Southern Wisconsin’s Glacial Landscapes
Presented by: Dave Mickelson, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Geoscience, UW–Madison and Badger Talks
This talk describes how Wisconsin’s landscape came to be what it is today. Southwestern Wisconsin, the Driftless Area, was never glaciated and its deep valleys and narrow ridges result from millions of years of stream erosion. Limestone and sandstone abound. At times in the past, glaciers covered more than two thirds of Wisconsin, and the area covered by the last glaciation exhibits excellent examples of glacial topography. Wisconsin was chosen as the location of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and the Ice National Age Scientific Reserve mostly for that reason. The state’s most recent glaciation was the Wisconsin glaciation, and it was responsible for many of the glacial landforms visible today. The formation of these moraines, kettles, outwash plains, lake plains, drumlins, eskers, and tunnel channels is explained using slides of modern glaciers as well as many photos and maps from Wisconsin.
Luncheon Lectures are held in the Arboretum Visitor Center Auditorium. A buffet lunch catered by Blue Plate, is followed by an educational presentation. Each event costs $50. Series for the entire season, 9 events, costs $450.
This popular series fills up quickly, so register soon. Registration closes November 8, 2026.
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If registering by mail, please be sure the registration form and payment arrive by November 8, 2026.
If you are purchasing more than one ticket, please provide the names of all attendees, if known. A registration confirmation will be sent to you by email. If a program you request is full, you will be contacted promptly. Reservations are transferable. If you transfer your reservation, please send an email to npscoordinator@foamadison.org or call us at 608-890-2555 and let us know the name of the attendee. You may cancel a reservation and request a refund at least 2 weeks ahead of the event. If you are unable to attend, please let us know, as there may be others on a waiting list.