FIELD NOTES BLOG

Meet Bryce

Bryce Messer
January 30, 2024

Salutations Everybody! My name is Bryce Messer and I am happy to be serving Severson Dells, for the first time, as an AmeriCorps Environmental Educator. I grew up in Atlanta, Georgia but moved to Illinois a little over 1 year ago, so I am excited to learn everything I can about the natural wonders of the area.


I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Biology with minors in Geology and History of Science. Then I received my master’s degree from Southern Illinois University majoring in Zoology. As a requirement for graduation, I developed a habitat management plan for the American Pronghorn across a 140,000-acre ranch in New Mexico.


Before my time at Severson Dells, I worked in wildlife rehabilitation with WildCare Oklahoma to nurture sick, injured, and orphaned animals back to health. Following leaving Oklahoma I served as a natural resource technician at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico then traveled to Trinidad & Tobago to study the evolutionary histories of guppies.




I have had a lifelong love for wildlife and the outdoors which means I spend most of my time outside hiking, fishing, birding, and hunting. When not outside I enjoy playing video games, live-action role-playing, and watching movies & anime.

RECENT ARTICLES

Wonders of the Midwest: 10 Nature Adventure Daytrips from Northern Illinois and Beyond

By Sydney Sherbitsky • June 5, 2025
As a New Yorker who has had the opportunity to be in the Midwest for the first time since I moved here in October, there has been no shortage of environmental wonders to explore to my heart’s content. Here is my list of the wonders of the Midwest, which includes a few places I have visited and a few places I have yet to check out. All of these gardens and parks are within Rockford or a 3-hour drive of Rockford, perfect for a day trip!

A Deep Dive into Wildfires

By Jillian Neece • June 2, 2025
Please note: This blog was originally published by Jillian Neece on August 10, 2023, but has been updated to reflect numbers as of June 2, 2025. This summer, like every summer at Severson Dells, has been filled with laughing campers, stunning prairie wildflowers, and explorations in the creek. But this summer has also brought record breaking heat and some of the worst air quality the area has ever seen due to wildfires in Canada and the western United States. There are currently 174 active wildfires burning throughout Canada, and 44% of those are considered “out of control.” In the United States, there are currently 7 fires burning throughout 6 states, and only 3 are considered contained. Most experts predict that many of these fires will continue throughout the summer and fall. So, I figured it was time for a deep dive on wildfires!

Getting Kids Outside!

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.