Independent Adventure Ideas
No matter the season, you can enjoy land trust properties year-round.
Below are ideas for self-directed adventures that you can experience on your own during Land Trust Days or anytime!
Take a Hike
Get inspired and find a place to hike near you with an interactive map of special places protected by our member land trusts.
If you like a little extra motivation, some land trusts offer hiking incentive programs each year.
Mississippi Valley Conservancy offers a Trail Trek Challenge with downloadable trail maps and discovery challenges.
The Ice Age Trail Alliance has many hiking award programs, including the Mammoth Hike Challenge in October.
Need help preparing for a hike? The Ice Age Trail Alliance has a great webpage with tips to plan a hike. Great for both beginning and advanced hikers.
Introduce Kids to Nature
Teach a child how to fish at Geneva Lake Conservancy’s Helen Rohner Children’s Fishing Park.
Enroll in a nature-based summer camp offered by Baird Creek Preservation Foundation or The Ridges Sanctuary.
Explore King’s Corner at Caledonia Conservancy where you can experience a variety of interactive outdoor games and displays.
Find a variety of kids activities games to help you add more fun to a hike, courtesy of the Ice Age Trail Alliance.
Go Birding
Find accessible ways to enjoy birds, plus local birding groups and resources courtesy of the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance.
Join a growing network of everyday folks making a big difference for birds, butterflies and more by participating in citizen science activities.
Become a “Bird Song Hero” with the help of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
Volunteer
Land trusts are nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting land in Wisconsin. Often they depend on volunteers who are passionate about protecting Wisconsin’s land and water resources.
If this describes you, find a land trust in your area and see if there are any volunteer opportunities. These are just a few of the many ways you can have fun exploring nature as you have fun outside!
