Frog Walk Tuesdays
Starting March 26, 2019, every Tuesday through July 16, 2019
For each Tuesday evening beginning with March 26 through July 16th, come to the KVR for a short
evening walk to participate in a single wetland frog survey on behalf of the WI Frog and Toad Sur-
vey. We will meet at the South gate of the Old Hwy 131 Trail (Corps Rd) and walk to the ponds just
past Bridge 18 to listen, identify, and report on the frogs calling. Other night sounds may be heard at
no extra charge. Start/meeting time is 15 minutes after sunset (see below) for the day. Total dis-
tance will be 0.5 mile. Free and Open to the Public. No registration required. Fun for All ages. We
will cancel only for heavy rains/thunderstorms; a light rain is ideal.
Date: Every Tuesday starting March 26, 2019
Time: 15 Minutes after sunset
Fee: Free/KVR Annual/Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: Ben Johnston - KVR Staff
Contact: [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Ongoing Outdoor Programs
2019 KVR Trail Challenge
Starting January 1, 2019, ending December 31, 2019
With more than 50 miles of trails available to explore, hiking is one of the best ways to experience the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR). It's a great way to get out and enjoy nature, it's easy to start, and it's also a great form of exercise. And while you're hiking, you'll want to participate in the annual KVR Trail Challenge. Adults are challenged to hike/paddle all 60 trail segments and kids are chal-lenged to hike/paddle 20 trail segments within the KVR during the 2019 calendar year. All complet-ed forms must be delivered or postmarked by December 31, 2019. Everyone who completes the Trail Challenge will receive a small prize and a chance to win one of the three prizes. Trail pass required to participate. Be sure to stay on designated trails.
First Prize: 2020 KVR Friends Annual Membership (trail pass included) Second Prize: $20 KVR Friends Gift Shop Gift Certif-icate Third Prize: $15 KVR Workshop Gift Certificate
Date: January 1, 2019—December 31, 2019
Time: N/A
Fee: Free KVR Annual/Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
2019 Trail Challenge Form
Instructors: None - Self Guided Program
Contact: [email protected]
Sunset Times
March 26 - 7:21 p.m.
April 2 - 7:29 p.m.; April 9 - 7:37 p.m.; April 16 - 7:46 p.m.;
April 23 - 7:54 p.m.; April 30 - 8:02 p.m.
May 7 - 8:10 p.m., May 14 - 8:18 p.m.; May 21 - 8:26 p.m.;
May 28 - 8:33 p.m.
June 4 - 8:38 p.m.; June 11 - 8:43 p.m.; June 18 - 8:46;
June 25 - 8:48 p.m.
July 2 - 8:48 p.m.; July 9 - 8:46 p.m.; July 16 - 8:42 p.m.
Spring Fling Benefit
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Come celebrate the season with our annual Spring Fling! This event offers many family friendly activities, mu-
sic and a meal of grilled brats and burgers with homemade salads and desserts. Proceeds benefit the Friends
of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve and the Richland Center - Santa Teresa Sister City Project. Open to the public.
Spring Fling Star gazing will be part of this event. Event is free and open to the public. Meal:$10/person, $5/
child ages 6-12, children under 5 eat free.
Join KVR Astroeducators at Spring Fling to view the almost Full Moon, Venus and other highlights of the
spring night sky, with our telescope and binoculars.
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2019
Time: 3 pm - 9 pm
Fee: Admission Free and open to the public.
Meal: $10/person, $5 child ages 6-12, under 5 eat
free
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: Friends of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Program Schedule
Earth Day Highway Clean-up
April 20, 2019
Annual Highway Clean-Up
Sign up for a road section to pick up litter and celebrate Earth Day by making the world a
cleaner place! Stop by the KVR visitor center to pick up supplies and a commemorative gift.
Collected litter may be disposed of at the visitor center.
Supplies and gifts will be offered from April 13th to April 20th.
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2019
Time: All day
Fee: Free and open to the public
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: April 20, 2019
Click here to register
Instructors: None - Self Guided Program
Contact: [email protected]
Plant Identification Hike
Saturday, May 4, 2019
As a Jedi Master might have once said…. “before surveying for rare (or invasive) plants, first the common plants, one must know”. Therefore, to promote invasive and rare plant monitoring, the Kickapoo Valley Re-serve is offering 5 (five) Plant identification hikes, the first one on Saturday May 4 to learn some of the com-mon plants of the area. For each date, the hike will meet at the south gate of Old Hwy 131 Trail at 9 am and will walk north on Old 131, observing and identifying the plants at different growth stages while watching for the next flower to bloom. Topics such as native vs non-native, invasive vs aggressive, control methods of in-vasive plants, comparisons with other plants, and/or propagating native plants might be also discussed. The hikes are free, with the understanding the attendee agrees to consider participating in rare and/or invasive plant monitoring in the future (additional training required). Actual participation in these programs is encour-aged. Registration is not required, but an email indicating attendance is appreciated a day or two in advance.
