2026 Bird & Nature Festival was a "wild" success

More than 1000 people of all ages attended the 2026 Madison Bird & Nature Festival on April 26 at Warner Park organized by Madison FUN (Friends of Urban Nature) and Madison Parks. The Friends of Cherokee Marsh were busy participants, among the many nature organizations taking part.

Indoors, FOCM board member Steve Ackerman gave a talk on "Climate Change and Bird Migration" while Linda Malkin provided insect learning activities for kids and Sheila Leary shared information about the Friends and our activities. Outdoors, Russell Schwalbe helped folks try out fishing and canoeing in the lagoon and Wendy Murkve took photographs. Indoors and out, Jim Mand volunteered as needed, and festival impresario Paul Noeldner was everywhere, keeping the festival fizzing.