Environmental education is essential to developing a healthy, sustainable society.  Many of our current environmental problems are due to widespread ignorance of basic ecological facts of life, especially among our elected officials.  In addition, special interest groups and lobbyists are deliberately spreading false information which further confuses our political leaders. To counteract this problem, we need well funded, scientifically accurate and carefully designed educational courses in our grade schools and colleges, to raise the overall awareness of the public and elected officials. Our young people need to learn basic natural resource and survival information from a young age, to ensure that future generations will understand the value and importance of pollution controls, resource conservation and wildlife habitat protection.

Kids naturally take to the water

Environmental Education in Wisconsin

• Central Wisconsin Environmental Station - UW Stevens Point
• Environmental Education and Training Partnership - UW Stevens Point
• Treehaven Education and Conference Center , in Tomahawk, Wisconsin
• Schmeekle Reserve - UW Stevens Point
• Center for Landuse Education - UW Stevens Point
• Center for Watershed Science and Education -- UW Stevens Point
• Central Wisconsin Groundwater Center - UW Stevens Point

• 1000 Islands Environmental Center

Open Mon to Fri 8 am to 4 pm, Sat and Sun 10 am to 3:30 pm. 300-acre refuge with nature center, 300 specimens of birds and animals, nature trails.
Call 920-766-4733 or 920-788-9024. 
1000 Beaulieu Ct (Hwy Z), Kaukauna, Outagamie County.
 
• Art and Nature Center

Open June 19 to September 19, Mon to Sat 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, Sun 11:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Call 920-847-2225. 
RR 1, Washington Island, Door County.
 
• Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve - West Shores Interpretive Center

Six miles of hiking and ski trails tour this 925-acre wildlife management area on the west shore of Green Bay. Facilities include an interpretive center with restrooms and outdoor picnic areas. Trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset, year-round, and are used by cross-country skiiers during the winter. The interpretive center is open Mon to Fri 9 am to 4 pm, and Sat & Sun from noon to 4 pm.  Near Suamico, three miles north of Green Bay, Brown County.
2024 Lakeview Dr, Suamico, Brown County.
Call 920-448-4466. 
 
• Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary

Seven hundred-acre urban wildlife refuge with many animals native to Wisconsin. Open mid-Apr to mid-Sep daily 8 am to 8 pm. Mid-Sep to mid-Apr 8 am to 5 pm.
Call 920-391-3671. 
1660 E Shore Dr, Green Bay, Brown County.
 
• Bjorklunden Seminars

Call 920-839-2216. Fax 920-839-2688. E-mail mar.d.breseman@lawrence.edu.
Bailey's Harbor, Door County.   Article about Bjorklunden. 

• Brillion Nature Center

Call 920-756-2168 or 920-756-3591
315 S Main, Brillion, Calumet County.
 
• Bubolz Nature Preserve

This 758-acre white cedar swamp features a nature center, hiking trails and wildlife watching. Woodland bird species include great hroned owls, pileated woodpeckers, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, herons, cranes, Cooper's hawks, harriers migrating ducks and shorebirds. Open Tue-Sat 8 am to 4:30 pm, Sun 12:30 to 4:30 pm.
Call 920-731-6041. E-mail bubolz@dataex.com.
4815 N Lynndale Dr (Cty A), north of Appleton, Outagamie County.
 
• The Clearing

P.O. Box 65
Ellison Bay, WI 54210
(920) 854-4088, (920) 854-9751
 
• Collin Marsh Nature and Educational Center

862 Lawton Terrace
Manitowoc, WI 54220
(920) 682-6382
 
• Crossroads at Big Creek

115-acre preserve includes a trail system that connects to evergreen and hardwood forests, streams, seasonal ponds, wetlands, upland meadows and several specific resource centers. Located on the east side of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with the main entrance on Michigan St., just east of the intersection of Michigan and Highway 42/57.
Contact: Coggin Heeringa 
PO Box 608
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
(920)746-5895 
 
• Fallen Timbers Environmental Center

Call 920-984-3700. 
Cty PP, S of Hwy 54, Black Creek, Outagamie County.
 
• Florence Wild Rivers Interpretive Center

Call 715-528-5377 or 715-528-3011 or toll-free 800-889-0049. Fax 715-528-5172. E-mail florence@florence.co.florence.wi.us.
HC1, Florence, Florence County.
 
• Green Bay Botanical Garden

Formal flower gardens plus new children's garden with tree house, maze and frog pond. Open May-Oct Tu-Su 10 am to 6 pm. Oct-Apr Mon to Fri 9 am to 4 pm.
Call 920-490-9457. 
2600 Larsen Rd, Green Bay, Brown County.
 
• Heckrodt Wetland Reserve

P.O. Box 554
Menasha, WI 54952
(920) 720-9349
 
• High Cliff Nature Center

Call 920-989-1106. 
N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, Calumet County.
 
• Kaytee Avian Education Center

585 Clay St., P.O. Box 230
Chilton, WI 53014
(920) 849-2321
 
• Kemp Natural Resources Station

Call 715-356-9070. 
8031 Kemp Woods Rd, Woodruff, Oneida County.
 
• Lac Lawrann Conservancy

104-acre nature preserve with wetlands, native hardwood forest, red pine plantation, tall grass prairie, and glacial landscapes.  The Conservancy serves as refuge to over 300 species of plants, over 200 species of birds, and a wide variety of mammals as well as reptiles and amphibians.  Lac Lawrann Conservancy is a division of the West Bend Park System.  Located at 300 Schmidt Road in West Bend
Friends of Lac Lawrann Conservancy, Inc., P.O. Box 755, West Bend, WI  53095-0755. 
Call (262) 335-5080
 
• Ledge View Nature Center

Open Mon to Fri 8 am to 4:30 pm. Sat and Sun 10 am to 4:30 pm. 100-acre preserve with nature center, trails, observation tower. Cave tours weekends, May - Nov; Wed and Thurs, July and Aug. Call to confirm.
Call 920-849-7094. E-mail ledge@dotnet.com.
Located one mile south of Chilton between Hwys G and 57. W2348 Short Rd, Chilton, Calumet County.
 
