Celebrating 50 years at Mosquito Hill Nature Center on the UW 175 tour

A group of people pose with Bucky Badger.

During the latest University of Wisconsin–Madison State Tour stop on May 30 in the Fox Valley, university and community partners celebrated two anniversaries: 50 years of Mosquito Hill Nature Center and 175 years of the university.  

The day-long visit to the Fox Valley included a Bucky’s Classroom visit to a local school, a tour of Plexus Corporation, and the celebration at Mosquito Hill Nature Center. The center, which is a part of the Outagamie County Parks system, partnered with UniverCity during the 2022-23 academic year 

During the celebration at the nature center, local community groups shared information during a resource fair and local alumni attended to learn more about the partnership and party with Bucky Badger.  

A woman speaks at a podium with banners behind her.
Sarah Schutt, chief alumni engagement officer and executive director for the Wisconsin Alumni Association. Photo credit: Gregory T Photography.

“This day is a celebration of shared goals across the state, including at Mosquito Hill Nature Center,” Sarah Schutt, chief alumni engagement officer and executive director for the Wisconsin Alumni Association, said.   

During her remarks at the celebration, Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin emphasized the collaboration involved to create the partnership between Outagamie County, the nature center, UniverCity Alliance, and UW–Madison. 

“Sometimes we have days where we’re able to tell the stories about discovery and innovation, people and partnership, the Wisconsin Idea in action, all at once. Today is one of those days,” Mnookin said.

Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. Photo credit: Gregory T Photography.

“Thank you for helping us to celebrate not just the past but also the future: your futures, our future, the future of our university, the future of Wisconsin.” 

Through the multi-year partnership with UniverCity, Outagamie County developed projects that were focused on their community’s future. In particular, the county wanted to focus on community resiliency, opportunity for all residents, and county operations optimization. 

Three UW–Madison classes and instructors worked with Mosquito Hill Nature Center and addressed marketing and promotion. These included Journalism & Mass Communication 455: Creative Campaign Messages taught by Evjue Centennial Professor Doug McLeod, Geography 309: People, Land and Food taught by Professor Holly Gibbs, and General Business 790: Consulting Practicum taught by Senior Lecturer Mary Kay Malone. 

UniverCity Alliance Managing Director Gavin Luter. Photo credit: Gregory T Photography.

“We work with so many faculty who have this in their heart,” UniverCity Alliance Managing Director Gavin Luter said. “This is why they come to UW–Madison: because they want to make a difference.”  

The students’ projects are already at work. Mosquito Hill Nature Center Naturalist Mike Hibbard said the center is using a new payment system and implementing social media strategies after working with the students.

“Having the university behind us was a great asset,” Hibbard said. 

Luter said UniverCity Alliance’s mission of connecting Wisconsin local governments with university resources illustrates the Wisconsin Idea as a two-way street.  

“It’s about us showing up, listening, and learning together,” Luter said. “We all benefit when we partner together.”  

All photos credited to Gregory T Photography.

–Abigail Becker