Other Educator Opportunities - Field Experience Providers
LEAF has partnered with nature centers, camps, parks, and other outdoor field experience providers around Wisconsin to offer forestry field experience opportunities for teachers and students. If you are looking for an outdoor facility to take students, consider one of the locations below.
Each facility has one or more staff members that have been trained to teach LEAF field enhancements. The staff are aware of the type of LEAF lessons taught in the classroom and can provide well-rounded experiences in the field.
1. 1000 Islands Environmental Center
1000 Beaulieu Court
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920) 766-4733
Contact person: Lee W. Hammen
thousandisland@new.rr.com
www.1000islandsenvironmentalcenter.com
Facility Description: 370 acres located on the Fox River with a large interpretive center.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs provided upon request.
2. Aldo Leopold Nature Center
300 Femrite Drive
Monona, WI 53716
(608) 221-4038
Contact person: Julie Erdmann
alncreg@naturenet.com
www.naturenet.com/alnc/
Facility Description: Aldo Leopold Nature Center boasts two sites for observation and exploration, a Monona facility and Black Earth Campus. In Monona, the Center uses a patchwork of child-scaled wetland, prairie, and forest habitats to introduce young children to the wonders of the natural world. The Black Earth campus, with its rugged rock outcroppings and natural formations that Wisconsin's unique unglaciated terrain provides, is home to 38 acres of oak-hickory forested upland.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th, Scouts
Forestry Program Description: LEAF field enhancements are done to meet the needs of school and scout groups at the Center's two sites. Length of programs varies based upon classroom objectives.
3. Army Lake Camp and Retreat Center
N8725 Army Lake Rd.
East Troy, WI 53120
(262) 642-6400 ext. 231
Contact person: Rodney Buck
rodney_buck@usc.salvationarmy.org
www.armylakecamp.org
Facility Description: 200 acres including groomed camp, agricultural fields, forest, and marsh surrounding 78 acre Army Lake.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: By request as well as integrated into full-day outdoor education and shorter summer camp programs.
4. Cable Natural History Museum
PO Box 416
Cable, WI 54821
(715) 798-3890
Contact person: Sue Benson
sue@cablemuseum.org
www.cablemuseum.org
Facility Description: Located in the heart of the 900,000 acre Chequamegon-Nicolet National forest, the Cable Natural History Museum is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of nature; providing opportunities for natural history and environmental stewardship. They fulfill this mission through exhibits on natural history and environmental subjects; scientific collections that are available to the public for study and research; summer science internships for teens; environmental educational programs annually to 9,000 children throughout northwestern Wisconsin; classes and workshops on a variety of nature and environmental topics; field trips to natural areas; teacher training in environmental curriculum; and consultation service in environmental education to schools.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Pre-kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry field experiences provided throughout the year and in the summer.
5. Camp 5 Museum
5480 Connor Farm Rd.
Laona, WI 54541
(715) 674-3414
Contact person: Sara Connor
mverich@camp5museum.org
www.camp5museum.org
Facility Description: Logging museum and natural resource center with steam train leading to the complex. Open summer months only.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 4th
Forestry Program Description: Camp 5's environmental science and forestry education is for school groups, scouting organizations, and the public.
6. Camp LuWiSoMo
W5421 Aspen Rd
Wild Rose, WI 54984
(920) 622-3350 x. 223
Contact person: Joan Voight
joan@luwisomo.org
www.luwisomo.org
Facility Description: 420 acre mixed hardwood and pine, rolling hills overlooking Round Lake in central Wisconsin. They offer one day, overnight, and year-round programs with skills training in archery, canoeing, fire building, outdoor cooking, group building and star gazing.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 4th-8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry field experiences including math-in-nature and Tree ID.
7. Camp Timber-lee/Timber-lee Christian Center
N8705 Scout Rd.
East Troy, WI 53120
(262) 642-7345
Contact person: Karen Good
kareng@timber-lee.com
www.timber-lee.com
Facility Description: 700-acre residential outdoor education facility, year-round camp with waterfront, forest preserve, prairies, and wetlands.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs:Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry classes offered as part of camp programming.
8. Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya
13654 S Shore Dr.
Suring, WI 54174
(715) 276-7116
Contact person: Darilyn Anderson
darilyn.anderson@greenbayymca.org
www.campunahliya.org
Facility Description: Camp rests in the wilderness and solitude of the pristine Nicolet National Forest. Camp is located on shores of Chute pond, which has 140 acres of land, which includes three bodies of water, deeply forested areas, and marsh areas. Open year round environmental education center and residential facility.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: LEAF classroom lessons for 5th and 6th grade; LEAF field enhancements for K-8.
Forestry Program Description: Programs done by request.
9. Camp Whitcomb/Mason
W294 N8436 Camp Whitcomb Rd.
Hartland, WI 53029
(262) 538-2719
jennyb@boysgirlsclubs.org
www.campwhitcombmason.org
Facility Description: 360 acre residential facility with woodland, prairie, lakes, wetlands, and farm fields.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 2nd - 6th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF lessons can be incorporated into any one-day program or as part of an overnight experience. Specialty programs include one- or two-day experiences that allow forth graders to explore the life of a lumberjack from the 1800s and understand the important role Wisconsin played in the history of the logging and timber industry. They enjoy a lumberjack meal prior to starting their day and explore the ways that a lumberjack managed, measured and cut trees.
10. Camp Y-Koda Outdoor Skills and Education
W3340 Sunset Road
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
(920) 467-6882
Contact person: Jeremiah
campykoda@sheboygancountyymca.org
Facility Description: 80 acres of mixed forest, prairie, wetlands and river. They offer classroom programs, field experiences, ropes courses and summer camp.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: K-8
Forestry Program Description: Summer forest ecology program.
11. Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES)
10186 County Rd. MM
Amherst Junction, WI 54407
(715) 824-2428
Contact person: Tom Quinn
tquinn@uwsp.edu
www.uwsp.edu/cwes
Facility Description: CWES is located on beautiful Sunset Lake and is a year-round environmental education center and residential facility 17 miles east of Stevens Point, WI.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 4th - 8th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF lessons can be incorporated into any one-day program or as part of a full forestry experience. Specialty programs include a one- or two-day field experience that to aids fourth graders in their understanding of Wisconsin’s state history. The Changing of the Land connects the forests of Wisconsin’s past to the lives of students today. Students come face-to-face with a lumberjack from the late 1800s and experience what life was like in a lumber camp. Wisconsin Forestree is an interdisciplinary two- or three-day field experience for students in grades 6-8. Students study forest inventory, habitat suitability, and forest diversity.
12. EB Shurts Environmental Education Center
810 W. College Ave.
Waukesha, WI 53186
(262) 970-4333
Contact person: Joe Smogor
smogorj@waukesha.k12.wi.us
www.waukesha.k12.wi.us/enved
Facility Description: Two indoor classrooms with access to the Fox River Sanctuary and Fox River.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 2nd - 6th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry activities offered for 2nd - 6th grade students.
13. Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve
4815 N Lynndale Dr.
Appleton, WI 54913
(920) 731-6041
bubolz@dataex.com
http://my.athenet.net/~bubolz/index.htm
Facility Description: 750 acre nature preserve with lowland hardwoods/lowland coniferous and prairie/pond habitats. Eight miles of trails.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 4th - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry program consists of ecology, succession, tree identification, management, and use of forestry tools. Students determine the important role trees play in forest communities and in our everyday lives.
14. Hawthorn Glen Outdoor Education Center
1130 N 60th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 475-5300
hawthornglen@lycos.com
http://hawthornglen.tripod.com/
Facility Description: 25 acre wooded area in the center of Milwaukee.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 7th
Forestry Program Description: Programs available upon request. Formal program for grade four in development.
