Do you find that you need nature more than ever before? If so, you’re not alone.
Do you find that you need nature more than ever before? If so, you’re not alone.Research shows that time spent in nature reduces stress hormones and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, enhances immune function, increases self-esteem, and improves overall mood. For children, spending time in nature increases creativity, improves focus and attention, increases critical thinking performance, and nurtures social and emotional development, among other benefits for their mind, body, and spirit.
Just like you need nature, nature needs you, too. We need more leaders who care for our environment. We need more Champions of Nature. That’s why Indian Creek Nature Center needs your support — not just today, but tomorrow, too.
Thank you for your continued support, which reinforces the Nature Center’s mission of providing inspirational experiences in nature for all ages, abilities and backgrounds, and contributes to these accomplishments.
Together with you, we:
- Educate: Established The Fresh Air Academy, a new immersive experience for K-3rd grade; launched the Creekside Forest School, a new nature-based preschool that filled to capacity in its first (2021-2022) year; continued school field trips, summer camps, Trail Trekkers, beekeeping, and backyard chickens; and partnered with the Master Gardeners on new online classes for adults.
- Inspire: Held full moon night hikes and engaged the community with special events such as Monarch Fest, Women in Nature and Nature’s Noel; continued to inspire visitors with our Living Building Petal Certified Amazing Space’s impressive sustainability standards that people can implement in their own lives.
- Steward the Environment: Brought native plants and trees back to our community with the Spring Plant & Art Sale; worked to restore — and improve — trails damaged by the derecho; conducted prescribed burns to continue to improve the health of the prairie; continued restoration work on the Lynch Wetland and Věčný Woods; and maintained restorative agricultural practices at Etzel Sugar Grove Farm, which was certified organic in Spring 2021.
This is just a sampling of the work we do daily together to breed understanding and passion for the natural world, which is critical to the future of our environment. People who are passionate about nature will work to protect it. That’s where Champions of Nature come in. Thank you for your unwavering support in fostering an environment where everyone can learn and be inspired.
We simply can’t do it without you. Please consider a donation to the Nature Center today. Your generosity impacts every part of the Indian Creek Nature Center’s experience for our community. Thank you.
