About

Navarino Nature Center (NNC), is a private, member supported, 501c3 non-profit located on the 15,000 acre Navarino Wildlife Area (WDNR).  Nature center staff and volunteers work to provide environmental education and outdoor recreational opportunities to Northeastern Wisconsin.  

Navarino Nature Center works in

cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) 

Established in April 1986 by a group of  residents concerned about ecology and environmental education.  In January of 1987 in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) a site was selected on the 15,000-acre Navarino Wildlife Area.  A parking lot, well, amphitheater and cabin were added in 1990.

In 1999, a 40 x 70 Educational facility was built allowing the nature center to have a all-weather facility for programs.   Programming increased from 1999 to 2008 increasing the number of offerings beyond school and public programs to include: summer camps, group offerings (4-H, scouts, etc.), early childhood facilities and health care centers.  During the fall of 2008 the nature center broke ground on a Green Building / Renewable Energy facility helping to increase the educational offerings to the surrounding communities.

Expansion Project:

Outdoor Education Resource Facility

Update 10/16/2019

​

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS AND DONATION FORM

The Navarino Nature Center Board of Directors accepted a bid from Badgerland Buildings of Black Creek on Tuesday, October 8th,  2019. 

Site preparations and foundation work will be started this fall.   Current plan is to have the entire project completed in 2020.  

​

The facility will be 60 ft x 102ft, contain a workshop / program room, a loading area for wagon tours and trolley tours.   Other educational equipment that will be located in the facility will include canoes and canoe trailers, cross-country ski trail equipment, and much more.

​

Currently nature center staff and volunteers serve 4,000 students annually, plus public program offerings.  

​

The senior safari program and public tours of the 15,000-acre Navarino Wildlife Area have bloomed in 2019 with tours being provided to mainly Shawano and Menominee County Department of Aging participants, and other area groups.   Any other surrounding county Department of Aging, retirement / nursing homes can schedule their own date and program by contacting the nature center.   Trolleys are handicapped accessible with a loading ramp, tie downs to secure up to two wheelchairs per trolley.   

The new facility will allow participants to unload from senior transportation and load onto the trolley, all in a safe, secure and covered area.   Trolleys have a canopy that protects program participants from the weather, while transporting them out on the trails to see wildlife, blooming prairies, fall color, and historical locations on the wildlife area.  The facility, senior safaris and trolley tours are all an effort to assist seniors, physically challenged and their families to be able to enjoy the wonders of nature together. 

Construction is slated to start this fall, however fundraising for the project has been ongoing for the last several years.   All donors will be recognized on a plaque that will be within the workshop area of the project.  Currently the nature center has a dollar for dollar match up to $20,000 that will match any donations that come in through the end of the 2019 calendar year. 

 Navarino Nature Center works in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on the Navarino Wildlife Area.  Nature center staff and volunteers provide environmental education opportunities to nearly 4,000 school students annually, plus numerous programs to residents in the surrounding communities.   Navarino Nature Center a member supported 501c3 non-profit.   All donations are tax deductible.  Contact 715-758-6999 for more information; ask for Tim Ewing.

​

​

Purchase a Brick Paver in the Nature Playscape Area

Navarino Nature Center will be adding a Nature Playscape area for young children to explore their imagination, sounds, touch, and just have natural fun.  The Playscape will be installed during the summer / fall of 2018.   

​

Paver trail through the Playscape will begin fall of 2018.  Click this link to design your paver

​

​

Get Involved

Join in as a nature center member, volunteer, or by donating.

Volunteers make a world of difference.  Many programs at Navarino depend on your help.

Work side by side with other volunteers and staff serving school groups, and the general public at events.

Updates

Playscape has been getting a lot of good attention with the public. Please make sure if you come and visit the nature center that you too take in the fun of our new "Nature Playscape" filled with a variety of natural fun items to let your imagination run wild!