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 If you’re reading this, it’s because you’re one of the many interns and fellows who have contributed to the mission of Osprey Wilds, formerly the Audubon Center of the North Woods
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Hello! My name is Light, and I’m a current education fellow at Osprey Wilds. Everyone throughout the world is feeling isolated right now, including the Osprey Wilds community. That’s why we’re reaching out to you. You have been in our shoes and have seen this organization at its best, and you can help us come out of this pandemic even better than before.

I came to Osprey Wilds in May 2019 and have seen the change in our work from full, original function to the new frontier we’re now exploring. When I first arrived, I was unsure of myself, without a lot of experience outdoors, and with mostly book knowledge rather than active skills. The staff helped me to discover my potential.
Within months I was actively contributing to curricula and making educational displays. I felt confident as a teacher and had many firsts in outdoor. I was also quickly making progress in training and bonding with our crow, Mob. I’m proud to say she is now able to go to classrooms and may soon be part of a new virtual program about corvids.
The environment I found at Osprey Wilds was supportive and accepting. As a transgender person, I felt advocated for and seen. I was never put down or left out for the skills I had yet to learn. I had grown so much as a person my first year; I applied for a second year to see how much more I could gain and discover.

I grew up in a large city without much access to nature. My motivation for entering the field of environmental education was to help other disadvantaged kids explore the natural world. I was drawn to Osprey Wilds because of the school partnerships and scholarship programs.
My favorite moments are when kids face their fears of animals or the outdoors and form new connections with the environment. When I can build rapport with learners and help them explore and find new interests, I feel fulfilled. Teaching about everything from animals to fungus to clean energy is so rewarding. That’s what I want my current cohort and many more to be able to experience.
Hopefully, I’ll leave an impact and legacy in the same way many of you have. We love finding the marks left behind by previous fellows and interns. Not only the signatures on the bathroom walls, but the art and memorabilia throughout the house and office, and the teaching tools you created. You’ve been able to shape what teaching and working here looks like for future cohorts.
Osprey Wilds is still exploring what shape our work will take in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of the initiatives we’ve pursued include webinars, public hikes including a “Creatures of the Night” hike, and virtual summer camps, which were written and designed entirely by fellows.
We’ve also expanded our community outreach and are taking time to assess our current status and future goals in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. We’re working on ways to invite people to visit safely and to integrate more virtual outreach so we can connect with learners everywhere. Videography and social media skills were not things we’d thought we would learn, but they’ve certainly come in handy.
Teaching, community, and self-growth are not the only great things that can be gained from working at Osprey Wilds. Our animal ambassadors have opened the minds and touched the hearts of thousands. Maybe you were one of the people who worked closely with an education animal? The lack of visitors has allowed us to interact with and care for these special critters even more. We’d love to hear any stories you have with them or any tips or tricks for training.
 
One of the goals of my letter is to ask if you’d like to join our alumni network and connect with the current fellows at Osprey Wilds. We’d love to hear from you about both your time here and what that led to afterward. What skills did you gain while working here? What fields did you explore after your time at Osprey Wilds? You can let us know the answers to these and other questions by filling out our Alumni Survey.

Another way to directly impact the future of Osprey Wilds is by donating. If you, like me, found that working here was a worthwhile and fulfilling experience, then you can contribute a gift to ensure that more people can share in this opportunity. Any donation you give helps not only my cohort but countless fellows in the future to be part of all the experiences this organization has to offer.
You, more than most, know just how great that can be. Help us continue offering classes and opening up new worlds to learners. Help the staff house stay full and happy. Help us continue to care for and train our education animals. 
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