The weather is gorgeous this week and if you want to get outside, we'll show you a spot in Eau Claire county that's devoted to the environment.

In this Wandering Wisconsin, we head north of Fall Creek to walk around the Beaver Creek Reserve.

The Beaver Creek Reserve was originally designed to teach the next generation about the great outdoors.

Rick Koziel started here in the 70's. The director has seen his share of kids share in the nature experience.
But it was a group of citizens in the 40's that had a vision of a special place kids could visit.

" The group convinced the county board to set aside 160 acres of tax exempt land in 1949 how the youth camp got its start," Koziel said.

The youth camp would was just the seed that eventually sprouted into what's now about 400 acres filled with trees, trickling water and tons of teaching opportunities.

"We're in the Wise Nature Center right now which is the focal point of activities at the reserve."

Koziel showed us around the place where they get to showcase mother nature's mysteries to school kids and anyone of any age who wants to learn.

"In recent years it seems a lot of our young Pele and maybe older people too have lost touch with the natural world with computers, video games and things like that seem to be attracting attention a lot more and the nature center provides an opportunity to get kids back outside," he said.

Outside, they'll find songbirds, squirrels, and this time of year even sweet syrup. Koziel adds, "we do it mostly as an education program."

The education is everywhere inside as well. "This is designed as a hands-on room."

The exhibit will give kids an up close look at badgers, bucks and even bees.

They have some live animals, like turtles, snakes and owls.
And in the summertime, flowers and butterflies will fill this house.

"We raise all our own butterflies either catch locally or pick up caterpillars and raise them in the lab."

Butterflies aren't the only things raised at the reserve. "These are all plants that will be on sale may 9 at our plant sale," Koziel said.

Native grasses and wildflowers, growing green in the pot are just one of the ways this non-profit organization raises green to keep the operation going. "Many master gardeners and volunteers run this program they start the plants downstairs, transplant, watering, fertilizing they organize the whole sale on the 9th."

Koziel says volunteers are key to keeping the earth in shape. So much so they built a Citizen Science Center. "In the last 10 years we've really gotten people involved in the natural world, with hands-on activities like stream monitoring."

From the streams to the skies and stars, Beaver Creek Reserve is also home to an observatory. "We have astronomy programs every Saturday night when it's nice from May to October."

All year round, Koziel says there's something to experience and he hopes more generations will get the chance to fall in love with nature out here.

"They're going to inherit the earth soon, so the only way I personally feel that they can get a sense of involvement with the natural world is they have to feel something in their heart and you can't get that by watching a video you really need to be outside and feel the wind in your face, hear the birds singing around you, that's where you'll feel it."

Anyone can visit the reserve, there is an admission fee to get in. Or you can help support it by becoming a "Friend of Beaver Creek Reserve." Members pay dues and support the non-profit. Dues earn members free admission and special activities. Most of the buildings are available for private or civic groups to rent as well.

To learn more about the events and activities at Beaver Creek click here.