Prairie Hill Waldorf School kicked off September visits at Upham Woods followed by John Muir Elementary 5th graders, North Shore Country Day School, THINK Academy, Monona Grove 21 Liberal Arts Charter School, Pardeeville Middle School, Lake Mills Middle School, and Savanna Oaks Middle School. 

We had the Portage Science Club participate in our environmental DNA program, and Amy, Director of Upham Woods, provided outreach to students on Washington Island on Microclimates as part of the, "Preparing Wisconsin’s Rural Communities for Amplified Weather Extremes in a Changing Climate" project through the Rural Partnerships Institute.

In addition to our school groups, we welcomed the First Unitarian Society of Madison and hosted two field trips from the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin. We also hosted a Master Naturalists class and kicked off the third annual Nature's Navigator's STEM camp for autistic youth in partnership with the Nelson Institute's Center for Climatic Research this past Saturday.

Starting September 2nd, Upham Woods welcomed two WisCorps Individual Placement Service Members. Service members at Upham Woods serve in roles that focus on environmental education and conservation! We're excited for these two to be at Upham Woods through August 2026, where they will educate our visitors and serve as stewards of the land!

Join us for a celebration of community, curiosity, and conservation.

Nestled along the Wisconsin River, this casual afternoon event invites you to wander and wonder through the natural beauty of Upham Woods. Enjoy live music, interactive art, and guided tours that showcase the center’s impact and vision. With ‘brushes, beats and river banks’ setting the scene, you’ll be inspired to explore and grow … together.

Come connect, reflect, and help nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.

Learn more about the event

Cost: $50.00 per attendee (includes Hors d'oeuvres and two drink tickets)

Registration closes Friday, October 10, 2025. 

Join Felix the Fox and our outdoor educators for a series of four adventures at Upham Woods! Preschoolers and their grownups will discover shapes, colors, letters, and numbers in nature. A parent or guardian must accompany all participants each week for outdoor and indoor fun.

Who: Ages 3-4 (by the first day of the series), accompanied by a parent or guardian

When: 10 - 11 AM on the following Tuesdays in Fall of 2025: October 28, November 4, November 11, and November 18

Cost: $40.00 per child for the 4-week series. An email confirming registration will provide a payment link—no extra charge for accompanying adult(s). One adult may accompany up to two registered children ages 3-4. A separate registration form is required for each child.

Registration Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Upham Woods is looking for ATV Safety Project Volunteers to support our new ATV Safety Instruction Program! A full volunteer position description is here: WI 4-H Youth ATV Safety Project Volunteer. Please email our Facilities and Operations Manager, Craig Boehlke at cjboehlke@wisc.edu for more information and to become a volunteer.

Bring your youth group to Upham Woods

Did you know that we serve groups as small as 10 and as large as 150? You can come for a half-day or stay a few nights!

If you care deeply for the work and mission of Upham Woods and want to help provide a sustaining source of support for the next generation, consider creating a legacy gift by including the University of Wisconsin Foundation and specifying a restricted gift to Upham Woods in your estate plans. You may prefer to include in your will or trust a sum of money, a percentage of your estate, a specific asset, a work of art, or a piece of real estate that you wish to give. Our most sincere gratitude for your lasting support! 

The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming in compliance with state and federal law.