It's migration season and thousands of tundra and trumpeter swans β along with waterfowl of all kinds β have descended upon the city's lakes as part of their trip south.
The post Thousands of migrating trumpeter, tundra swans descend upon Madison lakes appeared first on WPR.
For Wisconsin residents who love winter, the arrival of cold and snow has been an early Christmas gift. But if you are heading out to one of Wisconsin's more than 15,000 lakes to ice fish, snowmobile or skate, experts have some advice to stay safe.
The post Experts share tips for staying safe on the ice appeared first on WPR.
Tim Scott was shocked when he was laid off in May as the executive director of Nearby Nature, an organization that works to reconnect Black people to nature by offering nature education classes and introducing residents to new outdoor experiences.Β
Instead of letting the sudden change deter him, he doubled down on his commitment to help Milwaukee residents experience the outdoors.Β
Scott is opening Urban Nature Connection, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to reconnecting Black and Brown communities with nature.Β
The organizationβs mission is to promote the physical, spiritual and mental health of outdoor activities such as birding, gardening, biking, hiking and fishing.
According to Scottβs wife, Theresa Scott, he has always been an outdoorsman.Β
βHe has always enjoyed walking or spending time in the park or outdoors,β Theresa Scott said.Β
Tim Scott spent most of his career in construction work.Β
Heβs also done some coaching and marriage counseling but said he found a new purpose when he took the role at Nearby Nature.Β
βThis is my passion, this is my healer, I owe nature my life to tell you the truth,β Scott said.
His wife agrees.Β
βI think this is a great second career for him,β she said. βItβs better for his mind and his body.βΒ
Scott said he now knows the importance of pushing nature as a healing mechanism, especially for those who donβt have access to mental health services.Β
βWe all experience trauma in different ways,β Scott said. βBut we donβt all have access to the same mental health services. Being out in nature really saved me when I was experiencing my own crisis.βΒ
By connecting people with nature, Scott hopes to help others find their own healing.Β
In addition to outdoor activities, the organization will focus on indoor gardening, programming and advocacy of green space.
Over the next few months, the focus will be on getting people outside even during the colder months.
βA lot of our work will be advocacy,β he said. βSo, we will center advocacy through every season.β
Scott says he plans to partner with other agencies to host wellness events, community discussions and group walks.
To keep up with Urban Nature Connection, you can follow its Facebook page here.
βWhat he wants to do here is truly a movement,β Theresa Scott said.
Jonathan Aguilar is a visual journalist at Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service who is supported through a partnership between CatchLight Local and Report for America.
βI owe nature my lifeβ: Milwaukee nonprofit aims to connect Black and Brown people to nature is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
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