7/31/10

Go “Green” this summer by discovering and learning outdoors with Nature Net’s free Nature Passport, a family tool for environmental exploration. Visit sites throughout the area with your Passport and use the clues offered by your guide “Ringo Raccoon” to observe area mysteries–all right here in our community! Write, draw and sketch along the way and learn about the natural world.

Pick up your free Nature Passport from any participating site June 5 through Labor Day. Or, visit www.naturenet.com to get the scoop on requesting a Nature Passport on-line. Don't forget your friends and neighbors - get one for everyone!

Participating sites include: the Aldo Leopold Foundation, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Bethel Horizons, Cherokee Marsh, Community Groundworks, Henry Vilas Zoo, International Crane Foundation, Lussier Family Heritage Center, MacKenzie Environmental Center, Madison School Forest, Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Turville Point Conservation Park, UW Arboretum and UW Geology Museum.

Nature Passport is a project of Nature Net: the environmental learning network. Nature Passports are made possible with support from American Girl’s Fund for Children and WPS Health Insurance.

Nature Net is a not-for-profit consortium of nature and cultural sites united to foster outdoor educational and environmental learning by making it easy, affordable and fun! Spearheaded by the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, Nature Net’s goal is to connect schools and families with the wonderful resources in their own communities.



Nature Passport Includes:

For Kids...
Each child receives a special Nature Passport containing pages to draw and write about their amazing journeys at various Nature Passport sites!

For Parents...
Look at the Parent's Guide for fun facts and explanations to help spark your kids' imagination and answer those big questions like: How do we see color? And don't forget to sign up for Nature Net's FREE Nature Net News to stay up dated on area nature events and activities!

You provide family time,
We provide a fun way to explore and learn together!

"We know that this program is a winner!" comments Nature Net Coordinator, Kathe Conn. "It encourages children to explore and respect the natural world; promotes self-expression through writing and drawing; allows children to learn with their parents and siblings in a fun and non-threatening way; and makes everyone more aware of the wonderful free resources that our area has to offer."

Where to go:

* Aldo Leopold Nature Center
(608) 221-0404
300 Femrite Dr., Monona
Trails open dawn to dusk.

* Bethel Horizons Nature Center
(608) 935-5885
4651 Highway ZZ, Dodgeville
Hours: 8am-4pm

* Cherokee Marsh
(608) 836-4522
6098 North Sherman Ave.
Park hours: 4am to one hour past sunset.

* Henry Vilas Zoo
(608) 266-5922
702 South Randall St.
Zoo hours: 9:30am-5pm; Indoor displays open 10am-4pm daily.

* International Crane Foundation (summer only)
(608) 356-9462
E11376 Shady Lane Road, Baraboo
Hours: Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 15 to October 31.

* Lussier Family Heritage Center
(608) 224-3604
3101 Lake Farm Rd.

* MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
(608) 635-8110
W7303 Cty Highway CS, Poynette
Museum hours: 8am-4pm Monday - Friday. Trails open dawn to dusk everyday.


* Madison School Forest (summer only)
(608) 663-5201
W. Fritz Road, Verona

* Olbrich Botanical Gardens
(608) 246-4550
3330 Atwood Ave.
Outdoor gardens open: 9am-4pm; Bolz Conservancy hours: 10am-4pm.

* Owen Conservation Park
(608) 266-4711
6021 Old Sauk Rd.
Park hours: 4am to one hour past sunset. Bring your skis: cross-country skiing is available.

* UW Arboretum
(608) 263-7888
1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison
Trails are open 7am-10pm; Visitors Center hours: 9:30am-4pm Monday Friday and 12:30-4pm on weekends.

* UW Geology Museum
(608) 262-2399
1215 West Dayton St., Madison
Museum hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.


Nature Passport is a self-guided and unstructured Program, providing you the opportunity to visit Nature Net sites at your convenience. If you have a specific question, please call the site directly for hours.