Catching Nature

Kathy and I are both retired, but we like to remain active. We each volunteer for various organizations both together and individually. Most of these organizations are nature focused.

Connie Schmidt Outdoor enthusiast I have lived in Warrenville in DuPage County since 1982, raising two children with my husband Michael. We board horses and have chickens, dogs and multiple garden areas. I love my wildflower garden in the spring, cultivate perennial veggies as well as the traditional annual varieties in the summer, and enjoy awesome autumn color in my native prairie area in my front yard.

They come from all walks of life, but they bond over their common love of exercise, the great outdoors and nature.

Lynn Degnan grew up in Wisconsin with a cross-country ski trail right out her back door.

Annette McNeely Combines love of dogs, snow and nature  I started dogsledding in 2003 when I adopted a Siberian Husky and had no idea what I was in for. Reo was eating my house. After doing some research on husky behavior, I learned they are an energetic dog that needs to run.

Chuck Kelly Rekindling a love of nature  I have always enjoyed being outside but have really made an effort over the past 10 years or so to spend as much time outdoors as possible. In addition to working and volunteering with the District, outdoor activities for me include gardening, walking our dog and riding my bike.

Janet Lawrence Nature explorer, volunteer  I live in Naperville with my husband and have three young adult kids. My youngest just started his freshman year at college, so we are new empty nesters! I spent the last 25 or so years volunteering as much as I could with Naperville Community School District 203 and other spots around town. This past spring I began a regular shift as a volunteer animal keeper at the District’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn.

Since childhood, Kevin Keller has always been drawn to the outdoors, through photography, fishing, plants and gardening and weather watching. 

  Katherine Howard Nature Whisperer I grew up in Idaho and Alaska, so nature has always been up close and personal for me. My favorite childhood memories are entwined with experiences with wildlife, such as the many orphaned and injured animals that my stepfather would rehabilitate and release.

Julie Nelson Naperville Mom and nature lover My daughters — Olivia, 16 and Hannah, 14 — were about halfway through summer, and I felt we were in a rut. It seemed like each day they fell into the same routine of summer school, swimming, shopping, going to a movie or falling back to tech time and social media on their phones if we didn’t have other plans. I was looking for ways to find a bit of balance, unplug, practice mindfulness and make some memories without spending too much money.