When NRF supported the construction of the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center in 1988, it was the first time our young organization had made a big contribution to an environmental education effort. Connecting people with nature has been a core part of our work ever since.
In the decades since it was built, the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center in Babcock, WI has been used as a place to learn about mushroom foraging, get trained in wilderness first aid, warm up during candlelight hikes, and much more. Learn more in the guest blog below written by Vicki Palen from Friends of Sandhill.
The Anderson Activity Center at the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center by Mike Zeckmeister. The current Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center by Rich Schroeder
A moment at the Outdoor Skills Center
After a brisk winter hike by moonlight on a trail marked by luminous “candles”, participants of all ages attending the February 2025 Candlelight Hike at the Sandhill Wildlife Area finished at the Outdoor Skills Center. After exploring the winter wonderland, they warmed up with snacks and hot beverages prepared in the kitchen of the Center. With hot cups of cocoa in hand, they enjoyed viewing and identifying the multiple taxidermy mounts of wild birds and mammals displayed around the classroom.
In a world where people spend too much time on screens and not enough out exploring nature, these moments are important. By hosting events at the Outdoor Skills Center, we’re creating meaningful experiences where people really connect with nature.
Candlelight hikes are a great excuse to get out and enjoy Wisconsin’s magical wintertime. Photo courtesy of Getty Images
The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center – the early years
The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center was dedicated in 1992. The Natural Resources Foundation had contributed $25,000 in 1988 toward its construction, NRF’s first significant contribution to outdoor education.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owns the Outdoor Skills Center, located within the Sandhill Wildlife Area. The plan was to use the Outdoor Skills Center to introduce both adults and young people to the outdoors and to Sandhill Wildlife Area through workshops, seminars and school field trips. This plan is still in action today.
Having the Outdoor Skills Center offers a unique opportunity to host a wide variety of events, programs, workshops, and even research students at Sandhill that contribute directly to the development of wildlife management. The diversity of the events that can be hosted through the Center allow a wide variety of people from all across the state to connect with the property on a deeper level.
I became associated with Sandhill in 2002, when the Friends of Sandhill became a 501(c)3 non-profit. When I first got involved, 2 full-time DNR educators planned activities such as canoe camping and winter camping. Along with volunteers, they also led workshops like “Calling all Frogs” (a night excursion to listen for, catch and identify frogs), “Porcupine Ecology” (information on Sandhill porcupine research), and “Crane Watch” (viewing of Sandhill Cranes coming into the marsh to spend the night). Buses also brought students for school field trips to Sandhill. Additionally, high school and college students completed research on squirrels, ruffed grouse, saw whet owls and other wildlife.
This was a once in a lifetime spectacle that I will never forget.
Sandhill crane viewing events have drawn people to Sandhill Wildlife Area for years. Photo by Ryan Michalesko
These days at Sandhill
As the years went on, environmental education budgets at the DNR and field trip budgets at schools did not stretch as far as they had in the past. Fewer staff meant fewer workshops and school groups. To help keep things going, the Friends of Sandhill has led workshops or found other knowledgeable people to lead them as often as possible. The present Sandhill DNR staff also leads or arranges workshops.
In the last few years, many workshops have taken place at the Outdoor Skills Center, including “Making Walking Sticks”, “Learn to Hunt Deer”, “Wilderness First Aid”, “Mushroom ID and Foraging”, “Trapper Education”, and our beloved annual “Crane Watch”. The department also uses it at times for DNR meetings or warden training sessions, and for NRF Field Trips.
It has been incredible to work with NRF to offer field trips at Sandhill! Each year, DNR staff at Sandhill host two or three NRF tours to highlight the property and management activities. These events are highly attended, and participants are very engaged. We appreciate the opportunity to work with NRF to host these events and showcase the important work we are doing!
In addition, the Friends of Sandhill sponsor an annual Open House that is vital for the Outdoor Skills Center. People learn about the wildlife at Sandhill, engage in hands-on activities, and check out informative displays. They can view dozens of taxidermy mounts, from owls, hawks and other birds to mammals including beaver, muskrat, opossum and deer. They can also see hides from fur-bearers including fox, raccoon, otter and even wolf. There is usually a theme for the Open House, and some past subjects have been native snakes, whitetail deer, and raptors. Bison will be the theme in 2026, incorporating information about the small herd of bison that lives at Sandhill.
Sandhill Wildlife Area is home to many species, from endangered Karner blue butterflies to the charismatic bison herd. The unique experiences at Sandhill featured in NRF’s Field Trip program often utilize the Outdoor Skills Center. Photo by Bruce Bartel
Ongoing role of the Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center
Though the workshops and other uses of the Outdoor Skills Center have changed over the years, the building is an important part of the Sandhill outdoor education program. We especially appreciate it when people offer to conduct a workshop or some other educational event. We also welcome volunteers to help someone else conduct an event. Outside groups sometimes use the Outdoor Skills Center as a venue for their programs as well.
I would like to invite everyone to visit the Sandhill Wildlife Area and consider signing up for one or more of the workshops. Don’t forget to attend our Open House on the second Saturday in May!
Guest Blogger
Vicki Palen
Secretary of Friends of Sandhill
Vicki Palen has been a member and Treasurer of Friends of Sandhill since it was formed in 2002, and is also the current Secretary.
40 years of impact on conservation and environmental education
The Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin is celebrating our 40th Anniversary in 2026! The Outdoor Skills Center at Sandhill Wildlife Area is an important part of NRF’s story because it was the first time NRF made a big donation towards an environmental education project. More recently, NRF has also supported other work at Sandhill Wildlife Area such as enhancements to the Trumpeter Trail in 2020 and habitat improvements in 2025 through the Cherish Wisconsin Outdoors Fund.
We hope you’ll join us for our 40th Anniversary activities throughout the year!
Photo of Karner blue butterfly by Bruce Bartel