Janet Barthel

Janet Barthel - Retzer Nature Center Supervisor

What is your earliest memory of nature?

As a young child, I was always playing outside, making forts with natural materials, and exploring outdoor spaces.

How does nature impact the whole child?

Time for discovery and exploration outdoors are so vital for a young person's development. This time helps develop their sense of wonder about how things work/grow. It allows them to work through any fears or myths and promotes a safe place to ask questions and inquire. Having an understanding of their immediate natural world lays the groundwork for understanding/grasping a bigger picture of our planet/global perspective.

What is your favorite book about nature?

In terms of books, I have too many favorites but anything from Dianna Hutts Aston (Beetle is Shy, Butterfly is Quiet, Nest is Noisy, etc.)...love all of them!! Also, Over and Under the Snow and Up in the Garden, Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner, and Track that Scat by Lisa Morlock.

What are your favorite places to explore?

I love to hike...anywhere! I am especially fond of a mature forest. I have many favorites from Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail (Scuppernong, Monches, Devil's Lake) and Waukesha County Parks. I love reminiscing about the national parks I have visited (Yellowstone, Tetons, Yosemite, etc.) and thinking about the many more I still want to get to! I am also a fan of kayaking and paddling in search of wildlife, exploring from the banks instead of the trail. Honestly, I love to go explore just about anywhere to look for cool plants, signs of wildlife, amazing fungus/lichens/moss, songbirds, raptors, and much more!

How does Retzer connect to the 4 P’s philosophy?

The 4 P’s philosophy is anchored in key concepts with what we do here at Retzer (as well as the foundations of the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Volunteer program - education + stewardship + citizen science). Our programs are nature discovery-focused. Volunteers helping with land management is a necessity. Our citizen science program is engaging people on a whole different level, and we are contributing vital data to a much bigger network. The Woodside/RNC collaboration will hopefully serve as a model to all school districts looking to provide environmental education to their students, emphasizing the importance of multiple connections that continually build upon concepts taught and relationships formed.

What’s coming up?

This year, we are trying out a virtual naturalist connection with the kindergarten classrooms. We are also creating Outdoor Classroom program options for families (due to COVID). We are hoping to press forward with some future potential events, including Friday Nights in the Parks (in February) and a big volunteer workday event (whole park system) for Earth Day. See https://www.waukeshacounty.gov/parksystem for details.