Welty Environmental Center Programs and Events The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what they see, and enjoy what they understand. --Aldo Leopold, The Role of Wildlife in a Liberal Education

Saturday, February 13, 1:00 pm, Beckman Mill County Park
Winter Campfire Feast

Wear your warm woolies and bring your appetite to enjoy some old fashioned campfire cooking. Delicious dishes will be prepared in Dutch ovens, and hot coffee and cocoa will be provided. Please help us make this a low-trash event by bringing your own dishes and mugs. Be ready to enjoy hot food and good conversation. Do you have a recipe that you would like to share? Call the Welty Environmental Center by Monday, February 8 to be a featured chef!
All ages welcome, but children need to be accompanied by an adult.
At the Pavilion in Beckman Mill County Park.
Cost: $10 per adult for Welty members, $15 per adult for nonmembers, All children $5 each.
Call (608) 361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org by Monday, February 8 to register.

Saturday, February 27, 5:30-7:30 pm at Big Hill Park
Owl Prowl

Bundle up for a quiet evening under a waxing moon to call for owls. This is a very active time for local owls as they are mating and nesting in late February. We will also be observing the winter night sky, hearing stories of constellations, and learning the fact and fiction about owls. Be sure to dress warmly for this outdoor evening hike.
All ages welcome, but children need to be accompanied by an adult. At Big Hill Park in Beloit.
$3 per person for Welty members. $5 per person for non-members.
Call (608) 361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org by Wednesday, February 24 to register.

Saturday, March 13, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Maple Sugar Festival at Big Hill Park

Bring the whole family for the 6th annual celebration of maple sugar! All ages welcome for this FREE event! The festival has activities and food for everyone. Tour the sugar maple grove to see how trees are tapped and the sap is collected. Visit the evaporator to watch as maple sap is boiled into real maple syrup. Enjoy a pancake breakfast complete with sausage, applesauce, hot chocolate, coffee, and of course REAL maple syrup.
Cost for the breakfast is $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 years and under. At Big Hill Park.
For more information contact the Welty Environmental Center at (608) 361-1377 or info@weltycenter.org.

Sunday, March 14, 2:00 - 3:30 pm, Big Hill Park
Nature Rocks Family Nature Club - Maple Sugar Mania

The crows and cawing and the spring peepers and peeping, so it must mean one thing -- it's Maple Sugar Time! Take part in tapping sugar maple trees, collecting sap, and boiling it to make maple syrup! Come see us this month at Big Hill Park. For all ages.
Cost: $5 per family for Welty members, $10 per family for nonmembers.
Call (608) 361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org by Wednesday, March 3 to register.

Sunday, April 11, 2:00 pm at Beloit Historical Society
Friends of the Welty Environmental Center Annual Meeting

Old and new members of the Friends of the Welty Environmental Center are invited to attend the annual meeting. The business meeting, featuring election of officers, will be followed by a talk on sustainable agriculture by Susan and Denny Wright of Wright Way Farms. All are welcome.
Call (608) 361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org for more information.

Saturday, April 17, 9:00 am - noon at Beckman Mill County Park
Welty Environmental Center Scrap Metal Drive and Garbage Grab-a-thon

Kick off Earth Week by cleaning out your garage, shed, or whatever! Bring your scrap metal to the parking lot at Beckman Mill County Park, located 8 miles west of Beloit, WI (call for directions). Volunteers will help you unload your scrap metal. When your car, truck or trailer is unloaded grab a bag and help us clean up the country roads surrounding the park by taking part in a garbage grab-a-thon! Participants are encouraged to get pledges for bags of garbage picked up. Call the Welty Environmental Center to get your form. All funds raised from the scrap metal drive and garbage grab-a-thon help support the Friends of the Welty Environmental Center. Afterwards, stay to enjoy a free lunch served from noon to 1pm at the park pavilion! All ages welcome.
For more information contact the Welty Environmental Center at (608) 361-1377 or info@weltycenter.org.

