Events

‍_{Fire & Wonder Winter Gathering}

_{Friday, February 21, 2025‍‍}

_{4:00 PM to 6:00 PM}

Embrace the beauty of the winter season at San Damiano’s Fire and Wonder Winter Gathering, a free, family-friendly event open to the public. With snow blanketing the landscape, this event promises a true winter wonderland experience. Attendees are invited to come together for an evening of warmth, storytelling, and seasonal festivities on the shores of Lake Monona.

Friends of San Damiano is honored to welcome Janice Rice, a respected member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, retired librarian, and educator with expertise in literature, culture, history, and language preservation. As an environmentalist who deeply values the waters and lands of this region, Rice is excited to share traditional Ho-Chunk stories for an evening of tradition and connection. Storytelling will be offered in small groups at 4:30, 5:00, and 5:30 PM in the Frank Allis House.

Please note that while the Frank Allis House retains its historic charm, it is not currently equipped with accessibility features. However, guests will have the opportunity to enter the house for storytelling and hot drinks, with a capacity of up to 49 people at a time. Access to the house may be limited, and we appreciate your understanding.

Fire and Wonder Highlights:

• Bonfire: Warm up around a roaring bonfire.

• Storytelling: Discover the rich history and culture of the Ho-Chunk Nation through storytelling. Stories will be shared in 20-minute intervals at the times listed below. To ensure the best listening experience and out of respect for our storyteller, we kindly ask guests to enter the house 5 minutes prior to the scheduled storytelling time. Once storytelling begins, access to the room will be restricted.
  • Storytelling Times:
    • 4:30 PM
    • 5:00 PM
    • 5:30 PM

• Warm Beverages: Enjoy hot chocolate and hot cider.

• Winter Serenity: Take a peaceful candlelit walk through the woodland area and stroll the property.

• Sunset Splendor: Witness a stunning sunset over Lake Monona with the Madison skyline as a backdrop.

• Scavenger Hunt: Join in on the fun of a kid-friendly scavenger hunt for all ages.

Parking

Parking is limited to accessible spaces only. We encourage carpooling or walking. You may drop off guests before parking along local roads.

Please do not park in local business lots, and note that Monona Grove High School has an event, so their lot is not available. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

This is your chance to connect with nature, community, and the unique charm of San Damiano. Bundle up, grab your friends or family, and don’t miss this enchanting evening of fire and wonder!

Come visit and stay in Monona!

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AmericInn by Wyndham Madison, South 101 W Broadway, Monona, WI 53716 (608) 467-4791 Website

avid hotel – Madison/Monona, 900 W Broadway Monona, WI, 53716 (608) 957-7600 Website

Country Inn & Suites By Radisson - Madison, WI 400 River Pl, Monona, WI, 53716 (608) 467-0962 Website

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Short Term Rental Sites (Click logo to access website.)

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Join us for this summer's San Damiano Biergartens! Set against the stunning backdrop of Lake Monona, these popular gatherings offer breathtaking views of the Wisconsn state capitol and Madison skyline, refreshing beer, food trucks, and live music. It's the perfect setting for a fun-filled evening of community and camaraderie. Don't miss out on the festive atmosphere—come raise a glass with us!

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now for 2025!

Sponsoring the Biergartens allows businesses to connect with the community and support a cherished public space. With over 500 attendees at each event, sponsors enjoy valuable brand visibility and the opportunity to engage with a large, enthusiastic audience while contributing to the enjoyment of San Damiano.

Please partner with Friends of San Damiano.

• Make your sponsorships donation now‍
• Contact us with questions: friendsofsandamiano@gmail.com

We will be celebrating Earth Day a little early this year. Help us care for the treasured, San Damiano property while enjoying its natural beauty. Whether you're eager to roll up your sleeves or simply want to relax and soak in the outdoors, this event is open to everyone! Please join us.  

Volunteer Opportunities:

‍Get involved by assisting with light clean-up tasks such as raking, gathering sticks, picking up trash, and clearing debris.

Bring your own supplies if possible:

• Work gloves
• Yard/garden tools (rakes, pruning shears, etc.)
• Wheelbarrows or yard carts
• Sturdy shoes/boots for wet conditions and outdoor work

Questions? Please email us.

