Public Programs

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Treehaven provides public program opportunities periodically throughout the year. Keep an eye on our website and Facebook page​, and subscribe to our mailing list​ to stay updated!​

YOGA.jpgYoga, Nature, and Soulfulness
September 10-12, 2021  

Let's restore, explore, and discover by immersing ourselves in the gifts of yoga and nature to unite with our soulfulness! This weekend includes physical yoga practices, meditation, hiking, and dharma discussions. Some of our sessions will be held outdoors as Mother Nature allows. Both yoga and nature can help us open gateways to our innermost selves. When we soulfully touch nature, we touch ourselves. By going outward, we journey inward finding a soulful connection to spirit and the divine.

Included in the retreat: two nights of lodging(dorm-style with private bathroom), 6 meals, 4 sessions with the instructor, Gigi Heinz. The retreat begins with dinner at 5 p.m. on Friday and ends with lunch on Sunday.

Cost: $312.50 lodging with a roommate or $382.50 for single lodging.

Register by texting Gigi at 715-297-6540. Payments can be sent online through Venmo, or a check payable to: Gigi Heinz at W6606 Sunset Drive, Merrill, WI 54452.

 

Have questions?

​Call Treehaven's Education Office at 715.346.2435 for registration or program details.

February 2025 Programs

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Full Moon Snowshoe Hike
February 12, 2025​ - 6-7:30 p.m.
Registration Closed

Experience Treehaven's trails by the light of the full moon! This naturalist-led snowshoe hike will take you on a winter adventure as you observe the wonders of a snowy, moonlit forest. Learn about wildlife that comes out at night to brave the frozen landscape, and search for tracks and signs left behind as they roam. We may even be lucky enough to hear or see nocturnal critters out and about!

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). DRESS WARM, it will be cold! Layers, hats, gloves, and snow boots recommended. Flashlights/headlamps welcome, but hike leader may request lights be turned off at various times. Hike will cover 1 mile, with some stops along the way. Terrain will be mostly even, but a few light to moderate inclines and possible slippery patches will be encountered. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Cost: $5 per adult, $2 per child. Bring your own snowshoes at no extra cost, or rent a pair of ours (ages 8+) for an additional $10 per person! 

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UWSP Bear.JPGTreehaven Dinner and a Speaker Series
Owls of Wisconsin
February 18, 2025 - Doors open 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m., Speaker 7 p.m.
February 19, 2025 - Optional overnight package with morning workshop
Sold Out!
 
Birds come in all shapes and sizes, but one in particular is well-known as a symbol of wisdom... or even an omen of death! With their haunting calls, majestic looks, and secretive natures, it's no surprise that owls have inspired mystery and awe for thousands of years. Take part in an immersive presentation and explore the hidden secrets of these elusive nocturnal hunters with Treehaven educator and owl enthusiast Fox Corvus, alongside the education team from Raptor Education Group, Inc. (REGI)! Discover and observe the unique adaptations that set owls apart from other birds, then learn to identify the different owl species found in Wisconsin. You will get the chance to observe REGI's live owl ambassadors and learn their stories as we discuss the threats owls face in a changing world—and what you can do to help conserve owl populations in Wisconsin and beyond!

REGI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned native bird species and public education of wildlife issues. Founded in 1990 by Marge Gibson and her late husband, Don, REGI was initially focused on educational programming and field research on avian species, but quickly grew to address the need for a rehabilitation center in the area, especially for raptors and swans. Today, REGI takes in anywhere from 800 to over 1,000 patients each year and provides educational programs to hundreds of people.

Gourmet dinner options include:

1) Confit of Duck with Creole Rice and Peach Salad (Gluten Free)
2) Peppercorn Crusted Striploin with Danish Blue Cream and Potato Purée (Gluten Free)
3) Crab Stuffed Walleye with Hollandaise and Potato Purée (Gluten Free)
4) Stuffed Eggplant with Potato Purée (Vegetarian)

All entrée selections will include a House Salad and Turtle Cheesecake.

