The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin launched the Field Trip program to help connect more Wisconsinites with the outdoors back in 1993. During its first full year, the program hosted 42 trips and had 582 participants. NRF now hosts over 275 Field Trips with over 5,000 participants every year!
We sat down with three generations of Field Trip leaders to hear what being part of the Field Trip program means to them.
Trip Leaders are the backbone of NRF Field Trips
Throughout the history of NRF’s Field Trip program, thousands of professionals have volunteered to lead trips for us. Beginning with 48 leaders in 1994 and growing to 450 leaders in 2026, our program showcases the expertise of Wisconsin’s brightest naturalists.
Our leaders generously share their time, knowledge and passion about the wonders of Wisconsin’s natural world. They also are responsible for trip concepts, scouting, route planning, logistics, and executing the actual program. Quite simply, our Field Trips would not be possible without the generosity of our leaders, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to them.
Phil Fauble leading An NRF Field Trip in Baraboo Hills. Photo by Shelly Torkelson
Highlighting generations of Field Trip leaders
Knowing what our leaders mean to our program, we wondered what our program means to them. We recently spoke with three leaders that span the timeframe of our program to learn more about their connections to nature and NRF.
Phil Fauble, a hydrogeologist with the Wisconsin DNR, has been leading his Geology of the Baraboo Hills trip since 1996. Yes you read that correctly – he has been leading this stellar trip for 30 years. Emily Stone, author and Education Director at Cable Natural History Museum, has led a Loon Pontoon trip since 2015. Chelsy Herring, Executive Director of Friends of Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, has led Spring Blooms & Geology: Ledge County Park since 2024. Let’s dive in!
NRF Field Trip participants admiring the landscape at Ledge County Park from a lookout point during Chelsy Herring’s Spring Blooms & Geology Trip. Photo By Kim Kreitinger
#1) What inspired you to pursue a career in conservation?
Phil: The natural world has always fascinated me, especially geology. The rocks always had such a grand story to tell, but they were stingy with their tales. You had to study to identify the clues that gave away their secrets. And there was always more to know since most of the clues are buried or very old and weathered.
Phil hiking at Lutsen. Photo courtesy of Phil Fauble
Emily: My parents are naturalists, so I spent most of my childhood outside barefoot and in mud puddles. I joined Girl Scouts at a young age, received both the Silver and Gold Awards, and spent five years as a camp counselor. The Girl Scouts have a really great leadership pipeline, so I went from a shy, quiet kid to a confident teacher. Then, when I discovered that outdoor education was an actual career path, it was an easy decision to go to Northland College with that major. After college I spent five years as a seasonal naturalist working across the country in five states. Then, I completed the Field Naturalist Master’s Program at the University of Vermont. I’ve been with the Cable Natural History Museum since 2011.
NRF Field Trip leader Emily Stone out in nature. Photo courtesy of Emily Stone
Chelsy: Growing up, my family always shared awe and wonder of the natural world, spending as much time as their “day jobs” would allow outside. I was fortunate that they paved the way for me to turn my love of the outdoors into my life, my passion, and most importantly into my career where I have been able to make the most impact. It was this observation as a kid, when my dad rushed home from work each day to get outside, that I realized being “out there” was something special.
Nature does something to you. It provides respite, joy, excitement, reflection and opportunities for growth as a person. As I grew into adulthood, through many ups and downs, nature always was my escape. And through my years of growing and maturing, I realized nature desperately needed protection. Though some may think of this as a very anthropocentric view of what nature can do for us, I wholeheartedly believe that this anthropocentric view is the only thing powerful enough to enact change for the better. This quote often reminds me of that – “In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught” (Baba Dioum, a Senegalese forest ranger, 1968).
Chelsy Herring while leading an NRF Field Trip. Photo courtesy of Chelsy Herring
#2) Why do you enjoy leading NRF Field Trips?
Phil: I enjoy sharing the stories of the rocks with others. People tend to think that the earth has always been the way it is now, but that is absolutely not true.
Emily: I appreciate how enthusiastic NRF members are about nature. It is always fun knowing that I am going to have people who are REALLY into birds and nature. This allows me to go a little bit deeper in my teachings, be a little bit nerdier than on a regular public tour. I also enjoy meeting people from all over Wisconsin due to the statewide reach of the NRF Field Trip Program.
Chelsy: Not any one of us leaders “know it all”, and if you take a humble approach to leading, you can come out the better for having learned together as a group. At the end of each of the trips I have co-led, we walk away with more knowledge and insight than when we began. Participants come from various backgrounds and thus have different experiences and knowledge to share with the entire group. It not only adds to the dimension of the program, but it brings forward meaningful shared experiences in nature that drive passion and action in conservation work.
Participants sitting on a pontoon boat during an NRF Field Trip. Photo by Emily Stone
#3) Do you have a favorite memory to share from a NRF Field Trip?
Phil: In the early days, our group came across a corporate picnic at Devils Lake being catered by Epic Systems. I joked that we were soon going to be neighbors (I live in Verona), so they gave us all a plate! I’ve met so many interesting people on these trips throughout the years. Sometimes I feel like I get as much from participants as they get from me. And no one gets angry when I veer off into another unrelated, but amusing (to me anyway) tale!
NRF Field Trip participants hiking in a gorge in the Baraboo Hills. Photo by Sheri Moor
Emily: There is nothing better than seeing a loon chick riding on their parent’s back! We have never NOT seen a loon during the Loon Pontoon tours and usually see chicks. Sometimes we witness interesting territorial behaviors or diving dances. On one tour, our group was surprised to see juvenile loons closely approaching the boat. With closer observation, we discovered the reason – an eagle was perched on a branch above the boat. The young loons eventually dove underneath the boat for more protection. Because the waters of Lake Owen are so clear, our tour participants could follow the loons’ underwater path!
Chelsy: There is not one particular memory so far that has been a favorite, but rather a feeling of joy and pride sharing some of my favorite natural spaces with others. This is especially true when participants express their excitement about having found a new place to explore.
Adult loon with a chick on its back in the water. Photo by Emily Stone
Join us out in the field this season
The 2026 Field Trip season is right around the corner, with 280 Field Trips offered this year! These trips highlight the best of Wisconsin’s natural world. We offer unique opportunities for all ages to explore Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife by foot, bike, and boat.
Trips are led by top-notch naturalists who share their love and knowledge of Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife. Enjoy up-close experiences with Wisconsin’s natural world and learn about the critical conservation work being done to protect it.
You must be a current NRF member to register for Field Trips. Registration opens at noon on April 8th. Join or renew your membership here.
Thank you to the Alliant Energy Foundation, First Business Bank, Fund for Lake Michigan, Generac, MGE Foundation, TIAA Bank, and We Energies Foundation for helping to make Field Trips possible!
40 years of exploring and protecting Wisconsin
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin has been protecting Wisconsin’s lands, waters, and wildlife and connecting people with nature since 1986. The Field Trip program started getting Wisconsinites outdoors in 1993 and quickly became one of our most popular programs. As NRF celebrates our 40th Anniversary in 2026, we hope you will join us to explore, love and protect Wisconsin on Field Trips and through our other anniversary activities.
Written by Kim Kreitinger, Field Trip Coordinator