WisCorps is an organization located close to home, headquartered at Myrick Park in La Crosse. The WisCorps mission is "to develop leadership, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic in youth and young adults through the active stewardship of Wisconsin’s communities and natural resources." This organization does much around La Crosse and across the midwest. I went to their headquarters at Myrick learn more about what they do.
I arrived at Myrick Park around nine that morning. It was somewhat of a dreary day, but not too cold. I was greeted by Andrea, the marketing director. She took me on a tour around the grounds. Although I frequent Myrick, I learned much about the native plant gardens WisCorps cultivates around the property, and we say the first wildflower of the season coming up. We talked about the pelicans coming through and about the resident eagle home whose nest you can see from the trail. I also learned that they have somewhat of a community garden. After the tour, I visited the Reptile Roundup program. Run by the WisCorps Animal Care Specialist Matt, the program offers children the chance to get up close and personal with many reptile species. WisCorp has around fifteen different reptiles, mostly snakes but also a few lizards and tortoises. These animals were either rehabbed or taken in by the program from owners who were unable to care for them. Matt also told me about his own passion for reptiles, and his experience owning an eighty pound water monitor.
We had some lunch, and after I met the naturalists. Almost all of them were recent undergraduates, either majoring in natural resources or education. WisCorps offers students the chance to take a year and gain experience before jumping into a field or onto graduate school. They were preparing for the school tour that was visiting. Once the kids got there, they split into three groups: one walking the trails, one learning about eyes, and one learning about micro-critters. The activity learning about eyes was well put together, as the kids looked through different instruments, such as kaleidoscopes, to learn how other animals see. The one learning about micro-critters was interesting too, as it helped the kids realize that there are small critters in the grass they walk over every day.
Once the kids moved onto the playground, I talked with one of the WisCorps staff about the work they do outside of La Crosse. WisCorps sends field crews across the midwest, where they complete projects such as trail construction, storm damage cleanup, and invasive species management. WisCorps provides individuals to serve their communities and others near them. WisCorps is a great choice for those looking to take a gap year while still gaining experience. The WisCorps staff sent me off with information and a homemade cookie, and were some of the kindest people I've met.