Friends of the Arboretum
Friends of the Arboretum-Sponsored Trips
Whether the destination is near or far, the Friends offer meaningful, well-planned trips geared toward travelers who appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature and are eager to learn more from experts carefully selected to guide the tours.
The following trips are currently available:
- Apostle Islands - September 19-23, 2008
- Mississippi Riverboat Adventure - October 22, 2008
- Nicaragua - February 8-19, 2009
Apostle Islands & Lake Superior Country Tour - September 19-23, 2008
Join fellow Friends members on an autumn tour to the Apostle Islands and Lake Superior to explore the rich natural and cultural history of Wisconsin's northernmost county and one of the world's great lakes -- Lake Superior!
Breathe in the fresh northern air as colorful leaves begin to adorn the north woods. Learn about historic Bayfield and Madeline Island and experience several "up north" natural areas on guided walks.
The five-day tour to northern Wisconsin begins in Madison on Friday, September 19 and returns Tuesday, September 23. Tour highlights include the natural and cultural history of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and the Lake Superior region.
The historic village of Bayfield, considered the gateway to the Apostle Island National Lakeshore and located on Lake Superior, will be our home for four nights. We will take a ferry to Madeline Island, walk Big Bay State Park, visit historical museums, uncover the secrets of several northern natural areas, dine at the Old Rittenhouse Inn and travel in comfort aboard a coach directly to and from Madison.
Stops along the way include Copper Falls State Park, the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum's Birds in Art Show in Wausau, and the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center.
This tour is planned and organized by Paul Regnier, owner and lead naturalist for the Door County Nature and Travel Company. Paul has led FOA tours to many natural areas including Door County, Isle Royale National Park, Arizona and Kenya, and will be our naturalist guide along with a Friends host.
Download an itinerary and detailed trip information.
If you have further questions, call the Friends office at 608.263.7760, send an e-mail to Friends Manager Sara Minkoff at sminkoff@wisc.edu or e-mail Paul Regnier at paul@doorcountynaturandtravelcompany.com
Mississippi Riverboat Adventure - October 22, 2008
Join the Friends of the Arboretum for a unique four-hour expertly-narrated riverboat tour of the Upper Mississippi River. We'll explore a variety of wetland habitats including open water, narrow backwaters and side channels along riverside cliffs and floodplain forests.
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is one of the most noteworthy bird migration flyways in the world. We expect to see a variety of migrating and resident birds, including egrets, ducks, cormorants, geese, great blue herons, bald eagles, white pelicans, hawks, tundra swans and migrating songbirds.
The 261-mile refuge is the longest river refuge in the continental US and well known as bird watchers paradise. We hope to have colorful fall foliage to add to the beauty of the area, as well.
We will board our US Coast Guard inspected eco-boat, specially designed to navigate otherwise inaccessible waters of the Mississippi, at Lansing, Iowa and travel 31 miles south to dock at Prairie du Chien.
Along the way, we will enjoy a narrated tour from USCG-licensed Captain Jack Libby, who has spent a lifetime navigating the river on towboats, passenger and research vessels as well as exploring endless back waters with the Mississippi Explorer.
He especially enjoys sharing his vast knowledge of river lore, legends, navigation, history, people and ecology with his passengers. Before ending our journey, we will experience the excitement of going through Lock and Dam #9.
This tour offers visitors a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty and natural wonders of the Upper Mississippi River in the comfort of the Mississippi Explorer, a specially designed, enclosed and heated vessel (with on board restrooms) offering protection from inclement weather while providing exceptional views. Make sure to bring your cameras and binoculars!
The fee for this trip ($95 for members; $100 for non-members) includes motor coach transportation from the Arboretum, box lunch, guide and park fees, and Mississippi River chartered boat trip. We will leave from the Arboretum at 7:30 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. The trip is limited to 50 people. A more detailed schedule will be provided on the day of the trip. Registration deadline is October 6.
If you have further questions, call the Friends office at 608.263.7760, send an e-mail to Friends Manager Sara Minkoff at sminkoff@wisc.edu
Explore Nicaragua - February 8-19, 2009
The Friends of the Arboretum (FOA) Trips Committee is excited to announce a unique travel opportunity.
In conjunction with Backroads Nicaragua, FOA is planning a fully-escorted tour to savor the diverse environments and cultural attractions of this Central American country.
With high biodiversity, pristine beaches, untouched tropical forests, and some of the greatest concentration of volcanoes and inland bodies of water in the world, Nicaragua is truly the "hidden gem" of Central America.
Due to a period of unrest in the past, tourists may have the misconception that Nicaragua is not safe. Although 16 years ago this may have been the case, Nicaragua is now considered to be one of the safest holiday destinations in Central America.
Today, Nicaragua is a democratic, peaceful country with Central America's lowest crime rate and the people of Nicaragua, whose easy going hospitality and charm are well-known, are probably one of their nation's greatest attractions. Tourists to this area are rewarded with unforgettable memories and an authentic travel experience.
Our tour is being coordinated by Ilba Prego, native Nicaraguan with extensive experience leading specialty tours to this country. She is a former tour director with the Nicaragua Ministry of Tourism, founder of the community-based Nicaragua Summer Exchange Program for high school students, and has developed extensive contacts throughout Nicaragua.
Along with visiting private rainforest preserves, we'll hike on volcanoes, stay at an ecolodge on the Pacific Ocean, attend meetings and walks led by Nicaragua's top bird and conservation experts, visit with some of the country's most well-known artisans, and tour a National Park dedicated to preserving pre-Columbian artifacts.
We are limiting the group size to ensure a flexible and intimate travel experience. For more information about this tour, including trip itinerary, trip registration, trip terms and conditions and trip preparation, download the following PDF documents: