The Joys of Springtime

Spring is finally here! There are special memories about springtime from when I was little that cemented it as my favorite season. I remember putting on my jacket and waterproof shoes to look for signs of spring to emerge.

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Community members sit in a large circle of chairs placed outside The Nature Place and play drums with Drums For Peace at the 2016 Earth Fair.

Earth Fair: 16 Years of Environmental Awareness in the Coulee Region

Have you been to the annual Earth Fair here in La Crosse? Since 2009, it has helped foster an appreciation for and understanding of the natural world in our small community.

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Cindy and summer camp kids walking through a prairie

Nature’s Recommended Readings

Cindy Blobaum | Environmental Education Program Manager I have Thursday, March 21 circled on my calendar. That evening, I have a ticket to attend Robin Wall Kimmerer’s talk at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse’s Prairie Springs program. Kimmerer is perhaps best known for one of her books, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and…

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Chelsea Bruemmer, Environmental Educator, playing in the snow with a child.

Savor the Natural World

When I was a small child, I considered the earth to be my friend. I grew up in a valley between West Salem and Mindoro where native Wisconsin wildlife was and still is abundant. I remember looking for amphibians late at night all summer long. A whole row of frogs would line up on my parent’s gravel driveway waiting for the bugs that would fly under the outdoor light.

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A group of homeschool science students wearing plastic gloves and face masks are kneeling around an open plastic tote box containing a rotten pumpkin. An Environmental Educator is holding up a pumpkin sprout for the group to see.

Lewis Jr: A Homeschool Science Origin Story

My interest in an environmental career started with a live sand dollar prickling my hand during a homeschool field trip when I was 8 years old. As a former homeschool kid turned Environmental Educator, I treasure the opportunity to work with local homeschoolers through our very own Homeschool Science Series here at The Nature Place.

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AmeriCorps: What is it and what does it have to do with The Nature Place?

AmeriCorps is a federal agency that funds organizations to make positive impact in communities by enrolling more than 200,000 individuals every year. AmeriCorps members serve directly with nonprofit organizations to tackle our nation’s most pressing challenges. AmeriCorps focuses on six key areas to make an impact: Education, Economic Opportunity, Disaster Services, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures,…

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The Demonstration Produce Garden: What’s in Season and How it Works

If you have ever wanted to cook with fresh produce that is free, in season, and grown locally, stop by the demonstration garden at The Nature Place! The demonstration produce garden at The Nature Place provides food for staff, volunteers, and community members. The garden is used in programming to teach people about the importance…

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