Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Seed Collection
2025-08-24 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562
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

Monarch Tagging
2025-08-28 15:30 - 17:00 | 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 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 kiosk at Bock prairie (off of Highland Way)

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 Days: Indigenous Life Before European Contact with Amy Rosebrough
2025-09-18 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.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Marjorie Rhine: Insect Super-Power
2025-09-27 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.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Jeff Nesta: Fall Colors Ramble
2025-10-25 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Conservancy Days: Photographic Tour of Pheasant Branch with Paul Ludden
2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
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) - Paul Noeldner: Thanksgiving Walk
2025-11-22 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN) - Kathlean Wolf: Winter Solstice Walk
2025-12-27 13:30 - 15:00 | 4864 Pheasant Branch Road, Middleton, WI 53562

Annual Membership Meeting
2026-01-10 07:00 - 09:30
Our Annual Membership Meeting will take place on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. Doors open at 7am, complimentary continental breakfast begins at 7:45am.
This year, our keynote speaker will be Dan Egan, author of The Devil’s Element: Phosphorus and a World out of Balance. Dan will be in conversation with John Reimer, Assistant Director of the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, discussing the never-ending story of the Devil’s Element. Lake City Books will have Dan’s books available for purchase at the event. Dan will sign books in the main lobby upon adjournment of the meeting.
We hope to see you on January 10. Members are encouraged to RSVP. If you choose to attend virtually, we will be e-mailing a link closer to the meeting.

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.

Invasive Species Removal Workday
2026-02-21 09:00 - 12:00
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.

Register here

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.

Invasive Species Removal Workday
2026-03-01 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-14 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-04 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-25 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-05-03 13:00 - 15:00
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:15 Years of Fighting Invasive Species at PBC with Tom Bernthal
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:00 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
This month’s topic: 15 Years of Fighting Invasive Species at PBC with Tom Bernthal
Registration is not required, but preferred—sign up at https://middleton.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library in the Archer Room, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

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.

Eagle Watch Party
2026-04-16 14:00 - 16:00
The Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy will host an Eagle Watch Pary for all ages to get a close up look at the eagles and eaglet in Pheasant Branch Conservancy from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday, April 16.
Directions:
Meet on the south part of the loop, just west of the beginning of the boardwalk.
Spotting scopes will be set up on the south end of the main loop close to the western edge of the boardwalk.
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)
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.

Celebrating Books and Trees
2026-04-26 11:00 - 14:00 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Madison Reading Project and the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy are proud to present Celebrating Books and Trees from 11am to 2pm Sunday, April 26, at Orchid Heights Park and the trails of Pheasant Branch Conservancy.
Highlights of the event include:

Distribution of free environmentally themed books in English and Spanish for pre-K through fifth grade students on the importance of trees*
Distribution of free potted tree saplings*
Free ice cream*
Naturalist-led scavenger hunts
City arborist-led tree planting demonstrations

*while supplies last

Conservancy Days: Birding by Ear-Warbler Edition with Tim Hansel
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave, Middleton, WI, 53562
This month’s topic: Birding by Ear-Warbler Edition with Tim Hansel
Registration is not required, but preferred—sign up at https://middleton.recdesk.com/Community/Program
Conservancy Days occur at 6pm on the third Thursday of the month at the Middleton Public Library in the Archer Room, 7425 Hubbard Ave.

Friends of Urban Nature (FUN)
2026-05-23 08:00 - 17:00

Prairie Chase Run/Walk
2026-06-27 | Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd., Middleton, WI, 53562
Join us for a fun race through the Conservancy at the 12th annual Prairie Chase Run/Walk. Participants can sign up for a 5K run/walk or a 10K all-terrain race along the trails at Pheasant Branch Conservancy. Registration is $20 for adults and $10 for those 20 and younger.
Find more information and register at prairiechase.com.
