Courtesy Clintonville Chamber.
The Navarino Nature Center Board of Directors has accepted a bid from Badgerland Buildings of Black Creek to construct an “Outdoor Education Resource Facility”. This new 8,040 square foot building will become the base of operations for large equipment and crafting programs offered at Navarino Nature Center (NNC).
The facility will have two main components. A 40 ft by 48 ft classroom for creative hands-on assembly classes which includes bird feeders, rain barrels, raised garden beds, willow crafts, walking stick carving, evergreen wreaths. This room will also become a meeting space before tours embarking for wagon / trolley rides or canoe trips on the Wolf River or as well as other public programs.
The other component will be a 102 ft by 60 ft storage area to house the equipment that NNC needs to offer their educational (and fun) activities throughout the year. Equipment includes trolleys, touring wagons, canoes, trailers, cross-country ski grooming and trail maintenance equipment.
The senior safari program and other public tours of the 15,000-acre Navarino Wildlife Area have been met with great enthusiasm. In 2019 NNC cooperated to offer luncheons, educational programs and tours to many groups including Shawano and Menominee County Department of Aging participants. Trolleys are handicapped accessible with a loading ramp and secure wheelchair tie downs. Other senior care facilities and providers are encouraged to contact NNC to discuss or schedule a unique program and tour dates. NNC is proud to offer outdoor education experiences to families, seniors, and people with physical challenges.
NNC’s new facility will allow program to meet, socialize, load and unload in a well lite, safe, secure and covered environment. Trolley canopies protect participants from the weather. This allows everyone to sit back, relax and enjoy the wildlife, woods, prairies, boardwalks, and waterways as they listen to a narrated history and ongoing presentation about this beautiful wildlife area.
Construction is slated to start this fall! Fundraising for the project has been ongoing for the last several years. NNC needs additional funds to complete the project. A generous donor has offered to match donations dollar for dollar up to $20,000 for any building donations contributed in the 2019 calendar year. Please consider making your donation today. All donors will be recognized on a plaque proudly displayed in the new classroom.
Navarino Nature Center works in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on the Navarino Wildlife Area. Nature center staff and volunteers provide environmental education opportunities to nearly 4,000 school students annually, plus numerous programs to residents in the surrounding communities. Navarino Nature Center a member supported 501c3 non-profit. All donations are tax deductible. Contact 715-758-6999 for more information; ask for Tim Ewing.
