eBird is a community science platform where you can record bird observations. It keeps track of your life list, helps you discover new birding locations, and shows you what other birders in the community are finding. This online class will teach you the main functions and tools of the eBird mobile app for your smartphone, so you can be creating checklists on the go! Learn how to submit your observations, discover birding hotspots, and explore recent sightings all from your phone.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

If you love all things nature and want to get to know the birds you'll find in and around Madison, this class is for you. This is a four-part session with both online classroom and field assignments, and geared toward adults. Each day involves a slightly more advanced set of skills and information, but this course is intended for entry-level birders. This is a judgement-free bird learning experience; join us!

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

This field trip is designed for people with little to no prescribed fire training and experience. It is an opportunity to learn why fire is an integral part of Wisconsin’s natural communities, how to use basic prescribed fire tools, and to become qualified to volunteer on burns at Goose Pond.

Photo by Emily Meier / SoWBA

In North America, nearly 30% of birds have vanished in the past 50 years, and songbirds are among the hardest hit. The good news is that we can all help by take several simple steps at home. This workshop will cover how adding bird-friendly plants, reducing threat of window collisions and buying bird-friendly coffee can directly reduce threats to birds.

Citizen science is an incredible way to get to know the natural world in a different, intimate way. As a special thank you to our many citizen science volunteers, we are hosting a free, special event held on Zoom that hopefully inspires you to document your observations in a new way: through art!

Join us at the Garden Expo to learn about how you can prevent birds from hitting your home’s windows. Up to a billion birds die every year in the US after hitting windows, and almost half of those happen at homes. The good news is that the solutions are easy and affordable! This seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.

Photo by Corliss Karasov

Join us at the Garden Expo to learn about how you can prevent birds from hitting your home’s windows. Up to a billion birds die every year in the US after hitting windows, and almost half of those happen at homes. The good news is that the solutions are easy and affordable! This seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.

Photo by Corliss Karasov

Join us at the Garden Expo to learn about how you can prevent birds from hitting your home’s windows. Up to a billion birds die every year in the US after hitting windows, and almost half of those happen at homes. The good news is that the solutions are easy and affordable! This seminar will share some science behind why birds hit windows, and provide recommendations on ways to address problem windows at home to make them more bird-safe.

Photo by Corliss Karasov

If you want to find out more about some of the common bird species you’re seeing where you live this winter, this class is for you! Learn who they are, why they’re there, and how they survive winters in Wisconsin.

Photo by USFWS Midwest

Late fall through winter is prime time to view dozens of waterfowl species that migrate through south-central Wisconsin. In this class, you'll learn about what species you can expect to find, useful field marks for identifying waterfowl in varied viewing conditions (especially if you don't have a scope!), helpful birding tips for waterfowl viewing, and recommended locations to visit. Before you know it, you'll be picking out a Redhead hiding in a raft of Canvasbacks!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Join us in celebrating Birdability Week with a morning of Birding by Ear. This is a wonderful way for people who are blind, visually impaired, or fully sighted to learn identify birds by listening for them rather than looking for them! The outing is led by Kerry Wilcox (volunteer and teacher of last spring’s Birding by Ear class) and held at Tenney Park.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Registration is now open to Badgerland Bird Alliance members! In this online class, you’ll learn how to create a nature journal page by observing, sketching, and writing about autumn leaves. This can be a powerful way to notice new things and to wonder more deeply about nature.

Art and image by Amy Schleser

This field trip is now full. Join the waiting list! Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join leader Kerry Wilcox (volunteer and teacher of last spring’s Birding by Ear class) for a trip to Lakeshore Nature Preserve where you will walk the wide, flat paths and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join leader Kerry Wilcox (volunteer and teacher of last spring’s Birding by Ear class) for a trip to Lake Farm County Park, where you will walk the wide, flat paths and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Registration is open to past Birding by Ear class participants only.

Photo by Kenneth Cole Schneider

If you want to find out more about some of the common bird species you’re seeing where you live, this class is for you! Learn who they are, why they’re there, and the distances some of them might travel to get to your neighborhood.

