Due to popular demand, we have added a Winter Youth Archery Clinic!
Possible upcoming events
Winter Wonders Learn To Ski 10 a.m. – noon
Join us for a winter wonders ski on our South Trails! We will discover and learn about skiing in the wonderful snow-covered prairie and forest. Please dress for the weather and meet MacKenzie naturalists at the South Trails parking lot.
First Day Hike 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Celebrate the first day of 2024 with a hike on the south trails alongside MacKenzie naturalists. Please bring your own hiking gear and meet naturalists at the South Trails parking lot. Snow will not be removed from the trails.
Wolf Moon Hike
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Experience the natural world under the glow of the first full moon of the year, called the “Wolf Moon.” We will hike through restored prairies, practice observation skills, and warm ourselves by the campfire. Bring your own hot beverage and dress for the weather. Please park in the Badger Den parking lot and meet a MacKenzie naturalist there promptly at 5:30 p.m.
Join us for a night on the trails! Everyone is welcome to walk down a candlelit path beginning at the lodge, and then cozy up around the campfire. Drop-in anytime between 5:30 and 8 p.m.
Please dress for the weather and plan accordingly. It will be dark!
Volunteers Needed
As we near our Fall Candlelight Hike, MacKenzie naturalists are looking for volunteers to help prior to Nov. 2 preparing the tealights. Additional volunteer opportunities are available on the day-of setting up the candlelight path, tending the campfire, and directing parking.
Please contact the MacKenzie Center Education if you’re interested in volunteering at 608-635-8112 or [email protected].
We’ve posted this before, but thought a reminder would be useful. The Friends of MacKenzie is now using the following address for anything sent via mail. Please use this address to be sure mail gets to us in a timely fashion. Thanks!
Come spend a festive winter day crafting around the fireplace here at the MacKenzie Lodge. We encourage participants to bring their own greenery supplies, although we will have a small amount of greenery and other materials available. Participants are also welcome to bring their own warm beverage to enjoy! Please register for this event as there is a $10 fee for supplies by contacting 608-635-8112 or [email protected]
Winter Wonders Learn to Ski
Saturday, December 16th 10 – Noon
Join us for a winter wonders ski on our South Trails! We will discover and learn about skiing in the wonderful snow-covered prairie and forest. Please dress for the weather and meet naturalists at the South Trails Parking lot at 10am.
First Day Hike
Monday, January 1st, 2024 1-2:30 p.m.
Celebrate the first day of 2024 with us in the snow! We’ll be trekking along the south trails to explore the forest and prairies on the first day of the year! Meet naturalists at the South Trails Parking Lot and please bring your own hiking gear, trails will not be removed of snow.
Our Fall Festival is coming back this year, and volunteers are needed all day on Oct. 21. There may be additional opportunities to volunteer for set-up and clean-up. Please contact the Friends of MacKenzie at [email protected] if you’re interested in volunteering.
This is a news release from the DNR. We urge all interested to read the Master Plan (especially as it relates to the MacKenzie Center) and comment as you see fit either online or by attending one of the public comment meetings.
MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking comments on the next phase of the Central Sand Hills Regional Master Plan process.
Among the more than 60 properties included in the plan are Devil’s Lake and Hartman Creek state parks, the MacKenzie Center, Mecan River, Caves Creek and Pine River fishery areas, White River Marsh, Grand River Marsh, Lawrence Creek wildlife areas, Lunch Creek Wetlands, Observatory Hill and Plainfield Tunnel Channel Lakes natural areas.
The DNR has developed a draft vision and goals for the properties along with management objectives for each property. For some properties, alternative approaches to reach the objectives have been developed. These draft plan elements are now available for review in the Central Sand Hills Draft Vision, Goals, Objectives and Management Alternatives document.
The department is seeking public comments on the document from now through Nov. 2, 2023. The document, and information on how to provide input, is available on the department’s Central Sand Hills Region webpage.
Both meetings will run from 4 to 7 p.m., and department staff will give a presentation starting at 5:30 p.m. Staff will be available to answer questions and discuss this next phase of the planning process before and after the presentation.
Hard copies of the document are also available at the Devil’s Lake and Hartman Creek park offices and at the Baraboo, Portage and Wautoma public libraries.
Please submit questions or comments on the master plan by Nov. 2, 2023 to:
John Pohlman, DNR Property Planner
PO Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707 [email protected] or 608-264-6263
The fall banquet fundraiser will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The link above has more information and can be used to register. Don’t miss out on this fun chance to help out the Friends of MacKenzie!
In the next few months, There will be a few MacKenzie events you won’t want to miss:
August 20, 2023, beginning about noon — Annual members picnic and meeting. Usually we have grilled brats, burgers, and chicken plus lots of sides provided by members, pot luck style. More info to come.
September 30, 2023, 5:30 pm — Friends Fundraiser Banquet at the lodge. Reservations required. Many great raffle items and good food and beverages. Have fun while you help out the Friends of MacKenzie!
October 21, 2023, 9 am – 2 pm — Fall Festival. A wide variety of fall themed activities, food for purchase, a great way to celebrate a beautiful season! Per vehicle admission charged.
