COVID UPDATE
December 2023
To keep our staff and other visitors safe, we ask that you and your family be healthy and free of any symptoms of illness to enter the Nature Center building.
The park and trail system is open from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM daily. Before using the trail system, please be sure you follow our guidelines and policies:
- Smoking and/or vaping is not allowed in the Conservancy Zone
- Pets are not allowed anywhere on the property
- Familiarize yourself with our property policies. Signs are posted at most trailheads. Some of those policies include:
- Please stay on the trails, except to safely step aside to allow other visitors to pass
- No collecting of wildflowers or other natural items
- No littering. Please use the garbage and recycling bins responsibly
- Neither bikes nor skateboards are allowed on the trail system
Please stay safe and do your part to control the spread of COVID and influenza.
BUILDING
What are the Nature Center hours?
The Nature Center is open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday – Friday and 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. on Saturday. The Nature Center building is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major Holidays.
Is there a fee to enter the Nature Center or to utilize the trails?
No. There is no entrance fee to enter the Nature Center building or to use the trails. Donations are very much appreciated and needed to help maintain trails and enhance the Nature Center.
Do you rent out the Nature Center building and Pavilion for meetings or parties?
The Nature Center building is only rented out for company/organization meetings. A full kitchen is available and we can accommodate up to 150 people. The Pavilion is available for rent from May through the end of September. For more information and availability, please call the Nature Center building at 920-766-4733 or email at thousandisland@kaukauna.gov
How can I become a volunteer?
To become a volunteer at 1000 Islands you must first complete an application form and go through a background check. 1000 Islands also welcomes anyone who needs to complete community service hours. Call the Nature Center’s Naturalist at 920-759-5673 for more information and to see if you could complete your community service hours at 1000 Islands.
Do you rent snowshoes or cross-country skis?
We only have snowshoes available to rent out. They can be rented and used on our trails or they can be taken off-site for a weekend. We now have modern, recreational snowshoes with lightweight aluminum frames. Youth and adult sizes are available.
TRAILS
What are the 1000 Islands trial hours?
The trails are open daily/365 days a year from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM.
Can I ride my bike on the trails?
No. Bikes and other pedal-powered vehicles are not allowed on the trails. The only exception is on the Valley Trail between Hwy Z and Hwy Q/Hillcrest Dr. in the Upper Woods. Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.
Are dogs allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed on the trails, in the picnic and park area or inside the Nature Center building. Only service dogs on a leash are allowed. See Municipal Code 9.15 for more information. For dog-friendly parks and trails in Kaukauna, please visit the City’s website.
Why are dogs not allowed in the Conservancy Zone?
1000 Islands Environmental Center is a Conservancy Zone per the City of Kaukauna Ordinance 734 to provide for the conservation and protection of natural resources. The Conservancy Zone is home to many native plants and animals and dogs pose a threat to these. Deer, birds, rabbits, squirrels, etc. call the Conservancy Zone their home and our wild animals perceive dogs as a predator. Some dog breeds are bred for hunting and their natural instinct is to hunt down prey (wildlife) which will scare them out of their home.
The presence of dogs causes wildlife to move away which reduces the amount of available habitat for them to feed, breed and rest. Even the scent of dogs pushes wildlife away. Dogs also transmit diseases to and from wildlife and dog waste pollutes–transmitting harmful parasites. These are all things we do not want for a natural conservancy area.
Also, many people who are scared of dogs come here to walk knowing that this is a dog-free zone. Our trails are not that wide either and when someone wrongly brings their dog with them it is hard for people to pass easily.
How do I stay safe on the trails?
To stay safe it is best to stay on the designated trails. The Conservancy Zone has an array of invasive plants such as poison ivy. Depending on the time of year, bees, mosquitos, and ticks are in the woods. It is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and consider treating your skin and clothing with a repellent to keep the mosquitos and ticks away. Always remember to check yourself for ticks after hiking in the woods or walking through tall grass and brush.
Is the Nature Center and trails handicap accessible?
Yes. The Nature Center is fully accessible and we do have a portion of the trail system that is barrier-free. A wheelchair and walker are available for use and are located in the Nature Center building lobby.
1000-Islands-Map (PDF)
Conservancy Zone Guidelines (PDF)
Is smoking or vaping permitted?
No. Per the 1000 Island Environmental Center Policy 2.030, there is no smoking, vaping, or other tobacco use within the Nature Center building or outside by the entrances, in the pavilion and picnic area, and on trails of the Conservancy Zone.
WILDLIFE
Do you take in injured and orphaned wildlife?
No, we do not. 1000 Islands does not have a rehabilitation license to take in injured or orphaned animals. Here is a link to Local Wildlife Rehabilitation Resources.
When and How to Rescue a Mammal
Can I feed the wildlife at 1000 Islands?
No, please don’t. Per City Ordinance No. 1578 there is to be no feeding of waterfowl on any City property. Feeding other wildlife is also discouraged. Animals accustomed to people lose their fear of people and can become reliant on humans for food or become aggressive.
When are the Bald Eagles at 1000 Islands?
Bald Eagles can be seen year-round at 1000 Islands, but we see an increased number each winter when the lakes and rivers freeze over up north and they migrate south where food (fish mainly) is more plentiful. Mid-November through February is an ideal time to visit 1000 Islands for a better chance at seeing Bald Eagles.