Celebrating 75 Years of Connecting with Nature

75 years ago, on the grounds we now call home to Beaver Creek Reserve, laid a handful of scattered cabins tucked deep in the forest. These lodges were part of the Eau Claire County Youth Camp, the first of its kind here in the Chippewa Valley. After years of building and preparing, the first children campers made their way in 1953, 18 girls known as The Campfire Girls. Back then, the summer camps focused on teaching life skills such as outdoor cooking, fire building, nature exploration, and survival; all while wrapping in the foundations of a democratic citizenship and education. Since the 1950s, the goal of the Youth Camp was and will continue to be educating community members who connect with and appreciate the wonders of nature.

A huge step in Beaver Creek’s development was the groundbreaking for the Wise Nature Center in the mid-1980s. This came in response to the growing concern for environmental preservation and ecological education. Thus, the Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve was born, turning the summer camps into a full-fledged non-profit organization that could enhance its learning facilities and implement more educational programs for community members.
 
Over our 75-year history, Beaver Creek Reserve has not stopped growing. Summer camps and school groups were able to witness new developments and facilities, like the Hobbs Observatory and an outdoor obstacle course built throughout the 1980s. As stated in a 1983 Eau Claire Leader Telegram article, “the building [Hobbs Observatory] will be heated by passive and active solar energy…” Later, the Citizen Science Center was completed in 2004, where volunteer citizen scientists could take part in scientific studies involving the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
 
Beaver Creek Reserve has served as a vital part of the Eau Claire community for 75 years now. Our contributions to connecting individuals with nature and scientific advancement can be seen on an international scale with our bird banding program and Monarch butterfly tagging. As a non-profit organization, the funding for research, educational programs, and staff comes from supportive community members and organizations who value the work being done here.
 

To celebrate 75 years of research, wildlife education, and connecting with nature, Beaver Creek Reserve has set a goal of raising $75,000 towards our 75^th Anniversary Annual Fund by the end of 2022. Donations support various areas of growth at the Reserve. The future of Beaver Creek lies in the advancements of environmental education programs and nature facilities, such as the Greenhouse and the Butterfly House. We also award scholarships for students and summer camp members, along with the general cost of operation, upkeep, and equipment, all made possible due to generous donations.

As we enter this wonderful season of giving, consider supporting an organization that aligns with what is important to you. At Beaver Creek Reserve, our mission is simple: to keep people connected to the outdoors and educate our community on the plants and animals of nature. In 1985, a group of Eau Claire residents collaborated to ensure the future of the Reserve with the Friends of Beaver Creek Reserve Endowment Fund, establishing us to be what we are today. On November 22nd, 2022, we celebrate Giving Tuesday, a day designated to supporting non-profits that make a difference in our world. If you are interested in supporting the growth of nature education and eco-friendly environmental impacts, there are multiple ways to give at Beaver Creek.

Monetary donations will contribute to the 75th Anniversary Fund! Donations can be made at Donate to Beaver Creek Reserve | Wisconsin Nature Reserve. Add Beaver Creek Reserve to your Amazon Smile account to donate money through your purchases at Charity Lists (amazon.com). Another way to contribute is by donating your time as a volunteer!
Even the smallest donation makes a huge impact here at Beaver Creek! The success of the Reserve is thanks to those who believe in our mission and believe in the importance of nature in our lives. If you would like to learn more about our history, check out our Historical Booklet sold in our store at the Wise Nature Center. $8 for BCR Members and $10 for Non-Members. 

A Spooktacular Time at Boofest!

Spooky season at Beaver Creek Reserve was a success! Now that November is upon us, let’s recap the fun events that took place at Boofest on Thursday, October 28th. 

Preparation for this event began in the spring when pumpkin seeds were planted on our North campus. Throughout the summer, the pumpkins were carefully tended to, and the labor of love led to a bountiful harvest! The staff here at Beaver Creek worked hard to create a spooktacular atmosphere for visitors. Carved jack-o-lanterns lined the entrance, festive décor hung around the Wise Nature Center, and torches lit the walkways. Ghosts and goblins alike had endless fun at Boofest. Along with painting the pumpkins harvested here at Beaver Creek and those donated by the Krause family, visitors could trick-or-treat down the storybook hiking trail. 

    

 Throughout the trail, our Naturalists had set up stations where the children could collect candy and learn about owls, spiders, snakes, decomposers, wolves, and moths! Learning about nature couldn’t have been more “fang”-tastic! A cozy campfire provided warmth on the cool October night where everyone could make s’mores and enjoy hot apple cider. 

   

Inside the Nature Center, attendees had the opportunity to learn more about some of our animal ambassadors, Luna the Barred Owl, an American Toad, and Slither the Fox Snake. The Naturalists here at Beaver Creek Reserve shared their knowledge about these amazing creatures and their habitats. Along with this, children could enjoy a Halloween story time that featured books like The Halloween Tree, The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky, and Happy Halloween from the Very Busy Spider. 

To lock in these unforgettable memories, families could take pictures at a photo spot set up in front of the Nature Center. Not only was this event a chance to fill up your trick-or-treating bucket, but also a great opportunity to get outside and connect with the creatures of the night! To get a glimpse at the fun we had, you can watch this short video of the event highlights at Watch | Facebook.