OPTIONAL TOURS
GENERAL TOURS		SPOUSAL TOURS		ECO TOURS		FAMILY FUN

Cedarburg Bog

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Field Station is a teaching and research facility located about 30 miles north of Milwaukee in Saukville.  For this field trip, we will visit the Cedarburg Bog, one of the largest, most diverse and biologically interesting wetlands in southern Wisconsin.  Its most unusual feature is the presence of a string or “patterned” bog, a vegetation type that is typically found much further north.  We will access the string bog via a boardwalk and along the way will also observe cedar-tamarack swamp forest, shrub carr & swamp hardwoods, as well as a stream, lake and islands that occur within the bog.  There is also a deer enclosure that has been in place for over 30 years.  The ecology of the bog and current research projects at the UWM Field Station will be discussed.

Tour time   8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Inclusions: Private transportation,
staff onboard, private narrated tour
Minimum number required 20

Aldo Leopold Farm (The Shack)

Come with us and enjoy the land and tranquility that was the Aldo Leopold family retreat and has become their foundation.

The shack, a rebuilt chicken coop, along the Wisconsin River where the Leopold’s stayed during weekend retreats, continues to serve as the heart of the Foundation’s programs.

The land surrounding the Shack and farm provides a living classroom for exploring dynamic ecological relationships.  Each year, thousands of visitors are inspired through tours and workshops in the same landscape that deeply moved Leopold.

October is a spectacular time to visit the farm and your private guide tour allows you time to interact on a personal basis.  Fall colors will be emerging and the winter migration will have the Wisconsin River alive with waterfowl.

Tour time 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Inclusions: Private transportation, staff onboard, box lunch, narrated tour
Minimum number required 40

International Crane Foundation

Traveling west from Milwaukee our transfer time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes to visit the spectacular International Crane Foundation Sanctuary in Baraboo, Wisconsin. 

After orientation in the theater for approximately 25 minutes there is a 1 ½ to 2 hour narrated tour of the area.  Groups will be broken up into no more than 30 persons for each tour.   Within the exhibit area all 15 Crane species found around the world will be discussed.  All 15 species are found here at the Foundation. 

Halfway through the walking tour, the Whooping Crane will be visited, (they are the rarest of all Cranes).  Here there will be seating for the whole group.

Tour time  8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Inclusions: Private transportation,
staff onboard, box lunch, narrated tour
Minimum number required 40

Horicon Marsh Tour (Little Ev

erglades of the North)

Today we journey to the Horicon Marsh area approximately 70 minutes northwest of Milwaukee.  As one of the 4 major flyways for migratory water fowl the Marsh is certainly one of the most spectacular wetland habitats in the country.

After orientation there will be a one-hour narrated pontoon boat tour through the Marsh.  You will enjoy the birds and animals in their natural environment.  Your professional tour guides have 42 years of experience within the wetlands.

As October is a prime north to south migratory time the abundance of wildlife will be significant.

Tour Time  9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Inclusions: Private transportation, onboard staff, guided tour
Minimum number required 20

Center for BioMolecular Modeling

Visit this state-of-the-art Rapid Prototyping Center at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and how this amazing technology is used by the Center for BioMolecular Modeling, (CBM) to create physical models of proteins and other molecular structures.  Learn how five different technologies are used to make physical models of any structure that can be created in a computer environment.  Witness how the science education outreach programs of the CBM in where teachers and their students use this technology to design and build their own physical models of molecular structures, working with local researchers.  Find out how you and your students can get involved in this program and become model designers. 

The tour is hosted by 3D Molecular Designs, the CBM’s sister organization that turns ideas from the CBM’s outreach programs into science education products, (toobers, DNA base pairs and of course the magnetic Water Kit) that can be broadly disseminated to educators.

Tour time 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Inclusions:  Private transportation, onboard staff, private tour session
Minimum number required 20

Growing Power (Urban Gardening)

Growing Power is a nationwide nonprofit organization and land trust supporting people from diverse backgrounds and the environments they live in through the development of Community Food Systems.  These systems provide high-quality, safe, healthy and affordable food for all residents in the community.

Growing Power develops Community Food Centers – as a key component of Community Food Systems – through training, active demonstration, outreach and technical assistance.  Community Food Centers are local places people learn sustainable practices to grow, process, market and distribute food.

Tour time 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Inclusions: Private transportation, onboard staff, guided tour
Minimum number required 20