Visitor Center Closed for the Holiday
Thank you for your patience as the staff spend some much-needed time with their loved ones over the holidays. Please come to the visitor center soon and enjoy your holidays!
Visitor Center Closed for the Holiday
Thank you for your patience as the staff spend some much-needed time with their loved ones over the holidays. Please come to the visitor center soon and enjoy your holidays!
Nature's Still LIfe
Come to the Mead to beat the cold that keeps artists craving opportunities to work on technique. A giant still life made of various natural objects inspires artists INDOORS and is made a little more delightful with yummy snacks, hot coffee and tea. Free, no registration required. Bring your own supplies. Appropriate for all skill-levels.
Book Club
Join the Mead Book Club! This winter we are reading Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks by Marcia Bjornerud. This title won the 2025 John Burroughs Medal for Natural History Writing.
Discussions will be held via Zoom from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The meetings are on December 17th, January 21st, and February 18th.
To register, please contact Same De Roche at Sandra.DeRoche@wisconsin.gov
Winter Camping: How To
Steve Fritz, seasoned outdoor expedition instructor, invites beginners to novices to come to the Mead to learn how to safely camp outdoors during Wisconsin winters. Free. Bring a lunch and come dressed for the weather. Registration is required.
Book Club
Join the Mead Book Club! This winter we are reading Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks by Marcia Bjornerud. This title won the 2025 John Burroughs Medal for Natural History Writing.
Discussions will be held via Zoom from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The meetings are on December 17th, January 21st, and February 18th.
To register, please contact Same De Roche at Sandra.DeRoche@wisconsin.gov
Mead Master Naturalist Training
Ever want to gain the skills to feel confident in volunteering as a Naturalist? The George W. Mead Wildlife Area gathers experts in their field to provide a transformative, learning experience. Graduate after the six-day training with knowledge and confidence, resources, a cohort, and unbelievable opportunities to contribute to organizations that support your love of nature. Seats are limited. For more information and registration, go to: Master Naturalists of Wisconsin https://wimasternaturalist.org/training/volunteer-training/mead2026/
Book Club
Join the Mead Book Club! This winter we are reading Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks by Marcia Bjornerud. This title won the 2025 John Burroughs Medal for Natural History Writing.
Discussions will be held via Zoom from 7:00pm-8:30pm. The meetings are on December 17th, January 21st, and February 18th.
To register, please contact Same De Roche at Sandra.DeRoche@wisconsin.gov
Christmas Bird Count
Be a part of history! Join us for the first-ever Christmas Bird Count for the Mead and Mosinee area. Partnering with the National Audubon Society, volunteers take one day in December to document bird species. Spend a few hours or all day birding with us!
Sign up for the count here.
Nature's Still Life
Join artists of all levels at the Stanton W. Mead Visitor Center to be challenged and delighted by Nature’s Still Life. Bring your favorite medium and enjoy a fun, creative escape from the cold!
Snacks, coffee, and tea will be provided.
Herpetology Society
Join us at the Stanton W. Mead Visitor Center to learn about herpetology from the students at UW-Stevens Point. This free and family-friendly event has live animals, presentations, arts and crafts, free popcorn, and more!
Visitor Center Closed for the Holiday
Thank you for your patience as the staff spend some much needed time with their loved ones over the Thanksgiving holiday. Please come to the visitor center soon and enjoy your holiday!
2025 Mead Art Gallery
“Early Arrival”, Chuck Heiting, Best in Show 2024 Mead Wildlife Art Gallery
Mushroom ID Workshop
This introductory mushroom identification workshop is perfect for beginners!
The workshop will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, October 12, 2025 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Participants will meet at the Mead Wildlife Area Visitor Center. The cost is $65.00 per person, registration includes mushroom knife, hand lens, mesh bag, field guide, and course materials.
Sign up here: WI Master Naturalist: Mushroom ID Workshop-Mead Wildlife Area
Proceeds benefit Friends of Mead/McMillan Wildlife Areas No lodging available. Dress for the weather.
