Maywood - Ellwood H. May Environmental Park

06/19/2026

We're so excited to be welcoming these bird ambassadors from Open Door Bird Sanctuary at tomorrow's Walk on the Wild Side!

Wisdom the Great Horned Owl
Forest the Long Eared Owl
Percy the Merlin
Filbert the Eastern Screech Owl
Photo credit: Open Door Bird Sanctuary

The 9am program and 10am meet and greet are included in your walk registration!

Registration for Walk on Wild Side event begins at 8:30am in the Ecology Center. Enjoy the programs, a 3-mile or 1-mile trail walk, activity stations, and snacks.
Your participation supports the programs and projects at Maywood.

Online registration has closed, but you can register at the door with cash or check. Walk-ins are welcome!

More event info at: https://gomaywood.org/walk-on-the-wild-side/

City of Sheboygan - City Hall City of Sheboygan Department of Public Works
Visit Sheboygan

06/18/2026

Online registration for Saturday's Walk on the Wild Side closes at NOON on Friday, June 19.

You can still register at the door staring at 8:30am on Saturday. (CASH ONLY).

Join us for live birds with Open Door Bird Sanctuary, a 3-mile or 1-mile trail walk, fun activities throughout the walk, and snacks!

More info at: https://gomaywood.org/walk-on-the-wild-side/

06/16/2026

What's floating in the ponds at Maywood?

We recently installed an Floating Eco-Island from Johnson's Nursery in the upper pond. This is part of our habitat restoration work around the upper pond at Maywood.

The Eco-Island includes a variety of native plants that will benefit the pond habitat. In those photo you can see a red-winged blackbird checking it out.

Earlier this year, members of our Property Stewardship Committee removed invasive species around the pond. This spring we planted native trees and shrubs thanks to generous donors and grant funding.

To learn more about the Eco-Island, visit https://kb.jniplants.com/floating-eco-islands

06/13/2026

Our Office Coordinator Nate created a great video of animals, birds and amphibians at Maywood this summer. Check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yK9sX4tA11U

Please note, the gun shots sounds heard about 2/3 of the way into the video come from the hunting club located west of Interstate 43.

Some of the animals you may see walking around the park! Maywood of...

06/12/2026

As we approach the season on monarch butterfly caterpillars hatching at Maywood, we encourage you to help us keep the monarchs wild this summer.

Raising one or two caterpillars at home to observe and learn from them, is fine. Unfortunately in the past few years we have observed individuals collecting larger quantities of caterpillars from the Maywood prairie. While people's intentions may be good, captive rearing of monarchs has not been proven to help increase their population.

We encourage you to enjoy the monarchs at Maywood and leave them in their native habitat.

Yes, some years Maywood raises a few monarch caterpillars inside the Ecology Center. This allows guests to view them close-up at various life cycle stages. Our staff collects eggs from milkweed that is growing in mowed paths and will eventually be mowed off and destroyed. We also have adequate food sources for the caterpillars and can release the butterflies into the habitat where they originated.

This 2025 article from the Xerces society has excellent information on why keeping monarchs wild is important: https://xerces.org/blog/keep-monarchs-wild

06/10/2026

The fawns born at Maywood this spring are now very mobile!

Please take your time when driving into the park and honor the 15mph speed limit. We've had reports of fawns crossing the driveway this week.

The Maywood Staff and Wildlife thank you!

06/09/2026

We're so excited for this year's Walk on the Wild Side at Maywood on June 20th!

Here's just a few of the highlights of what we have planned along this year's route:
* Walk kick-off program at 9am with live bird ambassadors from Open Door Bird Sanctuary
* Mystery Bird Puzzle to solve along the route
* Tools for Birding Station - learn about apps and how to use binoculars
* Bird Cafe - learn about what birds eat
* Bird Dances Station - learn about bird dance moves
* Bird Houses - learn about different types of bird houses and nests
* Egg-cellent Eggs - learn about different bird eggs

Plus we'll have some great bird-themed snacks after the walk!

Learn how you can register on our website: https://gomaywood.org/walk-on-the-wild-side/

Proceeds of Walk on the Wild Side support programs and park projects at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan.

City of Sheboygan - City Hall

06/07/2026

The park and trails are open today (and every day!) 4 am - 10 pm.

Come enjoy walking, hiking, birding, and spending time in nature at the City of Sheboygan's largest park.

View park information and guidelines here: https://gomaywood.org/park-information/

06/06/2026

Have you checked out the self-guided summer nature journaling walk yet?

Grab a notebook, sketchbook, or pieces of paper and something to write or draw with and head out on the trail.

Each station includes brief information about the habitat, an inspirational nature quite, and journaling prompts.

Maps of the walk are available on the bench in front of the main Ecology Center entrance or on our website: https://gomaywood.org/summer-nature-journaling/

This free activity is great for all ages! It will be up through Labor Day weekend.