Category Archives: Outdoor

Watching a prairie flower throughout the spring, summer, and early fall is like watching a painting come to life. The smells of bee balm, the sounds of buzzing insects, and the ever-changing colors as...

By Mary Kennedy, summer intern The excitement of coming to Woodland Dunes for summer programs is filled with laughter, smiles, and this year a new group of kids were able to come. Kids from the Boys a...

By Claire Bosselmann, summer intern In many ways, yes-especially when discussing the freedom of retirement, aged scotch, and the magnificence of old-growth forests. Old growth forests are ecosystems t...

By Anna Kovach, summer intern When one hears mention of a willow tree, they probably picture the drooping, elegant branches of a weeping willow (Salix babylonica) swaying in a summer breeze. While the...

By Liam Guenin, summer intern This time of year is a personal favorite of mine for many reasons, one of them being that it's a great time for foraging. Currently in the US, there isn't any real need t...

By Mary Kennedy, summer intern Birds are all around us, but it can take a moment for individuals to stop and recognize the multitudes around them. This can apply to all ages, and specifically, the cal...

By Natalie McNeely, summer intern Since coming to Woodland Dunes, I have learned about many flora and fauna species. I have participated in many activities, from bird banding and bee surveying to star...

By Sue Crowley, executive director We have had quite a bit of rain so far this spring, especially the month of May and reaching into summer. Ponds and swales and fields are full or soggy. The tender g...

Story by Max Kornetzke, land manager. Photo is form iNaturalist Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) is a Wisconsin native wildflower with beautiful palmate foliage and spikes of blue flowers. It flowers in...

Written by Kennedy Zittel, Naturalist Red-winged blackbirds are a common sight and sound of the marsh here at Woodland Dunes during the warmer months. Males can be seen sitting atop cattail stalks wit...