October 29 @ 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Join Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance staff and volunteers to enjoy a quiet and respectful evening outing to the Forest Hill Cemetery.
Did you know that cemeteries were a precursor to city parks? Starting in the early 1830s, “rural cemeteries” like Mount Auburn were established to create tranquil, beautiful settings where families could visit and commemorate their loved ones.
Early on, birds were notable attractions in these natural settings. Planners began to shape landscapes that would provide food, water, and shelter for wildlife, and birdwatching became a popular recreational activity for visitors.
Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison was also designed as a rural cemetery (read more history here). It was constructed upon the site of Ho-Chunk effigy mounds in linear, water spirit, and goose shapes built millennia ago.
Read more about the location here.
Meet at the small lot near the cemetery office (43°04’02.0″N 89°25’46.7″W). The field trip leaders are Kaitlin Svabek and Sprocket Hanks.
Contact Brenna Marsicek, bmarsicek@swibirds.org or 608-255-2473, with questions and accessibility requests.
This event is free and open to the public. Participation is limited to 10 people. Register here.
