FIELD NOTES BLOG

Introducing Sydney

Sydney Sherbitsky
November 1, 2024

Hello everyone! My name is Sydney Sherbitsky (she/her) and I am excited to join the Severson Dells team as an Environmental Education AmeriCorps member! I’m from Long Island, New York, so I am looking forward to experiencing the beauty of the Midwest and its changing seasons for the first time.

I graduated this past spring from Stony Brook University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies as well as minors in coastal studies and urban planning. My studies have allowed me to deepen my experiences in the natural world where I studied abroad in Ecuador, led the Stony Brook Environmental Club, and conducted ecotoxicology research.

My curiosity for nature began at a young age, with my family frequently visiting local parks and nature centers. This early spark carried into young adulthood, where I took a high school hands-on environmental science class that explained environmental complexities I could observe outside and fueled my passion to pursue an environmental career.

As an environmental educator, I believe that people can’t care about what they don’t know about, so I’m excited to help bridge that gap and ignite new curiosity for the natural world in others.

While I am in the Midwest I would like to explore the many conservation areas nearby, but when I’m not at Severson Dells or hiking you can find me catching up with friends and family, embroidering, painting, or reading.

I look forward to learning with you all soon!

RECENT ARTICLES

By Linda Sandquist October 9, 2025
October – a month that starts with changing colors, apple orchards, and pumpkin spice and ends with candy and costumes on Halloween. In between we have the opportunity to observe National Estate Planning Awareness Week. Created in 2008 by an act of Congress and observed every year during the third week of October, the week is a reminder that we all need to prepare for the inevitable. If you’re like two-thirds of Americans, you lack a will or estate plan and the protective measures needed to safeguard your assets, future healthcare decisions or management of your finances. While it’s no fun to think about preparing for what might happen, the peace of mind you’ll experience when you are prepared is well worth the effort. Take time during the week of October 21 – 27 to start making your plans. Consider these things: Who do you want to receive your assets? Who do you want to act as your executor? Who should receive your sentimental items? Who will look after your children or pets? Who is going to make your healthcare and financial decisions if you can’t? Next reach out to a trusted professional. Planning doesn’t have to be expensive and there are many on-line resources that can help you. We at Severson Dells Nature Center encourage you to think about how you want to leave a legacy. Are there causes you care about today that will still need your financial assistance tomorrow? Whether you support nature education at Severson Dells or another cause close to your heart, use your will or estate plan to help them when you’re no longer here. If you love what Severson Dells Nature Center does, consider joining our Heritage Society . This group is made up of folks who have included the nature center in their long-term financial plans. By connecting with them now, we make sure their wishes will be fulfilled and honored when the time comes. And the generosity of Heritage Society members serves as an inspiration to others who care about our mission of connecting people to nature and growing the future stewards of our environment. Contact me with questions about supporting Severson Dells today, tomorrow and far into the future. And Happy National Estate Planning Awareness Week!
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As the summer camp season comes to a close, creek shoes are dried, crayons are put away, and our staff reflect on their summer of directing and supporting Severson Dells camp. This summer, they led and assisted with 9 weeks of summer camp programs that reached 211 campers! Out of the many adventures this season, here are some of their highlights and what they learned along the way.
By Emma Zimmerman August 26, 2025
When I started at Severson Dells nearly two years ago, I never would have believed I’d still be here today. What was supposed to be a short detour turned into one of the meaningful positions I have served. These years have flown by, and as I sit down to write this farewell, I keep circling back to my early days here. It feels important to revisit that beginning, because in so many ways, it shaped everything that followed.