Audubon Center Fall-Winter Newsletter 2019

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Audubon Center of the North Woods

News from the North Woods

Fall/Winter 2019

Experience Your Environment

Volume 45, Issue 2

A Legacy of 50 Years by Bryan Wood, Executive Director

Over the June 14-16 weekend, hundreds turned out to celebrate the Audubon Center of the North Woods’ (ACNW) 50th Anniversary. It was an amazing celebration that brought together alumni from across the US and Canada, as well as from far flung countries like Peru and England. The weekend was a powerful reminder of how deeply important this organization has been to so many, and how it has shaped their lives. During the Dinner at the Lake, attendees were able to hear from longtime former board member Mary Ellen Vetter, who knew ACNW before there were any staff or programs. Hearing her share her recollections of the early days including organizing it as a nonprofit and hiring Mike Link as the Center’s first Executive Director was truly special and gave great perspective. Mike Link also shared his memories of the humble beginnings of ACNW, the inherent challenges to having the Center succeed, and the satisfaction found in proving doubters wrong when an initial feasibility study said that an environmental learning center could not make it here, and was destined to fail. Since programming began in 1972, each year thereafter has been a resounding rebuttal to that assessment. The organization has reached nearly 300,000 people since its inception, more than 18,000 alone last year, and

its relevance is in many ways stronger now than 50 years ago. Annually, 4,000 K12 learners experience nature here, 9,000 K12 charter school students

environment and future generations, please consider joining the growing list of generous individuals who are leaving that lasting mark by including ACNW in your planned giving. In the nearer term, I very much hope you will consider joining us Thursday evening, November 7 at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony for our 3rd Annual Bids for Kids K12 Fundraiser. This will be the first year the event is held in the Twin Cities, and we hope its proximity to many of you, and being on a weeknight, will make it more accessible to attend.

receive environmental education in our authorized schools, 3,000 are reached through our wildlife outreach programs, and hundreds more come to learn through our post-secondary courses, youth and family camps, adult programs, and community events. ACNW has built an impressive legacy of environmental education that has shaped countless lives over the past five decades. In turn, many have decided to leave a legacy of their own by becoming a member of the ACNW Legacy Society through their planned giving. If ACNW has been a special part of your life and you’d like to help us continue to make an impact for the

This year, KARE 11’s Belinda Jensen will emcee the evening that will include silent and live auctions, heavy appetizers, beer and wine, and a chance to hear teachers who bring their classes to ACNW talk about the impact it has on their students. Register online or via phone to secure your spot for a fun evening as we together help more children experience nature at the Audubon Center of the North Woods. In This Issue A Legacy of 50 Years .................1

Facilities Upgrades ...................4

Record Giving in 2019 ...............2

Nature-Focused Learning .........5

Donor Spotlight ........................3

Upcoming Events ......................6

Sandhill Cranes .........................4

Meet Our New Staff...................7


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