(Waukesha, WI) – Waukesha County Parks invites everyone to celebrate planet Earth with a variety of fun and educational events. Activities for adults and children are offered from April 19-22, including the Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Annual Earth Week Celebration on Earth Day, Saturday, April 22 at Retzer Nature Center and Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium.
“We celebrate Earth Day every day at the nature center, so we’re extra excited to host fun, informative activities for our community this week,” said Janet Barthel, Retzer Nature Center Supervisor. “It’s a great time to join us and learn more about making a positive impact on our environment.”
Two events during the week focus on meditation, mindfulness, and the outdoors. Families with elementary age students can learn together how to help the planet at Retzer’s Outdoor Classroom program on Wednesday, April 19.
On Saturday, April 22 – Earth Day – the Friends of Retzer Nature Center hosts their free Earth Week Celebration event alongside Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium’s Earth Day shows. Attendees of all ages will enjoy making seed paper, exploring the recycling exhibit, discovering nature, and, in the planetarium, learning about Alaska’s wilderness and how it has been changing.
Also underway is Retzer Nature Center’s spring “Story Hike” in partnership with Bridges Library System. Hikers will read the children’s book Finding Wild by Megan Wagner Lloyd while on a self-guided hike along the 0.75-mile orange trail. It is open daily through April 30.
View the Earth Week schedule and details below and at www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/
2023 Earth Week Activities
For details and registration: www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/
| Date/Time | Program | Details |
| April 3 – 30Open daily Retzer Nature Center Free | Story Hike Sponsored by Bridges Library System and Retzer Nature Center | Take self-guided hike and enjoy reading Finding Wild, by Megan Wagner Lloyd, and the outdoors at the same time! No registration is necessary. www.WaukeshaCounty.gov/ |
| Wednesday, April 1910 – 11 a.m.Retzer Nature Center $4/student | Earth Day Outdoor Classroom:Nature Exploration “5-Finger Pledge” | Learn how to help the Earth and nature! For ages 5-12 and their guardians.Register by Tuesday, April 18. |
| Wednesday, April 197:30 – 8:45 pmHorwitz-DeRemer Planetarium $10/person | Sunset Meditation Planetarium Show & Night Hike | Unwind under a sunset show in the planetarium and meditate for your mental health. After the show, take a quiet night hike. For ages 10+. Register by Tuesday, April 18. |
| Thursday, April 2010 – 11 amRetzer Nature Center Free | A Mindful Walk in Nature | Learn practices to become more fully present to the wonders of nature. Meet at the Discovery Trail entrance. For ages 10+ with the ability to walk one mile. No registration is necessary. |
| Friday, April 217 – 10 a.m.Retzer Nature CenterFree | Morning Bird Hike with the Benjamin Goss Bird Club | This 1.5-mile easy hike is a great opportunity to learn about the birds found in Waukesha County and how they fit into our environment. All skill levels are welcome. For ages 8+. No registration is necessary. |
| Saturday, April 2210 am – 1 pm Retzer Nature Center Free | Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Earth Week Celebration Event | Celebrate Earth Day with family-friendly activities. Open house for all ages, no registration is necessary. |
| Saturday, April 2211 am – 2 pm Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium Free | Earth Day Planetarium Show:“A Place Like No Other” | Discover Alaska during this show under the dome! Travel to the remote wilderness to see iconic animals and landscapes that define the Last Frontier – places that make Alaska Alaska – all while learning about the changes that the region is experiencing. For ages 10+. Shows start every 45 mins. |
| Saturday, April 2210 am – 1 pmVarious County Parks Free | Earth Day Volunteer Park System Clean Up WorkdayFox Brook ParkFox River ParkMenomonee ParkMinooka ParkMukwonago ParkMuskego ParkNaga-Waukee ParkNashotah Park | Help Waukesha County Parks pick up litter and help the Earth! Register yourself, your family, or your group online. Free admission to any participating park with registration and participation. |
