Nature Saturday | The Nature Place
2026-01-03 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | The Nature Place, Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, Wisconsin, 54601, United States
Join us for a free family event at The Nature Place on the first Saturday of each month.

Each event provides a unique seasonal opportunity to learn about the critters and nature patterns found within our region’s ecosystem.

If you have a question about the event, please reach out to our Community Programs Manager, Steph Hanna at Steph.Hanna@natureplacelacrosse.org

**Weather notices or immediate updates regarding one of these events will be shared on our stories the day of the event.
**We will not meet for Nature Saturday on July 4th, 2026.

Garden to Glass: Mocktail Workshop | The Nature Place
2025-12-07 14:30 - 15:30
Together, we’ll craft three seasonal mocktails using fresh herbs, fruits, and natural mixers. You’ll leave with new recipes, techniques, and the confidence to impress friends at your next gathering—no bar tools required.
What to Expect:
Hands-On Crafting: Mix and muddle your way through 3 seasonal herbal mocktail recipes, featuring fresh herbs, fruits, and natural mixers.

Winter Maker's Market | The Nature Place
2025-12-07 11:00 - 16:00
Winter Maker’s Market — Sunday, December 7 | 11 AM–4 PM
The Nature Place is hosting their first-ever Winter Maker’s Market. Through partnerships with small businesses and makers who share our mission to connect people with nature, for the benefit of both, their offering a FREE market that’s open to the public, which also includes opportunities for hands-on, educational workshops.
Workshops & Activities:
-Free drop-in workshops: sustainable wreath-making and soap making, hosted by The Nature Place.
-Kids craft station hosted by Turner’s Ridge Wood Workz
-Garden tool & chainsaw sharpening with Art & Science Tree Care.
**Ticketed Garden-to-Glass Workshop at 2:30 PM with HonaGoods (Tickets must be purchased by 12/1)**
Local Vendors: Browse and support makers who put craft, intention, and sustainability first. Vendors include:
· Meadowlark Community Mill
· Leo & Co
· Heritage Bakes
· Landon Sheely
· Driftless Seed Supply
· Sundew Western & Vinbate
· LemonMade
· Waletzko Primitive Craft
· Laura Speis Watercolor
· Macrame Mama · Ope Publishing
· Eternal Bloom Designs
· Good Granola
· Driftless Threads
Food & Drinks: Enjoy light snacks from Osteria Emilia’s (while supplies last) and cozy beverages from Coulee Lemonade, available for purchase.

FREE Toy and Book Swap | The Nature Place
2025-11-22 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-20 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-19 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-18 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-17 09:00 - 16:00
The FREE Toy and Book Swap is a chance for families in the La Crosse Area to “donate” all of their tired toys and books, the ones around the house that never get used anymore, and exchange them for new (to you) items. Think of it as like a Little Free Library, but on a larger scale (including toys too)!
HOW IT WORKS:Pre-event donations will be accepted Friday, Nov. 14 9am-4pm & Saturday, Nov. 15 9am-12pm at The Nature Place, or bring in what you want to swap the day of the event.

***Donations are not required to take free books and/or toys home.***

Come to The Nature Place November 17th-21st between 9am and 4pm and November 22nd between 9am and 12pm to take home FREE toys and books. There are no guarantees or holds allowed.

Toys and books will NOT be cleaned or sanitized, it is up to you to clean and disinfect any items you bring home.
PLEASE only bring toys and books to swap (no clothes, strollers or highchairs, furniture, DVDs, etc.) and NO extra large items (like train tables or bikes), these will not be accepted for donation. Toys and books for any kid’s age are accepted.
Toys and books should be in fair, good, or excellent condition. Puzzles and games should have all of their pieces.

FREE Toy and Book Swap - Donation Drop Off | The Nature Place
2025-11-15 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-11-14 09:00 - 16:00

LIVE MUSIC - Music on the Marsh: Dom Flemons | The Nature Place
2025-11-13 18:00 - 21:00
Thursday, November 13 | Doors 6 PM | Show 7 PM
The Nature Place | La Crosse, WI
Tickets Required in Advance at natureplacelacrosse.org/concert/
Join us for an unforgettable evening of American roots music with GRAMMY Award-winning artist Dom Flemons, known around the world as “The American Songster®.” Flemons’ music spans more than a century of American tradition, blending folk, country, blues, and Black string band influences into a sound that is both timeless and deeply authentic.
A true renaissance artist, Flemons is a folk musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, historian, and co-founder of the groundbreaking Carolina Chocolate Drops—the first Black string band ever to win a GRAMMY Award. Over the past 25 years, he has become one of the most influential and decorated voices in American roots music.
Enjoy beer and wine available for purchase, along with opportunities to support The Nature Place through event donations. Proceeds directly benefit our nature-based community center, helping us continue to transform Myrick Park into nature’s living room—a welcoming space for all to connect, learn, and grow.
This concert is made possible by our presenting sponsor, Prairie Springs – The Paul Fleckenstein Trust.
Learn more about Dom Flemons and listen to his music: www.theamericansongster.com

LIVE MUSIC - Music on the Marsh | The Nature Place
2025-11-13 18:00 - 21:00
Dom Flemons is known as “The American Songster®” since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a folk musician, black country artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, historian, actor, slam poet, record collector, curator, podcaster, cultural commentator, influencer, and the creator, host, and producer of the American Songster Radio Show on WSM in Nashville, TN. He is the Co-Founder and original member of the groundbreaking Carolina Chocolate Drops, the first ever black string band to win a GRAMMY Award. Over the past 25 years, he has received major awards, gained world-wide media recognition and has become one of the most influential and highly decorated voices in American roots music.

There will be beer and wine available for purchase, as well as opportunities to donate to The Nature Place. Proceeds from the concert will directly benefit The Nature Place, our nature-based community center in Myrick Park. If you haven’t stopped by to check it out, please visit us soon, as we’ve been working to transform the center into “nature’s living room,” and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the space. The Nature Place is a division of Central Conservation, and we are excited to share it with you! This event is made possible by our presenting sponsor, Prairie Springs – The Paul Fleckenstein Trust.
To listen to Dom Flemons and to learn more about him, visit https://www.theamericansongster.com.

Forest Bathing Walk | The Nature Place
2025-10-15 17:30 - 19:30
Come experience the magic of the marsh at an upcoming Forest Bathing session! Certified Forest Therapy guides, Char Anderson and Kati Thompson, will guide participants through slow, gentle invitations crafted to foster awareness and connection.

This walk is open to 16+. Tickets can be purchased through the ticket link: TicketsRejuveNature.as.me/thenatureplace
