What is the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum?
At one time, most of Fond du Lac County was covered by prairie – native grasslands that were home to bison, prairie chickens, bobolinks and other wildlife. At the Gottfried Prairie & Arboretum on the UW-Fond du Lac campus, a group of volunteers has reestablished the native plants that once grew on this site.
UPCOMING:
Fathers & Fireflies 2026
Join us for a Father’s Day walk through the prairie looking for fireflies. Meet at the Gottfried Shelter (east parking lot near the Fond du Lac County Campus). The group will head out around 8:30 pm. Firefly activity usually starts around 9:00 pm. Lead by Douglas Stadler. Bring a flashlight if you wish.
Tour of the Prairie 2026 – July
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Shelter and take approximately 1 hour. Tours will be every 2nd Saturday of the month.
Parade of Prairies
Get Ready for the first-ever Parade of Prairies! This summer, the Friends of the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum invite you on a journey through the heart of Fond du Lac County. We’re opening the gates to 4–5 of the region’s most stunning native landscapes.
Why Join Us?
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Be a Prairie Explorer: Discover hidden gems and private restorations
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Your Pace, Your Way: Tour one, two, or conquer all of them! It’s the perfect summer Saturday road trip.
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Nature in High-Def: From rare pollinators to the “ocean” of tallgrass and wildflowers, see Wisconsin as it looked centuries ago.
Prairie Fest 2026
Celebrate nature with yoga, prairie tours, environmental education and art displays, short nature pop-up presentations, and more at this year’s Prairie Fest on Saturday, August 1 from 8:00 AM
– Noon at the beautiful Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum, adjacent to the Fond du Lac County Campus.
Tour of the Prairie 2026 – August
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Shelter and take approximately 1 hour. Tours will be every 2nd Saturday of the month.
Tour of the Prairie 2026 – October
Join us for a tour through the arboretum, prairie, and around the ponds. Discover something new each month! Each Tour will begin at the Shelter and take approximately 1 hour.
Seed Collection Workshop 2026
Take a piece of the Gottfried home with you! The Gottfried Prairie is a hidden gem: a successful 50-acre prairie restoration. Most of the species originated from the last remaining prairie remnants around Fond du Lac County. This workshop is great for landowners who wish to collect prairie seed for planting on their own property.
2026 Annual Fall Luminary Hike
Join us for our FREE annual family-friendly luminary hike. All ages are welcome! Theme: Slog with the Grog! Take a self guided hike through the arboretum and prairie edge luminated trails. The hike will take place on a gravel trail and grass. Along the way, stop to hear short stories from some fun characters including a squirrel, tree and scat!
Grog (cider & cranberry juice), regular cider, and popcorn will be available. Donations going towards Gottfried Prairie educational programs are encouraged.
2026 Holiday Wreath and Container Making
Do you want to create a beautiful fresh evergreen wreath or decorate a container with native plant material from the Gottfried Prairie and Arboretum? We have brought back our popular wreath-making class with a twist so join us December 5th from 9AM-NOON to create a masterpiece! Balsam boughs and other evergreen materials will be provided along with prairie seed heads, dried flowers and grasses.
COSTS: $30 for a balsam bough wreath or container provided by the Gottfried. $25 if you bring your own container. Max of 2 items to make.
Space is limited to 10-12 people so pre-registration is required by emailing info@gottfriedprairiearboretum.org. Please bring along a pruning shears and gloves
Park in the South Parking lot of the Fond du Lac Campus and enter the Maintenance Building (circled).
