Great expectations are envisioned for the latest addition to the City of Fulton, IL, community attractions. In 2013, Fulton was deeded the Arliss Andresen property, 409 N. 4th Street, located immediately south of Heritage Canyon, under the provision that it be maintained as a nature centert. Andresen Nature Center.was selected as the name by the City Council.
The City’s long-term expectation is to replace the current house with a stand-alone building dedicated to environmental education and nature studies. For now, the house’s first floor will be converted into a visitor’s center. The second story will be available as a residence for the caretaker of the property.
In September 2013 the City appointed Kyle Kopf as Caretaker, and he subsequently occupied the house in late October. Along with performing caretaker responsibilities, Kopf is assisting in the development of the center, acting as Executive Director. He has prior experience with several nature centers and environmental areas, and has a Master’s Degree in Business and an undergraduate degree in a science-related field. All of which will be put to good use in the creative development of Andresen Nature Center.
To expeditiously bring the center up to a functional status and to open its doors to the public, Kopf is working with the Whiteside County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to bring in some of their numerous mounted displays, posters, pelts, and a wide variety of educational materials. The SWCD hopes to provide lectures at the center for school-age children, along with adult-oriented programming.
Kopf commented, “Having Heritage Canyon next door to Andresen Nature Center will allow lectures held by SWCD to be augmented with hikes into the Canyon by students, so that they can study nature firsthand.”
“We also hope to tap into the Master Gardeners program, offering homeowners valuable information on topics such as horticulture and yard care,” Kopf added. “In addition, we have a number of parks and nature preserves in the area, which employ experts in a wide variety of nature-related topics. We want to work with these professionals on programing and lectures as well. As for me, I would like to provide a science-based lecture to discuss climate change some time in the future.”
Other possible activities at the center include offering a place for overnight indoor sleepovers for Cub Scouts and Brownies, the creation of a research library, and a nature-themed play area for toddlers.
Although the current building will limit the size and extent of the initial displays, it is hoped that a good size aquarium and a working bee hive with transparent sides can be added in the not-too-distant future. For now, the Andresen Nature Center will have two primary rooms, one dedicated to lectures and the other for displays, a library, and other nature-related exhibits.
Because the center was not in the City’s budget at the beginning of the [last] fiscal year, it currently has a very limited budget. Kopf [earlier had] indicated that, “We would like to open the doors to the public later this year [2013], but donations of desks, tables, bookshelves, and glass display cases are needed to fill out the rooms, in order to meet that goal. Early 2014 is probably more realistic.”
Concerning the library and research center, Kopf is loaning his small personal library of books. They cover a wide variety of nature topics, including geology, natural history, genetics, climate change, and cosmology. In addition, a good selection of books on horticulture will be made available from the personal library of Mr. Gerry Kopf. However, donations of additional nature-related books–especially children’s books–would be welcome and greatly appreciated.
As Andresen Nature Center becomes operational, volunteers will be needed to assist in welcoming visitors and to help with docent activities.
A Steering Committee has formed to provide specific direction for the center, including the creation of a Mission Statement and Vision. Kopf hopes to recruit a others to round out and diversify representation on the Committee. Contact Kyle Kopf at 815-499-5869.
“Representation from a wide variety of interested parties is critical to the start-up and the ongoing successful operation of Andresen Nature Center,” Kopf said. “I believe that teenagers interested in nature, parents of young children, parents of home-schooled children, teachers, and outdoor enthusiasts should all be providing inputs to the Committee. We want to make the center another feather in the City’s cap, by offering nature and environmental-related programs to all age groups, by contributing to the ambiance and essence of Fulton, and to provide another reason for visitors to stop for a while longer to enjoy the town.”