Antler Antics

Few things are more majestic than the sight of a buck in the forest! In this exciting activity lesson, meet the deer family (Cervidae) and learn all about North American cervids through a visual presentation and touchable props. Then explore the differences between antlers and horns, make your own antlers, and step into the life of a deer through a fun, active game! (Grades K-8)

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Are You Smarter Than a Crow?

Most everyone has seen a crow before, as these members of the family Corvidae can be found in many different habitats! But did you know that corvids are some of the smartest birds out there? Step onto the set of a pretend game show and test your mettle in games modeled after real challenges scientists have conducted with crows to measure their intelligence. Are YOU smarter than a crow? (Grades K-5)

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Artistic Animals

Spots and stripes and speckles, oh my! Animals in nature display many different colors and patterns to help them survive. Through fun games and activities, learn about different colorations, camouflage patterns, and why camouflage is—or isn’t—important to an animal! (Grades K-8)

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Fauna Finders

As wild animals go about their lives, they leave behind many signs that can tell us who they are and what they were doing! Become a nature detective and gather environmental evidence by learning to identify tracks, scat, browse, and other animal signs often overlooked. You never know what you might find! (Grades K-12)

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Incredible Insects*

Love them or fear them, insects make up about 80% of all life on Earth! With over a million known species, the world of insects is vastly diverse. Become an entomologist (insect scientist) by heading outside to catch, observe, and release bugs as you learn about their cool adaptations and important roles in ecosystems! Bug catching kits provided. (*Spring/Summer/Fall only) (Grades K-12)

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Macroinvertebrate Mayhem*

Be prepared to get your hands dirty! Enter the amazing world of aquatic macroinvertebrates and explore the lives of crawly critters that make their homes in rocks and muck beneath the water’s surface. What can they tell us about the health of an aquatic ecosystem? Let’s find out! (*Spring/Summer/Fall only) (Grades K-12)

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Ornithology

Soar into the world of birds with this introduction to avian biology, behavior, and ecology! Discover what makes a bird a bird, determine which orders Wisconsin birds belong to through an interactive matching game, practice using alpha codes like a bird bander, and tie it all together with a birding activity. (Grades 5-12)

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Perplexing Pellets

Owls are known for coughing up pellets—bundles of fur and feathers full of bones from recent meals! Take a closer look at an owl’s diet by dissecting an owl pellet and identifying the bones inside, then discover what owl pellets can reveal about food webs in nature. This activity pairs well with the Owls of Wisconsin presentation! (Grades 4-12)

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Radical Raptors

What makes a raptor such a fierce and powerful bird? Investigate the unique adaptations of hawks, eagles, falcons, ospreys, owls, and even vultures through specimen observation and interactive demonstrations! Learn what three adaptations a bird needs to be considered a raptor, and explore raptor lifestyles to find out how each family differs in habitat, hunting style, prey choice, and more. Then discover some of Wisconsin’s most common raptors and how to spot them in the wild! (Grades K-12)

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Skull Skills

An animal’s skull can tell us all about how it once lived! Through this interactive activity, explore real skulls of Northwoods mammals to learn the unique adaptations of herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores, and practice using a dichotomous key to identify unknown animal skulls. (Grades 4-12)

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The Big Good Wolf

Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf? Wisconsin forests sure aren’t! Through games, touchables, and interactive demonstrations, enter the life of our state’s most iconic predator and discover how wolf populations can benefit the health of a forest ecosystem. Is the big bad wolf actually the big good wolf? You decide! (Grades K-12)

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Wildlife Murder Mystery

Whodunnit? In this problem-solving game, players will investigate the fictional murder case of the North American Red Squirrel by acting out roles of Northwoods wildlife. Using gathered clues and evidence from each character, the group will work together in a discussion to figure out who—or what—caused the mysterious death of the Red Squirrel. Limit 20 players at a time. (Grades 6-12)

Ethnobotany Explorers

Since the dawn of time, humans across the world have used plants for food, medicine, tools, construction, and more! Step into the world of ethnobotany, the study of cultural relations between humans and plants, and discover some of the useful plants growing right here in Wisconsin through interactive activities and specimen observation. (Grades 2-12)

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Forestry Skills

Forestry is the science of managing, using, and conserving forests and their resources. Step into the role of a forester and learn what tools and techniques foresters use when caring for a forest, then practice taking measurements to assess the timber value of a given plot! (Grades 7-12)

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ID That Tree!

