Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/28/2026

“Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.” —Thomas Edison

What does Thomas Edison have to do with goldenrod, pictured above? More than you might think!

In the late 1920s, Edison searched for a plant that could provide a domestic source of rubber in the wake of Henry Ford’s and Harvey Firestone’s automotive inventions. One of his most promising candidates was goldenrod. He even cultivated plants that grew up to 12 feet tall!

Edison died in 1931 before his experiments produced a goldenrod tire, but his connection to the plant lives on in Solidago edisoniana, a species named in his honor.

Goldenrod tires never hit the road—but goldenrod is putting on quite a show in our prairie. Come see it for yourself!

Photo: Jamie Kollman, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/28/2026

Look closely. Only the strongest pollinators can enter this bloom!

Cream gentian is a native Wisconsin perennial that blooms in late summer, and its pale, tightly closed flowers are now appearing in our prairie.

Bumble bees are its primary pollinators and among the few insects strong enough to push through the flower’s small opening. Once inside, they rub against the anthers to collect pollen before shimmying their way back out.

Cream gentian thrives in sunny places with moderately moist soil, but it is uncommon in parts of its range. So when we find one, we admire it closely and then leave it be!

Photo: Jamie Kollman, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/28/2026

A moment of appreciation and gratitude for our mighty Environmental Educators who worked so hard throughout this year’s summer camp!

Thank you for all the effort you put into creating positive experiences for summer campers. From the creativity that went into preparing crafts, to learning campers’ names, adapting to unexpected situations, answering all the questions, and making camp a fun, safe, and engaging place to learn about nature, your hard work makes a difference.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center would not be the organization it is today without you. We are so grateful for everything you do.

Shoutout to all the Environmental Educators out there!

Photos: Jamie Kollman, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/26/2026

The countdown to the first day of Aldo Leopold Nature Preschool is on! 🌿

Our staff are busy preparing learning spaces, completing training and taking part in professional development before school begins on September 1. We can’t wait to welcome our preschoolers, parents, volunteers and staff for a new year of outdoor exploration, learning and discovery!

Video: Jamie Kollman, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/26/2026

The Wonder Bugs explored all the rocky trails of the Nature Center!

The children learned that rocks are like cookies: they are made of different ingredients and take their shape through changes in pressure and temperature. The group went on a hike and stopped at the famous jumping/sliding rock! Then, they headed into the Basswood Forest, where they hopped from rock to rock and played with the mud kitchen.

Back in the classroom, each Wonder Bug got a bag of rocks and tools for scientific exploration. They sorted the rocks by size, color, and texture. They also used water and magnifying glasses to take a closer look at their discoveries.

What a rock-solid session full of experimentation and, of course, fun play, including rolling and stacking rocks!

Photos: Stephanie Briand, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/25/2026

We’ve got blooming onions in the prairie! But… not the fried kind.

Right now, the native perennial called nodding onion (Allium cernuum) is blooming! Once you find the clusters of flowers, you might catch a whiff of that strong onion smell. Is your mouth starting to water? Well, you’re in luck because every part of this plant is edible!

You can either dig up the whole plant or pick only the green leaves. To practice sustainable harvesting, it is not recommended to pick the whole plant if the patch of wild onions is pretty small. If you find a large patch and you’re interested in the small bulbs, the best time to harvest them is in fall, after the foliage has died back and the flowers have set seeds.

Photo: Stephanie Briand, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

Join the Monona Public Library for another storytime at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center! 📚

📅 Monday, August 24 | 10–10:45 AM

Listen to fun stories, move your body, and enjoy a hands-on activity. Storytime will be held indoors, but we’ll head outside if the weather is nice.
Sponsored by Monona Public Library, this free, family-friendly event requires no registration.

Monona Public Library

08/23/2026

One last slip-and-slide for the Tadpoles before the beginning of the school year! 💦☀️

Where DID this summer go? The first day of camp feels like yesterday, and now we’re already saying goodbye to another summer of muddy feet, big smiles, new friendships, and unforgettable adventures in nature.

Video: Stephanie Briand, Aldo Leopold Nature Center

08/21/2026

Get ready for cold and flu season with elderberry syrup!

Elderberry syrup is a traditional remedy that may help ease cold and flu symptoms. However, it's important to note that the stems, leaves, seeds, and unripe berries of elderberry plants contain toxic compounds. Even ripe berries should be cooked before consumption to reduce these compounds.

When foraging for American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), keep in mind that there are a couple of look-alikes, and getting familiar with them is essential. The flowers of poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) can be mistaken for elderflowers. The berries of American pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) and devil’s walking stick (Aralia spinosa) can also be similar in appearance to elderberries. Always be certain of your identification before harvesting or consuming any wild plant.

To make elderberry syrup, start by collecting ripe elderberries and removing any green berries and pieces of stem. Add equal parts water and berries to a pan and simmer for about 30 minutes, occasionally crushing the berries to release their juice. Strain out the seeds and pulp, then add an equal amount of honey and stir until combined. Store the syrup in the refrigerator for about a month. Enjoy a few spoonfuls as a traditional remedy or mix it into sparkling water for a refreshing drink!

Video: Jamie Kollman, Aldo Leopold Nature Center