Cost: $37 per person

+ Optional overnight package with lodging, breakfast, owl prowl, and owl pellet workshop on February 19, 2025

Eager to learn even more about owls? Take the experience a step further with an optional overnight package, where you will have the chance to embark on a guided sunrise hike across Treehaven's trails in search of wild owls, then dissect owl pellets for a closer look into an owl's diet and eating habits! Overnight package add-on includes lodging, breakfast, early morning owl prowl, and owl pellet workshop on February 19th.​

Lodging package with morning hike and workshop limited to 30 attendees. Ages 12 and up recommended; younger children welcome but please be aware hike attendees must be able to remain still and silent when directed for the best chance of hearing/seeing owls. Dress appropriately for hiking in cold weather. Hike may span up to 2 miles over relatively even but occasionally hilly terrain, and will begin in darkness. Flashlights/headlamps allowed, but may need to be turned off upon request.

Cost for package (lodging, breakfast, morning owl experience) is $106 per person for a single occupancy room, or $59 per person for a double occupancy room (2-4 people). Lodging features carpeted rooms sleeping up to four people with bunk beds, table with chairs, two wardrobes, and private bathroom/shower. High-speed wireless internet available and included as part of your stay. Linens and towels provided.

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Subnivean Zone Family Program
February 22, 2025 - 9-11:30 a.m.
Registration Closed

Surviving the winter is "snow" joke! Some animals rest through winter or even leave entirely, but what about those that don't? How do they survive?

Join us for a fun, all-ages program to explore how Wisconsin animals use the subnivean zone, a unique habitat formed out of the winter snowpack! Subnivean means "under the snow", and mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and more each have different ways of using this space to meet their needs. Learn how animals like voles, weasels, ruffed grouse, salamanders, and even spiders survive the winter thanks to the subnivean zone, then venture outdoors to search for signs of subnivean critters. Bring it all together by exploring the insulating properties of snow as you craft your own snow shelter!

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). Program will begin with a brief presentation indoors, but most activities will be outdoors. DRESS WARM, it will be cold! Layers, hats, gloves, and snow boots recommended. There will be a small hike (less than .5 mi) to/from the shelter building area with some light inclines. Shovels will be optionally provided to assist in snow shelter building.

This event is a great experience for the whole family, and all ages are welcome to come play and learn in the snow! Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Cost: $5 per adult, $2 per child. 

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Wildlife Wednesday: Snowshoe Hares
February 26, 2025 - 4-5​ p.m.
Registration Closed

Discover wildlife that calls Wisconsin's Northwoods home through Wildlife Wednesdays at Treehaven! Join us monthly for this FREE all-ages program series, and explore the natural history of each month's focus animal through interactive activities, guided walks, and/or specimen observation. From fur to feathers, woods to water, predator to prey, and more, experience the diversity of the animal world right outside our windows!

Each winter, snowshoe hares go through a fascinating transformation as their fur turns white to help them blend in! Keep your eyes peeled as we gear up with our own snowshoes and venture out on a naturalist-led snowshoe hike to some of Treehaven's best habitats for snowshoe hares, learning about their lifestyle as we go. Observe tracks, signs, and perhaps even a hare or two as you discover what makes them a key prey species in northern forest ecosystems. Warmer winters are proving especially difficult for the survival of snowshoe hares, which impacts their predators too—so what can we do to help?

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). DRESS WARM, it will be cold! Layers, hats, gloves, and snow boots recommended. Hike will cover just under 1 mile, with some stops along the way. Terrain will be mostly even, but a few moderate inclines, narrow paths, and possible slippery patches will be encountered. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

This program is free to attend. Bring your own snowshoes, or optionally rent a pair of ours at a reduced $5 per person (ages 8+). 

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March 2025 Programs​

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Isermann-small.jpgTreehaven Dinner and a Speaker Series
Women and Water: Woven Portraits from Around the World
March 18, 2025 - Doors open 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m., Speaker 7 p.m.
Registration Closed
 
Water is the source of all life. This presentation and exhibit by artist Mary Burns celebrates and honors water, as well as the women who work with it, protect it and advocate for it. Featured are women from across the world who are scientists, water-walkers, teachers, farmers, activists and healers, who hold deep connections with water. The intent of this globally-inspired exhibit is to help develop and strengthen our own ties with water and inspire actions to protect our waters. 

Twenty-nine handwoven jacquard portraits form the core of the exhibit. Each of these women have powerful connections with water and Mary will share some of these stories and weavings in her presentation.

