Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Seed Collection
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, 2024-10-26 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | 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
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.

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

Monarch Tagging
2025-09-06 10:00 - 12:00 | The Bock Forest Kiosk: located at the Highland Way entrance
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 a family friendly event 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: Bock forest kiosk

REGISTER HERE

Conservancy Day: Beavers - Architects of Healthy Streams
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us for an engaging and eye-opening talk with conservation expert Bob Boucher as we explore the powerful role of beavers – Wisconsin’s extraordinary ecosystem engineers! As a keystone species, beavers transform landscapes through their dams and canals, creating dynamic wetlands that stabilize waterways, reduce flooding, and reconnect rivers to their floodplains. These wetlands also filter and clean water, recharge groundwater, and support steady stream flows. The habitats they create become biodiversity hotspots, sustaining a remarkable variety of plants and wildlife – comparable in richness to coral reefs and tropical rainforests. Come learn how these remarkable mammals help restore and sustain Wisconsin’s natural ecosystems!

Registration is not required, but preferred.

Nature lovers, conservation enthusiasts, and curious minds, this one’s for you! We look forward to seeing you there!

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) Bird and Nature Adventure: Winter Walk
2026-01-24 13:30 - 15:30 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join naturalist Kathlean Wolf for a free fun family friendly educational guided walk along the beautiful nature trails in the prairie and woods along the creek. Learn about trees, plants and animals in winter and ask about what you see!
No registration required. Meet at the encampment historical marker.
This is a free, welcoming, diverse, educational, fun and family friendly program.
Monthly Guided Bird and Nature Adventures are on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:30 in Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These events are co-sponsored by Madison FUN partners, Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Winter viewing of Bald Eagles with Paul Ludden
2026-02-28 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join nature photographer and Friends board member Paul Ludden for a free fun family friendly educational guided Bald Eagle viewing.
No need to register. Meet-up at the encampment historical marker.
FUN events occur on the 4th Saturdays of the month from 1:30-3pm.
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.

CANCELED: Reducing Bird Collisions in Bird Cities
2026-03-21 09:00 - 16:00 | Kromrey Middle School, 7009 Donna Dr., Middleton, WI, 53562, United States
Join us for an in-depth, hands on training that will cover all the aspects of protecting our resident and migrating birds from hitting windows. This workshop is geared to movers and shakers in the community, particularly those who manage their Bird City Wisconsin status, outreach staff or volunteers, and community members interested in preventing bird window collisions and promoting or enacting city ordinances.
This event will be from 9am until 4pm including a 1 hour lunch break. The cost to participate is $25/person, and includes classroom materials. Participants should bring their own lunch. Registration is limited to 25 people.
Register Here
This event is Co-hosted by Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance, Bird City Wisconsin, City of Middleton Sustainability Committee, SOS Save Our Songbirds, and Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN)
2026-03-28 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join naturalist Kate Bast for a free fun family friendly guided lesson in forest bathing.
No need to register. Meet at the encampment historical marker.
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.
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.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN)
2026-04-25 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Event details to be announced.
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 at the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
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.
