Suburban Soles program 2024
Suburban Soles returns for its 7th season, to explore and discover the secrets of our natural world. Join us for this free event, every other Sunday, from May through September as we discuss various topics such as wildflower identification, water quality of Oak Creek, and urban wildlife . We will learn to identify migrating bird species, obtain skills to identify tree species and how we can integrate them successfully into our home landscapes, and track dragonflies and damselflies to do citizen science surveys, discovering their secrets and numbers.
Each week, we will focus on a new area of study that will be led by professional field guides associated with various green organizations from around Milwaukee county. These events are presented and supported by the Friends of Grant Park, and are completely free to attend, with a suggested donation to keep the programs alive.
Below is the event schedule for dates, times and locations of each event. Locations and time vary, but all are in Grant Park on Sundays. Events are held rain or shine. Please dress accordingly including proper footwear. We advise leaving your 4 legged friend at home. Events are for all ages. And most importantly, we Bee-leave you will have a tree-mendous time, hope to see you there!
Friends with Feathers, May 5, 8am to 10am, Area 5.
Join Rita Flores Wiskowski, Betsy Abert and fellow birders to witness spring migration along our lakefront flyway. Wear footwear suitable for paved and unpaved trails. Binoculars are recommended. There will be a few Binoculars to share. All skill levels are welcome. Rain will cancel.
Wildflowers, May 19. 10am to noon, Area 5.
Park Naturalist Brooke Gilley and attendees will hike to celebrate the return of spring wildflowers. Bring a field guide to add to discoveries. Don’t forget “Wild about Wildflowers” scavenger hunt will be available to young hikers.
Urban Wildlife, June 2, 10am to noon, Area 5.
Join DNR Milwaukee Wildlife Conservation Educator Jessica Knackert for a guided hike about the joys and struggles of living with urban wildlife. Learn more about how urban wildlife supports our green spaces, tips for coexisting with wildlife, and how to help animals in need.
SEWISC: SE Wisconsin Invasive Species Consortium, June 16. Details TBA.
Walk through Wil-o-Way, June 30, 10am to Noon, Wil-o-Way facility gardens.
Join local UWM Master Gardeners Chris Marifke, Susan Gresser, and Cyndy Allen for a tour of Wil-o-Way garden, greenhouse, and surrounding area.
Watersheds and Water Quality, July 14, 10am to noon, Area 7 playground.
Join Milwaukee Riverkeepers Program Manager Leah Holloway to follow the journey of a drop of water as it flows through Grant Park into Lake Michigan. We’ll also discuss overall regional water quality, and how we can all contribute to the health of our waterways.
Dragonflies, July 28, 1pm to 3pm, Mill Pond.
Join Naturalist Jamie Schiesel to observe the life and ways of dragonflies and damselflies, the aerial predators of the insect world.
Tree-mendous Love for Trees, August 11, 10am to Noon, Area 5.
Join Brian Morrison, Wisconsin Master Naturalist with a degree in horticulture and a minor in biology, park caretaker at Virmond Park in Ozaukee County and lover of all things green, as we discover how trees communicate, how photosynthesis works on a biological level and how to identify the native trees of Grant Park.
Astronomy, August 25, 8pm to 9pm, Wil-O-Way.
Enjoy the wonders of night’s starry, starry sky with Dean Chapman.
Seven Bridges History, September 8, 10am to Noon, Area 5.
And finally, a walk through the Seven Bridges area. Join local historian Nels Monson as we learn about the creation and development of Grant Park’s most beautiful feature and the man who brought it all about. We’ll walk over uneven paths and stairways, so wear comfortable hiking shoes.