Nature Everywhere Day Returns to Madison June 5–7

The City of Madison will celebrate its third annual Nature Everywhere Day on June 6, 2026. Community members are invited to enjoy free, nature-based activities taking place throughout the city from Friday, June 5, through Sunday, June 7.

Over a decade ago, the City of Madison became one of the first cities to participate in the national Nature Everywhere Communities initiative in partnership with the Children & Nature Network and KABOOM! The initiative supports communities working to expand equitable access to nature so every child can experience the benefits of nature-based learning and play.

Research compiled by the Children & Nature Network shows that time outdoors supports children's physical health, emotional well-being, academic success, and social development.

Madison's journey in this initiative has been driven by community collaboration and local leadership. Today, the Nature Everywhere initiative is building nature-based programs in public libraries, supporting teachers through grants, providing resources to families, and advocating for more nature play across the region.

"Madison Public Library is excited to partner with Nature Everywhere as we continue to find ways to engage families in exciting early literacy opportunities. Their programs offer a diversity of nature educators who bring unique offerings to our existing indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as the surrounding parks and green spaces. We look forward to further collaboration as we open our 10th library location this fall - a library in a park - with the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park," said Tammy Pineda, Madison Public Library Youth Services Manager

Nature Everywhere Day is an invitation for families to get outside and celebrate Madison's abundance of parks, trails, lakes and rivers through programs and activities provided by the Nature Everywhere initiative's community partners. Events throughout the weekend include the Lake Wingra Nature Everywhere Challenge, hosted by the UW Arboretum, Henry Vilas Zoo, and Friends of Lake Wingra; a Pond Critter Exploration with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center; Nature Crafts and a Scavenger Hunt with the Madison Children's Museum; Gratitude in Nature Habitat Restoration; and Animal Encounters & Yoga with Madison Parks, Dane County Parks, Friends of Olin-Turville, the Madison Parks Foundation, and Dane County Waste & Renewables, along with many other family-friendly activities and events.

This effort also aligns with Wisconsin's Children's Outdoor Heritage Resolution (AJR27), which recognizes the importance of ensuring every child has opportunities to play, learn, and explore in the state's natural spaces.

For more information about the Nature Everywhere initiative in the Madison region, visit natureeverywheremadison.org.

For a full schedule of events for Nature Everywhere Day, visit natureeverywheremadison.org/natureeverywhereday