It is hard to believe that it has already been a year since I came to Rockford and started at Wild Roots Nature Center. It’s even harder to believe that my time as an AmeriCorps member here is ending.

As the goldenrod has begun to bloom over the past week, the prairie has started to look closer to how it did when I first started my AmeriCorps term here last fall. I have loved spending so much time on this land for the past year, a year which has been hallmarked by the breathtaking colors, sounds, and smells that the forest and prairie have taken on as the seasons turned. Being a witness to this nearly everyday has changed me for the better, and I will forever be grateful to have gotten to know this place and its people.

Remember how excited you were when you got to go on a school field trip? Whether it was to a zoo, a play, or a forest preserve, you were excited! A day out of school; something new to look at; and the chance to sit by your best friend on the bus.

The Peseids, Light Pollution, and How Viewing May be Affected.

Over the last week, much of the Midwest experienced the worst air quality it has seen all year, and in some states, in recorded history. Smoke from wildfires far north in Canada and Northern Minnesota blanketed the great lake states, leaving the air thick, dangerous, and smelling like a campfire. Air Quality Index’s (AQI’s) soared over 900 in parts of Minnesota . At times, health experts estimated that breathing the smoky air was comparable to smoking half a pack of cigarettes over the course of a day. How can a fire so far away affect the air we breathe here in Rockford?

Corn does what?

While many of you may already know me, allow me to introduce myself! I’m Holly and I’m the new community engagement manager here at Wild Roots Nature Center . While I am new to this role, I am not new to Wild Roots. I got my start at Wild Roots way back in 2019 as an environmental education AmeriCorps Volunteer. During my time, I was able to help connect people to nature and foster stewardship of our lands at all age levels. Even when COVID-19 hit, that didn’t stop us from planning for the future and coming up with ideas for how to engage people in our natural world. From there, I completed two more terms of service with AmeriCorps, one in Florida and one back here at Wild Roots with 815 Outside. (You’ll start to notice a pattern here.) As I finished my undergraduate degree in environmental studies and my master’s degree in higher education and student affairs, I remained a volunteer with Wild Roots, joining in on the fun of Science Saturdays, signature events like Luminaria, and canoe convoys. I simply never left this community. My most recent role as assistant director of campus sustainability at Northern Illinois University has prepared me for my return to Wild Roots. I’ve learned so much over the years about connecting with people of all different backgrounds, bridging the gap between nature and community. I look forward to continuing these conversations as the community engagement manager at Wild Roots Nature Center! Other fun facts: When I’m not in nature, you can find me among a circle of friends, crafting and laughing, making stained glass art, and immersing myself in a good book or tv show. I’m always happy to be a listening ear and I am fiercely loyal. Plus, I’ll never say no to a new adventure!

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I genuinely love people, organized chaos and finding joy in the little things. So, when the opportunity came to join the team at Wild Roots, it felt like everything came together in the best way. Professionally, I’ve spent more years than I’d like to admit in finance, bookkeeping and office management. I actually enjoy spreadsheets, balancing budgets, and making sure all of the behind-the-scenes pieces fit together (yes…I’m one of those people!). But my energetic and bubbly personality doesn’t always fit the type for an accounting aficionado. Before building my career in finance, I earned a degree in Elementary Education. Looking back, it makes perfect sense because teaching and finance have one thing in common – you need patience, flexibility, quick on your feet, and a good sense of humor! I absolutely love the fact that Wild Roots is so committed to outdoor education, and it is one of the biggest reasons I wanted to root myself here as well. Perfect blend of both of my worlds. Outside of work, I’m a proud mom to three wonderful (and very energetic!) boys. They keep me on my toes, whether we’re at a ball field, exploring a new park, or simply enjoying time together. Being their mom has taught me that the best adventures don’t have to be big – they’re usually found in the simple moments, especially when you’re outside exploring together! That’s one of the reasons Wild Roots already feels like the perfect place. I believe nature has an incredible way of bringing people together, slowing us down, and reminding us to appreciate the world around us. Knowing that I get to support an organization that helps families, students and our community experience that every day is something I am truly excited about.  I’m incredibly grateful to be here and can’t wait to be part of everything that makes this place so special. Here’s to new beginnings, new connections, and plenty of time spent enjoying the beauty of nature together!

This article has been adapted from it's original publication in "Notes From the Dells" Vol 47 No. 1

There is no better way to spend your summer than outside! Whether you're hiking through the woods or simply enjoying a walk with friends, spending time outdoors has countless benefits. At Severson Dells, our hiking trails and Nature Playscape are always free and open to the public. But if you're looking for a new way to experience nature, why not turn your next outdoor adventure into a game? Gamification is the process of adding elements of games, such as challenges, competition, and rewards, to everyday activities. Gamifying the outdoors can make spending time outside more engaging, especially for families, kids, and between friends. Here are a few ways to gamify your next outdoor adventure.

The ocean, and all of the water in it, is constantly in motion. Though it may sometimes appear calm on the surface, enormous currents continuously move ocean water around the globe like a giant conveyor belt. These currents regulate weather, move nutrients across ecosystems, and shape the climates of entire continents. Currents on the surface of the ocean are controlled by the wind, but deeper in the ocean currents are controlled by water density in a process known as thermohaline circulation . Thermohaline refers to the temperature (thermo) and salinity, or saltiness, (haline) of the water. Circulation refers to how the water moves throughout the ocean from pole to pole. Though this is a complicated sounding word, the process is actually pretty simple. Here’s how it works: As ocean water travels toward the poles it becomes colder, and when it gets cold enough, it eventually begins to freeze and forms into sea ice. What is important about this process is that when seawater freezes, the salt is left behind in the surrounding water. As a result, the surrounding water becomes saltier, colder, and in turn becomes more dense than the water around it. Eventually, this water becomes dense enough to sink deep into the ocean, and warmer surface water moves in to replace it. This process of freezing, melting, and replacement continues on and on, resulting in a continuous cycle of moving water that forms deep ocean currents, often referred to as the “global ocean conveyor belt.”