Sharing nature with the children of the Milwaukee County area is our greatest purpose. Our award winning programs have helped thousands of area children to grow-up loving and caring for nature.
Opportunities for Your K-12 School Group
We partner with classroom teachers to increase student’s understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Our programs provide real world, outdoor experiences that connect with classroom lessons. Wehr’s programs complement local curricula and support state and national standards.
View our interactive k-12 Education Program Guide
Field Trips
Wehr Nature Center offers field trip experiences year round for Preschool to 12th grade students. Visit us at Wehr, or we can meet your group in one of the many beautiful parks in the Milwaukee County Parks system.
Programs at Your Facility
We can bring nature to your school, childcare center, library or special event. Professional Nature in the Parks naturalists deliver high quality, interactive nature programs at your site. Some programs even include an outdoor component, if a green space is nearby.
Field Trips for Groups of Homeschoolers
Homeschool associations can bring their group to one of our many field trip experiences. Take a look at the offerings listed in the K-12 Program Guide.
Opportunities for Your Group of Preschoolers
View our interactive k-12 Education Program Guide
Earth Roots
Establishing Connections With the Environment in Early Childhood
Earth Roots brings interactive, developmentally appropriate nature programs to your classroom, library, daycare or neighborhood park. Our naturalists will inspire your 3yr old to kindergarten aged children to love nature with programs that feature interactive story times, songs, games and art activities. Literacy and math are woven into the science content, and outdoor experiences are incorporated as often as possible, whether at Wehr Nature Center, a Milwaukee County Park setting or on your own school site.
If you have questions, please contact us at (414) 425-8550 or email wehreducation@gmail.com
Support Children’s Nature Education
Become a Member
Provide a Scholarship to a Classroom or Child
Join professional naturalists as you explore some of Earth’s astonishing treasures in the beautiful Milwaukee County Park system. We provide natural history and environmental education programs using fun-filled, hands-on, science-based activities. All programs are offered year-round unless otherwise specified. We also offer outreach programs and can bring some programming to your facility. We can also work with your group to coordinate with your special theme.
Programs:
- Last 1 hour (at your site) 1½ – 2 hours (at park)
- Start between 3 and 4:30 PM Mon-Thurs
- Start on Saturday mornings at 9:30 AM
- Are held at Wehr Nature Center, Ross Lodge, Grant Park, or Scout Lake Park
- Some programs are not designed to complete a badge or an achievement. Parts of these programs may satisfy some requirements
- Parking fee of $3.50 per vehicle is in effect for self-guided hikes
- 30 children max per session (some exceptions apply)
- Pre-registration is required to bring your group to Wehr Nature Center. Inquire on the program request form about self-guided programming.
Fee Information:
- $7.00 youth (does not include patch)
- 2 free adults for 1-10 paid youth*
- 3 free adults for 11-15 paid youth*
- 4 free adults for 16-20 paid youth*
- $7.00/adult over free adults*
- $70.00 minimum program fee
- $70.00 non-refundable registration deposit
- Maximum of 30 youth per program
- Pay by credit card or check payable to Milwaukee County Treasurer
- Payment balance due 2 weeks before the date of the program
Youth programs are designed for a specific age group. While we greatly appreciate the support of these programs by additional family members, they are not permitted in the program. Additional chaperones beyond the above ratio will be charged at the youth rate.
Program Listing: Girl Scouts Leadership Journeys & Badges
These programs serve as an introduction and may satisfy some of the requirements, but do not complete the Journey
Between Earth & Sky – Girl Scout Daisies
Grow an Apple Pie (Sept-Oct) – girls will learn all about apple trees and make a potpourri pie to take home
Trees & Me (April-Oct) – get to know our forest trees and their products
Super Salamanders – compare needs of pets vs wild animals with an introduction to our live salamanders
The Pond Circle (April-Sept) – see who lives in the pond
Let’s Get Growing (April-Oct) – plant a story garden; demonstrates the web of life
WOW! Wonders of Water – Girl Scout Brownies
Around the Pond (April-Sept)
Lake Michigan Treasures (May-Sept)
Get Moving – Girl Scout Juniors
Ecosystems (April-Oct) – how energy flows through native communities
The Starlab (additional fees apply) – investigate your “birthday sky”
Paper Making (1 hour program, additional .75/youth materials fee) – innovation
Girl Scout Badges
Girl Scout Daisies:
Outdoor Art Maker – see the colors of nature, hear the sounds of nature, share your outdoor art
Buddy Camper – plan a simple meal, talk with an experienced camper, and take a hike.
