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
10:30 am – 11:30 am
12:00 am – 11:59 pm
8:00 am – 10:00 am
10:30 am – 11:30 am
10:00 am – 11:00 am
8:00 am – 10:00 am
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!
🐢💚 What a 𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘭𝘦-𝘺 awesome morning! 💚🐢A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for our 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: "𝗧" 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀! We had so much fun learning all about these amazing creatures and getting an up-close look at a live Box Turtle.A special thank you to Wehr Nature Center for presenting such an engaging and interactive program. Brook made the morning both educational and unforgettable! 🫶And of course, thank you to all the wonderful families who spent part of your day with us. We loved seeing so many curious kids, smiling faces, and excited turtle fans! 💚🌦️ The fun continues! Mark your calendars for our final Kids Corner event on 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟭𝟭, when CBS 58 Chief Meteorologist Drew Burgoyne joins us for a weather-themed adventure. We can't wait to see you there!#shopsouthridge #kidsevents #educationalprograms #summerseries
Royal Catchfly (Silene regia), also called Prairie Fire, is one of the Midwest’s most striking native wildflowers—but it’s rarely seen in the wild due to prairie habitat loss and is endangered in parts of its range.Its brilliant scarlet-red flowers bloom June–August and are famous for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, especially Black Swallowtails. Despite belonging to a family known for sticky insect traps, Royal Catchfly doesn’t feed on insects. Sticky glands on the stems and flowers trap small insects as a defense against plant damage, and digestive enzymes help break down the remains.Growing 3–4 feet tall, Royal Catchfly thrives in sunny gardens with medium, well-drained soil and pairs beautifully with native prairie flowers and grasses for support. A stunning and uncommon Midwest native that deserves a place in Wisconsin landscapes.The image showcases a vibrant cluster of red flowers, each with five elongated petals radiating from a central greenish-yellow core. The flowers are positioned on green stems, which rise from a backdrop of lush green foliage, enhancing the vivid color contrast. The petals are bright red, appearing to be smooth with a slight sheen, while the garden leaves are rich in texture and various shades of green, supporting the delicate floral arrangement. The composition focuses primarily on the flowers, with a few buds visible, indicating potential future blooms. In the bottom left corner, a logo for the WEHR Nature Center is displayed, featuring an owl and leaves.
Enjoy member perks like free parking, discounts on select programs and events, and more!
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