Last fall, the Education Center at Shepard Farm opened its doors. Brand-new classrooms, a spacious teaching kitchen, and easy-to-navigate outdoor spaces welcomed people for programs. Two new naturalists are now staffed at the Cottage Grove property and ready to serve schools in South Washington County.
Naturalist and Outreach Specialist Mick teaching students in one of the new classrooms at Shepard Farm.
Michael Harrison and William Sutphin are excited to bring nature into the classroom. “I’ve always been a people-person and I’m very enthusiastic about the environment,” William says. “I love sharing that with students.”
Dodge has been serving the eight schools and 5,000 students of Independent School District (ISD) 197 since the nature center's founding. By comparison, South Washington County Schools (ISD 833), the sixth-largest district in Minnesota, includes twenty-five schools and 18,700 students—nearly four times the size of ISD 197.
Field trip students climbing on a tree at Shepard Farm.
Thanks to state funding through the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR), Dodge can begin serving educators and students in Cottage Grove and surrounding schools—fostering a deeper environmental education experience.
As the Naturalist/Elementary Liaison, Michael will be in kindergarten and first grade classrooms at Crestview Elementary School one day a week. This naturalist-in-residence position is modeled on Dodge’s longtime partnership with Garlough Environmental Magnet Elementary School.
Field trips have already been piloted and finalized for kindergarten and first graders. William, the Naturalist/Curriculum Developer, will create programs for second and third graders, with fourth and fifth graders joining the fold in the future. This curriculum will help teachers meet Minnesota state academic standards.
Naturalist/Elementary Liaison Michael Harrison (left) and Naturalist/Curriculum Developer William Sutphin (right).
Michael and William’s teamwork in classrooms and on trails at Shepard Farm will lead to a more continuous and impactful learning experience for students.
“I’m laying the in-school groundwork so when students come to Dodge, they get that ‘wow factor’—they experience what they’re learning in a hands-on environment,” Michael explains. “It helps them see how their lessons apply in the bigger world around them, instead of a one-time experience.”
Field trip students learning how to start a fire, a hands-on activity used to teach physics.
Michael has a special connection to the Cottage Grove community. He grew up only four minutes away from Shepard Farm and has family history in the school district.
“My grandpa was the principal at Park High School and my mom worked in the district for more than 20 years,” Michael shares. “I want to get students excited about nature and provide an experience I didn’t have growing up. I’m thrilled to give back!”
Curious about field trips at Shepard Farm for your classroom? Learn more here.
This article was originally published in the Nourish Your Need for Nature Newsletter, Fall/Winter 2024.