Read the clock.
Ten seasons. One island that takes its time.
Move through Samantha’s notes and see what the weather makes possible.
Drag the marker, tap a season, or use the arrow keys.
“Our Falls last longer as it takes longer to cool around us.”Samantha Dobson / from the September field notes
Forest edge
“on the edge of the forest”
Oak
“alive and dead, after a warm and humid rain”
Low hollow
“sometimes underwater but dries towards the end of the season”
Sunlit opening
“near open grassy areas that get a lot of sunshine”
Pattern, not pins. Samantha keeps the real map private, and it stays that way.
Local observations. Conditions decide.What a hike
actually is.
Learn how to ethically and sustainably harvest mushrooms on Madeline Island. Build awareness about upper midwest weather patterns, phenology, habitat and safe harvesting techniques, then learn how to store, preserve and prepare your harvest.
Average hike: 1.5 to 2 hours.
Finding mushrooms is not guaranteed.
Where we can look
Her own patch of forest
5 acres of mixed forest on Samantha’s private property, 3 miles from the ferry landing.
Capser Trail
A gentle, accessible Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve trail that welcomes all abilities. Especially good for oysters in early June and lobsters in late summer.
North End Trails
Less traveled trails in the Wilderness Preserve. Her list here includes oyster, chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, chanterelles, black trumpets, chaga, lions mane and reishi.
Your backyard
June through early October, on Madeline Island only. Learn your property’s habitat, when to look and what to do when you find something. Mushrooms don’t need to be present for the walk.
Bring this.
High oysters? Samantha’s tip is to attach the knife to a stick with duct tape. For leeks on her family’s Brule property, she names a pointed shovel and a hand weeding tool.
The 2026 dates.
Two free public hikes, as published by Samantha.
For a private hike, email her directly.
Early Season Foraging
Capser TrailFREEEarly Fall Foraging
School House TrailheadFREESponsored by Madeline Island Wilderness Preserve ↗
2026 field record / confirm future dates by email
Small boots.
A whole forest.
“2026 UPDATE: programming will resume in 2028! We welcomed 2 baby boys in January 2025 and will be taking some time off. We look forward to resuming programming when they reach three! Why three? Little Foragers focuses on ages 3-5! Stay tuned for special programming days!”
Little Foragers Forest School
For ages 3 to 5 on Madeline Island. The Forest School model gives children room for unstructured play, with a weekly theme to guide exploration, cooperation and problem solving.
The Madeline Island Library partnership provides scholarship funding for island families.
Ask about future programmingLearning on Lake Superior
With the Madeline Island Library Summer Recreation Program at Big Bay Town Park, young paddlers learn paddle and stroke methods, water safety, weather and navigation.
Students ages 4 to 10 paddleboard. Students ages 10 and up kayak in solo or tandem sea kayaks, based on their experience and skill level.
The library’s programs- Youth programmingEmphasis on ages 4 to 10
- Service learningCommunity projects that make an impact
- Environmental educationOutdoor skills, geography and ecology
- Family programmingFamily fun and lifelong learning
- Guided hikesForaging, local flora, fauna, weather and phenology
- Guided kayak toursCertified kayak guide; Big Bay Town Park & State Park
Past programming / Samantha’s community work
- La Pointe Physical Education Teacher, K-5
- La Pointe After School Program, grades K-5
- La Pointe Summer Recreation Program, ages 4-10
- Madeline Island Youth Paddling Program, ages 4-18
- Community Open Gym, all ages
- La Pointe Stencil Project, 2018 and 2026
- La Pointe School Garden Project, 2020
- La Pointe Habitat for Butterfly Project, 2020
A place in the woods
for island families.
Little Foragers and The Madeline Island Library provide scholarship funding to help lower tuition and provide outdoor gear.
The published program cost is $100 per day, 9 to 3, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A sliding scale keeps the program affordable to families.
Programming is on hold until 2028. Ask Samantha about the scholarship.| A block of programming | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1 day | $100 |
| 1 week | $200 |
| 1 month | $800 |
| June through August | $2,400 |
Library donations go to the designated Little Foragers fund. Email director@madislandlibrary.org, or reach Samantha directly at sfollis87@gmail.com.
Who is
leading this.
“Northwoods raised.
Locavore.
Eldest of 4 daughters, friend of two canines,
lover of a curly haired carpenter.
Island dweller, educator, community activist, naturalist.
Settled in my 30’s.
Mom to Lucy (5), Sebastian (1), Ezra (1).
Idealist.
INFP.”
Samantha Dobson
Madeline Island - Lake Superior - Wisconsin
- Emergency Medical Responder - Madeline Island, WI
- USCG OUVP, Towing, and Near Coastal Captains License
- Level II Kayak & Water Rescue
- Certified Interpretive Guide
- Master Naturalist, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Florida
- Mushroom Identification Certification
- Ordained in Wisconsin
“Experience
is everything.”
“If there is one thing that I will contribute to this world it is the shared experience of others in spectacular and grand places. I want children and adults to see the world differently. I want to see them connect with it, feel empowered by it, and in the process become empowered by the opportunity to do something together, to better themselves and their community. Education and experience can do this, but it takes patience and understanding.”Samantha Dobson / Education Philosophy
From the notebook.
Read all of Samantha’s postsWhat’s in season now? SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Dead popple / warm rainLet’s talk: Oyster Mushrooms
From forest to dehydratorThe Wonders of Mushroom Jerky
“This is THE recipe I get asked about the most.”
Samantha Dobson
On her mushroom jerky recipe
“Lastly, as you forage please always remember to tread lightly, your feet do more damage than the picking and save some for nature. The urge may be strong but the longevity of the forest depends on it.”Samantha Dobson / from the September field notes