Mary Hanin, a Milwaukee native, has volunteered with our Nature School for over a decade! Mary’s background is in journalism; she spent 35 years with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (previously the Milwaukee Sentinel) writing investigative pieces under the pen name “Mary Zahn”. She covered wide-ranging topics, including problems in the nursing home industry and the history of the Milwaukee mafia. Mary enjoys hiking, kayaking, and playing flute with many different groups, including the Milwaukee Police Band, Golden Eagles, Letter Carriers Band, Fabulous Flutetastics, and Silver Flutes of the North Woods. Her family is also very involved in the North Suburban Special Olympics.
How did you come to volunteer at the Center?
My family has been enjoying the wonder and magic of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center for years. My daughters are now in their 40’s, so it has been a while! When my granddaughter, Sami, was born 15 years ago, I had the great privilege of caring for her while her parents were working. When she turned three and half, she started attending the Nature School and stayed for two years. I followed her into the classroom as a volunteer and never left! Several years ago, Sami started volunteering at the Center’s Summer Camp and absolutely loves it.
Why is volunteering at the Center important to you?
I have always felt it’s important to give back to the community when you are able. Journalism gave me an opportunity to do this, but I always longed to be a teacher. When the opportunity to work with and learn from the fabulous Nature School teachers arose, I jumped at it.
Please share a few memorable moments.
The children are great fun to be with! Many days, I leave feeling that I learned more from them than they did from me. I love when they take my hand on walks, hug me unexpectedly, or shout “Goodbye Miss Mary, see you next week!” Every week is so different. Yesterday, for example, the kids were doing art and we decided to create the Goldfinch Art Studio, complete with a sign. Pure joy and creativity. And then there was the day when the children decided to paint “Miss Mary” with mud. I was covered from head to toe and the laughter was contagious!
What is your favorite place, animal, plant, or activity at the Center and why?
I love our hikes to Lake Michigan as well as when we hike deep into the woods and quietly sit down to listen and observe “nature’s theater.” Toys are not needed. We find branches or leaves or twigs or mud (especially mud) and make our own.
What have you learned while volunteering at Schlitz Audubon?
Volunteering with the Nature School reminds me that great kindness and caring still exist, despite world turmoil. The children are present in the moment and remind me to be both mindful and attentive to others. The teachers have taught me patience and to listen without judgement. I am a better person because of my experiences here.
Thank you, Mary, for your decade of volunteering at Schlitz Audubon! We appreciate your dedication, as well as that of all of our volunteers.
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