Date: Saturday, May 4, 2019
Time: 9 am
Fee: Free; KVR Annual/Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: Ben Johnston
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Program Schedule
Bird & Bud Hike
April 27, 2019
The spring wildflowers are emerging and the early migrants are returning! Come experience spring in the woods as we scan the forest floor for bloodroot, bluebells and trilliums and iden-tify birds by sight, song and behavior. Bring binoculars if you have them. Some binoculars will be available. Hike will coincide with the Friends Spring Fling event April 27th from 3-9pm.
Date: Saturday, April 27, 2019
Time: After 3pm
Fee: Free and open to the public; KVR Annual/
Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: None Required
Instructors: Cathy Chybowski
Contact: [email protected]
Appreciation of Place Through Personal Storytelling:
A Journey Down the Kickapoo
Saturday & Sunday, June 1-2, 2019
Join us as we venture into the art and tradition of oral storytelling. Storytelling can teach us about the natural world as well as fos-ter a sense of stewardship. This two day outing will allow participants to share stories that tell of their past experiences in the nat-ural world and create new stories while we paddle down the river. Participants will build community and storytelling skills while spending two days on the river (with one camping night) and intermittent stops along the way for reflection and connection to the "Kickapoo Muse". Active storytelling exercises will be used to connect participants to the natural world around them. The words of John Muir, Walt Whitman, Terry Tempest Williams and Mary Oliver will be among the guides that spur this adventure. Beginner to advanced paddlers and campers welcome.
Specifics: Saturday, departure from Bridge 10 at 9am. Overnight camp at Bridge 14. Arrive at Landing 20 La Farge on Sunday by 3pm. The Merry Green Marvel Bus will be based at Bridge 14 for group camping and community camp kitchen. Participants will bring a bag lunch for first day. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be prepared and provided at Bridge 14 camp spot. Partic-ipants will make their Sunday bag lunch at breakfast. What to bring: personal gear for camping and paddling. (There are sleeping accommodations available on the Merry Green Marvel Sleeper Coach Bus: https://www.merrygreenmarvel.org/. Or you may also
opt to bring a tent or use one of the tents available on the bus.) The bus contains a full camp kitchen that we'll set up to cook and serve our meals.
Instructor: Steve Lawless is a long time experiential educator. Steve has an M.A. in Education and has taught in many settings including as a traditional writing and literature teacher, on Native American reser-vations, farm schools, alternative middle and high schools and a Wal-dorf school. From his nearly thirty years of teaching, Steve has an in-fectious enthusiasm for taking learning outside the classroom.
Date: Saturday-Sunday, June 1-2, 2019
Time: 10am Sat. - 3pm Sun.
Fee: $100/person + $35 if canoe rental is needed
Limit: Min/Max
Registration Deadline: May 25, 2019
Click here to register
Instructor: Steve Lawless
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Program Schedule
Tromp & Chomp Trail Run
May 11, 2019
The Tromp & Chomp offers two courses; an 8-mile or half marathon (13.1 mi) trail run, all within the beauti-
ful 8,600 acres of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Favored among runners for the scenic terrain and elevation
changes, the ½ marathon route includes, a “fun” 400 ft elevation gain, reaching an altitude of 1200 ft on the
Hanson Rock Trail.
Fitting the theme for chomping, runners (or fast walkers) will enjoy a post-race meal of locally sourced, sea-
sonal foods and beverages. Area businesses have generously donated food-featured prizes and coupons for the
athletes as well.
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019
Time: 9 am– 2 pm
Fee: $60 ; Spectator meal only $25
Limit: 150
Registration Deadline: May 5, 2019
REGISTRATION OPENS MARCH 1, 2019
Proceeds from this event benefit the Kickapoo Valley Reserve
Education and Events Program.
Instructors: KVR Staff
Contact: [email protected]
Apollo 11: 50th Anniversary Celebration
July 7, 2019
Moongaze. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the Moon. NASA/JPL Solar System Ambas-
sador John Heasley will share an indoor presentation “Giant Steps”. After sunset, we’ll head outside where
KVR astroeducators will have a telescope and binoculars set up for you to view the Sun rising on the Sea of
Tranquility just as it did when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked there a half century ago. Meet at Kicka-
poo Valley Reserve Visitor Center.
