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…
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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…
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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
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