We hope your family is safe and healthy. During these unprecedented times, it’s more important than ever to get outdoors and get some VitaminN. Nature Net is here to help! Here are the locations you can still visit. Please remember to practice social distancing.
| NATURE NET SITE | TRAILS OPEN | Special Notices for Visitors |
| Aldo Leopold Foundation | -- | Updates posted HERE |
| Aldo Leopold Nature Center | Yes | Registration is open for Nature School - click HERE. Also see their weekly Wednesday Homeschool classes HERE and Wonder Bugs programs HERE |
| Bethel Horizons | Yes | Instructions on trail and restroom access are posted on site, see HERE for alternative summer programs being offered |
| Cave of the Mounds | Yes | Offering Self-guided tours first-come first-served. Masks Required. Find a virtual tour and educational resources HERE |
| Cherokee Marsh | Yes | Restroom access posted on site. Updates posted HERE |
| Dane County Parks | Yes | Facility schedules and updates posted HERE |
| Henry Vilas Zoo | Yes | Now open with new safety procedures. Check out Facebook Live at 2pm each day for "EdZOOcation Experiences" or see archives HERE |
| International Crane Foundation | -- | ICF is under renovation. Grand reopening May 1, 2021. See HERE for safer-at-home education resources and activities for kids |
| Lussier Family Heritage Center & Capital Springs Trails | Yes | Facility schedules and updates posted HERE |
| MacKenzie Center | Yes | Trails & Wildlife area open to public. Buildings are closed, some restrooms open. Vehicle sticker or trail pass required, can be purchased online, by phone, or at location. Campgrounds open with special conditions. See HERE for detailed information |
| Madison Children's Museum | -- | Check social media (Facebook, Instagram, Youtube) for educational posts and updates. See HERE for links to social media and other resources |
| Madison Conservation Parks | Yes | Restrooms closed at lower use parks. Drinking fountains closed. Notice regarding events HERE |
| MMSD Planetarium | -- | Planetarium closed until further notice. Virtual instruction opportunities being developed. If interested in more info about virtual instruction, contact: gholt@mmsd.org |
| MMSD School Forest | Yes | Open and trails maintained |
| Olbrich Botanical Gardens | Yes | Reduced hours. Members only on Mondays. See HERE for detailed info on preparing for your visit. |
| Pheasant Branch Conservancy | Yes | Please be advised that trails maintenance is minimally staffed - please pack out any trash. Conservancy days third Thursday of each month. See site for more info |
| Rooted (form. Community Groundworks) | -- | See Facebook page for virtual programming |
| Upham Woods | -- | See at-home resources for all ages at HERE Day use programs on case-by-case basis. Updates and resources for community science HERE |
| UW Geology Museum | -- | Closed until further notice, pending campus opening for in-person instruction. Group visits and guided tours cancelled through end of 2020. |
| UW-Madison Arboretum | Yes | Visitor center closed. Updates posted HERE |
| Welty Environmental Center | -- | Running virtual and a few events up to 10 people, registration required. Updates HERE |
[3/24 Update] Governor Evers has declared a “Safer at Home” order for the next month, restricting people to essential activities.
What are Essential Activities?
DEFINITIONS [per State of Wisconsin Department of Health Services Emergency Order #12 Safer at Home Order]
- Essential Activities. Individuals may leave their home or residence to perform any of the following:
C. Outdoor activity. To engage in outdoor activity, including visiting public and state parks, provided individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined below. Such activities include, by way of example and without limitation, walking, biking, hiking, or running. Individuals may not engage in team or contact sports such as by way of example and without limitation, basketball, ultimate frisbee, soccer, or football, as these activities do not comply with Social Distancing Requirements. Playgrounds are closed.
Social distancing means minimizing contact with people and keeping a distance of at least six feet between you and others. These measures are put in place to help slow down or stop the spread of a contagious disease. On a large scale, examples of social distancing are limiting gatherings of 10 people or more, canceling events, and closing buildings. On a small scale, these measures include practicing good hygiene habits and limiting in-person contact with others. (From https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02620b.pdf)
- What Mask to Wear When You Go Out (New York Times) – A look at some of the types of masks you might encounter, how they work, what to consider when making your own and the level of protection they could provide.
