Welcome To Woodland Dunes Nature Center

S.S. Badger Carferry Information:
www.ssbadger.com

Local Partners in Conservation:

Conservation Education Incorporated

Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership

Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve is an oasis of globally significant wildlife habitat located between Manitowoc and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

artist Woodland Dunes is located near an ecological "tension zone" between two distinct areas of natural vegetation in Wisconsin. Both northern and southern species of plants and animals are found here.

Located between two busy cities, this preserve, much of it formed on ancient beach dunes and wet swales provides a haven for wildlife...and for people.

Step beyond the cities, only a few blocks away, and enter an almost timeless environment while hiking our nature trails. Experience our habitats, including dune and swale forest, cattail marsh, shrub swamp, and native grasslands. Explore our interpretive center, butterfly garden, and two accessible boardwalks to learn about this remarkable wild area.

Visit Woodland Dunes and share this experience.

Field Notes:

27 May, 55 degrees and rain. Summer resident birds are settling in- goslings have already hatched, along with woodcock and robins. Good numbers of yellow warblers and common yellowthoats in the shrub swamps, and northern waterthrushes and veerys in the woods. Alder flycatchers sing from the thickets on warm days now, and last week the first monarchs and painted lady butterflies returned (both are migratory). In the water, mosquito larvae are abundant, and caddisfly larvae are getting quite large.

17 June, 74 degrees at 2 pm- Nearly 90 species of birds have been recorded on our summer bird survey so far, mostly identified by their songs. Although they are here during the nesting season and are advertising for a mate, we can't be sure that all are successfully nesting. Still, at this point in the survey, 90 species is a very good number!

22 June, 80 degrees at noon- on one of our summer survey routes this morning, we recorded 32 species of birds in the forest, including Acadian Flycatcher and for the first time, a pine warbler. The forest at 5 am in the summer is an enchanting place- sunlight filtering through the dark tree canopy, lush vegetation all around, and the wonderful calls of dozens of birds. And a few mosquitoes!

Bumble Bee Survey
Do you have a bumble bee nest in your yard? Would you like to contribute to scientific knowledge about bees? We have been contacted by a graduate student from the University of Georgia who is studying bumble bee nest sites. If you are willing to complete a series of questions about the nest, you can fill out a bee nest survey form. -

The June and July Five Buck Hootenannies have been postponed. The next Hoot will be on August 29!
Facebook users- check out our new Facebook.com page for information and discussion about Woodland Dunes, and become a friend if you'd like to keep in touch!

School Program News
Teachers and Daycare Providers- Registration is open for our Summer Program. Bring your group to Woodland Dunes for an educational and fun guided half-day field trip. Children love learning about nature in our exceptional natural area, and on our trails, boardwalks, and butterfly garden. Picnic facilities also available. For more information, or to register your group, contact Kelly at 793-4007 or kellye@woodlanddunes.com

Woodland Dunes on "In Wisconsin"

The "In Wisconsin" segment about the Woodland Dunes owl banding project and Owlfest, featured on the Nov. 20 program, is now available for viewing on the Wisconsin Public Television website- wpt.org/inwisconsin

New at Woodland Dunes
See Events Page for details

Ice Age Trail Workday, June 27 at 8:30 am.- we will work on the trail segment through Woodland Dunes, building a boardwalk. Meet at headquarters on Hwy 310.

Manitowoc River Rendezvous, Saturday, June 27, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Saturday, September 5, Butterfly Festival

Woodland Dunes Folk Concert Series

The Woodland Dunes concert series is a collaboration of ideas and resources of Woodland Dunes and The Golden Ring Music & Folklore Center with the main goal of producing a series of family friendly concerts of traditional American roots music - ranging from Appalachian Mountain Music to Traditional Folk music to Acoustic country Blues as well as music based on those roots presenting quality entertainment in the enjoyable small intimate setting of Woodland Dunes. We will be bringing in performers whose names may be familiar or unfamiliar, but will always be a delight to our audiences Another of our goals is to foster local talent in the Folk Music field and give them an audience to perform in front of and grow. We will be doing just that in our "Five Buck Hootenannies" where our audiences will be treated to new as well as experienced local performers in an evening concert of 5 or 6 different performers for the low price of...you guessed it - Five Bucks. Complete updated information of the Woodland Dunes Concert Series can be found on the Woodland Dunes Concert website. While you are there, sign up for our e-mail newsletter of Folk concert information and much more. An upcoming concert schedule can be found on the site, or you can check our upcoming events page.