Discover Your Place in Nature

Come and explore Severson Dells, with our hiking trails, visitor center, The Grove Nature Playscape and gift store. We offer a wide range of engaging programs for all ages to connect with nature.

Featured Programs

Discover a Sense of Belonging

Everyone belongs in nature. Join us as a member and discover a sense of community with other nature lovers and the wild world itself! Your membership helps to make nature education more accessible to everyone now and for future generations. Click below to learn more about the benefits of joining as a member of Severson Dells. 

BECOME A MEMBER

Field Notes Blog

By communityscience October 24, 2025
Hello! My name is Caedyn Wells, and I am beyond excited to be serving Severson Dells as the Community Science AmeriCorps member! This May, I graduated from Beloit College with an Environmental Biology degree with a Geology minor. Before accepting my Americorps position, I managed the Beloit College boathouse for three consecutive years. During that time I connected college students to nature through canoeing, kayaking, and outdoor activities. Additionally before ending my college career, I took a field seminar in Puerto Rico. Throughout this seminar I studied and gained an understanding of severe weather events that affect the island and people. Taking a holistic look at the Geology, I made connections between tectonics, sedimentology, stratigraphy, and paleontology, in order to better understand earth history and ways Geology and sea level rise influences society. I am passionate about connecting people to nature through my role in community science because it gives people unique insights into local ecosystems, and helps us better understand how to protect and enjoy our environments and others. Being from Beloit, WI I understand the importance of green spaces in thriving cities, and I am excited to work on a variety of projects with Severson Dells and partner organizations. I hope to see you all in the field, and exploring nature very soon!
By Caedyn Wells October 22, 2025
What birds can you see in Northern IL and at Severson Dells Nature Center? 
By education3.americorps October 17, 2025
The Newest Education AmeriCorps

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Severson Dells Nature Center and Preserve are located on the traditional lands of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Meskwaki, Winnebago (Nebraska) and Potawatomi.  We recognize these people, among others, for their stewardship of this land.


To learn more about territory acknowledgments and to find out more about the land you are on, visit:
Native-Land.ca | Our home on native land. Please contact us if you have additional information or suggestions.