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…
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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…
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Erica Black | Facility Rental Coordinator
Every event hosted in our space helps support environmental education, free community programs, and land stewardship efforts. Whether planning a wedding, birthday party, shower, or corporate retreat, your rental directly contributes to nature-based learning and accessible outdoor experiences for our entire community.
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Emma Ehlers | Community Program Educator, AmeriCorps Member Why I love the outdoors – My inspiration to serve our environment started at a young age. As a student of an art-focused charter elementary school, my love and dedication for nature evolved throughout years of hands-on, nature based exploration. From handling creatures to standing amongst trees…
Read More about A Full Circle Mission
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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Cindy Blobaum, our Environmental Education Program Manager introduces and inspires our community to experience the beauty of tagging migrating monarch butterflies in her approach to connect people to nature for the benefit of both.
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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,…
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Ashlyn Luckey | Visitor Services Assistant AmeriCorps Member, September 2023 – August 2024 Sustainability has become quite the buzzword over the past few years. From news headlines to the grocery store, it seems to be plastered on everything, and it can get overwhelming! Though it may seem like a daunting journey, it’s actually easier than…
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By Stephanie Hanna | Community Program Manager After working as an environmental educator for a while, it turns out that I find reptiles to be absolutely amazing creatures. When I was being interviewed for this job 25 years ago, I told the person doing the interview, who would become my boss, that I was not…
Read More about Behind the Dragon’s Beard