Wisconsin has about 17 million acres of forest, with many different tree species! Get to know the trees that grow around us by learning the parts of a tree and how we tell species apart, then practice your observational skills by using a dichotomous key to identify various Wisconsin trees. In winter, learn how to identify deciduous trees through their buds and twigs! (Grades 4-12)

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Mysterious Mosses

Some plant species that still exist on Earth today are older than the dinosaurs—and it’s not hard to find them! Enter the mysterious world of mosses and clubmosses (lycopods), no time travel necessary. Learn the history of these unique, prehistoric plants and compare/contrast the two to discover why they aren’t as similar as their names imply, then use what you learned to search for moss and clubmoss growing in the wild! (Grades 3-12)

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Seasonal Plant Identification

Take a walk through the woods and get to know what’s growing based on the time of year! Observe different plant specimens and habitats, discuss identification tips, and discover interesting facts about Wisconsin’s native plant species. (Grades K-12)

Habitat hike

From bogs to meadows to old-growth forest, Treehaven is host to a variety of Northwoods habitats! Embark on a hike to observe and explore some of these habitats, and discover the plants and animals that call them home. Learn how a habitat meets the needs of the organisms that depend on it for survival, and what we can do to protect habitat diversity! (Grades K-12)

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Secret of Snags

A dead tree may look ghostly, but it’s secretly filled with life! Discover how standing dead trees, or snags, provide crucial food, shelter, nutrients, and more for many living organisms by acting out roles of wildlife, fungi, and plants that depend on snags to meet their needs. Then take a closer look at real snags to see what signs of life you can find! (Grades 3-12)

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Subnivean Science*

The subnivean zone is a unique habitat formed by the snowpack each winter, and despite being made of snow, it helps many different Northwoods animals withstand the cold! During an indoor presentation, discover the science behind the subnivean zone’s formation and explore some ways mammals, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates use it to survive. Afterwards, venture outdoors to craft a snow shelter and experience the insulating properties of snow yourself! (*Winter only) (Grades 2-12)

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Wonders of Wetlands*

From swamps to marshes and bogs to fens, Wisconsin has many types of wetland habitat! But what is the difference, and why are wetlands important? Visit some of Treehaven’s wetland habitats, work together to make lists of observations about each, and compare/contrast to learn how wetlands support diversity in nature. Then explore the threats wetlands face, and how conserving them helps humans too! (*Spring/Summer/Fall only) (Grades 4-12)

Birding Basics

Treehaven provides suitable habitats for many different bird species! Embark on a guided hike and visit various locations to search for birds in their natural environment. Practice using a field guide and digital apps to identify birds you spot, and listen in to learn whose call is whose! Binoculars, field guides, and iPads provided. (Grades K-12)

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Canoeing*

Venture onto Dragonfly Pond in an exciting canoe adventure! Whether you have paddled before or not, learn basic skills, strokes, and safety before heading out to explore the pond and observe interesting wildlife, plants, and more. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets provided. A certified lifeguard MUST be provided by your group to select this activity. We do not have lifeguards on-site! (*Spring/Summer/Fall only) (Grades K-5)

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Citizen Science 101

Citizen science allows anyone to contribute to biodiversity research, and with digital resources it’s easier than ever to get started! Explore the basics of various projects that collect data on living organisms including iNaturalist, eBird, and Snapshot Wisconsin, and practice making/identifying observations. New citizen scientists will leave with skills that make an impact and inspire continued discovery in nature! iPads provided. (Grades 8-12)

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Compass Challenge

Navigation is easy nowadays with technology, but what if GPS isn’t an option? Learn how to navigate the old-fashioned way using a map and compass! Discuss historical navigation and basic compass skills, practice taking bearings and counting your paces, then use what you learned to navigate a compass course in a team competition! Compasses provided. (Grades 6-12)

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Cross-Country Skiing*

Hit Treehaven’s cross-country ski trails in an introduction to this ancient winter sport! Learn basic techniques and safety from an experienced instructor, then practice your new skills on the trails. Skis and equipment provided. (*Winter only; at least 75 minutes required for best instruction) (Grades 4-12)

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Each One Teach One

In this interactive and memorable activity, head outside and become a “professor” of a plant, animal sign, natural concept, or other interesting topic encountered on the trails. Each professor learns quick facts about their unique topic from a naturalist, then is stationed near it to share those facts with fellow professors. You will have the chance to be both learner and teacher as you make exciting, bite-sized discoveries about the ecosystem around you! (Grades K-12)