Mary Burns is an award-winning fiber artist and master weaver. Mary has participated in numerous art exhibitions, science and art collaborations, and has been an artist in residence at Andrews Forest, Oregon and UW-Trout Lake Station, Boulder Junction, WI. She weaves custom-designed jacquard weavings and wall pieces in addition to felting, natural dyeing and eco-printing. She also teaches various fiber arts workshops.

Gourmet dinner options include:

1) Salmon Wellington
2) Seared Duck Breast Blackberry Port Reduction (Gluten Free)
3) Wild Mushroom Risotto (Vegetarian)

All entrée selections will include Seafood Bisque*, Asparagus, Wild Rice Pilaf, and Crème Brûlée​​ dessert.

*Vegetarian meals will include a vegetarian soup.

Cost: $37 per person


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Isermann-small.jpgTreehaven Dinner and a Speaker Series
Wisconsin Waters: the Ancient History of Lakes, Rivers, and Waterfalls
March 27, 2025 - Doors open 5 p.m., Dinner 6 p.m., Speaker 7 p.m.
Registration Closed
 
Author Scott Spoolman invites you to explore Wisconsin’s many and varied waterways and to learn of how they came to be as they are today. From the placid Mississippi, to waterfalls crashing over hard rock ledges near Lake Superior, to life bursting forth in one of the world’s largest freshwater marshes, these waterways each have a fascinating story to tell. Scott will sample a few of the 19 stories and several photographs from his book Wisconsin Waters: the Ancient History of Lakes, Rivers, and Waterfalls, including some discussion of local waterways in the Tomahawk area. He will include readings from the stories and from the travel guides that follow each story, helping readers to get out and explore each site on their own. 

Scott Spoolman​ is a science writer who has focused on the environmental sciences, especially those stories of natural science and the environment related to Wisconsin and surrounding states. He grew up in northern Wisconsin and earned a master's degree in journalism with an emphasis on science reporting. He worked for several years in the publishing industry, and since then as a freelance writer. He has coauthored several editions of a series of environmental science textbooks. His latest books are Wisconsin Waters: the Ancient History of Lakes, Rivers, and Waterfalls, the award-winning Wisconsin State Parks: Extraordinary Stories of Geology and Natural History, both published by the Wisconsin Historical Society Press, and Wisconsin Rocks: A Guide to Geologic Sites in the Badger State, published by Mountain Press Publishing Company. 


Gourmet dinner options include:

1) Veal Mushroom Marsala
2) Sole Meuniere
3) Spinach, Artichoke, and Goat Cheese Portobello (Vegetarian)

All entrée selections will include Chicken and Wild Rice Soup, Potato Grain and Zucchini, and Beignet with Lemon Curd dessert.

Cost: $37 per person

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Wildlife Wednesday: River Otters
March 26, 2025 - 5-6 p.m.
Registration Closed

Discover wildlife that calls Wisconsin's Northwoods home through Wildlife Wednesdays at Treehaven! Join us monthly for this FREE all-ages program series, and explore the natural history of each month's focus animal through interactive activities, guided walks, and/or specimen observation. From fur to feathers, woods to water, predator to prey, and more, experience the diversity of the animal world right outside our windows!

Sit and relax outdoors at a casual campfire chat all about a beloved animal—the river otter! This marvelous mustelid, or member of the weasel family, is well-known for having a playful and energetic nature. All that play helps to hone hunting skills, which are a necessity for an important predator of aquatic ecosystems! We'll discuss the unique traits and lifestyle of river otters, paying special attention to the roles they play in nature. What can the presence of otters tell us about the health of a freshwater ecosystem? Learn how little actions can have a big impact on not only their populations, but all living creatures who depend on clean lakes and rivers to survive!

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). Talk will occur outdoors seated around a fire ring. Doors at 4:50 PM, talk begins at 5:00 PM. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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April 2025 Programs

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Intro to Citizen Science Workshop
April 19, 2025 - 9-11:30 a.m.
Registration Closed

Did you know April is Citizen Science Month? Citizen science allows anyone regardless of age, occupation, or skill level to participate in volunteer data collection and classification to benefit scientific research! Join Treehaven's naturalist Fox Corvus alongside guest presenter and experienced citizen scientist Paul List for an introductory workshop exploring numerous digital projects focused on natural resources, including iNaturalist, eBird, Snapshot Wisconsin, BudBurst, and more. Through hands-on demonstrations and walkthroughs, learn how to navigate citizen science apps and websites—including accessing and/or downloading each resource, exploring supplemental digital tools, and logging sightings. After setup, we will head outside to explore Treehaven's ecosystem and practice identification skills while contributing our data to various projects! The best part? You'll be leaving with all the knowledge you need to continue making contributions wherever you go, whenever you'd like! This is a great opportunity for anyone who would like to learn more about digital citizen science projects, and how they can supplement your outdoor hobbies as you lend support towards research and conservation.

