Dec. 12    Sunday 1:00-2:30 pm Winter bird walk. Many species winter over in Madison including cardinals, blue jays, hawks, chickadees, and nuthatches. Learn how to identify each species by their fight pattern, distinctive colors and vocalization. Learn how you can support their winter feeding in your backyard.

                  Sunday 1:30-2:30 pm Family walk – “Our feathered friends”. This walk is intended for families and to teach children how they can spot birds in the winter. Often, because of the white snow and lack of leaves in the trees it’s easier for children to spot birds in the winter. Join an Arboretum naturalist for this hour walk to learn which birds make Madison their home in the winter.

                 Sunday 3:00-4:00 pm Book signing and poetry readying with Sandy Stark, author of Counting on the Birds.   Sandy turns her walks and birding in local woods and turns her experience into poetry. Come and hear Sandy read from her poetry.

Dec. 19    Sunday 1:00-2:30 pm Overwintering walk. How do native plants and animals survive the harsh Wisconsin winter? Walk with an Arboretum naturalist and learn the tricks native plants and animals use to survive until the spring thaw.

Dec. 21     Tuesday 4:00-5:30 pm. Winter Solstice. A special walk to witness the sunset on the shortest day of the year and celebrate the beginning of winter. Sure, you thought winter has already begun – but technically winter begins with the solstice on Dec.21.   The good news is that beginning Dec. 22 each day there’s a few more minutes of daylight.

Dec. 26      Sunday 1:00-2:30 pm. Quiet Time Walk. Take the time to enjoy the special silence that can be experienced in the winter when you have to bundle up. Without leaves in the trees the sounds of nature echo throughout the Arboretum.

Dec. 31      Friday 6:30-8:00 pm. New Year’s Eve. Forego the party and drinking this New Year’s Eve and re-connect with nature. Arboretum naturalist will lead groups on a quiet walk and sky gazing. Following the walk hot chocolate will be served in the Visitor Center. Welcome 2011 in peace and an appreciation for the wonders of nature in the heart of Madison at the UW-Arboretum.

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