Fall 2025|Newsletter

The Friends of Retzer Nature Center will be at the Waukesha County Choral Union’s upcoming concert!


Friday, December 19 | 7:30PM
Saturday, December 20 | 1:30PM


Stop by our table before or after the performance to:


• Shop a curated selection of children’s nature books – perfect for holiday gifts

Apple Harvest Fest



 A Wonderful Apple Harvest Festival!


Despite a little rain, the 38th Annual Apple Harvest Festival at Retzer Nature Center was a huge success! Families packed the grounds to sample more than a dozen apple varieties, browse arts and crafts vendors, enjoy the beer garden, and listen to live music sponsored by Generac. Kids and adults alike loved exploring the many self-guided activities scattered across the nature center.


With more than 1,000 vehicles filled with families, it was clear the community came out in full support. Our baked goods and caramel apples were such a hit that they sold out just before the rain arrived!


A heartfelt thank you goes out to Waukesha County Technical College, Generac, and the many partners and volunteers who made the day possible. This is the biggest event sponsored by the Friends of Retzer Nature Center and helps support the mission of connecting people to nature.


If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of fall fun at Retzer! Be sure to visit Scarecrow Lane and the Fall Story Hike, both free and open daily through October 31.

Beer Garden

A big thank you to everyone who joined us at the Beer Garden! It was a wonderful evening filled with good company, great music by JRyan Trio, beer from North Pillar Brewing Company and an out of this world show from the Horwitz-Deremer Planetarium. We had fantastic support from our vendors, sold out of some crowd favorites, and received lots of positive feedback on the event.


We’re already looking ahead and making plans for next year!  

2025 Friends of Retzer Board of Directors

Interested in Joining the Friends of Retzer Nature Center Board?

We are looking to round out some open board positions with individuals who are passionate about natural resource conservation, environmental education, and volunteer & financial support of Retzer Nature Center. No board experience is necessary. We will train interested individuals.

Additionally, we are specifically seeking individuals with backgrounds in the following areas: legal expertise, treasurer expertise, fundraising & capital campaigns, and community partnerships.

There is no official nomination application required, but please feel free to reach out to ask questions or express interest by either messaging us on social media or filling out the form linked here and a current board member will contact you regarding your interest. Thank you for considering!

Elections to the Friends of Retzer Nature Center Board are held yearly at our annual membership meeting in April.

As always, if you need to renew your Friends of Retzer membership, you may do so as follows:

a) Mail your check to Retzer Nature Center attention: Friends of Retzer Nature Center.

b) Pay online via our website using a credit card or PayPal. 

c) Stop at the nature center’s front desk with check payment .

For more information about 2025 membership levels and benefits click the membership button below.

Thank you for your continued support! Your membership supports vital projects and programs at Retzer Nature Center. 

The mission of the Friends of Retzer Nature Center shall be to promote and support activities and initiatives which enhance the goals of natural resource conservation and environmental education and involve the community, through financial support and volunteer work, in the growth and improvement of programs and facilities at Retzer Nature Center.

Your general donation supports over 450 acres of natural habitat and educational facilities at Retzer Nature Center. All donations are tax-deductible – and any amount is always welcome.