Rebecca Schwarz | Director of The Nature Place I never wanted to be a scientist. I like people and the outdoors, not math and tests. But it’s funny how life teaches us to look at things differently. When I came aboard as director of The Nature Place, I had the opportunity to learn lots of…
Read More about Beautiful Birds of the Marsh: Learning Through Community Science
Cara Senn | Gardens & Grounds Assistant If you spend enough time in Myrick Park and the La Crosse River Marsh- hiking, biking, running, playing, or simply observing- you begin to notice patterns. There’s the seasonal movement of migratory birds and the steady presence of the trees through a harsh winter. Here at The Nature…
Read More about The Bottom Line: Why Butts Matter at The Nature Place.
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.
Read More about Skullduggery
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.
Read More about Immerse Yourself in Art: The Gallery at The Nature Place