Field Trips
At a fall 2025 Friends field trip led by Jill Feldkamp and Roma Lenehan, attendees search for migrating birds. Credit: Scott Hershberger
Year-round free public field trips are one of the most valuable contributions the Friends make to the Preserve. Field trips are all led by Friends volunteers. Many are professional naturalists and emeritus faculty and staff. The Friends also partner with other environmental organizations for field trips.
Join us to learn about the ecosystems and cultural history of the Preserve and meet fellow community members.
Upcoming Field Trips
Biocore Prairie SkyWalk
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 8:30–10:30 PM Postponed due to clouds—new date TBD
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Put your corneas to the oculars and lift your optics-aided eyes to the skies over Biocore Prairie a month before the summer solstice for a looksee at planets, the moon, and constellations. Jim Lattis of the Department of Astronomy will be your celestial navigator.
Tour of the Class of 1918 Marsh
Sunday, July 26, 2026 at 1:30–3:00 PM
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
John Magnuson will guide us around and through the Marsh and detail the biological diversity and hydrological history of this outstanding gem of environmental restoration.
iNaturalist & Other Apps for Use in BioBlitzes
Sunday, August 9, 2026 at 1:30–3:00 PM
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Christopher Warneke will be leading this field trip. Christopher, a postdoc with the Damschen Lab, is a plant ecologist interested in rare species and invasive species.
Effigy Mounds of Picnic Point
Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 1:30–3:00 PM
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Join State Archaeologist Amy Rosebrough for a fascinating nature walk to see and learn about effigy mounds at the Lakeshore Nature Preserve and other local Native American history – including the discoveries in the past several years of ancient canoes, including one discovered in 2025 that dates back 5,000 years.
Monarch Migration
Sunday, September 13, 2026 at 1:30–3:00 PM
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Join Biocore instructor Seth McGee for a hands-on field trip to explore the world of migrating monarchs! You’ll learn how to safely catch and tag butterflies as part of a research initiative that tracks their incredible journey to Mexico. We’ll also dive into monarch natural history, ecology, and conservation, and share tips for turning your own yard into a monarch-friendly ecosystem. This event is open to all ages and will entail walking on narrow trails through the tallgrass prairie.
Fascinating Fungi
Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 1:30–3:00 PM
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Explore and compare with Marie Trest’s keen eye, mycologist with the Department of Botany, the wide variety of fall fungi growing and fruiting in the woods and prairies of the Preserve.
Do you have an idea for a future field trip? If so, please email Tom Zinnen at preservefriends@gmail.com.