Fall Migration Viewing
Join us as we watch migrating birds such as sandhill cranes, geese, and other waterfowl gather en masse at dusk. Meet at the viewing platform on Smokey Hill Road, west of the visitor center.
If rain chance is 50% or more, the viewing will be cancelled.
Flight Count
Activity for friends members only, meet at the visitor center at 5pm. We will spend the evening watching birds fly in and do a flight count.
Board Meeting
Interested in becoming a Friend's board member? We would love to meet you, feel free to sit in and see what the board members are working on.
3rd Annual Kite Festival
Celebrate the wind at the Mead, marvel at the acrobatics and engineering
of magical kites, bring your own or make one on-site. Learn from expert flyers,
play and relax. The Wisconsin Kiters Club will dazzle you with their huge
displays along Hwy S and at the visitor center.
A spectacle of the best kind!
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Art in Nature
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Kids Archery Camp 3
Learn archery basics from NASP certified instructors at this kids archery camp! The camp is open to kids aged 9-17.
This camp has four sessions: CAMP IS FULL. PLEASE CONSIDER REGISTERING FOR A 2026 ARCHERY CAMP. TO BE POSTED IN APRIL 2026.
August 6th - 1pm-3pm
August 13th - 1pm-3pm
August 20th - 1pm-3pm
August 27th - 1pm-3pm
There are several archery camps being offered throughout the summer, please see our calendar for the other offerings.
The camp is free but registration is required.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Bats, Butterflies, and Bees
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Survival Strategies
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Lumberjack Camp
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Foraging and Edible Plants
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Kids Archery Camp 2
Learn archery basics from NASP certified instructors at this kids archery camp! The camp is open to kids aged 9-17.
This camp has four sessions: THIS CAMP IS NOW FULL. PLEASE CONSIDER
MEAD ARCHERY CAMP 3.
July 9th - 1pm-3pm
July 16th - 1pm-3pm
July 23rd - 1pm-3pm
July 30th - 1pm-3pm
There are several archery camps being offered throughout the summer, please see our calendar for the other offerings.
The camp is free but registration is required.
Independence Day
Though the wildlife area remains open 24 hours/day, 7 days a week, the Stanton W. Mead Education and Visitor Center will be closed on July 4th so the staff can celebrate Independence Day. Please enjoy the wildlife area. The outhouse on Hwy S will remain open. Happy 4th of July!
Friends Family Picnic
The board members are hosting a Friends’ only family picnic on June 28 to thank you for being a member. Bring the whole family, walk the trails, and talk with staff. Enjoy lunch on us, food will be served 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Menu includes brats, hamburgers and chips. Reservations are requested but not required. We just want to make sure we have enough food for everyone.
Bird and Butterfly Walk
Ideal for all - beginner and seasoned birds.
Binoculars and bird/butterfly ID books available, or bring your own. Walk is on uneven, gravel surfaces. In case of rain we’ll meet indoors.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Archery
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Birding Basics
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
Decoy Event & Expo
Folk art and working decoy collections on display. Carving demonstrations, traditional and power tools. Learn carving and painting basics. Fun for all ages, family-friendly, Free! Bring a picnic and enjoy the day!
Summer Fun at the Mead 2025 - Let's Go Fishing!
Fun for all ages! This event is free and doesn’t require registration.
The Mead Book Club May 2025
Phosphorus has played a critical role in some of the most lethal substances on earth: firebombs, rat poison, nerve gas. But it’s also the key component of one of the most vital: fertilizer, which has sustained life for billions of people. With The Devil’s Element, Egan has written an essential and eye-opening account that urges us to pay attention to one of the most perilous but little-known environmental issues of our time.
Meetings are held online over Zoom.
Email Sam DeRoche at sandra.deroche@wisconsin.gov if you would like to register.
Become A Volunteer
Volunteers play a crucial role in helping us run events. They assist with event setup, greet and direct attendees, and help with cleanup afterward. Their support allows events to run smoothly and ensures a positive experience for everyone. Other volunteer positions are also available.