9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Join Adrian Wydeven, Chair of the Timber Wolf Alliance Advisory Council, for a day tracking carnivores and other forest wildlife in eastern Washburn County. The day will begin with a brief indoor introduction at Hunt Hill Nature Center, followed by time on the roads looking for and then identifying tracks. The focus will be on mid and large carnivore tracks, from fishers to bears, and we will especially be hoping to encounter some wolf tracks and signs along the way. Most of the day will involve driving along backroads, but there will be opportunities for some short hikes along the way. 

Adrian Wydeven worked as a wildlife biologist for the Wisconsin DNR for over 32 years, and headed up the state wolf recovery and management program from 1990-2013.  Wydeven has tracked wolves across northern Wisconsin for the last 36 years and currently is a volunteer tracker and regional tracking coordinator for the WDNR.  Adrian also teaches about wolves and promotes wolf conservation through the Timber Wolf Alliance and Wisconsin’s Green Fire.

Participants should dress for the weather as we’ll be riding and walking. Pack a lunch and water bottle, and feel free to bring snowshoes and a tracking guide book. Adrian has recommended Scat and Tracks of the Great Lakes by James Halfpenny.

Limited to 20 participants. Up to 11 can ride together in the Hunt Hill Van.

REGISTER HERE Registration is required by January 16.
Program Fee: $60/person, $55/member

10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Discover the amazing geology of Hunt Hill and the surrounding Northwoods landscape as we explore the stories written in our hills, lakes, and shorelines. This engaging program begins indoors with a presentation from Dr. Tom Fitz, a gifted geologist and educator who makes Earth’s history come alive through clear explanations and contagious enthusiasm. Then we’ll head outdoors — hiking the trails and paddling the water — to see firsthand how ancient glaciers, shifting bedrock, and natural forces continue to shape the world around us. 

Dr. Tom Fitz, brings a deep and diverse STEM background with a BS, MS, and PhD in Geology. Tom has spent decades studying the geology of the Lake Superior region and beyond, teaching at Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, and sharing his expertise as an Academic Advisor and Adjunct Professor in Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Known for making complex concepts accessible and exciting, Tom inspires learners of all ages to see landscapes with fresh eyes. His field experience, teaching talent, and passion for the natural world make him the perfect guide for exploring the geology of Hunt Hill.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned nature lover, this program promises fresh insights, hands-on discovery, and a deeper appreciation of the land we call home.

Participants should be able to hike 1-2 miles of uneven terrain in addition to paddling a canoe. Canoes, paddles, and lifejackets will be provided.

REGISTER HERE Registration is required by May 8.
Program Fee: $15/person, $10/member

10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join Hunt Hill for a fun-filled, educational, and flutter-in-your-stomach-inspiring adventure as we explore the Birchwood Butterfly Ranch at the height of monarch season!

The Birchwood Butterfly Ranch story took flight in 2021, when Danielle Spak and Dean Meier bought their new home and wandered out to the “retired pasture” behind it—only to realize that it was absolutely brimming with milkweed and monarch activity. What they assumed might one day be cropland turned out to be a thriving wild habitat already doing exactly what nature intended. With butterflies drifting through the field and milkweed stretching across the acres, Danielle and Dean quickly realized they hadn’t just purchased property… they had inherited a purpose.

Instead of using the land for commercial agriculture, they chose to nurture what was already there—restoring, expanding, and propagating the milkweed and native plants that monarchs rely on. What began as an unexpected discovery has now grown into a heartfelt conservation mission, with the Birchwood Butterfly Ranch evolving each year into an even richer haven for pollinators. 

Now it’s your turn to be part of the journey! Spend the day exploring the ranch however you wish: wander the field at your own pace (land snorkel!), join a guided walking tour, or take a guided ATV ride for a comfortable, up-close look at the habitat. Keep your camera handy—there’s always something worth “capturing” when you’re surrounded by sunshine, flowers, and the possibility of a little winged friend landing on your shoulder!

Throughout the day, dive into optional, hands-on activities like searching for monarch eggs, helping with a caterpillar count, and touring the Butterfly Bungalow—a tiny home placed right in the field so Birchwood Butterfly Ranch’s most devoted Pollinator Pack members can fully immerse themselves in the Monarch experience. You’ll learn about the monarch lifecycle, the power of milkweed, and simple, meaningful ways to create pollinator-friendly spaces of your own—whether you have a field, a backyard, a balcony, or just a sunny window that’s begging for a pot of native blooms.

Bring your camera, your sun hat, and your hiking shoes for a day filled with discovery, connection, and wonder. And remember: you don’t need 50 acres to make a difference. Every plant, every patch, every choice adds up. When it comes to the future of pollinators, each of us has the power to help—and together, we can keep their world in bloom.

Visit www.BirchwoodButterflyRanch.com to learn more and become an Official Pollinator Pack Member!

REGISTER HERE  Registration is required by July 6.
Program Fee: $15/person, $10/member

10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Discover the wild lands and pristine glacial lakes of what some call the “Boundary Waters of Washburn County” for its quiet beauty and chain of small lakes. Surrounded by expansive county forest land, this scenic Northwoods destination offers secluded lakes, rugged shorelines, and an immersive wilderness feel without the long drive north. Participants will discover the natural charm that makes this region a hidden gem for both recreation and reflection.

As we explore the forests and hidden lakes, Forester Matt Graham of Washburn County Forestry department,  will share the fascinating story of the Birchwood lakes—how ancient glaciers shaped the landscape, how the lakes have been used and valued over time, and how today’s forest and water management practices help preserve them for future generations. The trip also includes an overview of the Washburn County Forest Program, highlighting how and why it was established, its role in public recreation and conservation, and the importance of sustainable forest stewardship across the state.

Along the shoreline, participants will have the opportunity to see forestry in action through hands-on demonstrations of the tools and techniques used by professionals in the field. These demonstrations offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the work that keeps county forests healthy, resilient, and thriving.

Participants should bring a bag lunch, water, and wear clothing and footwear for a day in the woods. 

REGISTER HERE  Registration is required by October 2.
Program Fee: $15/person, $10/member