Mequon Nature Preserve has many family-friendly events throughout the year! These events are FREE to attend! Stay tuned to the website and our social media for the latest updates.
For more information contact:
Upcoming Events
Craft and Storytime
Listen to a seasonally-themed book read by one of our staff members! Then take a short, guided hike and come back for a fun nature craft! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Email Amanda at amanda@mequonnaturepreserve.org to claim a spot! At 10:00 am on Tuesday: November 21st, and December 19th. 2024 dates: January 16th, February 13th, March 19th, April 23rd, May 21st, June 25th, July 23rd, August 27th, and September 24th. More dates coming soon.
MNP Book Launch Party
Tuesday, December 5th at 11:00am
MNP is proud to announce the launch of a book series! Kristin Gies, Executive Director and author of ABC @ MNP and Colors @ MNP. The books will be read and for sale. The books are also available on Amazon and on Orange Hat Publishing’s website. These books would make the perfect holiday gift for your little one! There will also be fun activities and yummy food at this launch party. This event is FREE! Sign up with the link. Email amanda@mequonnaturepreserve.org if you have trouble signing up.
Winter Frolic
Saturday, February 3 from 10:00am-12:00pm AND 1:00-3:00pm
Enjoy a winter day with your family at this FREEE event! Take a tractor and sleigh ride while sipping hot chocolate, make some s’mores, play fun winter games, go ice fishing and snowshoeing, and maybe make a snowperson! There will be two different sessions, click the links to sign up your family! One ticket per family. Tickets will be available December 31st. This event will be completely outside, so dress for the weather!
Session 1 from 10:00am-12:00pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/757942214567?aff=oddtdtcreator
Session 2 from 1:00-3:00pm: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/757975363717?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sugar Maple Tapping
Saturday, February 24th at 1:00pm in Elton’s Woods
Help MNP staff tap Sugar Maple trees! Learn how to tap a maple tree and all about the maple syrup making process. This event is free and fun for the whole family! Meet in Elton’s Woods, the woodlot on the north end of the property. We recommend parking at the Donges Bay parking lot and taking a quick hike to the woods. Sign up is required, as we have limited amount of trees that we will be tapping. Event will begin at 1:00pm and will end once all the trees are tapped. Email Amanda at amanda@mequonnaturepreserve.org to sign up your family!
Woodcock Wander
Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm
Join local bird expert Dan Panetti, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited – Mequon, on a Woodcock Wander around the Mequon Nature Preserve. Spring is a great time to view these otherwise secretive birds which are related to other shorebird species such as the Wilson’s snipe. While this species is considered a shorebird, their name ‘woodcock’, or ‘timberdoodle’, implies that they are most frequent in young deciduous woodlands in and around forest openings and ephemeral ponds. MNP’s diverse habitats make this preserve the perfect place to witness their unusual behavior. In spring, woodcocks can be heard and seen partaking in their breeding rituals which includes arial courtship displays by the male. You often hear the bird before seeing this camouflaged species. Listening for their call, or “peent”, is the most effective way to locate the birds in the springtime.
This program is being presented by the Mequon Nature Preserve and is co-sponsored by the Ozaukee-Washington Birding Coalition, a consortium of environmental organizations consisting of the Mequon Nature Preserve, the Friends of the Cedarburg Bog, the Riveredge Nature Center, the Lac Lawrann Conservancy, and the Cutright Bird Club.
Rain date: Wednesday, April 24th
Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/726776025657?aff=oddtdtcreator
Find Us At These Community Events
Girls and STEM
Sunday, March 3rd from 9:00am-4:00pm at Discovery World
This free event is open to all girls and their families interested in a science and math career field! There will be different organizations promoting the different types of jobs in the STEM industry. There will also be workshops and presentations. There will also be a women-owned artist market at this event! Tickets will need to be purchased to access the rest of Discovery World.