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30 by 30 nature challenge collage

30x30 Nature Challenge

We challenge YOU to spend

30 minutes a day outside

for the next 30 days!

 

 

Take a Photo

Head outside with your phone or camera and snap pics of bees, birds, and butterflies!

Retzer Camera Club

Frog

Take Photos

Climb a Tree

Hang in the branches and let your mind wander! Tree climbing is great for the mind and the spirit. Want to go higher?

Tree Top Explorer

Person climbing a tree

Climb a Tree

Take a Walk and Listen to your favorite Green Podcast!

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Greencast by the

Waukesha County Green Team

Podcast microphone icon

Listen to Greencast outdoors!

Go Geocaching

Join the world's largest treasure hunt!
Geocaching in:

Waukesha County Parks.

Geocaching App

Cellphone in hands

Go Geocaching 

Go Paddling

The Fox and Pewaukee Rivers offer many paddling opportunities!

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Paddling in Waukesha Guide

Kayaks on the water

Go Paddling

Pull Some Invasives

Even the smallest of efforts can make a big difference. To learn more about invasives and how to identify them, check out https://sewisc.org/  

Garlic Mustard Plant

Pull some Invasives

Grow Something

Check out these great resources from

Johnny's Selected Seeds

Permaculture & Gardening Group

Vegetable garden

Grow Something

Hike the Bugline

The Bugline Trail is a 16-mile trail that connects Village neighborhoods to the Menomonee Cty. Park.

Bugline Trail Info

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Trails Begin At Trailhead sign

Hike the Bugline

Mushrooms in Nature

Go on a

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Go On a Scavenger Hunt!

Get outside and explore your area using these great outdoor scavenger hunt ideas.

Scavenger Hunt Ideas

Explore Solar

Check out these fun activities to learn more about the sun! Then visit Retzer and check out their solar panels.

Solar Powered Crafts

Solar Science Projects

Sun shining through flowers

Explore Solar

Spend time with the Birds

Waukesha's

Benjamin Goss Bird Club

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50 Bird Species and Calls

 

Bird Call App

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Birdwatching accessories

Spend Time with the Birds

Visit Retzer Nature Center

With over 300 acres, check out all that Retzer Nature Center has to offer! Be sure to check their website for up-to-date info.

Retzer Nature Center

Retzer nature center sign

Visit Retzer Nature Center

Find a Sit Spot

Sit in nature for 30 minutes today and practice mindful meditation.

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Nature Meditation Blog

Video: Finding your Sit Spot

Buck in a field

Find a Sit Spot

Bike, Skate, Scooter or Roll

Get outside and have fun!

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Bike trails in Waukesha Cty

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High Roller Fun Rentals

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Waterfowl themed paddle boats

Bike, Skate, Scooter, or Roll

Visit a WCLC Property

Explore one of the 40 preserves that are open to the public while practicing social distancing.

Waukesha County Land Conservancy Properties

Waukesha County Land Conservancy

Visit a Waukesha County Land Conservancy Property

Hike the Ice Age Trail

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Map of Entire Ice Age Trail

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Ice Age Trail Alliance

Waukesha/Milwaukee Chapter

Trails Begin At Trailhead sign

Hike the Ice Age Trail

Read Outside

Grab a great book and read outside for 30 minutes today!

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Waukesha Library System

Reading a book outside

Read Outside

Visit an Outdoor Market

Support local producers while enjoying the outdoors! 

Be sure to check with the market before visiting.

WI Farmers Markets

Kerned Produce

Visit an Outdoor Market

Visit a State Natural Area

State natural areas protect Wisconsin's outstanding natural communities, significant geological formations and archeological sites.

DNR State Natural Areas

Wisconsin Designated State Natural Area

Visit a Designated

State Natural Area

Take a Hike - All Ages

Explore the best trails in Waukesha County! Use this resource to explore a new area.

Trail Link - Waukesha

Trails Begin at Trailhead sign

Find a New Trail

Clean Up Your Community

On your next walk, grab a bag and gloves and clean up your street, a local park, or community!

 

Waukesha Adopt-a-Trail Program

Community Cleanup Team

Clean Up Your Community

Explore a Lake

Waukesha County has over 250 lakes-- perfect for floating, fishing, paddling, and splashing.

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Lake-Link WI

Big Canon Lake

Explore a Lake

Create Art

Nature is filled with Beauty! Get outside and create art! Paint, draw, arrange, sculpt, and mold.

Art ideas to get you started

Paint in Jars

Create Art

Walk a Dog

Waukesha County has over 70 acres of fully fenced dog areas and over 60 miles of trails!

Waukesha County Dog Areas

Dog on a walk

Walk a Dog

Visit a WI State Park

State Parks are reopen! Be sure to check the DNR website before visiting for up to date information.

WI State Parks

Wisconsin Designated State Natural Area

Visit a WI State Park

Explore the Night Sky

Get outside and look up! Spend 30 minutes today stargazing. Check out these great resources.

Sky Maps Horwitz-DeRemer Planetarium

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Starry night sky

Explore the Night Sky

Learn to Identify Trees

Can you tell a Sugar Maple from a Red Maple? Check out this great site and app!

WI DNR Tree Guides

Tree ID App

Tree journal page

Learn to Identify Trees

Visit the Vernon Marsh

The Marsh is  4600 acres of wetlands fen, and home to excellent wildlife and migrating birds.

Friends of the Vernon Marsh 

Visit the Vernon Marsh

Vernon Wildlife Area Sign

Become a Citizen Scientist

Help gather data on local wildlife. Monitor reptiles, wetlands, bats, nesting boxes and more! All training provided.

Conservation in the Parks 

Scientist in marshland

Become a Citizen Scientist

Watch the Clouds Roll By

I see a dragon! Now it's a penguin! Spend time today watching the sky.

Farmer's Almanac Cloud Guide

Clouds in a blue sky

Watch the Clouds Float By

Visit a Waukesha County Park

Waukesha County has tremendous parks, beaches and trails!

Find a Park

Park Info 

Muskego Park Sign

Visit a

Waukesha County Park

You Pick!

What is your favorite activity not on our list?

Do it and let us know about it!

Tell Us About It

Pick your own icon

Pick Your Own!

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