Menu
Log in

Upcoming events

    • June 11, 2026
    • 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
    • Parking lot at Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Road, Middleton.
    • 0
    Registration is closed

    Free to PLATO members and guests

    Registration Required


    Join Pheasant Branch Conservancy President Hans Hilbert as we explore some of the most unique land features in the Conservancy.  We’ll discuss human history, ecology, watershed dynamics, and the impacts that development around Pheasant Branch continue to have on the Conservancy.  We will also highlight the Friend’s successes in prairie establishment and habitat improvement. 

    Our walk will include a visit to the Springs and an overview of the newly acquired 160- acre Acker Parcel designed to a Platinum quality prairie and wetlands that will “significantly reduce stormwater volume improve water quality.

    The Walk

    This 2 1/2 hour walk and presentation will cover about a 2 1/2 mile stretch of the Conservatory.  The walk is on mostly flat or slightly rolling trails.  We may climb a hill to better view the newly added farm land. Following the formal walk, you are welcome to explore the Conservancy on your own or join members of the group for coffee and relaxation at a local café.

    About the Conservancy

    Pheasant Branch Conservancy consists of 842 acres owned by three partners: Dane County Parks, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and the City of Middleton. The Conservancy consists of upland oak savanna and lowland wetland prairies.  The uplands are known for their diverse prairie and mature hardwood stands. The lowlands are traversed by Pheasant Branch Creek.  With its headwaters in the Town of Springfield and Town of Middleton, Pheasant Branch flows through the City of Middleton and the newly acquired (and recontoured) 160 acre farm, into the Pheasant Branch Marsh which provides millions of gallons of water to Lake Mendota and the Yahara Chain of Lakes.

     

    Additional Information:  Several maps of the conservancy are available at the Friends of Pheasant Branch website:  http://www.pheasantbranch.org/ 

    Accessibility:  A 2 1/2 mile walk along a graded path makes this walk one of the more accessible we'll offer this year.  The route may involve a few small hills to view newly added prairie.

      Microphone:  Our leader will have a microphone along to assist in delivering his message clearly as possible.

      Driving and Parking Information:  We will use the parking lot at Orchid Heights Park, 3960 Valley Ridge Rd, Middleton, WI 53562.


      For further information, contact PLATO trip leader, Mike Dilorio at  mdiiorio@tds.net or 608-520-4448.


      • June 25, 2026
      • 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
      • Madison, WI
      • 0
      Join waitlist


      The Recycling Revealed Tour

      Note: Pellitteri has asked us to change the date from June 18 to June 25

      Thursday, June 25 from 10:30-12:00

      Free to PLATO members

      Only 8 slots available because of limited parking

      Registration is required


      Ever wonder what happens to your  recyclables after you drop it in the green bin?  Find out on our tour of the Pellitteri Kipp Street Station material recovery facility which Madison uses to handle its recycling operation. 

      Recycling plays a vital role in conserving natural resources, reducing landfill waste, and protecting the environment for future generations. By reusing materials like paper, metals, plastics, and glass, we decrease the need for raw resource extraction, which in turn saves energy and reduces pollution. Recycling also helps limit greenhouse gas emissions, making it an important part of addressing climate change. On a community level, it supports local economies by creating jobs in collection, processing, and manufacturing. Ultimately, recycling is a simple but powerful way for individuals and organizations to contribute to a more sustainable and responsible use of our planet’s resources.

      The tour begins in the Education Room, where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes view of how recycling really works. From this vantage point, you can watch state-of-the-art systems in action as they separate, sort, and prepare materials for their next life. You’ll also overlook the busy tipping floor, where truckloads of recyclables arrive and begin their journey through the facility. Along the way, you’ll enjoy a short, informative presentation and video that bring the process to life and highlight the impact of recycling in our community.”


        ____________________________________

        Safety Rules:

        • All visitors must be accompanied by a Pellitteri employee.
        • Tour participants must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
        • No visitor will be allowed to tour the working floor of the facility.
        • All visitors are to follow the instructions listed for vehicle restrictions, safe vehicle entry, enter through the center door of the building and stay within the enclosed office space and educational room
        • In the event of a fire, please exit the stairwell nearest the parking lot. In the event of a tornado, please exit the stairwell by the TV and go to the hallway by the bathrooms located between the lunchroom and utility room.

        There is a No Media policy at the facility; taking videos or photos on personal devices is not allowed. This is out of respect for the employees as well as for proprietary reasons.  


        Directions:  Because parking at the recycling facility is limited to two cars for our group, we will be meeting at a nearby lot and carpooling the 1.3 miles to the recycling site.  Meet at 10:30 in the parking lot of the McFarland Ice Arena, 4812 Marsh Road.   

        The trip leader will be taking her car and we need one more car to transport registrants.  If you would be willing to use your car to carpool registrants from the McFarland Ice Arena to the recycling facility, indicate that when you register.



        For further information, contact Joyce Knutson at k2pmw@sbcglobal.net or 608-238-4279.

        • August 06, 2026
        • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
        • 330 N. Orchard Street
        • 25


        Fearless Science Tour

        Thursday, August 6 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

        Free to PLATO Members and Guests

        Registration is Required

        Registration opens Tuesday, June 30


        Join us for a Fearless Science Tour at the Morgridge Institute for Research – a private, nonprofit research institute dedicated to interdisciplinary biomedical research in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison. 

        This 2-hour tour is designed to introduce individuals and groups to the curiosity-driven research and STEM education/engagement work accomplished at the Morgridge Institute.


        Fearless Science Tour Timeline

        • Introduction Presentation (30 min)
          • Overview & History of the Morgridge Institute
        • Scientist Visit 1 (30 min)
          • Scientist visits are typically a combination of a short presentation, opportunity for questions, and perhaps a quick look inside the lab
        • Scientist Visit 2 (30 min)
        • Principal Investigator (PI) Presentation (30 min)
          • Values of Curiosity-Driven Research
          • Their perspective on the value of Morgridge as an institute/why they choose to work here
          • Q&A as time allows


        Logistics:  The PLATO tour of the Morgridge Institute on Thursday, August 6 will be held from 10 am - 12 pm, beginning and ending in the Researcher's Link Room on the 2nd floor of the Discovery Building. On the attached map, the elevator is highlighted (next to the Welcome Desk). The closest building entrance to the space is Door E, at the corner of Orchard St. & University Ave, though it’s accessible no matter which entrance to the Discovery Building you use. Card access is required to use the elevator and there will be a staff member stationed at the elevators to welcome us and scan us up to the 2nd floor.  


        Transportation/Parking:  

        The Discovery Building is located near several city of Madison Metro Transit bus stops and UW-Madison bicycle routes.

        Although onsite parking is not available, three UW-managed lots (17, 20 and 80) are nearby. Due to construction around the engineering campus and Randall Ave., Lot 17 is only accessible coming from the north (University Ave. & Johnson St.) and has a different, less direct (but clearly marked!) walking route to the Discovery Building. However, it seems that Lot 17 usually has more open parking spaces than the other two nearby options. Each of the links for the three UW-managed lots (17, 20 and 80), has a real-time update of the number of open spaces to help plan your route as you’re headed to campus.

        Questions? - Contact tour organizer Bob Shaw at robert.e.shaw@gmail.com or 608-255-3486


      PLATO is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization supported in part by:



      info@platomadison.org

      Facebook: @platomadison

      608-572-6869

      6209 Mineral Point Road #203
      Madison, WI 53705








      Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software