15. Hixon Forest Nature Center
2702 Quarry Rd.
LaCrosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-0303
Contact person: Stephanie Hanna
hixonforest@centurytel.net
Facility Description: The nature center is an interpretive, visitor, and environmental education facility operated by the Friends of Hixon Forest Nature Center, in cooperation with the LaCrosse Parks & Recreation Department. The nature center is located near an 800 acre forest and 1,100 acre riparian marsh. Nearby bluff top prairies create another opportunity for many programs.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
16. Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary
N2384 Hunt Hill Rd.
Sarona, WI 54870
(715) 635-6543
Contact person: Brian Arnold
program@hunthill.org
www.hunthill.org
Facility Description: 500 acre wooded seasonal residential and day program facility.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
17. Kettle Moraine State Forest - Northern Unit/Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center
N1765 Hwy. G
Campbellsport, WI 53010
(920) 533-8322
Contact person: Jackie Scharfenberg
jackie.scharfenberg@dnr.state.wi.us
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/kmn/
Facility Description: The Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, where the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center is located, comprises almost 30,000 acres. Included are world-class retreating glacial landforms, southern and northern oak hardwood forests, and Ice Age relic biological communities. The Ice Age Visitor Center introduces visitors to how the glaciers of the last Ice Age created the landscape of the area.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request and tailored to a group's needs.
18. LacLawrann Conservancy c/o West Bend Park and Rec.
1115 S Main St.
West Bend, WI 53095
(262) 335-5085
Contact person: Kate Peterman
laclawrann@ci.west-bend.wi.us
www.ci.westbend.wi.us/Friends%20of%20LLC/Lac%20Lawrann.htm
Facility Description: Lac Lawrann Conservancy – located at 300 Schmidt Road in West Bend – is a beautiful and peaceful 104 acre natural area managed and maintained for nature study and passive outdoor recreation activities. The Conservancy serves as a refuge for plants, animals, and birds; presents several examples of glacial landforms to observe; and it offers a self-guided trail system that extends through or along side tallgrass prairie, red pine forest, native hardwood forest, lake, and wetlands.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
19. Lake Lucerne Camp Retreat Center
W6460 Co Rd YY
Neshkoro, WI 54960
(920) 293-4488
lhutler@wisconsinumc.org
Facility Description: 500 acres of woodlands, prairies and pine plantation surrounding Lake Lucerne. Provide day and overnight programs.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: K-12
Forestry Program Description: LEAF activities are incorporated into summer camp and used in and day and overnight Field Experiences.
20. MacKenzie Environmental Education Center
W7303 County Hwy. CS & Q
Poynette, WI 53955
(608) 635-8105
Contact person: Ruth Ann Lee
mackenziecenter@dnr.state.wi.us
www.mackenziecenter.com
Facility Description: See a mountain lion, wolf, or eagle; find the two headed pig; hikes the trails; learn about Wisconsin’s logging and conservation history; climb the fire tower! Visit 280 acres of fields, prairies, and forest land. The MacKenzie Center provides day and overnight groups a year-round facility for studying the environment. They feature hiking trails, museums, a pond, a live wildlife exhibit with native Wisconsin animals.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 5th - 6th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF field enhancements are done to meet the needs of each school based on teacher and/or group leader objectives.
21. Marinette County Land & Water Conservation Division
1926 Hall Ave.
Marinette, WI 54143
(715) 732-7784
Contact person: Amanda Kostner
akostner@marinettecounty.com
www.marinettecounty.com/lw_ed_home.htm
Facility Description: Programs are offered at schools, school forests, or other public lands in Marinette County.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF lessons for 5th and 6th grade; LEAF field enhancements for K-8; Other forestry lessons & activities K-5. Programs are done by request. Program lengths vary.
22. Maywood Environmental Park
3615 Mueller Rd.
Sheboygan, WI 53083
(920) 459-3906
Contact person: Rebecca Westfahl
rwestfahl@ci.sheboygan.wi.us
www.gomaywood.org
Facility Description: 120 acres of deciduous forest, prairie, and river bottom.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
23. Riveredge
PO Box 26
Newburg, WI 53060
(262) 375-2715
Contact person: Mary Holleback
riveredge@riveredge.us
www.riveredge.us
Facility Description: 350 acre sanctuary with ten miles of trails around ponds and fens, through woodlands and prairies, and along the Milwaukee River.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 2nd - 6th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF activities are part of community, community explorations, and maple sugaring programs. Other forestry programs done by request.