Date: Sunday, July 7, 2019
Time: 8 pm - 10 pm
Fee: Free; KVR Annual or Day Permit required
Limit: No Min/Max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: John Heasley & KVR AstroEducators
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Program Schedule
Plant Identification Hike
Saturday, June 15, 2019
As a Jedi Master might have once said…. “before surveying for rare (or invasive) plants, first the common plants, one must know”. Therefore, to promote invasive and rare plant monitoring, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve is offering 5 (five) Plant identification hikes, the second one on Saturday June 15 to learn some of the common plants of the area. For each date, the hike will meet at the south gate of Old Hwy 131 Trail at 9 am and will walk north on Old 131, observing and identifying the plants at different growth stages while watching for the next flower to bloom. Topics such as native vs non-native, invasive vs aggressive, control methods of invasive plants, comparisons with other plants, and/or propa-gating native plants might be also discussed. The hikes are free, with the understanding the attendee agrees to consid-er participating in rare and/or invasive plant monitoring in the future (additional training required). Actual participation in these programs is encouraged. Registration is not required, but an email indicating attendance is appreciated a day
Date: Saturday, June 15, 2019
Time: 9 am
Fee: Free; KVR Annual/Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: Ben Johnston
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
2019 Spring & Summer Outdoor Programs
Experience hands-on learning about the natural world in a relaxing atmosphere with knowledgeable
instructors. Classes fill quickly and registration and payment when applicable, is required.
Program Schedule
Plant Identification Hike
Saturday, August 3, 2019
As a Jedi Master might have once said…. “before surveying for rare (or invasive) plants, first the common plants, one must know”. Therefore, to promote invasive and rare plant monitoring, the Kickapoo Valley Re-serve is offering 5 (five) Plant identification hikes, the third one on Saturday Aug.3 to learn some of the com-mon plants of the area. For each date, the hike will meet at the south gate of Old Hwy 131 Trail at 9 am and will walk north on Old 131, observing and identifying the plants at different growth stages while watching for the next flower to bloom. Topics such as native vs non-native, invasive vs aggressive, control methods of in-vasive plants, comparisons with other plants, and/or propagating native plants might be also discussed. The hikes are free, with the understanding the attendee agrees to consider participating in rare and/or invasive plant monitoring in the future (additional training required). Actual participation in these programs is encour-aged. Registration is not required, but an email indicating attendance is appreciated a day or two in advance.
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2019
Time: 9 am
Fee: Free; KVR Annual/Day permit required
Limit: No min/max
Registration Deadline: No registration required
Instructors: Ben Johnston
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]
Appreciation of Place Through Personal Storytelling:
A Journey Down the Kickapoo
Saturday & Sunday, July 20-21, 2019
Join us as we venture into the art and tradition of oral storytelling. Storytelling can teach us about the natural world as well as fos-ter a sense of stewardship. This two day outing will allow participants to share stories that tell of their past experiences in the nat-ural world and create new stories while we paddle down the river. Participants will build community and storytelling skills while spending two days on the river (with one camping night) and intermittent stops along the way for reflection and connection to the "Kickapoo Muse". Active storytelling exercises will be used to connect participants to the natural world around them. The words of John Muir, Walt Whitman, Terry Tempest Williams and Mary Oliver will be among the guides that spur this adventure. Beginner to advanced paddlers and campers welcome.
Specifics: Saturday, departure from Bridge 10 at 9am. Overnight camp at Bridge 14. Arrive at Landing 20 La Farge on Sunday by 3pm. The Merry Green Marvel Bus will be based at Bridge 14 for group camping and community camp kitchen. Participants will bring a bag lunch for first day. Saturday dinner and Sunday breakfast will be prepared and provided at Bridge 14 camp spot. Partic-ipants will make their Sunday bag lunch at breakfast. What to bring: personal gear for camping and paddling. (There are sleeping accommodations available on the Merry Green Marvel Sleeper Coach Bus: https://www.merrygreenmarvel.org/. Or you may also
opt to bring a tent or use one of the tents available on the bus.) The bus contains a full camp kitchen that we'll set up to cook and serve our meals.
Instructor: Steve Lawless is a long time experiential educator. Steve has an M.A. in Education and has taught in many settings including as a traditional writing and literature teacher, on Native American reser-vations, farm schools, alternative middle and high schools and a Wal-dorf school. From his nearly thirty years of teaching, Steve has an infectious enthusiasm for taking learning outside the classroom.
Date: Saturday-Sunday, July 20-21, 2019
Time: 10am Sat. - 3pm Sun.
Fee: $100/person + $35 if canoe rental is needed
Limit: Min/Max
Registration Deadline: July 15, 2019
Click here to register
Instructors: Steve Lawless
Contact: 608-625-2960 [email protected]