Hear from Helen Holtz, Land Management Director at Waukesha County Land Conservancy, on how she’s empowering fledgling conservationists through the Great Wisconsin Birdathon.
My work at Waukesha County Land Conservancy
My name is Helen Holtz, and I am the Land Management Director for the Waukesha County Land Conservancy (WCLC). With a deep passion for wildlife education, ornithology, and ecology, I have dedicated my entire career to fostering a greater connection between people and the natural world. Over the years with WCLC, I’ve had the privilege of working with students, landowners, and community members to share the wonders of our local ecosystems.
Through my work, I’ve seen firsthand how experiences in nature can ignite curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire a lifelong commitment to conservation. As part of WCLC’s mission to protect and care for land and water in Waukesha County, we are introducing the next generation to the wonders of nature through birdwatching in the Great Wisconsin Birdathon.
We are grateful to have received support for this initiative through NRF’s Go Outside Fund. This program gives us the opportunity to connect young adults with the natural world. We hope to help them understand and appreciate the critical role they can play in conservation and environmental stewardship.
A group of students birding in a forest during the Great Wisconsin Birdathon. Photo by Helen Holtz
The Go Outside Fund grant: a step toward reaching teens
The Go Outside Fund grant is much more than just funding. It’s a doorway to engage the next generation of environmental advocates at a crucial time in their lives. As a society, we’ve seen that teens are increasingly distanced from nature. This is largely due to the pressures of school, technology, and other distractions. Yet, these are also the years when teens begin to shape their future passions, perspectives, and careers. Unfortunately, targeted programs for high school students often take a back seat to those for younger children.
This is where the Go Outside Fund grant becomes invaluable. It helps us reach teens in a way that resonates with them, empowering them to become environmental stewards. Through the Birdathon, we’re bridging the gap between classroom learning and the real world. This program offers these students a chance to immerse themselves in nature. Additionally, they learn new skills and develop a lasting connection to the environment. By introducing birdwatching into their curriculum, students learn about local wildlife and what they can do to preserve it.
Two students admiring feathers while sitting on a bench in a forest. Photo by Helen Holtz
Learning begins in the classroom: fostering a connection to nature
Our program begins in the classroom, where I have the privilege of leading an engaging experience with the students. I always bring my own domesticated ring-necked dove to introduce students to the world of birds. The majority of them are meeting a live bird up close for the first time. And, for many, it sparks a curiosity that leads to a deeper appreciation for these creatures.
Through a presentation filled with pictures of birds from our local preserves, students learn about the native species that thrive in our region. We discuss how birds have adapted to their environments and the importance of their habitats for survival. This is where the conversation turns from fascination to profound understanding. The students start to realize that birds are integral parts of our ecosystem and their survival depends on our stewardship of the land.
Helen presenting to a classroom of students on native species that live in local preserves. Photo courtesy of Helen Holtz
Inspiration from environmental thought leaders
To deepen students’ understanding of conservation, I collaborate with their teachers to integrate readings from two of the most influential environmental figures into their school curriculum: Rachel Carson and Aldo Leopold.
Students explore excerpts from Carson’s Silent Spring. They learn how her groundbreaking work raised awareness about the dangers of pesticides to birds and the environment at large. Carson’s writing encourages students to reflect on the human impact on nature and their role in being part of the solution.
Similarly, we dive into Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac. Students learn about his concept of the “land ethic,” that we all share a responsibility to care for the land and its inhabitants. This message shows how we can all make a difference in sustaining the health of our ecosystems. These thought-provoking works challenge the students to think critically about their own relationship to the environment and the actions they can take to protect it.
Students taking a group photo in front of a small body of water while birding during the Great Wisconsin Birdathon. Photo by Helen Holtz
Taking learning outdoors: a birdwatching adventure
Once the groundwork has been laid in the classroom, the real magic happens when the students step outside into one of WCLC’s local preserves. Equipped with binoculars, bird identification guides, and their phones to document their findings, they embark on their birdwatching adventure. The Birdathon is central to this, as students contribute to a statewide effort to track bird species and their populations.
