Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the Big Bay Town Park Pavilion.

A hike for beginners and experts alike.
You never know what we are going to see or hear!
Bring binoculars and wear good waterproof footgear.

Hike Leaders:Victoria Erhart, long time birder and MIWP Board Member and Peter Hudleston, Professor Emeritus of Geology, University of Minnesota

For two decades, Jeff Rennicke traveled the globe as an award-winning travel writer and photographer seeking adventure in the exotic and far away. It took staying put to show him that beauty and meaning can also be found in the familiar. Using poetic explorations in the Apostle Islands aboard his boat the “Little Dipper,” Rennicke shares how the art of slowing down and looking closely can deepen our sense of place and our commitment to the landscapes we love.

Reception: 6:00pm
Program: 7:00pm
Location: Madeline Island School of Arts
Cost: Hearty appetizers and wine, $40.00/person
RSVP Deadline: May 15th, or 100-person limit

Free and Open to the Public!
Meet at the Capser Trail, Middle Road Trailhead, Fire #640 Middle Road

Leader:  Samantha Dobson:  naturalist, educator and year long Island resident.
Summary:  Our local expert will guide and teach about trees, edible mushrooms and how to find them. Finding mushrooms is not guaranteed but likely.

Spend a few days exploring beautiful natural areas on Madeline Island with Master Naturalist Instructor Emily Stone, geologist Tom Fitz, and other experts. You don’t have to be a certified Master Naturalist to participate!  Any adult learners are welcome. Hosted by Cable Natural History Museum in partnership with the Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve. Registration opens Dec. 1st. Click image or title for more information… There is now a waiting list.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  Jeff Fischer, Minnesota Dragonfly Society President.
Summary:  Embark on a fascinating journey into the world of dragonflies. An engaging presentation to uncover the captivating lives of these remarkable insects.  We will delve into their diverse habitats, intricate behaviors, and pivotal role in Wisconsin’s ecosystems. Gain a deeper understanding of these aerial acrobats and their importance in maintaining the ecological balance of our natural landscapes.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  John Bates, naturalist guide, educator and author of 10 books on the Northland and the Upper Midwest
Summary: The Big Bang, evolution, natural selection, population dynamics, adaptations, reproductive strategies, animal behavior, wildlife management—here’s Wildlife Ecology 101 in 50 minutes through the comic lens of Far Side, Calvin and Hobbs, and others.  Laugh your way to knowing more about wildlife while you’re hiking or paddling.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Meet at the Sowl Trailhead, Fire #3547 North Shore Road

Hiking Guide:  John Bates, naturalist guide, educator and author of 11 books on the Northland and the Upper Midwest.
Summary: Every plant has a story. Each one has a personality. Come hear these stories of the natural and cultural history of our most common trees and shrubs that make us uniquely the Northwoods and not somewhere else.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  Britt Bunyard, PhD, is the founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of the mycology journal Fungi. He has collected fungi and lectured throughout North and South America, Europe and Asia. He was the subject of an award-winning documentary film “Look Down Not Up”.

Summary: Fungi are weird, fungi are cool, and fungi are beautiful. But how much do we really know about them? For starters, they do much more than just rot things. They control pretty much all life on our planet and are everywhere. Britt Bunyard’s lecture will present fascinating stories and beautiful photos of amazing fungi featured in his latest book. Discover the crazy, wonderful life that goes on all around us, mostly hidden in plain sight. For general audiences. No knowledge of mycology is required, and all levels of mycological questions are encouraged.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  Joseph Rohrer, Emeritus Professor of Plant Biology at University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire.
Summary:  Like amphibians, mosses are tied to water in ways that conifers and flowering plants are not. Understanding their relationship to water and light is essential as we talk about various moss habitats (forests, fens, backyards) and substrates (forest floor, tree bark, rock).  We will look closely at some Madeline Island species and discover that although small, they are not all the same.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Meet at the Schoolhouse Trailhead, Fire #2865 Schoolhouse Road

Hiking Guide:  Joseph Rohrer, Emeritus Professor of Plant Biology at University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire.
Summary:  Hike will focus on various moss habitats (forests, fens) and substrates (forest floor, tree bark, rock). We will look closely at some of Madeline Island’s species.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  Emily Stone is a naturalist by birth, training, profession and passion.  She holds degrees in outdoor education, geology and field master naturalist. She is director of Cable Natural History Museum.

Summary:  A shimmering web of relationships connects everything.  Through stories of scientists studying hungry plants, wandering warblers, and ghost pipe’s surprising value, you’ll find that all Beings are endlessly connected in life and beyond death.

Free and Open to the Public!
Location:  Madeline Island Museum

Speaker:  Haley Selen, Naturalist at Cable Natural History Museum.  Trainer and educator of live animals including raptors, reptiles and amphibians. She is also a specialist in training human family members at home.

Summary:  The science of behavior has come a long way since Pavlov’s experiments with salivating dogs. We’ll discover why a bear returns to the same backyard night after night, how raptors learn to stay calm in front of school groups, and the best ways to teach your pets. We’ll even try training each other to see the science in action.

Great program for families!

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location:  Meet at the North End Forest, Schoolhouse Road Trailhead. Fire #2865 Schoolhouse Road

Leader:  Samantha Dobson:  naturalist, educator and year long Island resident.

Summary:  Our local expert will guide and teach about trees, edible mushrooms and how to find them.  Finding mushrooms is not guaranteed but likely.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.

Free and Open to the Public!
Hike Location: We will choose best hiking site depending on trail conditions. Please check back!

Following the footsteps of outdoor journalist Sarah Morrison, we invite you to embrace the “off the beaten path” of Madeline Island.

MIWP has invested much time, toil and finances to improve our north end trails. Help us celebrate ambitious trail improvements:  duck boards, reroutes, trail signage and small bridges.

Join us this fall embracing the wild heart of Madeline! The trails are rustic so good hiking boots and an adventuresome spirit are required.