Maple Syrup Fest

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Aldo Leopold Nature Center

Some kids examine a hand drill.

A past Maple Syrup Fest.

(2023 Isthmus pick) What did the cave people think when they first tapped a maple tree and figured out how to create syrup? “Mmm, Thag like happy tree sauce, make pancake better!” Okay, we'll never really know, but you too can experience happy tree sauce at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s free Maple Syrup Fest. Learn when and how to tap trees for optimal sap, how much sap it takes to make one bottle of syrup (it's a lot), sample some Wisconsin maple syrup, see cooking demos and more. Parking is available at Ahuska Park, 400 E. Broadway, with a shuttle to the ALNC.

media release: Do you know how many gallons of sap it takes to make one gallon of maple syrup? Approximately 40 gallons! That’s A LOT of sap.

Discover the sweet science of maple syruping at this unique and unforgettable celebration of the season… Maple Syrup Fest! This free, family-friendly event offers a blend of indoor and outdoor activities found nowhere else in Dane County. Stations throughout the nature center grounds will lead visitors – at their own pace – through the process of making maple syrup while enjoying the warmth of spring. Visitors will learn when and how to tap trees for sap and be able to sample real Wisconsin maple syrup. Maple ice cream sundaes will be available for a fee. Mark your calendars today for our sticky-sweet kick-off to spring!

Activities include:

●        Learn how to tap a tree and how maple syrup is made with hands-on activities  

●        Taste maple tree sap and sample maple cream

●        Test your nature smarts with maple syrup trivia

●        Try your hand at using early 20^th-century tools

●        Tour the rustic Children’s Shack and take a spring nature hike

●        Watch maple syrup cooking demonstrations

●        Take a maple syrup taste test

●        For a fee…enjoying ice cream topped with real Wisconsin maple syrup

This event is FREE and open to the public. Free parking and a free shuttle are available at Ahuska Park (400 E. Broadway). Ice cream topped with maple syrup, bottles of 100% Wisconsin maple syrup, and food carts will be available for a fee.

Many thanks to our 2025 Event Partners, including Godfrey & Kahn, for making this event possible!

Location:         Aldo Leopold Nature Center, 330 Femrite Drive, Monona 

Date/Time:     Saturday, March 15, 2025 ∙ 1 - 4 pm 

Fee:                  Free and Open to the Public ∙ Walk-ins Welcome

Information:   www.aldoleopoldnaturecenter.org or (608) 221-0404 x 1