Mequon Nature Preserve

Mequon Nature Preserve Free and open 365 days a year! There are over 6 miles of trails to explore that are dog-friendly and meander through restored prairies, forests, and wetlands.

We offer FREE educational field trips for all schools and organizations.

The MNP trails are free and open from sunrise to sunset everyday. Come out for a sunset walk and enjoy the weather and f...
09/05/2026

The MNP trails are free and open from sunrise to sunset everyday. Come out for a sunset walk and enjoy the weather and flower blooms while they last!

09/05/2026

Dog day cicadas are often referred to as “annual” cicadas because they can be observed as adults every year, but each individual actually lives underground for 2-5 years before emerging. Below the surface, cicadas remain active throughout the entire year, growing, tunneling, and feeding on tree roots. Adults have dark eyes, green-veined wings, and black/greenish bodies. Males produce a noisy buzzing sound to attract females using organs called tymbals. This sound makes cicadas one of the loudest insects in the world! Although they are large in size, these cicadas are considered harmless. They do not bite or sting and typically can only cause minor twig damage when laying their offspring. While you are dodging mosquitoes during the last stretch of summer, listen for their song amongst the treetops!

There are still plenty of spots for Mequon Nature Preserve's Nature's Treasures Week events! These events are free and f...
09/04/2026

There are still plenty of spots for Mequon Nature Preserve's Nature's Treasures Week events! These events are free and fun for all ages. Nature's Treasures Week (September 8-13) is brought to you by Restoring Lands: A Wisconsin Land Trust. Many other nature preserves are also providing fun and free events!

Events at MNP:

🥾 Nature Hike: Tuesday, September 8 at 8:00am: Hike with Ecological Restoration Manager, Nick Gall, and learn all about the history, past and ongoing restoration projects at MNP. On this hike you will learn about different flora and fauna you come across. This hike will be around 2 miles and will go through our prairies, forests, and wetlands. Trails vary from grass, mulch, to gravel and there are steady inclines. Sign up with this link: https://ticketstripe.com/naturehikeatmnp

🦋 Monarch Tagging: Wednesday, September 9 at 4:00pm: Help MNP staff catch, tag, and release monarch butterflies as they head down to Mexico! You will learn all about this migration and how to properly catch, tag, and release them. This is a great citizen science project! There will be about a 0.5 mile hike to the prairie the tagging will take place in. Sign up with this link: https://ticketstripe.com/naturetreasuresweekmnpmonarchtagging

Find more Nature's Treasures Week events here: https://restoringlands.org/events/

09/03/2026

There's always something new to discover at Mequon Nature Preserve. 🌿 Explore beautiful trails, take in the scenery, spot local wildlife, and enjoy a little time away from the everyday. Come explore with us!

False Sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides is a yellow bloom that can be found in full to part sun in prairies and the edg...
09/02/2026

False Sunflower, Heliopsis helianthoides is a yellow bloom that can be found in full to part sun in prairies and the edges of woods. It can grow to be around 5 feet tall and will bloom from July to September. A false sunflower vs true sunflower is based on the fertile areas of the plant. In false sunflowers, the central disk and its outer ray petals are fertile and can produce seeds. In true sunflowers, only the central disk can produce seeds. It is a great plant for your garden if you want to attract hummingbirds and a wide range of pollinators. False sunflower is also known as Ox-eye Sunflower.

You might see this bird if you leave some yummy fruit (such as oranges) on your bird feeder! The Baltimore Oriole, Icter...
09/01/2026

You might see this bird if you leave some yummy fruit (such as oranges) on your bird feeder! The Baltimore Oriole, Icterus galbula, can be found in open woods. They are known to have bag-shaped nests made from plants that hang from the branches of trees. Males are bright orange and black and have one white bar on their wings. Females are a yellow-orange on their breast, grayish on the head and back, and have two white bars on their wings. They feed on insects, flowers, and fruit.

Photo was taken by MNP volunteer, Steve Weingarth.

We're proud to be a community partner with Nature's Treasures Week! Join us to explore the natural treasures of Ozaukee,...
09/01/2026

We're proud to be a community partner with Nature's Treasures Week! Join us to explore the natural treasures of Ozaukee, Washington, and Milwaukee Counties with Nature's Treasures Week! From September 8-13, there will be free community events hosted by local environmental organizations for you to get outside and explore nature in different ways. From monarch tagging to habitat hikes, to art in the park, there's an event for everyone who wants to appreciate our natural treasures!

Check out restoringlands.org/events to see the full list of events, and RSVP. All events are free and open to the public.

It's back to school time! The MNP Children's books make the perfect gift for your little one or their teacher. Each book...
08/31/2026

It's back to school time! The MNP Children's books make the perfect gift for your little one or their teacher. Each book is $15.00 or you can buy all 5 for $50.00! These books were written by MNP Executive Director Kristin Thiel and graphic designer Peter Tonn, and illustrated by Hannah Tews (). Books can be purchased inside the Education Center, on the Orange Hat Publishing Website, and select books on Amazon.

Learn the alphabet with "ABC @ MNP"
Count the critters with "123 @ MNP"
Explore different habitats with "Homes @ MNP"
Meet animals of all colors and sizes with "Colors @ MNP"
Go on an adventure with a turtle with "A Turtle Plants a Village"

And there are more books soon to be released!

Versiti will be in the MNP auditorium on Friday, September 11 from 8:00am-2:00pm for a fall blood drive. Your donation c...
08/31/2026

Versiti will be in the MNP auditorium on Friday, September 11 from 8:00am-2:00pm for a fall blood drive. Your donation can help save lives! Walk ins are welcome but registration is preferred. Click the link to sign up if you are able.

🗓 Friday, September 11
⏰ 8:00am-2:00pm
📍 Mequon Nature Preserve
📝 https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11618219

Take a hike and then come back for a short film! When: Thursday, September 17 starting at 6:00pm Where: Mequon Nature Pr...
08/30/2026

Take a hike and then come back for a short film!

When: Thursday, September 17 starting at 6:00pm
Where: Mequon Nature Preserve
Walk with the Lake Michigan Bird Observatory and then come back for the short film "Beyond Our Senses: Bank Swallows".

This event is free but a $20.00 donation is greatly appreciated. Sign up with the QR code!

Address

8200 W County Line Road
Mequon, WI
53097

Telephone

+12622428055

Website

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