Photo by USFWS Midwest

This class is now sold out. Hone your skills at taking beautiful, inspiring wildlife photographs. Experienced bird and nature photographer, Arlene Koziol (you may have noticed that her bird photos are everywhere on our website and printed materials!), will lead you through techniques and strategies for getting that perfect bird capture using your own equipment.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Just as unique as their coloration and shape, bird songs come in all tunes and pitches. Identifying birds by their song is an exciting activity and skill, and any experienced bird watcher will tell you that most birding is done without actually seeing the bird, but by hearing it.

This online class teaches the techniques and songs for identifying birds by close listening.

Photo by Mick Thompson

If you love all things nature and want to get to know the birds you'll find in and around Madison, this class is for you. This is a four-part session with both online classroom and field assignments, and geared toward adults. Each day involves a slightly more advanced set of skills and information, but this course is intended for entry-level birders. This is a judgement-free bird learning experience; join us!

This four-part class will be held online and in the field.

Photo by Kelly Colgan Azar

This event is postponed until July. You can be part of the movement to make birding and nature more accessible to everybody! In our workshop, we’ll go over the Birdability checklist together, work on a practice site review, and talk about tips and tricks so you’ll be prepared to complete an accessibility assessment on your own. 

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

eBird is a community science platform where you can record bird observations. It keeps track of your life list, helps you discover new birding locations, and shows you what other birders in the community are finding. This online class will teach you the main functions and tools of the eBird mobile app for your smartphone, so you can be creating checklists on the go! Learn how to submit your observations, discover birding hotspots, and explore recent sightings all from your phone.

Photo by Caitlyn Schuchhardt

This new three-part drawing class will help you gain confidence drawing birds.

Photo by Monica Hall

If you want to find out more about some of the common bird species you’re seeing where you live this winter, this class is for you! Learn who they are, why they’re there, and how they survive winters in Wisconsin.

Photo by USFWS Midwest

We’re sorry, this event has been cancelled. Join us for a morning of sketching waterfowl at Goose Pond! We will meet at the Wingspan Pavilion, situated in the Bicentennial Prairie overlooking Goose Pond. We'll brush up on gesture drawings and thumbnail sketches in the beginning of class. Then you'll get to practice using optics while sketching. We'll have binoculars and some spotting scopes for you to borrow, but please bring your own if you like.

Photo by Monica Hall

Late fall through winter is prime time to view dozens of waterfowl species that migrate through south-central Wisconsin. In this class, you'll learn about what species you can expect to find, useful field marks for identifying waterfowl in varied viewing conditions (especially if you don't have a scope!), helpful birding tips for waterfowl viewing, and recommended locations to visit. Before you know it, you'll be picking out a Redhead hiding in a raft of Canvasbacks!

Photo by Arlene Koziol

Learn how to capture the beauty of autumnal landscapes through art. This class will be held at Faville Grove Sanctuary to practice art skills in the field. This class is intended for people who are new to landscape sketching. Taught by Carolyn Byers.

Photo by Cristina Zepeda

This trip is full! Register to join the waitlist. Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join leader Kerry Wilcox (volunteer and teacher of last spring’s Birding by Ear class) for a trip to Lake Farm County Park, where you will walk the wide, flat paths and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Registration is open to past Birding by Ear class participants only.

Photo by Kenneth Cole Schneider

Join us for an exploration of these tiny, beautiful birds and learn how to attract them to your yard with native and tropical plants!

Photo by Phil Brown

Full! Register to join the waitlist. Train yourself to listen for the birds rather than looking for them! Birding by Ear is a great way to practice your skills at bird ID using a totally different sense. Join leader Kerry Wilcox (volunteer and teacher of last spring’s Birding by Ear class) for a trip to Turville Point Conservation Park, where you will walk the wide, flat paths and learn tools, tips, and techniques for birding by ear.

Registration is open to past Birding by Ear class participants only.

Photo by Kenneth Cole Schneider

Hone your skills at taking beautiful, inspiring wildlife photographs. Experienced bird and nature photographer, Arlene Koziol (you may have noticed that her bird photos are everywhere on our website and printed materials!), will lead you through techniques and strategies for getting that perfect bird capture using your own equipment.

Photo by Arlene Koziol

If you want to find out more about some of the common bird species you’re seeing where you live, this class is for you! Learn who they are, why they’re there, and the distances some of them might travel to get to your neighborhood.

Photo by USFWS Midwest