Steph Hanna | Community Program Manager
At this time of year, our September mornings, afternoons, and evenings sometimes aren’t as lovely as Neil Diamond, one of my favorite singers, describes them in his song, September Morn. Sometimes, we can be plagued by September swarms of very persistent critters, known as wasps. The most common kinds of wasps in Wisconsin are yellowjackets, paper wasps, and bald-faced hornets.
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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 things, including how math, tests, people, and the outdoors are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are necessary parts of any effort to care for the world we live in. I’ve also learned that there’s no better way to experience this than participating in a community science program!
Read More about Beautiful Birds of the Marsh: Learning Through Community Science
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.
Read More about Groundhog Gossip or Woodchuck Wonders
Steph Hanna, our Community Programs Manger writes about the superpowers of one of her favorite marsupials, the Virginia Opossum.
Read More about Overly Overlooked Opossums
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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Mace Tompson | Visitor Services – Gardens and Grounds AmeriCorps Member, September 2023 – August 2024 Growing native plants in your garden can be as simple as sprinkling seeds onto a patch of dirt in fall and seeing what pops up in spring, or it can be more involved like starting seeds indoors at the end…
Read More about Coneflower Power and Other Native Plant Perks
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
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 Gabrielle Arnold | Community Program EducatorAmeriCorps Member, September 2023 – August 2024 The concept of delving into the scientific community with no prior experience is intimidating. Without a degree and years in a lab, what makes you qualified to make scientific observations? How could you, without any credibility, possibly contribute to a field filled…
Read More about Community Science, a Catalyst to a Connected World
By Emma Lather | Environmental Educator AmeriCorps Member, September 2023 – August 2024 As an undergrad, I got hooked on Pokémon Go. In grad school, I got hooked on birding. The similarities are uncanny; I wander through the tall grass in search of new creatures to capture in my Pokéball (binoculars), record in my Pokédex…
Read More about Watching Out for Warblers…and Windows