A smartphone/tablet will be necessary for participation. Bringing your own device is highly recommended, but a limited quantity of tablets may be available for participants to borrow for the duration of the program.

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). Workshop will begin with a 1-hour seated indoor demonstration before moving outdoors for further instruction. Dress for the weather and come prepared for an easy, slow-paced hike with frequent stops! Total distance hiked will be less than 1 mile over wide, even trails with a few light inclines.

All ages welcome, but workshop experience will be in-depth and best suited for adults. Young scientists must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Cost: $7 per person

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Wildlife Wednesday: Woodcocks
April 23, 2025 - 7-8 p.m.

Discover wildlife that calls Wisconsin's Northwoods home through Wildlife Wednesdays at Treehaven! Join us monthly for this FREE all-ages program series, and explore the natural history of each month's focus animal through interactive activities, guided walks, and/or specimen observation. From fur to feathers, woods to water, predator to prey, and more, experience the diversity of the animal world right outside our windows!

Introducing the silliest bird of the Northwoods—the American Woodcock, also known as the timberdoodle or bogsucker! Well-known for stunning moves on both the ground and in the air, there is much to discover about this odd little shorebird of the forest. Learn what curious traits and behaviors of the woodcock have fascinated observers for generations, including conservationist Aldo Leopold, during a casual fireside chat at scenic Dragonfly Pond! Enjoy the sunset over the pond as dusk sets in and male woodcocks become active throughout the forest. We'll listen for their "peent" calls and keep our eyes to the sky in search of their iconic springtime courtship flights!

Meet in the main parking lot. There is a brief (less than a quarter mile) walk to the pond across the parking lot and down a short trail. We will walk to the pond as a group; attendees with mobility concerns are welcome to follow behind in a vehicle and park in a smaller lot near the trail entrance for a reduced walking distance. Trail is overall wide and even, but the fire ring is located on a hillside so there will be a partial incline when departing. Talk will occur outdoors seated in a shelter around the fire ring. Participants are welcome to bring flashlights/headlamps for use as it gets dark. Cameras are also recommended for photos of the pond, sunset, and potential woodcocks in flight! All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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December 2023 Programs

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​Breakfast with Santa
December 9, 2023 - 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Celebrate the holidays by joining us at Treehaven on Saturday, December 9th to enjoy a delicious breakfast of pancakes, sausage, and hash browns with Santa! Sit by the fire in our rustic dining hall as you enjoy a beautiful view of the chilly outdoors. Winter-themed crafts and photo opportunities with Santa (bring your own camera) will be available for kids! 

Tickets are $15 per child and $20 per adult (meal included). For an additional $5 per person, add on the Guided Winter Hike option to attend a 1 hour guided hike with our naturalist, where you will experience the beautiful scenery of our trails and discover what changes winter brings to Treehaven's forests!

Please contact treehaven@uwsp.edu or call 715-346-2435 with any questions.




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2018-marketing-photo-FOR-WEB-BOW.jpgBecoming an Outdoor​s​ ​Woman (BOW)- Winter Workshop

February 9-11, 2024

Join us for Winter BOW.  Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) offers hands-on, outdoor workshops held in a safe, supportive atmosphere with patient, enthusiastic instructors. No experience or special equipment is necessary.  BOW is for adult women of all ages and fitness levels. ​

Classes offered include: Winter Animal Tracks​, Dutch Oven Cooking, Cross-country Skiing, Firearm Safety and Handling, Sewing with Fur, Winter Survival, Fish Cleaning and Cooking, Ice Fishing, Journal Ma​​king, Indoor Rock Climbing​, Snowshoeing, Kayaking, Archery/Bowhunting, Map and Compass, Fly Tying, Feather Craft, Winter Travel Safety, ​Knot Tying, an​d Woodworking​.   

Registration starts at $529 with some classes requiring an additional materials fee. 

More info can be found here.

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Spring Forward Luminary Hike
March 16, 2024 - 7-9 p.m.