Girl Scout Brownies:
Household Elf – resource saving green cleaning; make and take a cleaning product home
Hiker – get prepared for hiking – all you need to know before hitting the trail
Bugs (April-Oct) – identifying bugs is fun! Learn more about creepy crawlies
Outdoor Art Creator – outdoor art ideas, games and photography
Cabin Camper – talk to an experienced cabin camper, take part in a packing relay race, make a no-cook meal plan, practice fire building, and take a hike
Letterboxer – search for letterbox treasure using clues about nature, stamp your letterbox journal, and learn how to hide your own letterbox
Outdoor Adventurer – nature scavenger hunt, go on a nature hike, learn your knots, make an animal feeder or home (seasonal)
Girl Scout Juniors:
Geocacher (2 hrs)– learn how GPS works and use a GPS unit to find Earthcache treasures!
Animal Habitats – Wehr’s native species and their lives are examined
Camper (April-Oct) – skills to help have a successful overnight campout
Playing the Past – how did girls live in the past? Attend Pioneer School & play pioneer games
Outdoor Art Explorer– talk to a nature artist, make an impression & join a symphony, take nature photographs & more
Eco Camper – Learn and have fun with Leave No Trace Principles, plan a camping snack, set up your own campfire area, and record wildlife
Flowers (April-Oct) – Meet flower families on a flower hunt, find out how flowers are healers, make your own bouquet
Girl Scout Cadettes:
Trailblazing – girls will talk with an experienced back country hiker, learn about what to pack and how to start a campfire without matches
Trees (April-Oct) – Girl Scouts will branch out to being a naturalist and identify 6 trees
Outdoor Art Apprentice – Make a nature journal, make paper with seeds, write a poem or rap inspired by nature, create an outdoor photo journal, and design with nature
Girl Scout Seniors:
Adventurer – discover and hone your outdoor skills
Sky – enter our Starlab to learn about our night sky
Outdoor Art Expert – create with a nature artist, make a piece of art inspired by nature, and make a glass jar light for an outdoor space.
Program Listing: Cub Scout Achievements
Tiger Scouts: Nature Hunt, Maple Sugaring (Feb-Mar), Animal Tracking, Tigers in the Wild
Wolf Scouts: Birds, Nature Hunt, Maple Sugaring (Feb-Mar), Animal Tracking, Pioneer School, Paws on the Path, Finding Your Way, Call of the Wild
Bear Scouts: Sharing Your World with Wildlife, Maple Sugaring (Feb-Mar), Animal Tracking, Pioneer School, Bear Necessities, Fur Feathers and Ferns, A Bear Goes Fishing
Webelo Scouts: Maple Sugaring (Feb-Mar), Animal Tracking, Pioneer School, Webelos Walkabout, Earth Rocks!, Castaway, Into the Wild, Into the Woods
Questions about our offerings? Please fill out a program request form and our knowledgeable staff will be in touch with you within 5 business days via your preferred method of contact.
Program Listing: Youth Groups
Kindergarten – Grade 1
Nature Hunt
Maple Sugaring (February – March)
Animal Tracking
Grow an Apple Pie (September – October)
Trees & Me (May – October)
Super Salamanders
The Pond Circle (April – September)
Let’s Get Growing (April – October)
Outdoor Art Maker
Buddy Camper
Grade 2
Nature Hunt
Maple Sugaring (February – March)
Animal Tracking
Pioneer School
Birds
Around the Pond (April – September)
Lake Michigan Treasures (May – September)
Household Elf
Hiker
Bugs (April – October)
Outdoor Art Creator
Cabin Camper
Letterboxer
Outdoor Adventurer
Grade 3
Maple Sugaring (February – March)
Animal Tracking
Pioneer School
Sharing Your World with Wildlife
Weather
Around the Pond (April – September)
Lake Michigan Treasures (May – September)
Household Elf
Hiker
Bugs (April – October)
Outdoor Art Creator
Cabin Camper
Letterboxer
Outdoor Adventurer
Grades 4 & 5
Maple Sugaring (February – March)
Animal Tracking
Pioneer School
Forester (May – September)
Geologist
Naturalist (April – October)
Outdoorsman
Ecosystems (April – October)
The Starlab (additional fees apply)
Paper Making (additional fees apply)
Geocacher
Animal Habitats
Camper (April -October)
Outdoor Art Explorer
Eco Camper
Flowers
Grades 6, 7, & 8
Maple Sugaring (February – March)
Animal Tracking
Trailblazing
Trees
Outdoor Art Apprentice
Questions about our offerings? Please fill out a program request form and our knowledgeable staff will be in touch with you within 5 business days via your preferred method of contact.