24. Navarino Nature Center
W5646 Lindsten Rd.
Shiocton, WI 54170
(715) 758-6999
Contact person: Tim Ewing
nnc1@tds.net
www.navarino.org
Facility Description: Navarino Nature Center is an environmental education facility located within the Navarino Wildlife Area (WDNR). Many miles of trails through prairie, forest, and wetland communities.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Pre-K - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Half or full-day programs.
25. Pine Lake UM Camp Kuntz Environmental Center
W8103 Co Hwy M
Westfield, WI 53964
(608) 296-2720
lhutler@wisconsinumc.org
Facility Description: 470 acres wooded residential facility.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: K-12
Forestry Program Description: Summer camp events; school groups at the site and in the classroom.
26. Pringle Nature Center
9800 160th Av
Bristol, WI 53104
(262) 857-8008
pnc@clsurf.com
www.pringlenc.org
Facility Description: 200 acre county park with woodland, prairie, pond and picnic areas.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: K-6
Forestry Program Description: Part-day programs, week-long day camps.
27. Mosquito Hill Nature Center
N3880 Rogers Rd.
New London, WI 54961
(920) 779-6433
Contact person: Mary Swifka
swifkamk@co.outagamie.wi.us
www.co.outagamie.wi.us/Parks/MH_home.htm
Facility Description: 430-acre environmental education center with a variety of wooded habitats.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 6th
Forestry Program Description: Half or full-day programs.
28. Riverland Conservancy
125 Vine St.
Baraboo, WI 53913
(608) 356-0614
Contact Person: Deborah Frosch
deborahfrosch@alliantenergy.com
http://alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/default.hcsp
Facility Description: Riverland Conservancy’s Merrimac Preserve is an ideal setting for use as an outdoor classroom. Nestled in the foothills of the Baraboo Bluffs and adjacent to Devil’s Lake State Park, the 1800 acre preserve is home to a diverse array of habitats and wildlife.
Grades Served With Forestry Program: 7th - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request and tailored to groups' needs.
29. Schaefer's Choose & Harvest Tree Farm
3712 Kettle Moraine Rd.
Hartford, WI 53027
(262) 644-6055
schaccount2@hotmail.com
www.nconnect.net/~mhschaefer
Facility Description: 80 acre Christmas Tree Farm with river, wetland, and prairie, 60+ species of deciduous and coniferous trees.
Grades Served With Forestry Program: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Full and part day forestry education and experiments.
30. SENO Woodland Education Center
3606 Dyer Lake Rd.
Burlington, WI 53105
(262) 743-1694
Contact person: Kendra Johncock
Kendra@elknet.net
www.senocenter.org
Facility Description: 131 acres of forest, wetland, and prairie. Tree farm for forestry education.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF Field enhancements for students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade. Other forestry classes include our outdoor classroom of hardwood and conifer forests, wolf tree, cord wood, and forest growth plot. Each outdoor classroom helps students to increase their knowledge of forests and related habitats, management concepts, forest inventory, planning and decision making.
31. Summer Outdoor Adventure Club, Inc. (SOAC)
150 8th
Reedsburg, WI 53959
(608) 524-2028
Contact person: Gary Williams
mwilliams@jvlnet.com
Facility Description: SOAC goes to schools to work with classes and teachers at local nature areas. Adventure trips (including overnights) available for 5th-7th graders.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 6th
Forestry Program Description: Day trips to local woods.
