
🌲 Expansive nature-based programming
🚴‍♀️ Physical activity including jogging and biking on 4 miles of paved road
🍂 Ecological restoration work parties and other volunteer opportunities

Check out upcoming UW Arboretum programs and nature walks at https://arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events/

For even more fun nature activities in Madison, visit the link in our bio to view the full Nature Everywhere events calendar!

07/24/2026

Join us at Lakeview Library next Thursday for nature journaling and story time presented by Naturing in Madison! Attendees will explore the life of bugs and the beauty of flowers through bug hotel design, flower exploration tables, flower arrangements, and more!

Reading time will include the book "Don't Touch That Flower" by Alice Hemming, and activity inspiration from "Hank's Big Day: The Story of a Bug" by Even Kuhlman.

You won't want to miss it!

07/23/2026

Looking for your next garden outing? Olbrich Botanical Gardens offers stunning landscapes, indoor tropical escapes, and endless learning opportunities. On Madison’s East Side, this garden aims to enrich the lives of visitors through a stewardship of plant diversity and provision of community engagement events.

Their annual event Olbrich After Hours is a Tuesday night, golden-hour gathering that blends live music, pop-ups, and food carts with Olbrich’s natural beauty.

𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐥𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
🌷 The Royal Thai Pavillion & specialty gardens
🐦 The Bolz Conservatory: A tropical glass house featuring free flying birds and a waterfall ($6 entry fee!)
🦋 Special Exhibits including the annual Blooming Butterflies event
📚 Community Programs including classes for all ages to learn more about the natural world

Visit Olbrich’s website to discover what this garden has to offer! https://www.olbrich.org/

07/16/2026

Join us next Thursday at Lakeview Library and explore the unseen world of small aquatic creatures! Program presented by Coral Conant Gillies.

Coral will bring buckets of pond water filled with fun creatures to accompany her stories. All are welcome to come and learn more about the wondrous world of aquatic life.

We'll see you there!

07/09/2026

Looking for some family-friendly fun this weekend? Stop by the Environmental Fun Fair at the Lussier Family Heritage Center! This Saturday, July 11 from 9am-12pm, Dane County will host a free event with numerous hands-on activities surrounding nature, science, art, and outdoor recreation. To view a detailed list of activities offered, visit www.danecountyparks.com/funfair.

07/07/2026

Madison’s Nature Guide is back! Today we’re spotlighting the Allen Centennial Garden on UW-Madison’s campus. A great resource for college students looking to disconnect in the natural world, and the greater Madison community seeking new nature education spaces.

This horticultural and botanical garden is free and open to the general public from dawn to dusk. Benches are spread out across the garden for visitors looking to unwind and appreciate the garden’s diversity in plant life. For those seeking direct interaction, Allen Centennial Garden emphasizes education in their plant selection with information spread out across the garden.

This summer, visitors can stop by the garden for recurring summer concerts accompanied by jazz artists, flower bouquet building, and guided garden tours. Fun for the whole family to enjoy while the heat dies down! Drop-in public tours as well as other engagement opportunities will continue to be offered all summer long. Reservations and select fees may be required. To get more information on events, visit https://allencentennialgarden.wisc.edu/.

Have fun and we'll see you there! 💐

Address

C/O Aldo Leopold Nature Center/330 Femrite Drive
Monona, WI
53716

Telephone

+16082169377

Website

http://www.naturenet.org/

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