2015 Dodge County Visitors' Guide

Page 27

2015 Calendar of Events

Visit Horicon Marsh Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the contiguous United States with over 33,000 acres of wetland.

G

et outdoors and experience the wildlife and many seasons of natural beauty at Horicon Marsh. The marsh provides habitat for endangered species and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese. Because of its importance to wildlife, Horicon Marsh has been formally recognized as a Wetland of International Importance by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations, is a “Globally Important Bird Area” and is a unit of the Ice Age Scientific Reserve. It has also been designated as one the “Seven Natural Wonders of Wisconsin” and is often referred to as the “Little Everglades of the North.”

Located in southeast Wisconsin, this vast wetland is only a one hour drive from Milwaukee and Madison. While the marsh in renowned for its migrant flocks of Canada geese, it is also home to more than 300 resident and migratory bird species which have been sighted over the years. Due to its international significance, scientists from around the world have traveled here for professional training to improve conservation programs in their own countries. The Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area comprises 11,000 acres of the marsh while the northern 22,000 acres is part of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The National Wild-

life Refuge was established as a breeding habitat for the Redhead Duck. Besides the over 300 bird species, other wildlife that live on the marsh are muskrats, red foxes, coyotes, turtles, frogs, bats, fish, deer, beaver, raccoons, river otters, mink and much more. New to the marsh is the release of whooping cranes. These were reintroduced in 2011. The chicks were trained by a crane-costumed biologist and left to freely migrate on their own. They returned to the refuge in 2012 and also utilized other local wetlands. Within the marsh there are hiking and bicycling trails, driving trails, two boardwalks, fishing piers, boat launches and canoe/kayak trails. Geocaching is enjoyed on the southern end of the marsh. Of course birding, photography, hiking, hunting, site seeing, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and fishing are popular activities on the marsh as well. Horicon Marsh has a unique and important story to tell. The geologic features of the area, created by our last ice age, were instrumental in providing resources for wildlife and humans alike. The human history of Horicon Marsh is rich with culture and story; however it is one of tragedy and restoration. The wildlife present today at Horicon Marsh are the result of geologic and human

52

www.DiscoverDodgeCounty.com

Please visit our website for more details: www.horiconphoenix.com Sat, January 24 Sun, February 15

Wed, June 17

Spell Yeah!, Rock River Tap 2015 Horicon Winterfest, Satterlee Clark House and River Bend Park Comedy Sportz Night, Discher Park Dance Hall 4th Annual Horicon Huk Disc Golf Tournament, River Bend Park Opening Night of the 2015 Farmers Market & “Music at the Market” Summer Concert Series: Mixed Nuts, Kiwanis Park Calamity Janes & The Fratney Street Band, Kiwanis Park The Belle Weather, Kiwanis Park

Fri, June 19 & Sat, June 20

2015 Jersey Street & Parade, Discher Park Music Festival

Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed, Wed,

The Get Hot, Kiwanis Park ‘athas, Kiwanis Park Squeezettes, Kiwanis Park Count This Penny, Kiwanis Park Cajun Strangers, Kiwanis Park Run Carolina, Kiwanis Park Buffalo Gospel, Kiwanis Park Vitrolum Republic, Kiwanis Park Lisa Ridgely and The Fainting Room, Kiwanis Park Summer Concert Finale Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, Kiwanis Park Salsa competition and Fireworks display Fall Farmers Market: Open Mic Night, Kiwanis Park Applefest Kiwanis Park with music by Spid Pieper Spoken Word / Poetry Slam Night, Discher Park Green Room Open Mic Night, Kiwanis Park Pumpkinfest, Kiwanis Park Open Mic Night, Kiwanis Park Bonfire, s’mores, Apple Cider, Kiwanis Park • 4th Annual Horicon Phoenix Flyway 5k Run / Walk, River Bend Park nament, River Bend Park • Ace Race Disc Golf Tournament, Comedy Sportz Night/Halloween Celebration, Discher Park Dance Hall Winter Farmers Market American Legion Post 157 American Legion Post 157

Sat April 25 Sat, May 16 Wed, June 3

Wed, June 10 activities, including modern-day wildlife management. To view a movie about the history of the marsh, visitors can visit Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center on Hwy 28 between Mayville and Horicon. Public naturalist talks and hikes are given at both Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center throughout the year and are free and open to the public. These talks focus on a variety of topics related to the geology, history, wildlife and management of Horicon Marsh. It helps the visitor understand the delicate natural relationship that exists at the 33,000 acre marsh. Visitors should stop at Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center or Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Office and Visitor Center for maps and information about the marsh. Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center also has other area visitor information and maps available. There are various restrictions on certain areas of the marsh so visitors should stop for information at one of the visitor centers.

June 24 July 1 July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26

Wed, September 2 Wed, September 9 Sat, September 12 Wed, September 16 Wed, September 23 Wed, September 30 Wed, October 7 Sat, October 10

Sat, October 17 Wed, November 11 Wed, December 9

Dodge County Visitors Guide 2015

53


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.