My Biz: Wickiup Hill naturalist enjoys 'dream job'

Sarah Wendt is lucky she hasn't been bitten by a snake in the last seven years.

Especially lucky given that her job as a conservation education specialist at Wickiup Hill Learning Center near Toddville  requires higher than average amounts of human/snake interaction.

Wendt will make comments like, “it's so cute” as a baby fox snake slithers through her hands.

It's this same “cute” snake Wendt introduces to field trip groups visiting Wickiup Hill. But the “cute” reaction isn't one she gets immediately from the students about the snake - named Mickey for his interesting scale pattern.

“It is the most rewarding when I get to see a shift in kids,” said Wendt. “I so enjoy helping them to appreciate things and think they are cool instead of being terrified.”

Wendt has been a naturalist - her dream job - at Wickiup Hill for the last 11 years.

“I have always loved being outside and I've also worked with kids,” she said. "I am so lucky that I get to combine the two and do what I am passionate about for a living.

“I am also hugely passionate about environmental issues. Every day I get to try to pass that down to kids through fun and excitement.”

Wendt, who studied geography and psychology at the University of Iowa and previously worked with AmeriCorps and Trees Forever, said the burden of knowledge about environmental issues can bog you down.

“You learn so much about issues and habitat destruction and it can be depressing," Wendt said. "My job is to try to put a positive spin on it for kids to get them to help make a difference.”

Field trip days are not only Wendt's best opportunity to impart such wisdom, but they also are her most typical days in the office. She and the three other naturalists on the Wickiup Hill team offer field trip programs for students in kindergarten through 5th grade.

“We typically have 100 kids per day,” Wendt said. Students learn about animals, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as Native American culture, and various habitats.

Wickup naturalists also hold their educational programs off-site at schools.

“We go to a lot of preschools," Wendt said. "I don't think people realize that we work with such a variety of ages."

Programs are always tailored to the curriculum and the needs of the students, she said.

Wendt runs the Toddler Toadstool program, which is meant for kids as young has a year old. She also has taken a keen interest in archery over the last year and designed a few programs. She hopes to start an archery club for teens.

When she's not corralling kids and sharing awesome nature facts, Wendt's other duties include researching and writing for a newsletter and planning other educational programs.

“We wear many hats,” said Wendt. “We are teachers, historians, and care takers of live animals.”

Another aspect of Wendt's work is helping visitors appreciate the land.

“People don't know we are out here,” she said. “We have miles and miles of trails to enjoy. We cover all the habitats.”

And just because the temperatures are cooling down, that doesn't mean that Wickiup Hill programs and activities slow down, Wendt said.

“It really is beautiful out here in the winter time, especially to see the snow glisten on the prairie grasses,” she said.

Wickiup, which actually means “winter dwelling,” was once a winter camp for the Meskwaki tribe. “There is a huge historical presence here.”

Wendt said cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and winter hiking are very popular activities at Wickiup.

“Since many of our trails are through wooded areas, the trees are pretty good at blocking the wind and the scenery usually makes you forget all about the cold.”

At a glance

• Organization: Wickiup Hill Learning Center
• Conservation Education Specialist: Sarah Wendt
• Address: 10260 Morris Hill Rd., Toddville
• Phone: (319) 892-6485
• Website: http://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Linn/Park/Wickiup-Hill-Learning-Center.aspx