Little Wonders
A nature discovery program for 2 and 3 year olds to share with their favorite adult
Each session includes outside exploring time, songs, stories, art, and a snack—all relating to a simple, nature subject. Little Wonders is designed to be a gentle introduction to group learning, with lots of opportunities for free choice, play, and interactions with other children.
Fees: $12 for Non-Residents; $10 for Milwaukee County Residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr
Registration required 2 days prior to program. Click the buttons below to register. If you would like to sign up for multiple sessions at once, go to the search page and select Type: Nature Programs and Subtype: Little Wonders to view and register for all available sessions.
Please contact the Access & Inclusion Coordinator to request accommodations. Call 414-425-8550 and ask for Emily or email the coordinator.
Turkey Trot
Location: Wehr Nature Center
Tots will do the turkey trot as they learn all about these beautiful birds. We will read “I’m a Turkey” by Jim Arnosky and discover all about the lives of wild turkeys. We will walk, talk and eat like wild turkeys too! Tots will make a terrific turkey craft to share at the Thanksgiving table.
2 Year Olds – Monday, November 4, 2019 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, November 4, 2019 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
2 Year Olds – Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
Bear Hunt
Location: Wehr Nature Center
Grab your teddy bear and join us for a bear hunt. We will learn about what wild bears do to get ready for winter and then take our teddies on an adventure. A snack fit for a bear awaits tots at the end of their journey.
2 Year Olds – Monday, December 9, 2019 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, December 9, 2019 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
Swirling Snowflakes
2 Year Olds – Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, January 6, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
Bundle up your tots in their snowsuits and bring them over to Wehr’s Winter Wonderland. We will read Millions of Snowflakes by Mary Siddals , make snow art, and eat a yummy snowflake snack.
Winter Sleepers
2 Year Olds – Monday, February 3, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, February 3, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
2 Year Olds – Monday, February 17, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, February 17, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
Wear your pajamas and slippers to the Nature Center and discover what animals snooze away the winter. We will read Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, eat a bedtime snack, and make ourselves some cozy dens to sleep in.
Spunky Skunks
2 Year Olds – Monday, March 9, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, March 9, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
2 Year Olds – Monday, March 23, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am Register
3 Year Olds – Monday, March 23, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm Register
Your child will love being a little stinker at this program! We will learn all about those smelly, striped critters of the night as we enjoy an hour of pretending to be skunks. We will read a story about a spunky skunk, The Bravest of the Brave by Shutta Crum, make and wear our own skunk costume, and eat a snack fit for a skunk.
Mud Puddles
2 Year Olds – Monday, April 6, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am
3 Year Olds – Monday, April 6, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm
2 Year Olds – Monday, April 27, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am
3 Year Olds – Monday, April 27, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm
Spring is here, bringing raindrops and mud puddles. Toddlers will enjoy the story, Mud by Mary Lyn Ray, paint with mud (disguised as chocolate pudding), and enjoy a “muddy” snack. We will go on a puddle-jumping walk and make mud pies, so please bring rain boots and wear clothes that can get messy.
Pretty Petals
2 Year Olds – Monday, May 4, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am
3 Year Olds – Monday, May 4, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm
Bring your little sprout to this class celebrating seeds and flowers. Tots will hear the Eric Carle story, Little Seed, and make their own magic seed necklace. We will go outside to the Nature Play Space to help plant our children’s garden, pot a flower to take home, walk to see spring wildflowers and enjoy a “seedy” snack.
Fish Tales
2 Year Olds – Monday, June 8, 2020 @ 9:30 – 10:30 am
3 Year Olds – Monday, June 8, 2020 @ 11 – 12 pm
Come learn about our scaly, slippery friends the fish. Tots will hear a fishy story, make fish artwork, and even dip a pole into our imaginary fishin’ hole. We will visit our resident fish in the aquarium and take a walk to the pond in search of friendly fish. Children will enjoy a fishy snack (the cracker sort).
