Nurture your mind, body, and spirit at one of the Nature Center’s longest running events —Women in Nature. This day-long gathering invites participants to slow down, connect, and be inspired by the natural world and one another.
Enjoy talks from women sharing nature-rooted stories and insights. Wander the trails on guided hikes, engage in hands-on creative sessions, and explore wellness practices like yoga and meditation led by local guides.
Your experience includes a complimentary light breakfast, boxed lunch, and delightful extras like door prizes, women-owned business vendors, and space for meaningful connection.
Whether you come for growth, grounding, or good company, you’ll leave refreshed, inspired, and reconnected –with nature and yourself.
Women in Nature is a gender inclusive and gender affirming event open to all people who self-identify as women and those who identify as non-men. This includes cisgender women, trans women, gender nonconforming people, and nonbinary people.
2025 Guest Speakers
Jenn Riggs
Jenn is the founder of Wander Women. She started Wander Women because she appreciates how important it is for us to connect to nature. Nature has been such a healing force in her life, and she wants to share that with you! She is also very proud of the team of Wander Women guides who share this sentiment.
She believes in the healing powers of nature and a circle of women. She loves the forest floor and the smell of earth worms. She cares deeply about protecting and conserving our lands and waters. And, she absolutely geeks out over trip planning.
Michelle Basler
A three-decade career as a beloved radio DJ made Michelle Basler a familiar voice in the community. Off the air, Michelle was known for conquering challenging ultramarathons, raising six incredible children and her love of all things nature. She became a voice of resilience and perseverance after her husband was in a life-altering car accident.
And now, her greatest test of endurance comes from within, as she navigates the complexities of a difficult-to-diagnose chronic illness. Her story is a powerful testament to the fact that strength is not only measured in miles or a powerful voice, but in a hopeful spirit and a willingness to adapt to adversity and find strength through change.
2025 Schedule
8:00 – 8:30 AM: Check in/registration, social time + breakfast from White Tree Bakery
8:30 – 8:40 AM: Welcome and Intention Setting
8:40 – 9:25 AM: Guest Speaker: Michelle Basler
9:45 – 11:30 AM: Breakout Sessions: Choose Your Own Adventure!
During this time, we are offering you the opportunity to choose what interests you. Breakout sessions will include hikes, an art session with Tanager Expressive Arts, a talk on trauma recovery with cues from nature, and training your dog for the outdoors (and in)!
- Breakout Session 1 9:45-10:30
- Breakout Session 2 10:45-11:30
11:30 AM – 12 PM: Catered lunch from Zest Catering; visit vendors
12:05 – 12:50 PM: Guest Speaker: Jenn Riggs, Wander Women Midwest
12:55 – 1:50 PM: Breakout (45 minutes)
- Wander Women Midwest Led Hike & Craft (fall tree hike and craft)
- Prairie Seed Scavenger Hunt
2:00- 2:50 PM: Outdoor Yoga / Guided Meditation (bring a yoga mat if you have one)
Yoga – Patio
Meditation – Amphitheater
3:00 PM: Door Prizes and Closing Comments
Cost: $75
What to Bring
Dress for both indoor and outdoor experiences, including comfortable layered clothing, sturdy shoes, yoga mat, refillable water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. We think the best part about Women in Nature is being outdoors in all weather! Feedback from previous participants has been outstanding regarding the experience of hiking in the rain. Please bring a rain jacket and rain boots if appropriate. We will have a limited number of ponchos to borrow. Some participants bring extra clothing if wet weather is anticipated so they can change into dry clothing after a hike.