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Community Corner

Dodge Nature Center 'Wish List' Pairs Donors With the Flora, Fauna and Program Features they Love

The Wish List initiative has resonated with community, says development director.

If you are a fan of barred owls, there is a very regal one at Dodge Nature Center that would certainly welcome your support.  As a matter of fact, the goats and chickens who live on  the farm feel exactly the same way.

These and several other animals at Dodge all have prominent places on the non-profit organization's "Wish List," which offers community members a chance to make financial contributions that  greatly assist with the upkeep of not only the animals, but the nature center's property as well.

According to development director John Chandler, the annual operating budget for  Dodge Nature Center is $1.7 million.  As a 501C3 non-profit, funding is acquired from sources such as grants, individual donations, class and membership fees.

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"We are a private organization, but we are open to the public," said Chandler.  "Our membership base is approximately 600, but we serve 34,000 youth and 6,000 adults with our annual programming."

Founded in 1967 by Olivia Irvine Dodge, the nature center was one of the first of its kind to be created in the state of Minnesota.  It now sits on more than 300 acres of land in West St. Paul and Mendota Heights and features several types of topographies including prairie, wetlands, hiking trails as well as an orchard and a farm.

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Chandler said the Wish List has been in place for a few years now and that the call for specific funding requests seems to have struck a chord with many who want to help support a particular "favorite" at Dodge.

"A number of people, for whatever reason, feel a connection to this place or to something specific here," he said. "They are often looking to make a contribution towards something tangible."

Philanthropic gestures are not just for the very wealthy as is often assumed, said Chandler, which is another reason why Dodge is committed to making it easy for people to contribute in any amount and feel like they are making a difference.

If creatures aren't your thing, individuals or families can also help support Dodge by fulfilling wishes that fund internships, naturalist salaries  or  scholarship funds for children to attend classes or camps.

Donations can create a ripple-effect that ultimately boosts Dodge's mission in ways beyond the dollar amount given.

Erika Guenther started working as an intern at Dodge Nature Center in early January and recently completed her internship there. A 2010 graduate of the University of Minnesota with a major in Fisheries and Wildlife,  Guenther said the time she spent at Dodge taught her a great deal and has helped prepare her for future work in environmental education.

During her 21-hour week, Guenther would observe classes twice before teaching them herself.  She learned to care for Dodge's reptiles and amphibians, built a shelter outdoors, hosted birthday parties and much more.

"I had the opportunity to work with so many different classes and to work with all the naturalists here," she said. "I basically spent my whole winter outside, but it was so much fun. I haven't played in the snow so much since I was five."

Chandler said Dodge Nature Center is also able to accept in-kind donations, but they have to be something that can be easily used by the Center,  such as snowshoes.

"We had someone who had a huge log on his property donate it to us because he thought it would make a good habitat for wood ducks and he was right," said Chandler. "That's not the kind of thing we budget for, but it is certainly useful."
(Those interested in donating an item are advised to contact the Dodge Nature Center first).

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