Nature's Nurturers: A Celebration of Mothers

There is nothing like a mother’s love and wild animal mothers are no exception. From the deepest oceans to the leafy treetops – mothers of all species are caring for their babies with dedication and courage. Join us at IslandWood on Mother’s Day for a celebratory look at the lives of wild animal mothers and the work they do to nourish, teach and protect their young.

At this special event, we are creating a nourishing space for you to relax in a beautiful setting, and honor and nurture a mom or mother-figure in your life. We'll have trail-side 'drop-in' activities for your crew that you can visit between 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM, or feel free to just enjoy our six-miles of trails as they pass by natural landscapes that soothe, captivate and inspire.

*JUST LIKE LAST YEAR*

We have a brunch window from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. You may arrive at the start at 10:00 AM, or anytime within that window to enjoy a mother's day smorgasbord.

You can also arrive at 9:30 AM, pick up a frisbee, or kick a ball in our large meadows, and run off some energy with the littles ones, and then just come in when you're hungry. Just remember - brunch will close down at 12:00 PM, so give yourself & your ducklings enough time to enjoy a leisurely meal.

Our menu includes a selection of fresh and seasonal bites along with tea, coffee, fresh fruit juices and Mama's Mimosas. Cheers to you!

Presenting our 2026 Sample Menu...

Spinach, ham & gruyere quiche

Roasted vegetable & goat cheese strata

NY-style bagels with assorted cream cheeses & spreads

Quinoa & kale salad

Emmer & fire blistered green bean salad

Salad of baby spinach & arugula dressed in cider vinaigrette

Assorted Danish

Assorted scones

Chocolate torte

Lemon pound cake

Fresh seasonal fruit

Coffee, tea, fruit juice & Mama's Mimosas!

*Vegan & Gluten-free options will be available

This event is family-friendly, so please bring your little ones, tweens, teens and adult kiddos too! There is something for everyone, even if it's just a delicious and healthy meal and a refreshing day outside. Dress comfortably and casually for a day outdoors.

Please note that our campus policy is 'no dogs unless they are a service animal.' Thank you for your understanding.

We want to celebrate all nurturers! 💖

Please reach out to [email protected] if you need financial assistance to attend.

Info: Our doors open for check-in at 9:30 AM. Please note that the brunch will not be set until 10:00 AM, but you can grab some outdoor toys and play badminton, kick a ball, or just enjoy the upper campus together! The event check-in is rolling, so we'll be open until 2:00 PM. If you want to eat though - definitely arrive before 11:30 AM - we'll be closing brunch at noon.

Info: Brunch is served! You will find the brunch in our beautiful Dining Hall. Please feel free to take a seat inside, or if it's warm enough for you - take your plate outside to the picnic tables, spread a blanket in the meadow, and enjoy!

Info: How do wild animals mothers nurture and sustain their young? It's a lot like you, mama! Join our friendly environmental educators (many of them graduate students in education!) for trail-side, drop-in style activities. You can stay a few minutes, or a half hour at any station. It's up to you!

Info: Enjoy a refreshing stroll or roll on our 250-acre campus. You may pass by some of our education stations, but if you're not interested, feel free to just enjoy these field structures and beautiful ecosystems on your own time. The day is yours!

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Host or Publisher IslandWood Community Programs & Events