Get involved at Horicon

Friends Group

The Horicon Friends Group is an important citizen support group for the development and operation of the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. This group was founded in 1994. The organization's purpose is to encourage, perpetuate and promote the work of natural resources and conservation education in Wisconsin.

As a support group to the education program and the education center, the goal of this organization is to provide volunteer assistance and funding necessary for the effective operation of the center. This organization was successful in raising more than $2 million towards the development of the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. This facility provides a world-class education center at Horicon Marsh and has greatly enhanced the education program through exhibits, displays, an auditorium, classrooms and a spectacular view and access to the Horicon Marsh.

For more information about the Friends of Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, visit the website [exit DNR].

To join the Friends Group, fill out the membership form [exit DNR].

Bird club

Dedicated to the study and education about the birds of Horicon Marsh and Wisconsin

Horicon Marsh Bird Club [exit DNR] was organized in 1994, for the purpose of studying and sharing with others the rich bird life of Horicon Marsh and eastern Wisconsin. Through regularly scheduled field trips, meetings and other activities, members will develop a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the diversity of birds and their important habitats around us.

Although the club is primarily focused on education and observation of birds, members will be offered the opportunity to become involved in a variety of conservation projects and important wildlife surveys, which will help monitor the status of our birds and aid in managing their populations and habitats.

From backyard bird watchers to field ornithologists and researchers, bird club activities are available for novice and expert birders alike. We encourage families and youth to join us in observing and studying Wisconsin birds.

Bird Club activities

All activities are open to the general public.

• Monthly programs meet from September to May on the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, located on Highway 28, between the cities of Horicon and Mayville.
• Field trips are offered throughout the year to a variety of locations and habitats to experience and learn about the birds of the area.
• Bird surveys: Members are involved in monitoring some of the bird populations at Horicon Marsh and other locales to supplement surveys conducted by Wisconsin DNR and other researchers.
• Horicon Marsh Bird Festival: The Bird Club assists in organizing and conducting the annual bird festival at Horicon Marsh. This weekend-long event is held each May at the peak of the spring bird migration.
• Newsletter: Members receive a monthly newsletter detailing Bird Club activities and information about Wisconsin birds

Download the Horicon Marsh Bird Checklist - Status and Seasonal Distribution [PDF].

More Horicon Marsh birding information.

Rock River Archaeology Society

Dedicated to the study, education and preservation of Wisconsin's archaeological history in southern Wisconsin and beyond.

"Rock River was a beautiful country. I loved my towns, my cornfields and the home of my people. I fought for it. It is now yours. Keep it as we did." — Chief Black Hawk

The Rock River Archaeological Society was organized in August 1998 for the purpose of studying the rich Native American cultural and archaeological history of the upper Rock River area, including Horicon Marsh and extending throughout southern Wisconsin. Through regularly scheduled meetings, field trips and special events, members will develop a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the archaeological history and current research on Native American cultures in southern Wisconsin.

This society aims to provide activities for artifact collectors, amateur and professional archaeologists and persons interested in Wisconsin's Native American history. We encourage families and youth to join in appreciating and studying these many areas of interest. Although the society is primarily focused on education and sharing information on matters in Wisconsin archaeology, members will be offered the opportunity to become involved in field research and preservation of our cultural resources in Wisconsin and beyond.

Society activities

All activities are open to the general public.

• Monthly programs: The society meets from September to May on the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. Meetings are held at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, located on Highway 28, between the cities of Horicon and Mayville.
• Archaeology weekend: The society assists with organizing and conducting an annual Archaeology Weekend at Horicon Marsh. The weekend event is held during the fall of each year.

Eastern Wisconsin is extremely rich in its evidence of prehistoric cultures. Horicon Marsh and similar sites appear to have been occupied by a variety of peoples since the end of the last Ice Age. Several hundred effigy mounds still remain in the area as well as other archaeological material. The first archaeoastronomy site in the eastern United States was discovered nearby and current research continues to expand our understanding of the lives of these people.

Together, this diversity of artifacts and sites provides an abundant resource for discovery, learning and ongoing studies to which this society is dedicated.

Volunteer

The education staff at Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center can arrange volunteer opportunities for you. To set up a project for your organization, please contact us.

Through our volunteer program, the Friends gift shop and other projects, we strive to enhance the quality of the visitor experience at Horicon Marsh, a Wetland of International Importance and a Globally Important Bird Area.