FIELD NOTES BLOG

Introducing Rowan

Rowan Mermel
October 11, 2024

Hello! My name is Rowan Mermel, and I am joining the Severson Dells team as a community science AmeriCorps member!


 I graduated this May from Beloit College with a Biology degree and a capstone in ecotoxicology. This is my second AmeriCorps term after working with the Natural Land Institute in the summer of 2023 as a Natural Resource AmeriCorps member. I also have experience working as an environmental educator and camp counselor at Farmers Rising in Caledonia.


 I am passionate about community science because it gives us unique insights into our ecosystems, gets people out into nature, and empowers people to protect their environment. I am excited to work on Community Science projects with Severson Dells and partner organizations, and I hope to see you all collecting data!


Growing up in the Rockford area, Severson Dells has always been an important place to me. I fondly recall playing predator-prey games on field trips, hiking with my family, and exploring our watershed at canoe camp. I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to share these experiences and more with others in this community.


  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button
  • Slide title

    Write your caption here
    Button

RECENT ARTICLES

By Elly Salazar May 14, 2025
Encouraging children to spend time outside is essential. However, this is not a new concept; in fact, many people are already aware of the benefits of kids spending time outdoors! Examples, including getting vitamin D from sun exposure, exercise, and educational opportunities, have been highlighted in articles that urge parents to take action. But many more reasons can be used to convince further nature skeptics. Spending time outside is great for fostering curiosity and autonomy in children. These are both valuable traits that kids carry with them into adulthood. Going outdoors also builds resiliency and critical survival skills. Who knew that letting kids play outside can help improve their safety! Finally, allocating some of a child’s day to being outside can further connections with the real world, such as deepening understanding of a sense of place, and relationship development with food systems.
By Shannon Osadjan May 1, 2025
Take a look outside. Most of the flowers, trees, and plants you see exist because of a special group of insects and animals that transfer pollen from one plant to another. These insects and animals are referred to as pollinators, and they are essential for plant reproduction. Around three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about one-third of the world’s food crops depend on animal pollinators to reproduce! Pollinators do a lot for life on earth, and without them, our earth would look vastly different.
By Ann Wasser May 1, 2025
Impacts on Members, the Community and Severson Dells