(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County invites residents and visitors to observe Earth Day through a variety of opportunities and events about our home planet. Individuals and families can take part in activities from April 18-29, including The Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Annual Earth Week Celebration on Saturday, April 23 at Retzer Nature Center.
“We foster Earth Day every day at the nature center!” said Janet Barthel, Retzer Nature Center Supervisor. “We’ll have a variety of fun and engaging events going all week throughout the park system for people to make a positive impact while enjoying their parks.”
Waukesha County Parks and Land Use will host events in cooperation with local clubs, groups and businesses. Visitors can attend a photographer’s visual presentation about the region’s greenspaces, enjoy a morning bird hike for beginners, see an evening planetarium mediation show with a night hike, view the stars at a public sky watch, and go on a self-guided candlelight hike on Earth Day itself. There are also opportunities for visitors to volunteer for land stewardship activities at a Habitat Restoration workday, by pulling garlic mustard as a ‘special agent’ during the Mission Possible event, or by planting trees on Arbor Day.
The free Earth Week Celebration event takes place at Retzer Nature Center on Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The Finale event is offering family-friendly Discovery Trail programs, a community art project, a recycling exhibit open house and planetarium shows.
The spring “Story Hike” also returns to Retzer Nature Center in partnership with Bridges Library System. Take a self-guided hike on the orange trail while reading the children’s book, Begin with a Bee by Liza Ketchum between April 1-30.
See the full Earth Week schedule below or visit www.waukeshacounty.gov/earthweek for details.
2022 Earth Week Activities
For details and registration, visit: https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/earthweek
| Date/Time | Program | Details |
| Monday, April 18
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
‘A Wealth of Nature’ Photo Presentation by Eddee Daniel | Learn about green spaces and natural gems in Southeast Wisconsin. Find out where they are and how you can help protect them. Free, registration recommended. |
| Tuesday, April 19
9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Muskego Park |
Habitat Restoration Workday & Wildflower Hike | Help to remove invasive garlic mustard from sensitive natural areas. Staff will identify wildflowers and showcase the park. Free, registration required. |
| Wednesday, April 20
10:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. Retzer Nature Center |
Outdoor Classroom: Spring Wildflowers | Join us with your elementary-aged student as we look for colorful signs of spring – flowers! Learn about their adaptations that help them survive and grow. Registration required, $4/student. |
| Wednesday, April 20
7:30 – 8:45 p.m. Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium |
Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show & Night Hike
|
Unwind under a sunset show in the planetarium and meditate for your mental health. After the show, take a quiet night hike. Registration required, $10/person. |
| Friday, April 22
7:00 – 10:00 a.m. Retzer Nature Center
|
Morning Bird Hike with the Benjamin Goss Bird Club | This 1.5-mile easy hike is a great opportunity to learn about the birds found in Waukesha County and how they fit into our environment. All skill levels are welcome. Free, no registration required. |
| Friday, April 22
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Retzer Nature Center |
Earth Day Candlelight Hike
|
Candles will light your way through the self-guided trail route. Event will be held rain or shine. Dogs are not allowed. Free, no registration required. |
| Friday, April 22
8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium
|
Public Sky Watch | See stars, planets, the moon, nebulae, star clusters and galaxies! Learn how to use a telescope and binoculars with the planetarium team. Try telescopes or bring your own. The program will move indoors in case of inclement weather. Free, registration recommended. |
| Saturday, April 23
Times slots between |
Mission: Possible Volunteer Workday for the Earth | Seeking special agents to volunteer to help restore the Earth! Join us to hand pull and bag Garlic Mustard in one of the park locations. Free, registration required. |
| Saturday, April 23
9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. |
Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Earth Week Celebration | Celebrate with family-friendly Discovery Trail programs, a community art project, the recycling exhibit open house and planetarium shows. Free |
| Friday, April 29
Times slots between |
Arbor Day Volunteer Tree Planting Event Sponsored by Johnson’s Nursery | Celebrate Arbor Day and make a difference in your community by planting native trees. Free, registration required. |
| April 1 – 30
Open daily |
Story Hike Co-sponsored by Bridges Library System |
Take a free, self-guided hike and enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time! |
