The Monarch Joint Venture will hold a workshop in Madison on June 2 and 3 to train citizen scientists to monitor monarchs and their habitat. Follow the link for more info on monarch monitoring and training sessions.

It’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon time, and the W-Arb-ling Vireos had a great day on May 14 – they visited almost 25 sites and documented an incredible 158 species (their goal was 125). In addition, they are closing in on their fundraising goal. The team is birding for the Arboretum – which means half of what they raise goes to the Arb, and the other half goes to the Bird Protection Fund. You can support the Arboretum by donating to the W-Arb-ling Vireos on their team page through June.

Blooms! Now that we have your attention, we’d like to share a few reminders: pets, picnics, tree climbing, hammocks, and drones are not allowed (see more at arboretum.wisc.edu/visit/etiquette/). And please always stay on trails. But don’t let this dampen your enthusiasm – your cooperation helps minimize human impact and protect all that lives here at the Arboretum. Thank you!

Crabapples and lilacs have started to bloom. Peak expected mid-May. For more on what's blooming: https://arboretum.wisc.edu/news/arboretum-news/whats-in-bloom/

You've probably heard about the CDC report saying tick and mosquito borne diseases are increasing. And tick season is well underway here at the Arboretum. Here are some tips about how to protect yourself – starting with shoes. It's always good to wear supportive closed shoes when walking the Arboretum trails. Turns out they're good for tick bite prevention, too.

It’s Great Wisconsin Birdathon time! Teams of birders spend 24 hours looking for as many bird species as they can find during this walkathon-style fundraiser. The W-Arb-ling Vireos team is birding for the Arboretum – which means half of what they raise goes to the Arb, and the other half goes to the Bird Protection Fund. Their goal is to find 125 bird species on May 14 (rain date May 16). You can support the Arboretum by donating to the W-Arb-ling Vireos on their team page. https://wibirdathon.dojiggy.com/ng/index.cfm/ab22e6a/reg-pages/pledge/warblingvireosuwmadisonarboretum

We have a few spots left in the May 19 dragonfly monitoring training. Sign up soon, registration is required by May 4. There will be a waitlist if it fills.

Upcoming public events: spring is a little behind schedule, but more plants are sprouting and blooming every day. Come on one of our weekend tours to see what’s sprung. • Sat 4/28, 9 am–12 pm: Volunteer for an ecological restoration work party in the Curtis Prairie area • Sat 4/28, 1–3 pm: Find early signs of spring in the Native Plant Garden on a tour with Susan Carpenter • Sat 4/28, 6:30–8 pm: Join a naturalist for a night walk in search of frogs, woodcocks, and snipe • Sun 4/29, 1–2:30 pm: Enjoy a naturalist-led walk about trees and shrubs with spring appeal

We'll be doing a prescribed burn this afternoon in the Grady Tract, near Seminole Highway south of the Beltline. See fire season updates and learn why and how we use prescribed fire.

This week's Isthmus is a themed issue about the Arboretum! The Isthmus staff delved deep into many aspects of the Arb to bring you stories about research, citizen science, stormwater, history, urban wildlife, and more. Check it out online, and be sure to pick up a copy (or a few) with your favorite cover – there are four, one for each season!