Maywood - Ellwood H. May Environmental Park

06/13/2026

Our Office Coordinator Nate created a great video of animals, birds and amphibians at Maywood this summer. Check it out on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yK9sX4tA11U

Please note, the gun shots sounds heard about 2/3 of the way into the video come from the hunting club located west of Interstate 43.

Some of the animals you may see walking around the park! Maywood of...

06/12/2026

As we approach the season on monarch butterfly caterpillars hatching at Maywood, we encourage you to help us keep the monarchs wild this summer.

Raising one or two caterpillars at home to observe and learn from them, is fine. Unfortunately in the past few years we have observed individuals collecting larger quantities of caterpillars from the Maywood prairie. While people's intentions may be good, captive rearing of monarchs has not been proven to help increase their population.

We encourage you to enjoy the monarchs at Maywood and leave them in their native habitat.

Yes, some years Maywood raises a few monarch caterpillars inside the Ecology Center. This allows guests to view them close-up at various life cycle stages. Our staff collects eggs from milkweed that is growing in mowed paths and will eventually be mowed off and destroyed. We also have adequate food sources for the caterpillars and can release the butterflies into the habitat where they originated.

This 2025 article from the Xerces society has excellent information on why keeping monarchs wild is important: https://xerces.org/blog/keep-monarchs-wild

06/10/2026

The fawns born at Maywood this spring are now very mobile!

Please take your time when driving into the park and honor the 15mph speed limit. We've had reports of fawns crossing the driveway this week.

The Maywood Staff and Wildlife thank you!

06/09/2026

We're so excited for this year's Walk on the Wild Side at Maywood on June 20th!

Here's just a few of the highlights of what we have planned along this year's route:
* Walk kick-off program at 9am with live bird ambassadors from Open Door Bird Sanctuary
* Mystery Bird Puzzle to solve along the route
* Tools for Birding Station - learn about apps and how to use binoculars
* Bird Cafe - learn about what birds eat
* Bird Dances Station - learn about bird dance moves
* Bird Houses - learn about different types of bird houses and nests
* Egg-cellent Eggs - learn about different bird eggs

Plus we'll have some great bird-themed snacks after the walk!

Learn how you can register on our website: https://gomaywood.org/walk-on-the-wild-side/

Proceeds of Walk on the Wild Side support programs and park projects at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan.

City of Sheboygan - City Hall

06/07/2026

The park and trails are open today (and every day!) 4 am - 10 pm.

Come enjoy walking, hiking, birding, and spending time in nature at the City of Sheboygan's largest park.

View park information and guidelines here: https://gomaywood.org/park-information/

06/06/2026

Have you checked out the self-guided summer nature journaling walk yet?

Grab a notebook, sketchbook, or pieces of paper and something to write or draw with and head out on the trail.

Each station includes brief information about the habitat, an inspirational nature quite, and journaling prompts.

Maps of the walk are available on the bench in front of the main Ecology Center entrance or on our website: https://gomaywood.org/summer-nature-journaling/

This free activity is great for all ages! It will be up through Labor Day weekend.

06/02/2026

This Thursday, join Sam Saeger of DarkSky Wisconsin as she shares about how lighting choices matter for our environment.

The presentation will begin at 6:30pm in the Ecology Center at Maywood.

Learn how light pollution affects wildlife, human health, and our ability to experience the night sky.

This is a free program.
Pre-registration appreciated. Drop-ins welcomed.

Register for free online: https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/DarkSky202

06/01/2026

Thank you to Board and Property Stewardship Committee Members Mike, Jim, and Dan for their work to remove an obstruction from the pipe between the two ponds at Maywood.

Recently the water level in the upper pond had remained high despite the lack of rain. The deck at the ponds was submerged as a result. An approximately 8-foot long log plus other debris was found in the pipe and removed. This restored water flow from the upper pond to the lower pond and eventually from the lower pond to the nearby wetlands and river.

We greatly appreciate the work of our board members, committee members, and volunteers on projects like this that benefit all our park users.

06/01/2026

Interested in trying outdoor yoga, but not sure where to begin?

Join us June 9 and 16 for Yoga in the Woods! Registration for these classes has been extended to June 4th.

Instructor Barbara Holt will lead these two one-hour sessions in the beautiful wooded areas of the park. We'll meet at the Ecology Center at 5:30pm before walking together to the class site.

Cost for the two sessions is $20.

Register online (credit card fee applies): https://www.ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/SummerOutdoorYoga2026

Printable form: https://gomaywood.org/programs/registration-forms/

Drop-ins are also welcome to join in. Drop-in fee is $15 (cash or check only). Please arrive a few minutes before class to allow time for payment.