Saturday, April 17, 1:00 pm at Beckman Mill County Park
Nature Rocks: Spring Anew

Explore at this exciting time of year. Migrating birds are returning, hibernating animals are waking up, and activity is everywhere. Celebrate the return of spring with your natural neighbors. Fee per family=$10, FWEC member $5. Register one week in advance.
For more information contact the Welty Environmental Center at (608) 361-1377 or info@weltycenter.org.

Sunday, April 18, 6:30 pm at Beckman Mill County Park
Twilight Poetry Hike

Come to an evening hike for a reflective welcome to Earth Week. As the sun sets we’ll listen and look for early spring frogs, enjoy the ephemeral wildflowers, and watch the stars come out over the Raccoon Creek. Bring your favorite piece of nature related or inspired poetry to share with the group as evening approaches.
At Welty Environmental Center, Beckman Mill County Park. All ages welcome, but children need to be accompanied by an adult.
Cost: $3 per person for Welty members, $5 for nonmembers.
Call 608-361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org by Wednesday, Apr. 14 to register.

Thursday, April 22, 6:30 pm, location to be announced
Meet Carl Welty

Dr. Carl Welty, the namesake of the Welty Environmental Center, was a Beloit College professor, ornithologist, and author. He and wife Susan were dedicated to bringing the joy of nature to people of all ages. Did you know Carl or Susan personally? We’d love to share the Weltys’ stories and legacy with a new generation. Please come in person with your stories to share. If you are unable to attend the event please send your stories to the Welty Environmental Center (8606 W. County Rd. H – Beloit, WI 53511) or email them to info@weltycenter.org and they will be shared at the event. If you never met Carl or Susan Welty please come to hear their story from the people who knew them best. Celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day by hearing about a couple who lived Earth Day every day!
All ages welcome.
Cost: Donations to the Friends of the Welty Environmental Center will be accepted.
Call 608-361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org for more information.

Sunday, May 9, 5:30 pm, Beckman Mill County Park
Mother’s Day Hike and Picnic Supper

Pack a picnic supper and load up the whole family for an exploration of Beckman Mill Park to appreciate mothers in nature. We’ll look for duck and geese families on Raccoon Creek, listen for brooding songbirds, and watch the miracle of life all around us. The evening will cap off with a picnic in the park.
All ages welcome.
Cost: $3 per person for Welty members, $5 for nonmembers – All moms are free!
Call 608-361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org by Wednesday, May 5 to register.

Saturday, May 15, 10:00 am, Beckman Mill County Park
Nature Rocks: Flower Power

Mayflowers, Trillium, Anemones - spring wildflowers are everywhere! Hunt for these treasures of spring and learn why they won't last long. Bring a picnic to enjoy after the hike.
$5 per program for Welty member families. $10 per program for non-member families. Register one week in advance.
For more information contact the Welty Environmental Center at (608) 361-1377 or info@weltycenter.org.

Monday-Friday, June 21-25, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Summer Kick-Off Day Camp

Celebrate the official start of summer by spending a whole week outside! We will explore nature, play games, make nature crafts, peek in the pond, go fishing, and just enjoy being outdoors. Participants will need to bring a lunch and water bottle each day. A special wrap-up event will be held Friday evening, June 25. An optional camp out in Beckman Mill Park (additional fee charged) for the whole family will cap off the week Friday night.
Ages: 6-12 years old
Location: Welty Environmental Center, Beckman Mill County Park
Cost: $60 per child for Welty members, $70 per child for nonmembers.
Call 608-361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org for more information.

Monday-Friday, August 9-13, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Outdoor Survivor Day Camp

Summer is almost over, so get outside and enjoy it!! Have you ever thought you could live off the land? Try your hand this week at all kinds of outdoor skills, like orienteering, tracking, fishing, and campfire cooking. Participants will need to bring a lunch and water bottle each day. A special wrap-up event will be held Friday evening, August 13. An optional camp out in Beckman Mill Park (additional fee charged) for the whole family will cap off the week Friday night.
Ages: 6-12 years old
Location: Welty Environmental Center, Beckman Mill County Park
Cost: $60 per child for Welty members, $70 per child for nonmembers.
Call 608-361-1377 or email info@weltycenter.org for more information.