World Migratory Bird Day 2025

Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities‍

The Friends of San Damiano hope you will join us on Saturday, May 10, 2025 for a World Migratory Bird Day Celebration. It will be a vibrant and educational event focused on celebrating migratory birds and fostering awareness of the challenges they face. Set against the stunning backdrop of San Damiano, with its lakeside location and small arboretum, the property is an ideal setting to explore the beauty and importance of these incredible travelers.

See below for 9 ways you can help build bird-friendly cities and communities.

9 Ways to Build Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities

Birds play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems by pollinating plants, controlling pests, dispersing seeds, and recycling nutrients. As natural scavengers and ecosystem monitors, they help maintain biodiversity and signal environmental health. Protecting bird populations ensures the balance, biodiversity, and sustainability of ecosystems that all life depends on.

Here are nine impactful ways to create safer, bird-friendly cities and communities:

1. Plant Native Plants

• Provide food and shelter for birds while supporting pollinators like bees and butterflies.
• Native plants are adapted to your local ecosystem, making them sustainable and beneficial for wildlife.
• Attract native bird species and create a healthier environment for all.

2. Combat Collisions

• Millions of birds die from window collisions each year.
• Prevent accidents by adding decals, window films, or curtains to your windows.
• Update existing buildings with bird-friendly materials, and encourage new construction to use bird-safe glass and designs.

3. Turn Off Lights

• Artificial light disrupts bird migration and can be deadly.
• Use shielded, downward-facing lights, and turn off unnecessary lights at night.
• Install timers or motion sensors to reduce light pollution while saving energy.

4. Avoid Pesticides

• Pesticides harm insects, contaminate water, and disrupt ecosystems that birds depend on.
• Choose organic or natural alternatives for your lawn and garden.
• Provide fresh, clean water for birds to drink, bathe, and forage safely.

5. Prevent Plastic Pollution

• Birds often ingest or get tangled in plastic, causing injury or death.
• Avoid single-use plastics, and properly dispose of items like six-pack rings and fishing lines.
• Organize or participate in local clean-up efforts to reduce plastic waste in bird habitats.

6. Keep Cats Indoors

• Domestic cats are a leading threat to bird populations.
• Protect birds by keeping your cats indoors or building safe outdoor spaces like screened porches or "catios".
• These measures also keep your cats healthier and safer.

7. Support Bird-Friendly Coffee

• Choose coffee, grown under native trees using organic, deforestation-free methods.
• Look for the Bird Friendly seal when purchasing coffee to support sustainable farming and preserve bird habitats.
• By drinking bird-friendly coffee, you also fight climate change and help biodiversity thrive.

8. Advocate for Sustainable Urban Planning

• Support policies that create green spaces, wildlife corridors, and "wild" areas within city limits.
• Encourage urban planners to prioritize biodiversity and bird habitats.
• Promote sustainable practices that benefit both wildlife and people.

9. Connect, Educate, & Inspire

• Collaborate with neighbors, schools, businesses, and local governments to create bird-friendly spaces.
• Host events like World Migratory Bird Day to raise awareness and inspire conservation efforts.
• Share knowledge to help build a stronger connection to nature and foster long-term support for birds.

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Friends of San Damiano is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Celebration on the Shore will take place on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Mark your calendar to join us for an unforgettable evening on the beautiful shore of Lake Monona, featuring dinner, silent auction, live music, and a special program under a big top tent.

This semi-formal event celebrates the future of San Damiano Monona and supports the transformative vision of the San Damiano Master Plan. Your participation and sponsorship will help care for this unique 10-acre site, fund community programs, and lay the groundwork for an upcoming capital campaign.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available Now for 2025!

Sponsoring the Celebration on the Shore allows businesses to connect with the community and support a cherished public space. With over 200 attendees, sponsors enjoy valuable brand visibility and the opportunity to engage with a philanthropic minded audience while contributing to the future of San Damiano.

Please partner with Friends of San Damiano:

• Make your sponsorship donation today
• Contact us with questions or for more information at friendsofsandamiano@gmail.com