Public Programs / Events - 2012
Download 2012 programs (232KB, pdf)
|
Comprehensive Conservation Plan Phone: 920-387-2658 Visitor Center Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:00pm
|
| March 16 | Majority of Refuge Closes - to visitor access for wildlife observation and nature photography via hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing until Dec 1 (after nesting/migration seasons). Public use areas such as auto tour and trails, Bud Cook Hiking Area, Main Dike Road (including western portion) fishing accesses, and Hwy 49 Viewing Area are open year-round for approved recreational activities - daylight hours only. |
| April 2-30 | "Going Green" Poster Contest Exhibit - On display the month of April at the Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off Cty. Rd. Z. See local youth artwork from the 2012 contest. Sponsored by Friends of Horicon NWR. |
| April 20-22 | Old Marsh Road Open for Hiking/Bicycling - Celebrate Earth Day! Hike or bicycle Old Marsh Road on Earth Day weekend - Fri., Sat., Sun. Daylight hours only. Adjacent dikes are closed. |
| April 22 | Fantastic Frogs and More! (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.) Celebrate Earth Day with live amphibians and reptiles, songs, puppets, and Entertainer and Naturalist, David Stokes! Visitor Center will be open 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of Horicon NWR. Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off of Cty Rd. Z. Part of marsh-wide activities over Earth Day Weekend. For more Earth Day events Horicon Marsh Earth Day events flier |
| May 7-25 | Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest Exhibit - On display at the Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off Cty. Rd. Z. See local youth artwork from the 2012 contest. Any K-12 student is eligible - more information on how to enter can be found at Wisconsin Junior Duck Stamp Contest |
| May 11-14 | Horicon Marsh Bird Festival - Marsh-wide event. Guided birding hikes, bus and boat tours, kids activities, bird banding demos, live birds of prey and special exhibits. For more information, visit the Horicon Marsh Bird Club |
|
May 12 |
Wisconsin Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest Reception - (3:00 - 5:00 p.m.) Recognition reception for local K-12th grade winners and their families. Guest presentation by local waterfowl enthusiast and decoy carver Jim Ruwaldt at 3:30 p.m. Open to the public. Sponsored by Friends of Horicon NWR. Meet at the Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off Cty. Rd. Z. |
June |
Old Marsh Road Open for Hiking/Bicycling - New this year, Old Marsh Road will be open June - August seven days a week. Daylight hours only. Adjacent dikes are closed. |
June 2-3 |
Hiking, Bicycling, Fishing Weekend at Horicon Marsh National Trails Day - June 2. (10:00 - 11:00 a.m.) Take a guided hike to celebrate Trails Day. Bring water and sturdy shoes. Meet at the Egret Trail boardwalk parking lot off of the refuge auto tour off Hwy 49. Total miles: 1 - easy walking. Tour de Marsh - June 2. Explore the marsh by bicycle. Start at your leisure from any location. Horicon Refuge Visitor Center open 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Horicon Refuge Guided Bicycle Tour - 9:00 -11:30 a.m. Meet at the Main Parking Lot of the refuge auto tour off Hwy 49 and bring binoculars and cameras if desired. Tour will depart the Main Lot and follow the paved auto tour and across Old Marsh Road (gravel) and back (approx. 9 miles). Follow along for part or all of the tour. Suitable for all ages. Free tour - no registration is required. Marsh bike and auto route map (3 MB, pdf) Tour de Marsh kickoff event flier (138 KB, pdf) Wisconsin Free Fishing Days - June 2-3. Enjoy fishing at designated areas. No license required. |
July |
Old Marsh Road Open for Hiking/Bicycling - New this year, Old Marsh Road will be open June - August seven days a week. Daylight hours only. Adjacent dikes are closed. |
| August | Old Marsh Road Open for Hiking/Bicycling - New this year, Old Marsh Road will be open June - August seven days a week. Daylight hours only. Adjacent dikes are closed. |
Sept. 8 - Nov. 4 |
Visitor Center Open Weekends - during fall migration in addition to regular year-round hours (Mon. - Fri. - 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Saturdays -11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
September 29 |
National Public Lands Volunteer Work Day - (9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping refuge staff and volunteers remove invasive plants on the refuge. Long pants, sturdy shoes and gloves are recommended. All ages welcome - great activity for scout groups. Refreshments provided. Meet at the Egret Trail boardwalk parking lot off of the auto tour off Hwy 49. |
October 6 |
National Wildlife Refuge Week Celebration (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) Refuge 5K Run/Walk - (Registration - 9:00 a.m., event - 10:00 a.m.) Kick off National Wildlife Refuge Week with a morning 5K Run/Walk on the auto tour. For pre-registration information visit the Fond du Lac Running Club Sponsored by Friends of Horicon NWR.*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE AUTO TOUR WILL BE CLOSED TO VEHICLES UNTIL NOON FOR THIS EVENT. Whooping Cranes of the Horicon Marsh (2:00 - 3:00 p.m.) Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off of Cty Rd Z. |
| October 13 | Marsh Wildlife Hike - (1:00 - 2:00 p.m.) See pelts and animal artifacts followed by a short hike to learn how best to observe wildlife. Meet at the Egret Trail boardwalk parking lot off of the refuge auto tour off Hwy 49. Total miles: 1 - easy walking. |
| October 20 | Basic Birding Hike - (10:00 -11:00 a.m.) Join refuge staff to view birds in different habitats. Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours. Meet at the Egret Trail boardwalk parking lot off of the refuge auto tour off of Hwy 49. Total miles: 1 - easy walking. |
| October 27 | Birding Old Marsh Road - (9:00 -10:30 a.m.) Guided opportunity to view birds in an area of the refuge that is only open seasonally. Bring your own binoculars or borrow ours. Meet at the Egret Trail boardwalk parking lot off of the refuge auto tour off of Hwy 49. Total miles: 1.5 - easy walking. |
| Nov.17-25 & Dec. 6-9 | Auto Tour Closed for Deer Shotgun Seasons - Closed to vehicles. Visitors are still welcome to use the area for hiking and other permissible activities but are required to wear blaze orange. |
| December 1 | Entire Refuge Opens for wildlife observation and nature photography via hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing through March 15. Entire refuge open for ice fishing - (no motorized vehicles for access) |
| December 1 | Winter Open House - (10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.) Kids activities including nature crafts, wildlife touch table, nature scavenger hunt, Honker the Blue Goose, music, snacks, and discounts at the Coot's Corner Bookstore. All activities free to the public. Sponsored by Friends of Horicon NWR. Horicon Refuge Visitor Center off of Cty Rd Z. |
