Wehr Nature Center is a place where everyone belongs. Open year-round, we offer accessible buildings, trails, and park features designed for visitors of all ages and abilities. Wander our more than five-miles of trails traversing five distinct habitats all within a five-minute walk. Enjoy universally designed exhibits, comfortable restrooms, and hands-on unique programs that bring people together through nature all year round.
Save the Date!
August 22 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Discover the plants behind your favorite beverages at this leisurely, fun, and educational evening at Wehr featuring local coffee, tea, craft beer, and other purveyors. Live music, food trucks, and more!
September 13 @ 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Hop, crawl, fly, or jump your way into the most amazing insect exhibit in southeast Wisconsin!
All Ages and Abilities
8:00 am – 10:00 am
10:30 am – 11:30 am
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
8:00 am – 10:00 am
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Featured Program
Join us for a monthly ecology walk at various Milwaukee County Natural Areas, where we’ll learn, observe, and ID native flowers! On our walk, you’ll also learn about the characteristics of the native plant community that we will explore.
Wehr Nature Center inspires all generations to explore and value the plants and animals of our natural world through experiential education, accessible trails, native landscapes and natural areas.
July – September Newsletter
Happy Summer! Wehr’s trails are overflowing with an abundance of green, flowers, interesting insects, and wildlife. In nature the delight is in the details – slow down and see for yourself during your next hike at Wehr.
In the summer issue of Wehr Words, we hope you’ll enjoy learning about Wehr’s efforts to support the next generation of environmental leaders, spotlight the amazing Wehr Astronomical Society, highlight the 16,000+ volunteer hours, and more!
One bird’s mess is another bird’s meal! Wehr’s Wild Turkeys will gladly clean up the stray seed thrown to the ground by busy birds at the feeders. It’s quite a sight to find cardinals, doves, and sparrows eating right alongside these giant turkeys.
See why Wehr Nature Center is “a place for all seasons, a place for everyone.” Explore more than five miles of nature trails through woodland, wetland, prairie and oak savanna on 220-acres of protected land in Whitnall Park at Wehr Nature Center.
This is without a doubt, the best place to birdwatch and see wildlife in the Milwaukee metro area. The nature center is fantastic. The staff is welcoming and the trails are extremely well-maintained. Always something exciting to see!
@followers Our Brews and Botany Event is coming up soon. Do you have tickets? Our event is August 22nd from 4-6pm and you can learn more about it here: www.wehrnaturecenter.com/event/brews-and-botany/Our next vendor highlight is Sito’s Coffee. Sito's Coffee is a mobile coffee cart and espresso bar based right here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that serves weddings, private parties, corporate gatherings, and pop-ups. You can view their schedule or book their mobile cart through Instagram or Facebook.We’d like to let folks know that, due to the nature of espresso service, Sito’s will not be able to provide samples to participants at Brews and Botany. However, they will have a selection of delicious beverages available for purchase throughout the event. ☕️Did you know that coffee plants can be self-pollinated, while some varieties rely more heavily on wind or cross-pollination?So, why is cross-pollination helpful? 🌱☕️Cross-pollination can improve fruit set, production, and yields—and wild pollinators are an important part of that process.Although wasps, hummingbirds, and syrphid flies can all visit and pollinate coffee flowers, bees are the main pollinators of coffee. As a matter of fact, carpenter bees are one of the many wild bee species that contribute to the pollination of coffee. 🐝That morning cup of coffee has a fascinating connection to biodiversity! Protecting pollinators doesn’t just benefit wild plants—it can also support the crops we depend on.
Did you know that Bug Day is just around corner? Bug Day is September 13 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.Join us for a buggy bonanza as we celebrate the tiny creatures that help keep our planet buzzing. Whether you love ladybugs, dig dung beetles, or are just a curious critter-lover, there’s something for everyone! You can learn more about the event here: www.wehrnaturecenter.com/event/bug-day/Today's creature feature is the Dogbane Beetle. The dogbane beetle is one of Wisconsin's most beautiful insects although we may be biased. Like many other types of leaf beetles, it is shiny and iridescent. As the name indicates, this beautiful beetle feeds on dogbanes, including milkweeds. The scientific name Chrysochus auratus comes from the Greek and refers to “goldsmith” and “gold.” One look at the fantastic metallic hues of blue, green, gold, and red on the surface of the beetle tells it all. Dogbane, like milkweed, is packed with poisonous compounds called cardenolides that can be dangerous—even deadly—to animals that eat it. These chemicals likely evolved to protect the plant from hungry herbivores.But the dogbane beetle, Chrysochus, has a clever trick: it can munch on dogbane leaves without harm. Even better, it stores those toxic compounds in special glands and releases them when threatened by predators.That bright, flashy color? It may be the beetle's way of saying, “Yep, I'm toxic. Don't even think about eating me!”The image features a close-up view of a vibrant, iridescent blue-green beetle perched on the edge of a green leaf. The beetle is highlighted prominently in the foreground, showcasing its shiny exoskeleton, intricate body structure, and delicate antennae. Its legs are visible, poised on the leaf's surface, while the leaf itself has a smooth texture with a subtle sheen. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the beetle and leaf, creating a contrast with the lush greenery around them.
Enjoy member perks like free parking, discounts on select programs and events, and more!
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