Monday, April 27
Good Morning, Coulee
For lovers of nature, Myrick Park has been a valued space to enjoy the outdoors in a variety of ways. Thanks to a recent grant, that’s set to continue for the foreseeable future—at least for the bird-watching community.
The Nature Place has received a grant from the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology to expand bird education and community engagement programs right here in La Crosse.
"Once you begin to notice birds, you start to better understand the importance of their habitat needs around you. Birding invites curiosity, patience, and a deeper appreciation for understanding what makes our backyards so unique."
The funding will help The Nature Place to bring even more opportunities for La Crosse area neighbors to gather and enjoy in common interests. Many of these opportunities will occur during events that already draw a crowd, which will also expand awareness of La Crosse’s birds and bird-watching in general.
Through the grant, The Nature Place will bring birding programming to seven community events between now and early 2027 — including this this week’s FREE Nature Saturday event and BioBlitz, Juneteenth, Youth Outdoor Fest, Pride in the Park, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Charlie's Kids Fest, and the Family Fun Expo. Each stop will feature life-sized bird models, multilingual identification guides in Spanish, Hmong, and Ho-Chunk, and chances to win binoculars or field guides.
“WSO's funding will give community members of all ages the opportunity to test their birding skills in a supportive environment. We anticipate seeing repeat participants and being able to watch their interest and skills grow.”
Regardless of your experience level with bird-watching, The Nature Place invites locals to participate in these programs. Both organizations are hoping to inspire and reach a broader range of people and create future advocates for local nature and wildlife.
