TIES is working with local partners to offer several exciting ways to experience green initiatives in and around Madison. After three long days, come out and enjoy the beauty of Dane County.
Spring Green Train Tour
Date: Saturday, September 29 2007
Time: 8:00am.-6:30 p.m. (Boarding starts at 7:30 a.m.)
Cost: $30
Watch the beautiful river valley of the Wisconsin River pass by as you experience the geological treasures of Wisconsin’s driftless region in the distance. A special opportunity made possible for this Conference only, passengers will spend a day in Spring Green Wisconsin, home of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin. Take part in several local tours available or spend the day exploring downtown Spring Green. Lunches and participation in various tours will be available on the day of the event.
For more information on this special tour click here
Bike Tour 
Date: Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Cost: $35
This bicycle tour of Madison and nearby rural areas will expose participants to the tourism potential of bicycle-friendly facilities. We will discuss facilities and infrastructure that appeals to bicyclists and what you can do to attract them.
The tour will begin at Monona Terrace and travel by paved trail to the community of Verona, where we will enjoy lunch. Verona is the start of the Military Ridge Trail, a 40-mile established rail-trail conversion. The towns along the trail have benefited greatly from the thousands of bicyclists that ride the trail every year. Commuters also use the paved trail into Madison on a regular basis.
After lunch, there will be the option of continuing to the small rural village of Paoli, a popular destination for bicyclists and day-trippers. Paoli features the re-use of an old mill and other abandoned buildings for stores, galleries, and restaurants. This portion of the tour will be on lightly traveled country roads, one of the great attractions of south-central Wisconsin.
The tour to Verona is a 20-mile round-trip trail that is mostly flat. The optional loop to Paoli features spectacular rural scenery and some rolling to hilly terrain. Those continuing to Paoli will travel a total of just over 35 miles. Please wear appropriate clothes and footwear. Participants riding the Paoli option should be comfortable with rolling hills and riding on lightly traveled roads.
Bicycle rentals are available at Machinery Row bike shop, a five-minute walk from Monona Terrace. They will have sufficient bikes reserved, but participants are responsible for renting a bike prior to the start of the tour. Please bring water for your own use.
Birding Tour 
Date: Tuesday, September 25,2007
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
Goose Pond Sanctuary is on of the best places to bird watch in the Midwest. With more than 260 species of birds on the property life list, it is sure to be a hit with the ecotourist. The property is nearly 700 acres in size and is a true prairie pot hole community that draws early fall migrants to the restored prairies and Goose Pond. From there, travel north and hike the very land that shaped John Muir, who went on to form the Sierra Club, and convinced Teddy Roosevelt to develop the National Park System. Hike the Muir segment of the Ice Age Trail, and enjoy the pristine waters of Ennis Lake.
Dress for hikes and insects. Be prepared with water and granola bars. This hike and tour is easy going and casual. Field glasses optional as well as field guides.
Green Operators Tour 
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $55
Tour some of the greenest operations in Dane County. Participants will visit a variety of tourism-related organizations and businesses that have embraced a green ethic while increasing their market distinction. Tour stops include the International Crane Foundation and Cave of the Mounds. Lunch will be provided at Devils Lake State Park.
Canoe Trip 
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $40
Experience the joys of paddling urban waterways in the fall as the leaves begin to turn color and the apples are ripe for picking. This tour will feature the colorful new 44-page Yahara Waterways Water Trail Guide, and visit eight of the guide’s environmental, cultural and historical sites. The trip will begin and end at Law Park on Lake Monona, just west of the conference location at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. The route will include views of the Wisconsin capitol building, downtown Madison and the Isthmus between lakes Monona and Mendota. Your flotilla of canoes will pass through the Tenney Park locks right before lunch on the Lake Mendota shore. During lunch you’ll hear from several local experts about the importance of water trail guides, park planning and design, water quality, fisheries, and infrastructure in ecotourism. Your tour leaders will be from the Yahara Waterways Water Trail Project Team, a diverse group of people from government, non-profits, and related area businesses who care deeply about these local waters. The team developed a guide to inspire people to get out on the water and form direct connections with these Yahara Waterways, and ultimately become directly involved in their protection and improvement.
The trip includes canoe rental, a copy of the water trail guide, and lunch featuring locally grown and produced foods and beverages. Participants are responsible for walking to the boat landing at Law Park just east of Monona Terrace Community and Convention Centerand wearing shoes and clothing that they don’t mind getting wet (although we expect that all will stay dry.
Urban Farm & Food Sampler 
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Cost: $25
Eat your way through an urban tour exploring the connections between Madison, our rural farming neighbors and our rich food traditions. Featuring two popular cafes utilizing local food, a vibrant natural foods cooperative and the renowned Madison farmers’ market scene, attendees will learn about, see and taste how local foods complete the Madison experience.
Participants should bring a hat if it’s sunny and wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothing. Participants may also want to bring water. This tour is wheelchair accessible.
Hiking Tour 
Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $55
Experts from the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation will lead participants on a 4 mile hike along a portion of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (NST), one of only eight NST’s in the country. The Ice Age NST follows the furthest extent of the most recent glaciations as it interprets the glacial landscape. At Devil’s Lake State Park, participants will get a chance to see and learn about one of the nine Ice Age National Scientific Reserves Units in the state. Devil’s Lake was created as a vast glacier plugged-up a once flowing river. Hikers will encounter a variety of terrain as they make their way from open grassy prairie to dense mature forest. Along the way, they will see the glacial plug, hanging wetlands, and of course, great views overlooking the lake and boulder fields. A state naturalist will be along to help interpret the many natural wonders.
