Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Eagle Nest Viewing Party
2024-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Come out and observe our eagle family from our viewing platform. Spotting scopes (for those who can’t reach the permanently installed one) and binoculars will be available. Naturalists will be on site to answer your questions.
Detailed directions to platform: Follow the trail from the parking lot at Pheasant Branch Rd. and Gaylord Nelson Dr. Take the trail going downhill to the right of the parking lot. Once you reach the main trail at the bottom of the trail from the parking lot, turn left and follow the mail trail to the Eagle Observation Deck.

Spring Birding Program - City of Middleton Parks & Recreation
2024-05-17 17:00 - 18:00 | Highland Way Entrance- Bock Forest, 5672 Highland Way, Middleton, WI, 53562

Spring Migration Walk
2024-05-18 08:00 - 10:00 | 2500 Park Lawn Place ( meet at creek corridor trailhead), 2500 Park Lawn Place, Middleton, WI, 53562
Take a hike down the newly refurbished creek corridor with our naturalists as we look for colorful warblers and other migrating birds. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Download the Merlin app to your phone to help with identification.
Meet-up location: Pheasant Branch Conservancy – Start at Park Street entrance to Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - ReCreate: The Magic of Feathers
2024-05-25 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
This is a free, welcoming, diverse, educational, fun and family friendly program.
FUN events occur on the 4th Saturdays of the month from 1:30-3pm.
No need to register. Meet-up location is: 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd parking lot.
Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.
These events are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners. See the FUN Facebook, the Madison Audubon and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy for more activities.

Grassland Bird Walk
2024-06-01 08:00 - 10:00 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy- North Parking lot and Trailhead, 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd, Middleton,, WI, 53562, United States
Explore the new 160-acre planted prairie and meet the grassland birds who have taken up residence. Our naturalists will introduce you to meadowlarks, bobolinks, dickcissels, and more! Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair of ours. Download the Merlin app to your phone to help with identification.
Meet-up location: Pheasant Branch Conservancy – North Parking lot and Trailhead (5000 Pheasant Branch Rd)

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Prairie Plants and Birds
2024-06-22 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Seed Collection
2024-06-23 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-06 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-07-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-03 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-08-18 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-31 09:00 - 12:00, 2024-09-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-10-13 13:00 - 16:00 and 1 more date | Wi
Thank you for your interest in helping with seed collection in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Volunteering for these events is a great way to enjoy the Conservancy, continue our efforts to diversify and expand our prairies and give back to the place we all enjoy so much. All are welcome and no experience is necessary. We simply ask that you sign up in advance so we can plan accordingly.
Seed collection will alternate between Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons on select weekends, June through October.
Please register below for the collection dates you are able to attend. Additional instructions will be provided by e-mail for those who register.

REGISTER HERE

Dragonfly Damselfly Walk - City of Middleton Parks & Recreation
2024-07-09 16:00 - 17:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Imagine July 2054 with Kathlean Wolf
2024-07-27 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Wildflower Restoration - City of Middleton Parks & Recreation
2024-08-13 16:00 - 17:30 | Across from 3346 Glacier Ridge Road, 3346 Glacier Ridge Road, Middleton, WI, United States

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Summer Flora & Fauna with Robin King
2024-08-24 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Insect Super-Power with Marjorie Rhine
2024-09-28 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
FUN events occur on the 4th Saturdays of the month from 1:30-3pm.
No need to register. Meet-up location is: 4864 Pheasant Branch Rd parking lot.
Contact 608-698-0104 for information about FUN Bird and Nature Adventures.
These events are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners. See the FUN Facebook, the Madison Audubon and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy for more activities.

Books and Water
2024-10-05 10:00 - 13:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Wander and Wonder at Orchid Heights Park
Full details: HERE

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Fall Colors Ramble with Jeff Nesta
2024-10-26 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Thanksgiving Walk with Paul Noeldner
2024-11-23 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Winter Solstice Walk with Kathlean Wolf
2024-12-28 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Conservancy Day: Wisconsin Wetlands
2025-01-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Middleton Public Library- downstairs Archer Room
Join us as Tracy Hames, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Wetland Association, will be presenting a compelling discussion on the importance and conservation of Wisconsin’s wetlands.

Register here

Wander and Wonder: Celebrating Books and Birds
2025-05-03 11:00 - 13:30 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy and the Madison Reading Project invite you to this FREE event!
Kids (Pre-K to 5th grade), bring your favorite adults, and adults (parents, grandparents, caregivers/care partners), bring your kids along for a fun-filled experience. Learn about the importance of birds from naturalists, select a FREE book to take home, and enjoy a delicious ice cream treat.
We can’t wait to see you at Orchard Heights Park between 11:30am and 1:30pm! Come anytime during this time period.
Questions? Please email education@pheasantbranch.org

Feathers, Trails, and Tails
2025-05-11 11:00 - 14:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us at Pheasant Branch Conservancy for an event promoting responsible dog ownership! We encourage courteous behavior from dog owners and their companions, including adhering to 6-foot leashes, diligently picking up and properly disposing of dog waste, and staying on designated trails. These efforts are crucial to protect the delicate habitat of nesting grassland birds and other wildlife that reside off the marked paths within the Conservancy. This event aims to cultivate greater awareness, support the vital conservation of our natural lands, and strengthen the valuable connection between people, their beloved pets, and the natural world.
Celebrate Mother’s Day in Nature!

Bring the whole family to experience the fun of outdoor activities, enjoy scenic hiking, and breathe in the fresh air within the beautiful natural landscape of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Dog lovers, bring your well-behaved, leashed dog(s) or simply your enthusiasm for canine companions to a joyful dog meetup!
Discover the developed trails of the Conservancy on informative guided walks led by knowledgeable Master Naturalist guides.
Engage in hands-on, family-friendly activities focused on bird and wildlife conservation.
Take the opportunity to meet and learn from a Dane County Park Ranger.

Meet up location: Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Orchid Heights Park Shelter
This event is sponsored by: The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy and Lauren Dorothy Billings (Eagle Scout-BSA and UW-Madison student) in cooperation with the City of Middleton and Dane County Parks.

Eagle Watch Day
2025-05-16 16:00 - 18:00 | Wi
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy will host an Eagle Watch event for all ages to get a close up look at the eagles and eaglet in Pheasant Branch Conservancy from 4pm to 6pm on Friday, May 16. (Rain date: Saturday, May 24)
Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available.
Directions: The eagle watch platform is on the West Trail of the Conservancy at Trail Marker W23. The platform is below and directly east of the intersection of Gaylord Nelson Road and Pheasant Branch Road in Middleton. Follow trail from the parking lot down to the West Trail and turn left towards the platform. Or enter the Conservancy at Whittlesey Road and follow the path to the platform.
Parking is limited and the City of Middleton asks that visitors do not park on Pheasant Branch Road. Parking is available on the side streets near the Conservancy.
Map of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Make a Memory Day
2025-08-08 13:30 - 15:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Full Details HERE

Monarch Tagging
2025-08-23 10:00 - 12:00 | The Homestead Site: Dane County lot at 4865 Pheasant Branch Rd
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy are participating in the Monarch Watch monarch butterfly tagging program to help generate data on the insect’s migration and habitat. We’ll offer two family friendly events where participants will learn techniques for netting and tagging butterflies. No equipment or experience is necessary, but if you have your own butterfly net, feel free to bring it with.
Event Location: The Homestead Site
We will meet at the FOPBC equipment trailer. Parking is available in the Dane County lot at 4865 Pheasant Branch Rd, or at Orchid Heights Park
(Rain date will be Sunday, 8/24, at 10.)

REGISTER HERE