• Maywood - Ellwood H. May Environmental Park

3615 Mueller Rd.
Sheboygan, WI 53083
(920) 459-3906, (920) 459-4089
 
• Mecan River Discovery Center

W3281 Dixie Ave.
Neshkoro, WI 54960
(920) 293-8404
 
• Merrill School Forest Enviro Center

Call 715-536-9593. 
N Sales St, Merrill, Lincoln County.

• Mosquito Hill Nature Center

Open year round, Tu-F 8 am to 4:30 pm. Sat and Sun 10 am to 3 pm. Nature center and hiking trails.
Call 920-779-6433. 
New London, Outagamie County.
 
• Nature-wise Outdoor Education - with Roy Lukes

3962 Hillside Rd.
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
(920) 823-2478
 
• Navarino Nature Center

NNC is located on the 15,000 acre Navarino Wildlife Area (DNR). There are 56 miles of hiking trails on the wildlife area, 12 of which are groomed for cross-country skiing during the winter months. Recently 2 new snowshoeing trails have been established, following this the nature center will rent out snowshoes for use on the wildlife area. Navarino Nature Center is open Mon 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm; Tue Wed Fri 8 am - 4:30 pm; Sat 8 am - 3 pm. Navarino Wildlife Area (DNR) is open year round.
Call 715-758-6999. E-mail nnc1@tds.net.
Shawano, Shawano County.
 
• North Lakeland Discovery Center

Call 716-543-2085 or toll-free 877-543-2085. E-mail discovery@centurytel.net.
30 miles S of Hurley, 22 miles N of Minocqua, W215 Hwy W, Manitowish Waters, Vilas County.
 
• Northern Highland State Forest Nature Center

Call 715-365-8914. 
4125 Cty M, Boulder Junction, Vilas County.
 
• Northern Lakeland Discovery Center

P.O. Box 237
Manitowish Waters, WI 54545
(715) 543-2085
 
• Northwoods Wildlife Center

Call 715-356-7400. 
8683 Blumstein Rd, Minocqua, Oneida County.
 
• Outdoor Skills Center

P.O. Box 84
229 Fairview Dr.
Plymouth, WI 53073
(920) 893-5210, (920) 892-2665
 
• Paine Art Center and Gardens

Period rooms and traveling art exhibits in a Tudor Revival mansion. Open Tue-Sun 11 am to 4 pm, Fri 11 am to 7 pm. Admission for mansion, gardens are free.
Call 920-235-6903. 
1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, Winnebago County.
 
• Peninsula State Park - White Cedar Nature Center

Year-round facility featuring bird and fish displays, children's area, and more. Half-mile interpretive nature trail adjacent to building. Open daily Memorial Day - Labor Day, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Open limited days September - May. Family nature programs offered daily during the summer, limited times through out the year. Special programs on request.  The Centeris located in Peninsula State Park, a 3,776-acre area that includes seven miles of accessible shoreline and nearly 500 campsites. On State Highway 42 just north of Fish Creek. Door County.
Fish Creek, Door County.
Call 920-854-1376.
 
• Point Beach State Forest Nature Center

Open year-round 6 am to 11 pm. Park sticker required, Camping, wind surfing, swimming and 5 miles of sandy beach.
Call 920-794-7480. 
9400 Cty O, Two Rivers, Manitowoc County.
 
• Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center

Kettle Moraine State Forest
N1765 Hwy. G
Campbellsport, WI 53010
(920) 533-8322, (920) 626-2117
• Ridges Sanctuary

Call 920-839-2802. 
Baileys Harbor, Door County.
 
• Riveredge Nature Center

P.O. Box 26
Newburg, WI 53060-0026
(262) 375-2715, (262) 375-2714
 
• Sanderling Nature Center

Kohler-Andrae State Park
1520 Old Park Rd.
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 451-4080, (920) 451-4086
 
• Sheboygan County Outdoor Skills & Education Center

at YMCA Camp Y-Koda
W3340 Sunset Road
Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085
920-467-6882
 
• Sheldon Nature Center

Oakwood Elementary School
c/o Oshkosh Area School District
215 South Eagle Street
P.O. Box 3048
Oshkosh, WI 54903
Phone: 424-0395
 
• Teaching Drum Outdoor School

7124 Military Rd.
Three Lakes, WI 54562
(715) 546-2944
 
• Trees for Tomorrow

Call 715-479-6456 or toll-free 800-838-9472. Fax 715-479-2318. E-mail trees@nnex.net.
Eagle River, Vilas County.
 
• Twin Oaks Environmental Center

D C Everest High School
6500 Alderson St.
Schofield, WI 54476
(715) 693-4188

• Whitefish Dunes State Park Nature Center

Call 920-823-2400. 
3701 Clark Lake Rd (Cty WD), Sturgeon Bay, Door County.
 
• Woodland Dunes Nature Center

Open daily 10 am to 4 pm, Nature preserve with exhibits, hiking trails, nature center.
Call 920-793-4007. 
Manitowoc, Manitowoc County.

• Education and Training - Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources
• EE Links - Environmental Education on the Internet
• National Environmental Education Advancement Project
• The Environmental Education  and Communication Project of USAID
• Educational Resources Information Center - U.S. Dept. of Education
• Eisenhower National Clearinghouse
• EPA's Office of Environmental Education