Meet the Naturalist

Benjamin Van Thiel will be leading our summer Passport Programs!  Benjamin was born and raised here in the Fox Cities, and is honored to come back and provide free community nature programs in his hometown for the summer of 2009.  

After spending a year doing volunteer work in the schools of inner city Oakland, Benjamin realized he was destined to work with and teach kids.  Combining that calling with his fervent love of nature and the feelings of wellbeing he gets only from spending time outdoors, Benjamin decided to become a nature educator.

The past few years he could be found either in the classroom at UW Fox Valley and currently UW Stevens Point, or helping out at Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton.  Benjamin views this summer position with the Passport to Nature collaborative as a chance to really test his talents and abilities as a naturalist and educator. 

  Come to our Passport to Nature programs this summer to see him in action!