Celebrate Daylight Savings Time with a family-friendly luminary hike through the woods of Treehaven! This 1/2 mile hike will take you through colorfully illuminated nighttime trails. Afterwards, enjoy a warm fire with s'mores. Glowsticks provided to all families! 

Cost: $7 per person. Children 3 and under free. Admission includes trail access, s'mores, and 1 glowstick. Attendees are welcomed and encouraged to bring their own additional glowsticks!




July 2025 Programs

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Wildlife Wednesday: Fireflies
July 9, 2025 - 8:15-9:15 p.m.

Discover wildlife that calls Wisconsin's Northwoods home through Wildlife Wednesdays at Treehaven! Join us monthly for this FREE all-ages program series, and explore the natural history of each month's focus animal through interactive activities, guided walks, and/or specimen observation. From fur to feathers, woods to water, predator to prey, and more, experience the diversity of the animal world right outside our windows!

Many of us have fond childhood memories of fireflies illuminating warm summer nights with countless blinking lights, and have noticed that these lights are gradually vanishing over the years—but few know the extent at which firefly populations are declining. Despite being one of the most beloved insects, over half of the 179 firefly species in the U.S. and Canada​ lack sufficient data to shed light on their survival. Head outside with us to discover the fascinating nighttime (and daytime!) world of fireflies, and learn how you can get involved in ongoing efforts to better understand their disappearance! Fireflies depend on damp habitats for survival, so we will investigate the area around Dragonfly Pond for fireflies to observe as we discuss what makes them special. Whether we spot them or not, you will have a chance to explore citizen science projects and firefly conservation efforts. Small lifestyle changes can go a long way for fireflies, and your participation can help scientists analyze data needed to prevent their decline!

Meet by the maintenance building (take a left at the fork and follow cones for guidance). Parking at Treehaven is limited during the summer, but space will be available in this area as directed. There is a brief (less than a quarter mile) walk to the pond down a trail adjacent to the lot. Trail is overall wide and even, but accessing the pond shore involves descending a hill. Program will feature light walking as we search surrounding ground and vegetation for fireflies; informational portions will take place while seated. Guests may bring a flashlight/headlamp, but program leader may request lights be turned off during the program for best chances of firefly observation. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.


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Moths of the Northwoods
July 19, 2025 - 8:30-9:30 p.m.

National Moth Week is an annual event held each July that promotes moth education, appreciation, and conservation across the globe. Join in at Treehaven on Saturday, July 19th from 8:30-9:30 PM to discover moths that call the Northwoods home! As night falls, we'll head out to a "light sheet"—a large, illuminated curtain that serves as an attractive place for moths to land—and discuss fascinating features of moths as we observe and identify any visitors. You'll have the chance to view these nocturnal wonders up close as you explore the many different ways you can continue mothing in your own backyard, as well as contribute your moth sightings to science!

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). If parking in the main lot is unavailable, additional spaces will be open in the maintenance lot to the left of the fork. This program begins at sunset, so a majority of time will be spent in the dark. After a brief walk to the light sheet, we will remain stationary for the rest of the program. Attendees are encouraged to bring a folding chair, flashlight/headlamp, mosquito repellent, mobile phone, and/or camera. We will explore mobile apps that can be used for identification and sighting uploads, and the light sheet allows for great photographs of any moths that visit us! All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Cost: Free! 

Pictured: Cecropia Moth (Hyalophora cecropia), the largest moth native to North America and one of the many species you can find at Treehaven!

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​August​​​​​ 2025 Programs

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Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Birding Basics
August 2, 2025 - 10-11:30 a.m.

Bird lovers of all ages and experience levels are invited to Treehaven on Saturday, August 2nd from 10-11:30 AM to hone identification skills, explore birding resources, and delight in observing Northwoods birds! We will start off by practicing with static bird cutouts hidden outdoors, then venture to a few great birdwatching spots in search of the real thing. Along the way, you'll have the chance to utilize digital resources like the Merlin Bird ID app and explore ways these resources are beneficial to both beginners and seasoned birders!

