Invasive Species Removal Workday
2024-10-19 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Bock Forest Unit of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Highland Way, Middleton, WI, United States
Help remove invasive species along the southeast corridor trail this fall. We’ll use loppers and hand saws to remove honeysuckle and buckthorn to help open up the canopy and provide sunlight and space for more beneficial plants. This is a great way to get some physical activity in while supporting Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Please use the form below to RSVP to so we can plan for the appropriate group size. Tools and snacks are provided.
Fill out my LGL Form!

Seed Collection
2024-10-26 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-07-27 13:00 - 16:00 | 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

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
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.

Conservancy Days: Fire Ecology with Scott Fulton
2024-11-21 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
The ecological landscape of most of North America prior to European settlement was strongly influenced by widespread and frequent fires set by humans. Our more recent suppression of fire has profoundly altered the ecology of our region in many ways and efforts to restore pre-settlement natural communities such as prairies and oak savannas rely heavily on the use of prescribed fire. This talk will give a brief introduction to the ecology and history of landscape fire, as well as how prescribed fires are safely conducted in practice.
About the presenter: Scott Fulton is a Wisconsin Master Naturalist instructor and a past president of The Prairie Enthusiasts. He has worked as a volunteer prescribed fire crew member for over 20 years and is a member of the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council, involved in fire education.
Registration required—REGISTER HERE
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

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

Annual Membership Meeting
2025-01-04 07:30 - 21:30 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, 53562
Our Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton, beginning at 7:45am.
Our guest speaker will be Professor Ben Zuckerberg with the Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology at UW-Madison, who will be discussing the effects of climate change on wildlife.
We hope you will join us in person, or remotely if you prefer. A complimentary continental breakfast will be served.
Members should watch for an e-mail invitation with an RSVP in early December.

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

Invasive Species Removal Workday
2025-02-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-02-23 12:00 - 15:00 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Prairie Lot 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd,, Middleton, WI, 53562
Help remove invasive species this winter. We’ll use loppers and hand saws to remove honeysuckle and buckthorn to help open up the canopy and provide sunlight and space for more beneficial plants. This is a great way to get some physical activity in while supporting Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Sign up for workday HERE

Invasive Species Removal Workday
2025-03-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Prairie Lot 5000 Pheasant Branch Rd,, Middleton, WI, 53562
Help remove invasive species this spring. We’ll use loppers and hand saws to remove honeysuckle and buckthorn to help open up the canopy and provide sunlight and space for more beneficial plants. This is a great way to get some physical activity in while supporting Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Sign up for workday HERE

Conservancy Days: Moths of the Conservancy
2025-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join Angus Mossman to share some awe and wonder at what might be happening just outside your window as darkness sets in. In addition to seeing some jaw-dropping creatures, this presentation will touch on the ecology and natural history of a variety of local moths and other nocturnal insects, and how they fit into the landscape of southern Wisconsin.
Angus Mossman grew up in Sauk Co. exploring the world alongside biologist parents Mike Mossman and Lisa Hartman. A few years travelling and studying around the world brought him back to the special place that is southern Wisconsin. By day, you can find Angus exploring the world with kids at Tower Rock Elementary School, and by night wandering around some prairie or swamp with a flashlight in hand.
Registration required—sign up at middleton.recdesk.com.
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Lynn Persson: Spring Equinox Walk
2025-03-22 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
Join Master Naturalist Lynn Persson for a guided walk to enjoy the coming of the Spring Equinox and the return of longer days! Learn about spring phenology – what do you see happening in nature around you?
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.

Invasive Species Removal Workday
2025-03-23 12:00 - 15:00 | WI

Sustainable U: Impacts of Neonics Pesticide Use
2025-04-17 18:00 - 20:00 | Middleton Public Library- downstairs Archer Room
Join the Middleton Public Library and the City of Middleton’s Sustainability Committee for an ongoing series to help Middleton residents learn about living sustainably, why it matters, what our city is doing, and how you can help.
Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticides in the world. Wonder where all the insects have gone? A quantity of neonics the weight of a sugar granule is enough to kill 125,000 honeybees. Learn how to keep neonics out of our ground and surface waters, protect our valuable beneficial insect species, and reduce neonic chemicals in vertebrate animals including humans.
Location: Middleton Public Library in the downstairs Archer Room

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Kathlean Wolf: Shifting Spring
2025-04-26 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.

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.

Conservancy Days: Birding by Ear with Tim Hansel
2025-05-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us for an immersive birding experience as we explore the world of birding by ear. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to identify bird species by their unique songs and calls. Delve into the fascinating melodies of our feathered friends, discovering the stories behind their vocalizations and the secrets they hold about their habitats and behaviors. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or new to the world of birdwatching, this auditory adventure will deepen your appreciation for the avian wonders that surround us.
Timothy Hansel is the education coordinator for the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy, an avid birder, and photographer. He is also a Wisconsin Master Naturalist and serves as a Wisconsin Master Naturalist instructor for The Prairie Enthusiasts. With a Ph.D. in philosophy, Timothy has 16 years of teaching experience, focusing on topics such as environmental ethics and critical thinking.
Registration required—sign up at recdesk.middleton.com.
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

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

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Diane Schwartz: Nature Happening
2025-05-24 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Seed Collection
2025-06-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-29 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-12 09:00 - 12:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Prairie Plants & Birds
2025-06-28 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Conservancy Days: Monarch Butterfly Tagging
2025-07-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.
Registration required—sign up at middleton.recdesk.com.

30th Anniversary Ice Cream Social
2025-07-18 15:00 - 18:00 | Homestead Site of Pheasant Branch Conservancy
Help Us Celebrate our 30th Anniversary This Summer!
**RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY 7/18**
Join us for an ice cream social as we celebrate 30 years of the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Join us at the Homestead Site, just east of the Pheasant Branch Road parking lot.

Meet Friends members
Learn about our organization
Explore the Conservancy’s trails
Enjoy free ice cream (while supplies last) courtesy of Kwik Trip

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Paul Noeldner: Nature Is Cool
2025-07-26 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
