Maple Sugar Days at Wehr Nature Center, March 24-25

MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WI — Freezing nighttime temperatures in combination with thawing daytime temperatures are turning the sugar maple trees at Wehr Nature Center into maple-sap machines.

As the sap flows, the 42nd Annual Maple Sugar Days will be held March 24 and 25 from 1–4 p.m. at Wehr Nature Center, 9701 W. College Ave.

Led by a naturalist guide, families will hike through the woods to the sugar bush, where they will see tapped sugar maple trees and sap dripping from them. Then, visitors will be led to the camp, where clear sap is boiled down to form dark syrup. Walks to the camp will last about 45 minutes. The first tour will start at 1 p.m.; the last tour, 4 p.m. Hikes will go on rain or shine.

Hands-on activities will include using a hand drill on a log, trying Native-American methods of boiling sap without metal pans, and making a craft. Food and beverage concessions will also be available.

Admission for Maple Sugar Days is $6 per person age 3 and up; children age 2 and under are admitted for free. Parking is $3.50 per carload. A free booklet, “Backyard Maple Sugaring, or, The Family Boils Down,” is available on the Parks website.

Submitted Photo, Published With Permission