Amber Mande | Visitor Services Manager When spring hits at The Nature Place, we are always itching to start prepping our seeds and garden beds. This year, we have the added advantage of our new greenhouse! This new addition allows us the opportunity to extend our growing season from March to November for both our…
Read More about New Opportunities for “Growth” at The Nature Place
Stephanie Hanna | Community Programs Manager So what did Punxsutawney Phil predict on February 2? More winter or early spring? Either way, this rascally rodent only has a 35–39% accuracy. And why February 2? That’s the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. And why have a groundhog, also called a woodchuck, predicting the…
Read More about Groundhog Gossip or Woodchuck Wonders
Cindy Blobaum | Environmental Education Program Manager As I am immersed in planning our 2026 summer day camps, I’m taking this opportunity to give you a glimpse into my background. My involvement in summer day camps is long and deep, although I don’t remember attending many if any registration-based day camps. There were free programs…
Read More about Experience is the Best Teacher
Jesie Johnston | AmeriCorps Member While existing in a world which is subject to rapid technological advancement, the psychological benefit of being present in nature can become lost. So quickly it has become easy to strain the mind and eyes with media and screens, and so quickly many of us have lost our special connections…
Read More about How Nature Nurtures Growing Minds
Sophia Sperduto | AmeriCorps Member Birdwatching, or birding, as a hobby, has been dramatically increasing in popularity. Websites like eBird and iNaturalist make it easier than ever to share sightings and photos of the plants and animals all around us. And I love it! Birds are everywhere. They vary in shape, color, and behavior, and…
Read More about Six Years of Bird Photography: What It’s Taught Me
Paige Manges | Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Central Conservation Before my time at The Nature Place, AmeriCorps was just another word to me. I knew it was an “opportunity” that existed, but I didn’t fully understand the benefits, the impact, or even how it was funded. I know many people feel the same—it’s important, but…
Read More about AmeriCorps: More Than Just a Name
Cindy Blobam, our Environmental Education Program Manager keeps a collection of lifelike skulls at The Nature Place for hands-on learning opportunities for anyone, at any age.
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Erica Black, our Facility Rental Coordinator explains the purpose and passion behind The Gallery at The Nature Place. Our hope is that by showcasing local art, we can offer visitors access to local artists they may not otherwise know about. We also know an that providing an opportunity for a new artist to display their art allows them to reach a broader audience. Come visit The Gallery during our public open hours and feel the connection between the art an our natural world.
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Gabby Arnold | Community Programs Educator The Nature Place is beautifully nestled between bluffs, marshland, forests, and prairie. The biodiversity surrounding our center makes exploration a simple task, and our Explorer Backpacks provide tools that will amplify the outdoor experience. Each backpack serves a different purpose and provides a different experience. Try out our free…
Read More about Explorer Backpacks: A Tool for Discovering the Many Habitats of The Nature Place
Amber Bydynkowski | Visitor Services Manager There is something to be said about stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new. That nervous excitement builds up, almost like a euphoric vibration that sends you through a whirlwind of emotions. Not only is experiencing something new a big step into becoming a well-rounded individual,…
Read More about Finding My Way: Outside of My Comfort Zone