The joy and wonder of spotting birds in their natural habitats is something I am fortunate to witness. Whether it’s the vibrant warblers flitting through the trees or the majestic great horned owls silently watching over the land, every bird sighting becomes a learning moment. I love sharing interesting facts with students, like how the great horned owl is one of the first species to nest in Wisconsin in the dead of winter. Their observations and documentation contribute to a larger effort to monitor bird populations. This reinforces the idea that their actions matter in preserving our natural world.
The students spotted a wood duck perched in a tree. Photo by Helen Holtz
Building a generation of stewards
The lasting impact of this initiative extends beyond birdwatching. By engaging in the Birdathon and learning about local wildlife, these teens discover their potential to make a difference in the real world. This program offers them a chance to gain valuable knowledge and to develop a sense of responsibility over the environment. Whether they continue birdwatching as a hobby, pursue careers in environmental science, or advocate for conservation in other ways, I hope they leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving our natural resources.
Spending time outdoors also gives these students a much-needed escape from the pressures of daily life. Nature has a way of calming the mind, reducing stress, and helping students feel connected to something larger than themselves. As they experience this connection, they develop a lifelong commitment to the land and the creatures that call it home.
Student looking through binoculars. Photo by Helen Holtz
Looking toward the future
Thanks to the Go Outside Fund grant, I’m excited to continue expanding this initiative and to engage even more teens in meaningful outdoor experiences. The Great Wisconsin Birdathon has proven to be much more than a birding event. It’s an invaluable tool for inspiring a new generation of environmental leaders. By empowering our young community members to explore the natural world, we are enriching their lives and equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to protect the land for future generations.
Through these transformative experiences, I am confident that we are planting the seeds for a future of dedicated land stewards who will carry forward the work of conservation and environmental protection. The next generation of environmental leaders is here, and they are ready to take on the challenge of protecting our planet.
Guest Blogger
Helen Holtz (she/her/hers)
Land Management Director with the Waukesha County Land Conservancy
Helen is an ecologist based in Southeast Wisconsin, specializing in the state’s wildlife and their ecological roles. She travels across the state to educate communities about Wisconsin’s diverse flora and fauna. When she’s not teaching, you can usually find her exploring outdoors, studying the intricate connections between native species and their habitats.
Gather your flock for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon
The Great Wisconsin Birdathon is Wisconsin’s largest fundraiser for bird conservation. It’s like a walk-a-thon style fundraiser, but instead of logging miles, our participants are logging bird sightings! Each year, bird enthusiasts from across the state raise support and awareness for bird conservation by forming a team or donating to a team.
Birdathon teams can participate any day from April 15th to June 15th, and donations are accepted from March 15th to June 30th. Participation is free and all skill levels are welcome to join.
How, when, and where you bird is up to you. While most teams choose to compete over a 24-hour period, many teams opt to bird over the course of a weekend, a week, or even the entirety of the Birdathon! Teams can bird anywhere in Wisconsin — a backyard, a local park, or a route to hit all their favorite birding hot spots. Both novice and expert birders can have fun and make a difference in protecting birds — the Birdathon is for everyone!
The Go Outside Fund
We know that nature provides tremendous physical and mental health benefits – yet today’s children spend less than 1% of their time outside. The Go Outside Fund provides funding that helps connect youth to outdoor, nature-based learning experiences. Teachers or partner organizations may apply for funding to cover costs that facilitate getting kids outside and hands-on with nature, such as purchasing field supplies, or paying for transportation, substitute teachers, or educator costs.
The Go Outside Fund is made possible by donations from NRF members and the Teachers’ Outdoor Environmental Education Fund.
‘Gather your flock for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon’ and ‘The Go Outside Fund’ sections written by Emma Schatz, Digital Communications Coordinator