Owl Prowl
Night Hikes for Adults
Friday, December 13, 2019 @ 7-9 pm @ Wehr Nature Center Register
Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 7-9 pm @ Wehr Nature Center Register
Friday, January 10, 2020 @ 7-9 pm @ Grant Park Clubhouse Register
Join a naturalist for an evening out with the owls. An interactive program will highlight the habits and adaptations of our nocturnal neighbors. Then we will walk around the woodlands listening and looking for Great Horned and Eastern Screech Owls.
Fees: $12 for Non-Residents; $10 for Milwaukee County Residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr
Pre-registration required 2 days prior to program.
Night Hikes for Families
Saturday, November 30, 2019 @ 5:30-7:30 pm @ Jacobus Park Register
Saturday, January 18, 2020 @ 5:30-7:30 pm @ Grant Park Register
Join a naturalist for an evening with the owls. An interactive program will highlight the amazing adaptations of our nocturnal neighbors. Come prepared for a walk around the park to search for great horned and Eastern screech owls. Recommended for ages 6 and older.
Fees: $12 for Non-Residents; $10 for Milwaukee County Residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr
Pre-registration required 2 days prior to program.
Owl Prowl for Youth Groups
Saturday, January 11, 2020 @ 4-6 pm
Special Location: Falk Parkowlets
Scout and youth groups are invited to spend twilight with the owls. Children will learn about amazing owl adaptations and habits through fun activities and then head out into the woods to look and listen for owls. For children in 2nd grade and older.*
Fees: $12 for Non-Residents; $10 for Milwaukee County Residents; $7 for Friends of Wehr
Pre-registration required 2 days prior to program. Please call 414-425-8550 to register.
*One adult must accompany every five children.
Did you hear that?
Click below to hear owl vocalizations of two species which are found here at Wehr. Audio files courtesy of Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Eastern Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Pop-Up Nature
Want to explore nature with your children but don’t know how to get started? Stop in for a “pop-up” program with a nature expert to get your adventure on! There will be a naturalist led activity at each session from 1-1:30, followed by self-guided activities you can enjoy with your family at your own pace. We provide the tools and know how, you supply the curiosity. Each program has a different theme, so make plans to join us all year!
Fees: $5 per family
Registration required 2 days prior to program.
Please contact the Access & Inclusion Coordinator to request accommodations. Call 414-425-8550 and ask for Emily or email the coordinator.
Winter’s Gifts
Monday, December 30, 2019 @ 1-3 pm
Location: Wehr Nature Center
Join us at Wehr Nature Center as we celebrate the many gifts that winter gives to us. Children will participate in an interactive story, learn about snowflakes, make a craft, and go on a self guided hike looking for animals signs.
Register
Who Was Aldo Leopold?
Saturday, January 25, 2020 @ 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Help us celebrate Aldo Leopold’s birthday! If you are asking yourself, who is Aldo Leopold, then this program is for you. We will have a visit with one of our special guest animals, try your hand at the art of nature journaling, go on a nature scavenger hunt.
Register
Birding Programs
Wehr Birders
Weekly on Sundays, October & November, 2019 @ 8:00 – 10:00 am
Weekly on Sundays, December 2019 & January, February 2020 @ 9:00 – 10:00 am
Join us for a Sunday morning birding hike led by fellow birders. This is a great way to observe birds all year long. All levels of experience are welcome. Call Carol Howard at 414 425-8550 for more information or to volunteer to lead walks.
Fees: FREE
$3.50 Regular parking fee in effect. FREE parking for FOW Members
NO Pre-registration required
Climate Change Conversations
Saturday, February 22, 2020 @ 1 – 3:30 pm
Climate change is impacting every aspect of the natural and man-made world. How can we as nature lovers educate and advocate about this crucial issue? Join naturalist Bev Bryant and local climate change ambassadors as we practice engaging in climate change conversations.
Fees: $12 for Non-Residents; $10 for Milwaukee County Residents;$7 for Friends of Wehr
$3.50 Regular parking fee in effect. FREE parking for FOW Members
Pre-registration required 2 days prior to program.