Sturgeon are the largest and longest living fish native to the Great Lakes. They have been absent from the Milwaukee River for over 120 years - until now! See how Lake Sturgeon are being raised in captivity in a streamside rearing facility located at Riveredge. Learn about their natural history and Riveredge’s role in restoring this ancient fish to its native habitat. To set up a tour call Mary Holleback at 800-287-8098 (ext 129) or email maryh@riveredge.us

 

Come witness the Riveredge bird banding station in action. See how resident song birds are mist-netted, extracted and banded by licensed bird banders, Al Sherkow and Deb Hartman. Find out how their research is providing us with estimates of the number of resident and migrant birds who call the Center their home. Observers are welcome at any of the banding sessions (weather permitting). Call Mary Holleback at 262-375-2715 to register and get additional information.

 

Saturday, August 4, 9-12am (location to be determined)

Milwaukee Riverkeeper & Riveredge Nature Center are offering this training session led by WDNR aquatic ecologist, Lisie Kitchel. She’ll cover the ecology of freshwater mussels and demonstrate sampling techniques, then we’ll collect and identify some of these amazing mollusks using dichotomous keys. Bring your hip or wading boots and a hand lens if you own them. The training will be held somewhere in the Greater Milwaukee area. Registration required! Fee: Free, ($5 donation appreciated)

 

Adult Program at Riveredge
Saturday, August 4 & August 18, 1:30–3pm
Walk with Mandie Zopp, Riveredge’s Senior Naturalist, and become acquainted with the seasonal changes occurring throughout the sanctuary. We will record our sightings of the plants, animals and weather during our walk. Feel free to bring a journal, camera, binoculars and don’t forget the bug spray. Walks take place rain or shine.  Ages 12 and Up. Fee: Free

 

 

Ding Darling sketched the first Federal Duck Stamp in 1934, and this stamp has been responsible for raising more than $500 million and preserving more than 5 million acres of wetlands and nesting habitat. Tim Eiseleanswers questions about Ding, Wisconsin artists who have won the stamp design contest, how the winning artist is selected, and more. Fee: Free­­­­

(New Session and New Time!)  We are sorry, this class has been cancelled due to low attendance.

 

 

Children’s Overnight Art Camp
Wednesday, August 8, 5:30pm through Thursday, August 9, 9am
Riveredge is teaming up with the Cedarburg Cultural Center for an overnight art camp for children ages 8 and up. Popular Cultural Center art instructor Lisa LaGrow Masslich will lead this special nighttime art experience that kids won’t soon forget. Multiple art projects are sure to glow with a celestial theme as our camping artists work under the summer stars with Riveredge as their backdrop. Artists will work indoors if the weather is inclement. Campers should bring dinner in a brown paper bag; Riveredge will provide an evening snack and our famous pancakes & maple syrup for breakfast. A list of overnight gear will be given to all campers. Register through the Cultural Center at W62 N546 Washington Ave in downtown Cedarburg, by phone at 262-375-3676 or online at www.CedarburgCulturalCenter.org. The Center is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm. Children ages 8 and up. Fee: $38, RNC or CCC members $35

 

Explore the garden and natural play area, embark on a treasure hunt and enjoy a photo slideshow of Homeschool Ed-ventures class memories. Bring a bag lunch for a group picnic afterwards. Returning families will love catching up with friends, and new families will enjoy experiencing an “inside” view of Riveredge programming. Pre-registration suggested. Call 262-375-2715 to reserve your spot. Fee: $5 per family

Join a naturalist for a walk in the river! We’ll explore the wonderful, watery, world that is the Milwaukee River. Bring your favorite wading shoes (old sneakers work best), a towel and a change of clothes. Expect to get wet! Call 262-375-2715 to register.

Fee: Adult $6, 12 & Under $4

Member: Adult $4, 12 & Under $3

 

Join a Riveredge Naturalist for a unique opportunity to experience Riveredge after hours. Spend the evening exploring the trails, looking for night creatures, catching fireflies, or relaxing at the campfire. Pitch your tent on the Riveredge lawn and slumber to the sound of the night choir. Bring a picnic supper; in the morning, enjoy pancakes with Riveredge maple syrup. Each family is limited to one tent. Pre-registration required. Call 262-375-2715 to reserve your spot.

Fee: $55 per Family

Members: $40 per Family

 

The garden is bursting with delicious vegetables and fruits in August. We will head to the garden and harvest seasonal produce to make some creative, tasty dishes. Note: Parents can attend for free. We will be using knives and the oven, so please use your judgment whether or not your child will need your additional supervision. Ages 6-13. (Cancelled due to low enrollment)

Pre-registration and pre-payment required. Fee: $12, Members $10

Knit, crochet, spin or weave at Riveredge Nature Center. Bring your fiber projects and enjoy the sights of forests, fields and ponds.  The Riveredge Fiber Guild meets the third Saturday of every month. Fee: Free 

 

Beat the August heat with a splash in the river! For this session, we will meet at the West Parking Lot of Riveredge Nature Center to be closer to the river. Wearing our old sneakers (Old running or hiking shoes with firm, rubber soles work really well for this activity. Aqua shoes and aqua socks are not recommended), we will hike down the river using the current for resistance. Strength training and cardio happen simultaneously in this water workout! Who knows? Maybe our laughter and splashing will wake up a great blue heron, bald eagle, or river otter! (After all, the name Silent Sports applies to the non-motorized recreation we enjoy, not the silence of the group members!) Fee: $4, Member Fee: $2

The journey and migration patterns of monarch butterflies are amazing. Many questions remain unanswered about the fall migration of the monarch population east of the Rocky Mountains. Join a Riveredge Naturalist and help us catch, tag and release Monarch butterflies as we take part in the Monarch Watch migration research project to help unravel the mystery. All ages are welcome; children under 12 must be with an adult. Call 262-375-2715 to register.

Fee: Adult $6, 12 & under $4, 3 & under FREE

Member: Adult $4, 12 & under $3, 3 & under FREE

 

The Photo Club brings together those who enjoy photography and wish to take better pictures through practice. Held at Riveredge on the last Tuesday of every month. 

Fee: Free

River Connection is a partnership between the Urban Ecology Center and Riveredge Nature Center that provides hands-on watershed educational opportunities for 5^th grade students.  River Connection programs take place at Riveredge during school hours during the fall and spring.  Volunteers are needed to help students explore the river in hip boots and collect and observe aquatic life.  Introducing these students to the river is a very rewarding experience, as they go from fearful to excited and full of wonder before your very eyes.No experience is necessary—just an enthusiasm for exploring nature.

 

For additional information on volunteering for River Connection programs, please contact Jayne Henderson at 1-800-287-8098 or jayne@riveredge.us.