Julie Raasch
EVENTS AND SEASONAL PROGRAMS
All events are open to the public and open to participants of all ages unless indicated otherwise. Many of our events will take you to private lands and will showcase well-managed, protected habitats of all kinds.
Summer Property Tours
Our summer property tours and potlucks are the cornerstone (or better said "keystone") of our BMAP community. Each summer we organize three potluck outings to BMAP member properties. Gather with us to share land management techniques, hear habitat preservation stories, and hike through varied landscapes in camaraderie with other BMAP members.
Walk with a Naturalist
Join us for a Walk with a Naturalist! You will meet a naturalist at a local, public natural area for a two-hour walk to explore the area and discuss plant life, birds, butterflies or wildlife we may encounter along the way. Nurture your curiosity and join us to learn about these places that are available to you.
Workshops and Special Events
We occasionally organize and offer classes and workshops on plant ID, trail building, seed starting, conservation legacy options, or other "habitat preservation on private lands" educational activities. Open and active workshops can all be found listed below in our Upcoming Events.
Winter Conversations:
Winter Lecture Series
In the long, winter months of February and March BMAP hosts a series of three lectures presented by conservation professionals, storytellers, advocates, or educators. Though the themes or topics vary, they all help illuminate our shared dedication and connection to the Southwestern WI landscape.
Upcoming Events
May 31, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDTBelleville, N9645 Primrose Center Rd, Belleville, WI 53508, USAJoin us as we tour the property of Paul Fuchs & Martha Fish. See the results of decades of restoration and land management in oak woodlands, wetlands, and dry prairies, and hear about experiences partnering with state, federal, nonprofit, and private contractors on various restoration projects!
Jun 21, 2025, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PMBlue Mounds & Mounds View GrasslandsThis is an exclusive opportunity for BMAP and Botanical Club of WI members to work on plant ID, to become familiar with the plant communities of southwestern WI, and to learn in camaraderie. https://www.bluemounds.org/natural-community-class
Jun 28, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDTBlanchardville, 8596 Sunnyside Rd, Blanchardville, WI 53516, USAJoin us as we tour the property of James MacDonald (MacD). This property is a family effort, with MacD carrying on the stewardship and land ethic of his parents. Enjoy taking a look at recent oak woodland restorations on the property, including recently liberated ~200 year old oaks!
Jul 05, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMBarneveld, 3095 Mounds View Rd, Barneveld, WI 53507, USAJoin BMAP as we tour wetland and prairie habitats stewarded by The Prairie Enthusiasts!
Aug 09, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PMDane County, Co Rd KP & Scheele Rd, Berry, WI 53528, USAJoin BMAP as we tour the biodiverse wetland, woodland, and dry slope habitats stewarded by the Ice Age Trail Alliance
Aug 16, 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDTVerona, 1811 Spring Rose Rd, Verona, WI 53593, USAPrairie Spirit Wildlife Sanctuary, owned by John Barnes and Kel Mattice, is a former dairy farm just south of Verona. Moving from dairy to beef, then to crops and pasture, this 200 acre restoration is an excellent example of adaptive land management