Serving our community by providing nature education, conservation, and passive outdoor recreational opportunities for all ages.

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Hours Ski Trails Directions Map of Facilities
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Become a Member Membership Application Board of Directors and Staff
School Programs FOSS
Newsletter

 

 

The Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve is a 775 acre  independent, nonprofit wildlife preserve and nature education facility, located in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. Financial support comes solely from individual and corporate donations, memberships, grants and program fees. We do not receive any support or tax dollars from state, federal, city, county or other government entities. We do not receive funds from the United Way, and we are not supported by a family endowment fund.  Our operational budget comes from the generosity of those in the community who care about nature and protecting this site from development.

Visitors enjoy walking or jogging on our rustic woodland and meadow trails in summer. A wide variety of wildlife may be spotted in the cedar swamp, pond, meadow or forest habitats. Cross-country ski trails are maintained in the winter. Snowshoe trails are open for snowshoeing and hiking. In total, there are 8.5 miles of trails open to the public. Check for seasonal closures of some areas.  A portion of the trails are wheelchair accessible. Sorry, no pets, smoking, or bikes allowed at any time.

Visit the earth sheltered nature center to see educational exhibits and talk with friendly staff. Take advantage of adult, family, and children's workshops and programs, guided tours, and special events throughout the year.

Our Mission:
The Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve provides educational and recreational opportunities to encourage persons of all ages to develop and practice a sound environmental ethic, which reflects an understanding and appreciation of nature.

                

 

 

 

 

 

 

          
 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

EXCITING CAMPAIGN NEWS COMING!

We are very thankful for the support our members and volunteers have offered during a time when donations to non-profits are severely declining. In order to meet our operations budget and continue to provide the services our community has grown to expect and appreciate, we need your help. To meet our needs now and in the future, we are kicking off a capital campaign like no other in the history of the Preserve. You, your family, your organization or business will be offered opportunities to name, build, rennovate, and grow facilities and programs like never before. Watch for our campaign kick-off beginning in early July 2009.

Remember - we do not receive any city, county, town, state, federal, United Way, or family endowment funding. Our funding comes soley from fundraising through gifts, grants, programs, and events.

 

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Special Trail Note: Wilderness Trail is CLOSED until further notice. It is too fragile and wet for foot traffic at this time.
Please refrain from hiking or jogging on this trail.

Summer School – In Partnership with the Appleton Area School District – See AASD website for details on how to sign up Appleton Area School District Website - THIS PROGRAM IS FULL

Summer Day Camps (Click on link for details) Summer Day Camp Brochure Open this pdf or call for a registration form - SIGN UP FAST while there are still openings for these programs!

Pre-Registration and Payment Required for Summer School and Summer Day Camps

 

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Summer Public Programs for All ages - see events page

NATURE PROGRAMS: What interests you?

Email us with your suggestions for programs or events that would be of interest to you at the Preserve.

Can you recommend guest speakers who would volunteer to give talk or share a skill? We want to hear from you!

Give us your feedback at: info@BubolzPreserve.org

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Nature Center Wish List  - Immediate Needs and Volunteer Opportunities