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Fire Building

In a survival situation, knowing how to start a fire with a steel striker is a life-saving skill. Learn the essential components and structure of every fire and watch a demonstration of steel striker technique, then gather your materials and practice building your own! (Intended as practice to pair with the full-group Wilderness Survival Challenge. If not including the challenge, opt for Wilderness Survival Skills instead.) (Grades 3-12)

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Guided Nature Hike

Hit the trails for a guided hike, where our naturalists will highlight interesting plants, wildlife, habitat, ecology, and more! (Grades K-12)

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Maple Syruping*

Did you know Treehaven makes about 40 gallons of maple syrup each spring? During an exciting introduction to the time-old tradition of maple syruping, discover the process that turns sap from our maple trees into the delicious syrup on your breakfast. You will even get the chance to tap a maple tree and taste fresh sap! (*Late February-early April only; may vary by year) (Grades K-12)

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Nature Art

Nature is full of artistic inspiration that anyone can appreciate regardless of skill level! Explore the beauty outdoors and embrace your creative side through an introduction to plein air painting, scientific sketching, and nature sculpting. Make your own masterpieces to bring home, then work together and create a class sculpture from natural materials to leave along Treehaven’s gallery trail! (Grades K-12)

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Nature Journaling

Nature journaling is a great way to connect with the outdoors! Create and decorate your own nature journal, then head outside and explore some basic prompts like observation, sketching, sound maps, and more. Great as a beginning activity to allow students opportunities to keep journaling throughout their trip! (Grades 2-12)

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Outdoor Observers

Take a closer look at the world outside through digital microscopes! Learn how to use this fun observational tool by exploring a touch table of nature specimens, then head outside and choose your own specimens to magnify. Prepare to be amazed by the interesting shapes, colors, and patterns you see as you create an illustration of your specimens up close! (Grades K-12)

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Seasonal Scavenger Hunt

Explore phenology at Treehaven with a nature scavenger hunt for each season! Head out to the trails on a guided hike and try to make as many observations as you can, learning about seasonal changes to the environment as you go. (Grades K-12)

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Sledding*

Relax and have some fun sledding down some of Treehaven’s best hills! Sleds provided. (*Winter only) (Grades K-12)

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Snowshoeing*

Explore the winter landscape at Treehaven through exciting snowshoe trails! Learn snowshoeing basics, then give it a try on a fun-filled guided hike all about changes that winter brings to the environment. Snowshoes provided. (*Winter only) (Grades K-12)

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Wilderness Survival Skills

What would you do if you were lost in the woods? Practice essential skills in this hands-on introduction to wilderness survival! Learn how to prioritize your needs for survival, discuss useful survival tools to have, then practice building a shelter and starting a fire with a steel striker! (Basic activity alternative to the Wilderness Survival Challenge.) (Grades 3-12)

Resource Royale

In this educational version of classic Capture the Flag, players will be introduced to the study of ecology and how competition for resources affects living organisms in nature through two iconic Northwoods animals, the bobcat and the fisher. Then, they will join either Team Bobcat or Team Fisher and experience real-life competition as they attempt to claim resource flags from the other team’s territory to secure survival in their habitat and win the game! (Grades 2-12)

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Web of Life

In this exciting and active ecosystem simulation game, players will receive a certain amount of life energy and step into one of five roles to test their mettle surviving in nature by searching for resources, avoiding predators and disaster, finding a mate, and facing the effects of environmental pollutants. Prior to the game, players will be introduced to the study of ecology and explore concepts like food webs and predator-prey relationships that drive interactions in nature. Afterwards, they will discuss how their experiences during the game represent real-life ecosystems, and learn how the struggles they faced are similar to those of organisms in nature! (Grades 4-12)

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Wilderness Survival Challenge

Put your wilderness survival skills to the test in a timed team challenge based around a mock survival scenario! After learning the situation and discussing a plan of action, each team will be tasked with building a shelter that fits the entire team, starting a fire with a steel striker, and collecting water to heat in a tin can over the fire. Teams also receive a choice of two survival items, but must think carefully to determine which are most useful for their tasks. The team to complete all tasks first wins! (Fire Building basic activity is designed to supplement the challenge and is required for prior instruction and practice.) (Grades 3-12)

