2026 Terra Luna Hike – Luminary Hike and Snipe Hunt
2026-04-25 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax) | Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935, United States
Join us as the stars align for two celebratory hikes through the Prairie.
The first available hike will be a luminary hike celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day, and is self-guided.
A guided Snipe Hunt tour will start at 8 pm.
Both tours start from the Gottfried Prairie Shelter in the east parking lot near the Fond du Lac County Campus.
Complementary cider, hot chocolate, and popcorn will be provided.

Please note: Grounds may be wet, please bring appropriate footwear.

Tour of the Prairie 2026 - May
2026-05-09 09:00 - 10:00
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Shelter and take approximately 1 hour. Tours will be every 2nd Saturday of the month

Tour of the Prairie 2026 – June
2026-06-13 09:00 - 10:00
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Gottfried Shelter (east parking lot adjacent to Fond du Lac County Campus) and take approximately 1 hour. Tours will be every 2nd Saturday of the month.

Fathers & Fireflies 2026
2026-06-20 20:30 - 21:30
Join us for a Father’s Day walk through the prairie looking for fireflies. Meet at the Gottfried Shelter (east parking lot near the Fond du Lac County Campus). The group will head out around 8:30 pm. Firefly activity usually starts around 9:00 pm. Lead by Douglas Stadler. Bring a flashlight if you wish.

Tour of the Prairie 2026 – July
2026-07-11 09:00 - 10:00
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Shelter and take approximately 1 hour. Tours will be every 2nd Saturday of the month.

Parade of Prairies
2026-07-11 09:00 - 15:00
Get Ready for the first-ever Parade of Prairies!
This summer, the Friends of the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum invite you on a journey through the heart of Fond du Lac County. We’re opening the gates to 4–5 of the region’s most stunning native landscapes.
Why Join Us?

Be a Prairie Explorer: Discover hidden gems and private restorations

Your Pace, Your Way: Tour one, two, or conquer all of them! It’s the perfect summer Saturday road trip.

Nature in High-Def: From rare pollinators to the “ocean” of tallgrass and wildflowers, see Wisconsin as it looked centuries ago.

Details & Map Incoming: Follow us here and check back soon for the official Field Map & Site Guide.
Adventure is growing… stay tuned!

Prairie Fest 2026
2026-08-01 08:00 - 12:00
https://gottfriedprairiearboretum.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Prairie-Fest-2025-promo-video.mp4

Celebrate nature with yoga, prairie tours, environmental education and art displays, short nature pop-up presentations, and more at this year’s Prairie Fest on Saturday, August 1 from 8:00 AM – Noon at the beautiful Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum, adjacent to the Fond du Lac County Campus.

Prairie Fest is a FREE family-oriented environmental education event with activities for all ages. Check back in July for a detailed schedule.

Tour of the Prairie 2026 – August
2026-08-08 09:00 - 10:00

Tour of the Prairie 2026 – September
2026-09-12 09:00 - 10:00

Tour of the Prairie 2026 – October
2026-10-10 09:00 - 10:00

Seed Collection Workshop 2026
2026-10-17 09:00 - 12:00
Take a piece of the Gottfried home with you! The Gottfried Prairie is a hidden gem: a successful 50-acre prairie restoration. Most of the species originated from the last remaining prairie remnants around Fond du Lac County. This workshop is great for landowners who wish to collect prairie seed for planting on their own property.

This is a free event sponsored by the Friends of the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum and the Wild Ones Fox Valley Area Chapter.

The first part of the session involves collecting seed in bags. Following seed collection the seed will be sorted and distributed amongst the participants. Bags will be supplied. Participants should bring a small snips or pruner and sharpie marker if they have one. A limited supply will be available.
Workshop leaders: Margie Winter and Shannon Davis-Foust

Meet at the Gottfried shelter located in the east parking lot adjacent to the Fond du Lac County Campus (former UW-Oshkosh, Fond du Lac Campus).

THIS WORKSHOP IS CANCELLED IN THE EVENT OF RAIN OR RECENT RAIN. Seeds cannot be collected wet. Rain date would be Sunday, October 18th.

2026 Annual Fall Luminary Hike
2026-10-24 18:30 - 20:30
Join us for our FREE annual family-friendly luminary hike. All ages are welcome!

Theme: Slog with the Grog!

Take a self guided hike through the arboretum and prairie edge luminated trails. The hike will take place on a gravel trail and grass. Along the way, stop to hear short stories from some fun characters including a squirrel, tree and scat!

Grog (cider & cranberry juice), regular cider, and popcorn will be available. Donations going towards Gottfried Prairie educational programs are encouraged.
Please start at the Gottfried shelter (east parking lot adjacent to the Fond du Lac County campus ).

2026 Holiday Wreath and Container Making
2026-12-05 09:00 - 12:30
Do you want to create a beautiful fresh evergreen wreath or decorate a container with native plant material from the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum?

We have brought back our popular wreath-making class with a twist so join us December 5th from 9AM-NOON to create a masterpiece!
Balsam boughs and other evergreen materials will be provided along with prairie seed heads, dried flowers and grasses.
COSTS: $30 for a balsam bough wreath or container provided by the Gottfried. $25 if you bring your own container. Max of 2 items to make.
Space is limited to 10-12 people so pre-registration is required by emailing info@gottfriedprairiearboretum.org. Please bring along a pruning shears and gloves.

Park in the South Parking lot of the Fond du Lac Campus and enter the Maintenance Building (circled on map).