Click here for Nature Center Wish List.pdf
Freezer Quit Running - need a 19 cubic foot, Energy Star rated $1,000
Funds for John Deere Riding Mower needed $2,000
Truck with Snowplow needed - can you help?
Sponsorships available for Romp in the Autumn Swamp 2009, Maple Syrup Saturday 2010
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Immediate Volunteers Needs
  1. 5 Volunteers to help coordinate other volunteers in projects
  2. We need someone with a stump grinder for small clumps near nature center - tax write off if you can do it!
  3. Volunteers to help with scheduled work days - summer of trails - must be at least 16 yrs old - Contact Randy
  4. Someone who knows how to repair pond docks, has own tools, can locate some lumber for fixing
  5. Scrapbooking - news articles, programs, event photos
  6. Someone who knows how to scan slides to digital format or who wants to learn how. We have many wildflower and historical site slides that need transfer or they will be lost to aging.
  7. Butterfly Garden Care - summer through fall - need to have knowledge of weeds vs wildflowers
  8. Nature Center Daily Care - sweeping, dusting, windows - need someone in the mornings or late afternoons year round
  9. Brochure Designer - give our old brochures a new, professional look beyond Publisher!
  10. Someone to mow and weed whack on a weekly basis. If you can haul in a mower, that's terrific.
Ongoing Volunteers Needs
  1.  Invasive species removal - buckthorn busting!
Please contact the Preserve Director at (920) 731-6041 or email cmueller@bubolzpreserve.org if you have time and talent to share!
Donations Needed:
(All donations to the Preserve are tax-deductible.)
  1. Energy Star rated 19 cubic foot chest freezer - needed immediately
  2. Slip proof, heavy duty rubber backed entrance rugs
  3. Maple Syrup Spiles, buckets, natural filters, bulk tank, for 2010 season - call Preserve for details
  4. Bird Seed for year round bird observation area - Thanks to Bob Ferron for contributing for spring feeding!
  5. Cedar or pine boards to make bird houses to sell
  6. Nature craft items needed to sell as fundraisers
  7. Woodchipper
  8. Gravel or cash for gravel for trail improvements
  9. Cedar Fence posts
  10. Six foot bookcases
  11. Scrapbooking supplies to archive events
  12. Kitchen and office clocks - battery operated
  13. Wood suitable to create trail signs - call Randy
  14. Metal - ski, snowshoe and hiker symbol signs - or cash to purchase - call Cindy
Nature Center has a few items FOR SALE - Call Randy - (920) 731-6041
Black metal fence posts - over six foot high, round

More Ways to Make a Difference at the Nature Preserve
    Did you know that if you average the cost of running the nature preserve for a year, it comes out to $20,000. per month? (That's adding in insurances, supplies, fuels, maintenance, payroll, health care, utilities, etc.)

Volunteer Volunteers are the glue that holds the Nature Center together. There are volunteer opportunities in a wide variety of interests. Groups and individuals are encouraged to join our ever growing core group. Every person has something to offer and your time is what we need. If you're interested in volunteering please call Cindy, Randy or Mandy to find out what to do next.  

Leave a Legacy Give a long-lasting gift. Consider making the Preserve a part of your estate or memorial gift planning. Contact the Preserve Director to talk about bequests.  

Sponsor a Program You, your family, or your business can keep programs going by sponsoring individual programs, or sponsor programs for an entire season. Programs might include supplies for a stepping stone workshop for $50.00, a visit by a bald eagle for $200.00 or Maple Syrup Season for $5,000. Your name will appear on all advertising for the program.

Sponsor a Class – Consider sponsoring a busload of school kids on a nature-based field trip to the Preserve. Contact your local school district office or the director at the Bubolz Preserve.

Adopt a Dock! Purchase replacement wood and hardware for one of the 6 pond docks that need replacing. A personalized recognition plate will be mounted on your dock for years to come. We need to raise about $3,000 to replace each dock. With varying water levels each year, we would like to incorporate a floating dock system.      

Sponsor a Footbridge We have the help, now we need the supplies to replace and repair the failing footbridges that go over several wet areas on the trail system. Wood and steel are the main needs. Do you know an engineer who has access to spare construction materials? Sponsorships for each bridge varies. The bridge you sponsor will bear your name.

Shop at I-Give Online! There are hundreds of businesses who help non-profits by giving back a portion of your total purchase at checkout. Go to www.igive.com for details about how to donate to the Preserve while shopping online.

Memorial Tributes to a Loved One - Plant a native tree, landscape an area, adopt a section of trail, build a teaching dock or wildlife observation platform, sponsor a season of programs. There are many ways to honor a loved one.

Naming Opportunites: Your name on a new nature center building? What better way to be remembered than to show your committment to nature education and conservation by giving back. If you have the means, why not share it with generations to come? There are many other naming opportunities, or anonymous ways to show that you care. Call for a personal, confidential and private meeting and tour. Ask for Cynthia R. Mueller, Executive Director at (920) 731-6041 or email cmueller@bubolzpreserve.org

                       

Contact us at:
info@bubolzpreserve.org

Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve
4815 N. Lynndale Drive
Appleton, WI   54913
(920) 731-6041