Yearly Events at Retzer Nature Center
Winter Janboree
Janboree celebrates Wisconsin’s winter wonderland. During this community event, one can hike Retzer’s trails on foot or on snowshoes, and participate in various children’s activities and crafts.
The Friends support the Waukesha County Parks System at Winter Janboree by assisting with activities held at the nature center. Winter Janboree is held in late January.
Wild Winter Night
This event offers guided night hikes on Retzer’s trails, sky watching with telescopes, a planetarium show, and indoor children’s activities and crafts. Snowshoe rental is free.
The Friends support the Waukesha County Parks System at Wild Winter Night by assisting with indoor and outdoor activities. Wild Winter Night is held in February.
Annual Meeting
Each year the Friends convene a general meeting of all members in accordance with our bylaws to fulfill the requirements of a tax exempt organization. The financial data and activities of the past year are reviewed. Approximately 1/3 of our board of directors is elected, or re-elected, by the general membership. Tradition has combined this meeting with a chili dinner and a relevant speaker.
Earth Week
Activities include a canoe outing, GPS aided hiking, birds of prey program, bird watch activity, tree and wildflower hike, wiggle with worms, campfire songs and s’mores, and a magical mystery tour.
The Friends support the Waukesha County Parks System during Earth Week by assisting with several scheduled events at the nature center. Earth Week is celebrated in late April.
Citizen Science
Become a Wildlife Monitor through our new Citizen Science Program! Help gather data on wildlife species within the Park System to assist in making sure that common species remain common and that rare, threatened, and endangered species are protected. This data will also help our staff plan and prioritize their land management and habitat restoration efforts. Monitors are trained to use protocols to gather and record data in the field. For some projects, monitors may work independently or with trained personnel. For any project, attendance at a training program is required and all equipment will be provided. Visit Waukesha County’s Citizen Science page for more information.
Apple Harvest Festival
Enjoy a fun-filled day of shopping at the apple market, children’s games and hands-on activities, a scarecrow competition, hiking prairie trails, viewing wildlife and plant exhibits, a craft fair, delicious food, and live music.
The Friends support the Waukesha County Parks System at the Retzer Apple Harvest Fest in two ways. We sponsor the Hayride and organize an indoor Silent Auction and Used Book Sale. The Apple Harvest Festival is held the third Saturday in September.
Field Trips
The Friends of Retzer sponsor field trips of interest to our members. Watch our newsletter for upcoming trips. Some recent trips include:
- UW-Waukesha Field Station
- Wildlife in Need Center, Waukesha County
- Tirimbina Rain Forest, Costa Rica
- Crane Foundation, Baraboo
- Aldo Leopold Foundation
- UW-Madison Arborteum
- Cuba
Benjamin F. Goss Bird Club
The Benjamin F. Goss Bird Club’s purpose is to increase knowledge and appreciation of birds through education and conservation. Meetings are generally held at Retzer Nature Center on the third Sunday evening of each month from September through April. Visit www.gossbirdclub.org for more information.
Camera Club
The Retzer Camera Club is independent of both Waukesha County and the Friends of Retzer. The 3 organizations cooperate on projects. The camera club meets monthly, with instructional programs, sharing/critque of member’s photographs, discussion of equipment and techniques, and opportunities for taking photographs at Retzer Nature Center and other nature areas.
| Camera Club Meetings | |
|---|---|
| WHEN: | First Wednesday of each month |
| TIME: | 7:00 PM |
| WHERE: | Retzer Nature Center |