Meet at the main entrance (double doors with Treehaven sign). Main parking lot may have limited space; if all spaces fill additional parking is available in the maintenance lot to the left of the fork. Dress for the weather and come prepared for an easy, slow-paced hike with frequent stops. Total distance hiked will be1 mile or less over wide, even trails with a few light-moderate inclines. Binoculars and a limited quantity of iPads will be available for use during the program, but participants are welcome to bring their own binoculars and/or electronic devices. This program is suitable for all ages, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

IMPORTANT: Ticks are abundant at Treehaven, especially during summer! Tick repellent and/or permethrin treated clothing recommended. For additional protection, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants, with pant legs tucked into tall socks. Always check yourself for ticks after going outdoors.

Cost: $5 per adult, $2 per child

Pictured: Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), a common sight at Treehaven!

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Wildlife Wednesday: Dragonflies
August 20, 2025 - 4-5 p.m.

Discover wildlife that calls Wisconsin's Northwoods home through Wildlife Wednesdays at Treehaven! Join us monthly for this FREE all-ages program series, and explore the natural history of each month's focus animal through interactive activities, guided walks, and/or specimen observation. From fur to feathers, woods to water, predator to prey, and more, experience the diversity of the animal world right outside our windows!

To the human eye, a dragonfly might lack the same presence as the mythical creatures they are named for—but in the world of insects, dragonflies and their damselfly cousins (all of which form the order Odonata) are some of the most fearsome predators imaginable! Enter the dragon's lair, a.k.a. Dragonfly Pond, on August 20th from 4-5 PM and find out how it gets its name by exploring the shoreline for evidence of its not-so-mythical dragons, including adults, larval nymphs, and shed casings (exuviae). Dragonflies serve as important bioindicators that can clue us in to pollution of aquatic ecosystems, and dragonfly-seekers of all ages and experience levels have contributed to a wealth of data that helps keep our waters clean. You'll have the chance to take a closer look at the dragonfly life cycle as we practice collecting and identifying nymphs to family, but come prepared to get your hands dirty since we must sift through pond muck to find them!

This event takes place during the Odolympics, a yearly challenge to record as many dragonfly and damselfly species as possible hosted by the Dragonfly Society of the Americas. Anyone can participate—you will receive information on this event alongside many other Odonata resources and volunteer surveys!

Meet in the main parking lot. There is a brief (less than a quarter mile) walk to the pond across the parking lot and down a short trail. We will walk to the pond as a group; attendees with mobility concerns are welcome to follow behind in a vehicle and park in a smaller lot near the trail entrance for a reduced walking distance. Trail is overall wide and even, but accessing the pond requires descending a hillside. Talk will occur outdoors and will be largely active, with frequent movement between the pond shore and hillside shelter as we collect muck samples. However, attendees who would prefer to wait at the shelter and observe are welcome to do so. All ages welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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Macroinvertebrate Mayhem (NRF Field Trip)
August 23, 2025 - 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Register with Natural Resources Foundation (membership required)​​

Learners of all ages are invited to discover the amazing world of aquatic macroinvertebrates that make their homes in the rocks and muck of Treehaven's Pickerel Creek! These crawly critters do much more than creep us outas bioindicators, their presence and abundance can help us detect pollution in aquatic ecosystems. 

Embark on a scenic 1.5-mile hike with multiple stops along the creek, where you will learn how to sample for and identify freshwater crustaceans, insect larvae, mollusks, and more. Work together to record data collected across all points, and conduct a biotic index to estimate the health of Pickerel Creek! This trip is for all ages, with complexity modified to best suit participants. Children 7+ are encouraged to attend, as this is a great activity to do together as a family. Participants should be prepared to spend the morning splashing in the stream and getting their hands dirty! 

Waders (both child and adult sizes)*, dip nets, and sampling utensils/trays will be provided for the duration of the program. Please utilize our equipment rather than bringing your own to prevent accidental introduction of aquatic invasive species. Participants will be asked to carry their individual supplies between sampling points (if able). All collected invertebrates will be released unharmed. Physical identification charts will be used, but smartphones are welcome if participants wish to learn about digital identification options! If bringing a smartphone, waterproof storage is recommended due to the fact we will be in/around water. 

*Provided waders may not suit all body types or shoe sizes. Knee-high waterproof boots are available as an alternate option.

IMPORTANT: Ticks are abundant at Treehaven, especially during summer! Tick repellent and/or permethrin treated clothing recommended. For additional protection, wear closed-toe shoes and long pants, with pant legs tucked into tall socks. Always check yourself for ticks after going outdoors.

Cost: $28 per adult, $18 per child

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