Time to renew your Friends of MacKenzie membership!

Memberships in the Friends of MacKenzie come up for renewal each January, so now is a great time to take care of that.  You can use the form at the end of this post or find one in our brochure.  Even though many of you contribute many volunteer hours (which makes a huge difference in keeping the Center running and enabling the friends to do so many things), you might also wish to become a member.  The dues help fund scholarships for schools and other groups when they come to MacKenzie for day and over night trips (often used for transportation costs).  It also is used directly for materials for projects like replacing the roof on the log cabin museum, safety improvements for our hay wagon, purchasing bird feeding supplies, improvements to the wildlife area, and so much more.  Please consider renewing or becoming a new member today.

Membership form for 2020

Upcoming Events in December

Holiday Greenery Workshop
Thursday, December 12, 2024, 2 pm to 4 pm

Join us at the Badger Den to learn how to make your own holiday greenery such as a wreath, hanger or centerpiece using natural materials.

Winter Solstice Hike
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Please join the MacKenzie educators to learn about what the winter solstice means for our planet and how it affects our plants and animals

Winter Youth Archery Clinic
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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.

Candlelight Hike on Nov. 2, 2024

Saturday, Nov. 2

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].

Remember to use Friends “new” mailing address

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!

Friends of MacKenzie

PO Box 225

Poynette WI 53955.

Public Events for December and January

Greenery Workshop

Friday, December 1st                      1 – 4pm

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.

 

Comment on DNR Master Plan now through Nov 2, 2023

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.

The department encourages the public to submit comments using the online public input form located on the project webpage. Additionally, two public open house meetings will be held in Prairie du Sac (Sept. 27) and Wautoma (Oct. 3).

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

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EVENT DETAILS

What: Public meetings on the Central Sand Hills Regional Master Plan

When and Where:

4-7 p.m. Sept. 27
River Arts Center at the Sauk Prairie High School
105 Ninth St.
Prairie du Sac, WI

4-7 p.m. Oct. 3
Waushara WWII Veterans Memorial Building
440 W. Main St.
Wautoma, WI

Save the dates –events in the next few months!

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.

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