CALUMET COUNTY, Wis. — With birds chirping and cattails blowing in the breeze, the marsh platform at the Brillion Nature Center offers visitors a chance to get close to wildlife.
A boardwalk was reconstructed with help from assistant naturalist Jeff Mix and others to connect the wet woodland area to the marsh.
“We did some fundraising. We raised over $200,000, and we replaced the boardwalk,” said Mix. “It’s a composite decking boardwalk, so it should last my lifetime.”
They designed the walkway with high water in mind.
“If it does happen to flood out a little bit, the platforms are independent. They can shift and roll,” said Mix.
Once out of the woods and to the platform, visitors can expect a wide-open view of the area.
“A huge panoramic view of the Brillion Wildlife Area,” said Mix.
Volunteer contributions help the center with tasks, including rebuilding the platform and boardwalk.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources honored the Center with the 2023 Wildlife Area Friends Group of the Year award.
“It just is kind of really a nice pat on the back, knowing the amount of work that we put in and all the volunteers that come and help with the chipping of the trails, the trail maintenance, all the work that they do too,” explained Mix. “It makes it worthwhile.”
Set within the enormous 5,000-acre Brillion Wildlife Area, the center offers seven miles of pet-friendly hiking trails at no cost to visitors.
“Our shortest trail is only a half mile. It’s doable for almost anybody,” said Mix. “We hope people come and just enjoy nature. It’s a chance to see nature in its prime. Everything is very natural, just to get a chance to utilize our little hidden gem here. We’re trying to get the word out.”
Inside the center’s main building, director Danielle Joerger said she wants to encourage visitors to check out the animal room, filled with taxidermy and other exhibits.
“Education is fantastic, but if the education isn’t interesting, the kids aren’t going to care. We try to make it as fun and interesting as possible so that we incite that inspiration in them. Hopefully, this can be a lifelong passion,” said Joerger.
Visitors may also interact with some exhibits, including a bear skull with a moving jaw.
“The kids really love that, and the adults love it too,” said Joerger.
Inside or out, the Brillion Nature Center hopes its recent recognition inspires more visitors to check out its offerings.
“This is certainly a hidden gem, but we do want to get the word out. We want as many people to experience this as possible,” said Joerger.
And once you find the Nature Center — you never know what you might find on the trail.