The Center has been fortunate to have Leah Pape as a Nature Ambassador and Special Events volunteer for 9 years! An avid hiker, especially anywhere with a lake or waterfall, Leah has more recently traded her hiking boots for work boots as she tackles house projects ranging from plumbing to flooring. On slower days, you can find her curled up with a good book or hanging out with her niece at the park.
What do you find rewarding about volunteering at Schlitz Audubon?
Volunteering has made me appreciate the natural world so much more. It’s easy to rush through life without noticing what’s around you, but the Center has taught me to slow down and pay attention. Being able to give back to a place that has given me so much joy, peace, and perspective is incredibly rewarding. Plus, being outside is never a bad way to spend the day!
Please share a memorable volunteer experience.
Family events are always my favorite, especially Maple Sugar Time. For the last several years, I’ve had the chance to tell the legends of maple sugaring, and I never get tired of seeing kids completely captivated by the stories. There’s something really fun about watching their imaginations take over and, if I can sneak a little history and nature education in there at the same time, even better.
What have you learned while volunteering?
I think the better question is, “What haven’t I learned?” Every time I volunteer, I walk away with new knowledge. I’ve learned about the incredible variety of animals, plants, and ecosystems that call the Center home. It’s like discovering a tiny hidden metropolis where every creature has a job and a story. Once you start noticing all the life around you, it’s impossible to look at the woods and streams the same way again.
What’s your favorite place at the Center and why?
The lakeshore. I know that’s probably the typical answer and, honestly, there’s a reason so many people say it. It’s one of those places that never gets old. No matter the season, it’s peaceful, beautiful, and always feels a little different each time I visit. Whether it’s watching the waves or just taking a quiet moment to breathe, the lakeshore reminds me why protecting nature is so important.
If you knew someone was thinking of volunteering at the Center, what would you tell them?
Do it! Seriously. There are volunteer opportunities for just about everyone, whether you love teaching, working with animals, helping behind the scenes, or getting your hands dirty outside. You don’t have to be an expert on nature to make a difference, you just have to be willing to show up. You might come for the volunteering, but you’ll stay for the people, the experiences, and maybe because you accidentally learned way more about birds than you ever expected!
Thank you, Leah, for volunteering with us! We appreciate your dedication, enthusiasm, and the friendly face you bring to the Center year after year.
Interested in volunteering? Learn more.
