2022 Eco-Tour

Thank you, Ozaukee, for another wonderful eco-tour of the treasures of Oz. This year's event was our thirteenth annual tour, emerging from 2 Covid years of self-guided tours, now back to a full educational event with expert docents. 2022 was, as always, a community effort. It is an event that is powered by volunteer energy.

Thank you to everyone who shared the event by word-of-mouth and on social media and everyone who visited one or more of the sites. You are the entire reason we do this.

Ozaukee’s very gifted naturalist, Kate Redmond, will be waiting for you to come and check out the wildlife of all sorts at the Watts Lake Trail in Cedarburg Bog. A nature walk with Kate is a must-do for everyone who cares about nature in Oz. She will be joined by our science guy Tom Kroeger. You may remember this dynamic duo from the CESA property with the gigantic ant hills. Open noon to 3 with docents. Parking and trail are on HWY 33. Trail Map

Interested in OLD GROWTH TREES? Come visit with OWLT’s Josh Schlict to see them and learn why this place will be part of the national Old-Growth Forest Network. Josh will be joined by fellow scientist and birding expert Richard Albert. Open Morning 9 to 12 with docents.

This is a NEW preserve on Mequon Road and Farmdale Road. It was a former sod farm, formerly conserved by MMSD as part of flood control measures, and now owned by Ozaukee County Parks. It just opened to the public. Visit the docents there, walk the trail and take a look at the long-term concepts plan to transform this area back into natural wildlife areas while keeping flood waters at bay. Open noon to 3 with docents.

Riveredge again welcomes you, this time to the Outpost and the trails in that area. Plenty of parking and more Riveredge goodness. Open noon to 3 with docents.

Interested in FISH??? Did you know there is a NEW fishway in town? Stop in at the Thiensville Village Park and chat with Matt Aho, Ozaukee County’s program manager for the Fish Passage Program. Matt’s special guest docent is none other than Milwaukee Riverkeeper and long-time partner with Ozaukee, Cheryl Nenn. Open Morning 9 to 12 with docents.

Check out the magnificent overlooks and surprising features of this coastal county park, including the first engineered Chimney Swift chimney in Ozaukee. See the concept plans for Cedar Gorge/Clay Bank and the beginning of the new stairway to the beach. Jeanne Lord will be presenting the Raptors of Pineview at 10 am. Open 9 - 4.

Despite still walking on air after finally acquiring Cedar Gorge/Clay Bluffs to preserve forever for our future, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust and Ozaukee Parks have managed to craft fantastic Treasures of Oz Eco-Tour 2022.

Want to see the plans for Cedar Gorge/Clay Bluffs? They will be at Virmond Park.