32. Superior Municipal Forest
N 28th St and Wyoming Av
Superior, WI 54880
Contact Person: Amber Westerbur
westerbura@ci.superior.wi.us
Facility Description: The Superior National Forest is the country’s third largest municipal forest. It lies west of the city but is still within city boundaries. Unique features include 4,400 acres of forest, wetlands and a State Natural Area.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: K-8
Forestry Program Description: Programming is under development. The city hopes to provide LEAF activities by request, as part of full-day forestry experiences and through teacher-led initiatives. Activities will focus on and around the Millennium Trail, a 1.3 mile 10-foot wide paved trail.
33. Treehaven
W2540 Pickerel Creek Rd.
Tomahawk, WI 54487
(715) 453-4106
Contact person: John Heusinkveld
jheusink@uwsp.edu
www.uwsp.edu/cnr/treehaven
Facility Description: 1,400-acre wooded residential facility including northern forests, bog, wetland, stream, and pond. Capacity for 120 including food service.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
34. Urban Ecology Center
1500 E. Park. Pl.
Milwaukee, WI 53211
(414) 964-8505 Ext. 111
Contact person: Sara Vondrachek
svondrachek@urbanecologycenter.org
www.urbanecologycenter.org
Facility Description: 12 acre wooded area in center of Milwaukee. Community Center that offers citizen science, research, environmental education, and urban adventures.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 8th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
35. UW-Extension
875 S 4th Ave.
Park Falls, WI 54552
(715) 762-0036
Contact person: Kris Tiles
kris.tiles@ces.uwex.edu
http://basineducation.uwex.edu/upperchip/
Facility Description: Programs are offered in school forests or on public lands.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
36. Web of Life Environmental Education Center
PO Box 624
Germantown, WI 53022
(262) 628-0885
http://allthingsconnect.org/
Facility Description: Environmental education facility and wildlife rehabilitation center operating in the Washington County Park system.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request.
37. Wehr Nature Center
9701 W. College Ave.
Franklin, WI 53132
(414) 425-8550
Contact person: Debra McRae
debra.mcrae@ces.uwex.edu
www.countyparks.com
Facility Description: Wehr Nature Center is a 220 acre facility with a 20 acre lake, Visitor Center and five miles of trails through woodland, wetlands, prairie and oak savanna. It is operated by Milwaukee County Parks and UW-Extension and has an outreach arm called Nature In The Parks. Wehr and Nature In The Parks offer environmental education programs for school groups, scouts, in-school and libraries.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 6th, Scouts
Forestry Program Description: Trees and Me, grades 2 – 4; Keyed on Trees, grades 2 – 3; Maple Magic, grades k - 1 and 2 - 6
38. Welty Environmental Center
8606 W County Rd. H
Beloit, WI 53511
(608) 361-1377
Contact person: Tanya Zastrow
tzastrow@weltycenter.org
www.weltycenter.org
Facility Description: Welty Environmental Center is located in beautiful Beckman Mill County Park, just 6 miles west of Beloit. In the park there is a restored grist mill, pond, creek, oak savannah remnant, and small woodland.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten - 12th
Forestry Program Description: LEAF field enhancements are done to meet the needs of school groups at the center, at their school, or at their school forest. Length of programs varies.
39. Whitefish Dunes State Park
3275 Clark Lake Rd.
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920) 823-2400
Contact person: Carolyn Rock
carolyn.rock@dnr.state.wi.us
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/whitefish/index.html
Facility Description: 600 acre state park with a beech maple forest, sand dunes (forested and open), pine plantation, tag alder swamp, and four different water systems (great lake, inland lake, class A trout stream, wetland).
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: 4th - 6th
Forestry Program Description: Forestry programs done by request
40. Woodland Dunes Nature Center
PO Box 486
Two Rivers, WI 54241-048
(920) 793-4007
Contact person: Bernie Brouchoud or Jim Knickelbine
woodlanddunes@lakefield.net
www.woodlanddunes.com
Facility Description: 1,200 acre preserve and nature education facility. Nine habitat types, educational displays, six miles of nature trails, and education programs.
Grades Served with Forestry Programs: Kindergarten-12
Forestry Program Description: Urban forestry programs for grades 5-8. Additional forestry programs done by request.