BioBlitz 2026

Join us for a fun Saturday full of nature-themed activities at the Wehr Nature Center as part of MPM's annual BioBlitz!

Date and Time

Saturday, June 13, 2026*
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.**

*On Friday, June 12, join us for special evening bat observation; see below for details!
**9 a.m. start for Bird Banding; see below for details.

Location

Wehr Nature Center
9701 W College Ave
Franklin, WI 53132

Cost

FREE

What is a BioBlitz?

It's a 24-hour celebration of biodiversity where scientists work together to see how many species of plants and animals they can find in one area. Along the way, the public is invited to take part in the ecological endeavor and enjoy fun, nature-themed activities. Learn more about MPM's BioBlitz.

Wehr Nature Center

Activities for All Ages

Families are encouraged to join staff and surveyors for a day of outdoor activities, granting them a close view of all the biodiversity we uncover together. Activities include, but are not limited to:

Friday, June 12
  • Bat Observation (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
    • Join scientists at sunset to learn about bat monitoring efforts and methods. More details coming soon!
Saturday, June 13
  • 9-11 a.m. Early start time: Bird Banding Demonstrations (Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin, Urban Ecology Center)
  • 10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Activity stations and informational tables (Milwaukee Public Museum + Partners)
  • 10 a.m.: Bird Walk (BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society)
  • 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.: Introduction to Biodiversity Surveying (Milwaukee Public Museum)
  • 11:15 a.m. and 1 p.m.: Conservation Dog Demonstrations (Mequon Nature Preserve)
  • 12:15 p.m.: Dragonfly Walk (Wisconsin Dragonfly Society)
  • 1:30 p.m.: Pollinator Walk (Wehr Nature Center; Milwaukee County Parks)

Wehr Nature Center

NATURE WALKS
  • Butterfly Walks - Milwaukee Public Museum – 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
  • Plant Walks - Milwaukee Public Museum - 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
  • Birding Walks - Milwaukee County Zoological Society - Times TBD
  • Nature Walk - Havenwoods State Forest – 1:00 p.m.
Little Things Are a Big Deal: Microscopes and Why We Use Them

Come explore the BIG world inside a tiny droplet! We’ll use microscopes to delve deep into the details of aquatic life.

Pressing Matters: Plant Presses and Why We Make Them

Unleash your inner botanist with our hands-on activity! Craft your own plant press and learn how to preserve specimens for future study in your own herbarium. 

Stalking the Wild Neighborhood: Urban Nature and Why We Love It

We tend to imagine wild plants and animals as strictly something found in the forests, mountains, prairies, and ponds of wilderness areas, but the reality is quite a different story. In order to better appreciate our natural neighbors, this station offers a chance to dissect owl pellets.

What is a Scientist? What They Do and How They Do It

We tend to imagine wild plants and animals as strictly something found in the forests, mountains, prairies, and ponds of wilderness areas, but the reality is quite a different story. In order to better appreciate our natural neighbors, this station offers a chance to dissect owl pellets.

Accessibility at BioBlitz

If you’d like to use an all-terrain wheelchair provided by Access Ability Wisconsin (AAW) while at Wehr Nature Center for BioBlitz, please take a moment to complete this form. A $25 deposit is required for reservation but can be refunded upon return of a completed survey.

For questions, please contact Carly.Hintz@milwaukeecountywi.gov

Partner Organizations

We're excited to welcome several partners to help provide activities during BioBlitz:

  • BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin
  • Bumble Bee Brigade
  • Faith in Place
  • Havenwoods State Forest
  • International Crane Foundation
  • Mequon Nature Preserve
  • Milwaukee County Parks
  • Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin
  • Reflo
  • Urban Bird Treaty
  • Urban Ecology Center
  • Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
  • Wehr Nature Center
  • Wisconsin Dragonfly Society
  • Wisconsin Metro Audubon Society
  • Wisconsin Mycological Society
Meet the Experts

Scientists, species specialists, and naturalists from across Wisconsin are expected to take part in the ecological survey. Learn more about some of the experts you can meet during BioBlitz:

About Wehr Nature Center

Aldo Leopold FoundationDiscover Wehr Nature Center, Milwaukee County Parks’ only nature preserve and education center. Explore more than five miles of scenic nature trails winding through woodland, wetland, prairie, and oak savanna across 220 acres of protected land within Whitnall Park.

If you require an accommodation, please email access@mpm.edu or call 414-278-6943.

BioBlitz 2024

Generous support provided by:

Antonia Foundation

Margarete & David Harvey

PPG Foundation