Wisconsin ranks fourth in the nation in the production of maple syrup, primarily in woodlands with sugar maple trees in the central and northern areas of the state. But did you know that you can make maple syrup in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois using the sap from box elder trees?

Having done the process for many years, Dave Bendlin from the Rock County Conservationists will describe the steps of tapping trees, collecting sap and cooking the sap into syrup. Weather permitting, after an indoor presentation about the process, participants will have the opportunity to tap box elder trees on site and observe the process of sap collection and cooking. Samples of the finished syrup will be available for tasting and purchase.