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Ten miles east of Eau Claire there are hundreds of acres of upland woods, roadside prairies and river bottom forests. The beauty of this region is enhanced by a gently flowing river, sandy beaches, rocky falls, clear cool streams and a multitude of birds, wildlife and native flowers.
In the heart of this natural setting lies the Beaver Creek Reserve, an environmental center dedicated to maintaining this beautiful area for the enjoyment and appreciation of all who visit. The reserve encompasses 360 acres of diverse habitats and includes three facilities: The Eau Claire County Youth Camp, the Wise Nature Center and the Hobbs Observatory.
Many public environmental educational programs are held at the reserve, and the schedule varies according to the season. However, it is the regular use of all three facilities by area school groups that enriches the education of the students.
The Wise Nature Center is the newest part of the reserve. In addition to large meeting rooms, it contains a discovery room with hands-on learning stations, interpretive displays of local fauna and flora, and live animal exhibits.
"When you watch the kids working at a microscope or holding one of the many live animals that are available at Beaver Creek, you know that you have been able to make learning come alive for them," said Augusta teacher Judy Dekan, a regular user of the reserve's many programs.
The center is also a model for many renewable and alternate energy-saving applications including active and passive solar heating, a wind generator, super insulation, off-peak electrical power, thermal storage and an "energy tree."
Reserve Director Rick Koziel supervises the many programs with a surprisingly small staff. "Of course we'd like more money and a bigger staff so that we could better serve even more students and citizens. But given the present reality, we'll continue to rely on our wonderful volunteer staff and the generosity of the Friends of Beaver Creek, our sponsoring citizens' group," said Koziel.
"When you watch the kids working at a microscope or holding one of the many live animals that are available at Beaver Creek, you know that you have been able to make learning come alive for them." |
One of his biggest worries is that the state-imposed school district revenue controls will reduce the number of groups that will visit the reserve. "We are seeing a reduction in the number of school groups who are coming in for day trips. That's not good for us or for the kids who I believe really benefit from their experiences here," said Koziel.
"We are under a bit of pressure from the County Board to increase our fees. But with the revenue caps on schools, it would mean that fewer groups would be able to schedule a trip unless they tap into parents for the cost. It's a vicious cycle, and the revenue caps are clearly part of the culprit," he added.
For 50 years, the Eau Claire County Youth Camp section of the Reserve has been used by many adult and youth organizations for meetings, retreats and outings. The four-season facilities include a lodge with a modern kitchen, six rustic cabins that sleep more than 100, and a tenting area with access to water and showers.
Caretaker Jim Weishoff lives on the premises and provides personalized assistance to the groups that take advantage of the many miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails that adjoin the Big Falls County Park.
"We have a lot to offer all age groups and it's gratifying for me to see people enjoying the first-hand learning that comes so easily from our natural environment," said Weishoff.
Naturalist Tom Thompson agrees. "And for some of the younger students who stay at the Youth Camp, it may be their first time away from home overnight. So, in addition to walking the trails, we like to include a look at the stars over at the observatory," he said. "That's always an experience they don't forget quickly."
The Hobbs Observatory provides visitors with a unique opportunity, and the dark sky at the reserve makes it the perfect place for viewing celestial bodies.
The observatory complex contains two domes with computer-operated telescopes, a large lecture room, resource room and an office. It features a charge-coupled camera which allows video images from the telescopes to be stored on computer disks or to be transmitted to monitors in the classroom.
Another naturalist, Ruth Wawrzaszek, works closely with the observatory programs and the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society chapter.
"Students are particularly impressed by all the gadgets," she said. "But frankly, looking at the night sky through our observatory's equipment is an experience that everyone enjoys, not just students."
One of the reasons Wisconsin students consistently score at the top of national tests is because teachers make regular use of the many wonderful outdoor and indoor learning centers which abound in our state. Beaver Creek Reserve near Eau Claire is one of these places.
It is another example of how public schools work for Wisconsin.
Photos: A student examines a frog at Beaver Creek Reserve, and Reserve Director Rick Koziel enjoys the reserves beauty.
Posted April 25, 1997