Living Fossils

Some living organisms have changed so little from prehistoric times that they are almost identical to their fossilized ancestors! Meet Wisconsin’s oldest extant (non-extinct) species, and learn how their roles in nature have helped them to withstand the test of time. From animals that have existed for millions of years to plants that once grew amongst dinosaurs, step into the past and discover the hidden histories of life around us! (Grades K-12)

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Northwoods Wildlife

Discover some of the most iconic and interesting wildlife species that define Northwoods ecosystems through a visual presentation complete with pelts, mounts, videos, and more. Learn curious facts about all kinds of critters with feathers, scales, slime, and fur, including what habitats they prefer to live in and where you may be able to spot them during your time at Treehaven! (Grades K-12)

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Owls of Wisconsin

Knock knock, hoo’s there? It’s the owls of Wisconsin! Through touchables, visuals, and activities, discover the different owl species found in our state. From the familiar great horned owl to the elusive snowy owl, you will learn what adaptations make an owl an owl, how to identify each species by sight and by sound, and what you can do to help owl populations thrive! (Grades K-12)

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Wisconsin’s wicked plants

You might imagine pretty flowers and majestic trees when you think of plants, but not all are quite as friendly! Through visuals and specimen observation, discover some of the weirdest and wickedest plants found in our state. Meet plants that catch and eat bugs, steal nutrients from other plants, pack a painful punch, contain deadly poison, and more. But don’t fear—learn why they have these wicked adaptations, and how it helps them survive in their habitats! (Grades K-12)

fantastic Fireflies

You would not believe your eyes if ten thousand fireflies… vanished from the skies?! Fireflies are disappearing, but the extent of their decline is not fully understood due to a lack of scientific data on many species. Discover the firefly genera found in Wisconsin, learn what makes each one unique, and find out how you can help conserve them by contributing observations, protecting habitat, and more! Afterwards, head outside to play a flash pattern game in the dark and experience what life is like for a firefly. In spring/summer, you might even spot real fireflies flashing! (Grades 2-12)

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Owls of Wisconsin

In this variation on the Owls of Wisconsin slide presentation, explore the adaptations of owls through touchable specimens and games, discover the different owl species found in our state, and learn how to identify their calls. Then head outside on an owl prowl, where we will listen for the calls of Treehaven’s owls! (Grades K-12)

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Star Stories

Since ancient times, humans have looked to the night sky with wonder and awe. Through an interactive presentation, explore the history of astronomy and discover how patterns in the stars have shaped everything from myths to sciences. Learn which constellations are currently visible in the night sky (varies by season), listen to the Greek myths that gave them their names, then venture outside for some stargazing and see how many constellations you can find! (Grades 2-12)

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Wolf Ecology

Gray wolves are an iconic—and controversial—species of the Northwoods, and human opinions of them have been conflicted long since the days of folklore. No matter their reputation, discover the role gray wolves have in ecosystems by exploring their biology, habitat, and complicated history in Wisconsin through a slide presentation with specimens and activities. Afterwards, head outside for a nighttime wolf howl and see if Treehaven’s wolves answer! (Grades 5-12)

Funky Fluorescence

Lots of things in nature can display funky neon colors (fluorescence) under ultraviolet light, including insects, arachnids, plants, lichens, fungi, rocks, birds, flying squirrels, and more! However, not all fluoresce, and our understanding of what does is limited—much less why it does. Gear up with UV flashlights and head out on a night hike for some fluorescent fun as we discuss various reasons why fluorescence might occur in ecosystems, then investigate every nook and cranny to find out what glows! (Best variety is seen in warm months, but possible in winter with a focus on rocks, mosses, and lichens.) (Grades K-12)

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Magnificent Moths*

When the sun sets, the dazzling and diverse world of moths comes to life! Explore the hidden beauty of an insect often overlooked as we embark on a nighttime “mothing” adventure, where we will use various methods like sugary bait and illuminated curtains to draw them in. Observe these nocturnal wonders up close as we identify and discuss fascinating features of any moths we find. You will even learn how to continue mothing at home, and how your sightings can benefit science! (*Late Spring/Summer/Early Fall only) (Grades K-12)

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Nocturnal Adaptations Night Hike

When we go to sleep, a whole world of wildlife awakens! Embark on a guided nighttime hike, where you will step into the roles of different nocturnal animals and explore their senses to discover the amazing adaptations that help them thrive after dark. You may even learn something new about your own nighttime senses! (Grades 2-12)