Kathy Waldera, Saunters Project Coordinator.
We are excited to welcome Kathy Waldera as our new Saunters Project Coordinator at the Ice Age Trail Alliance!
Kathy joins the Alliance with thirty-plus years of experience in environmental education. Most recently, Kathy was at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center as a School Program Coordinator for the past 19.5 years! At the Center, she ran field trips, after-school programs, and the nature club.
Her career goal has always been to work in the outdoors with kids. Kathy completed her undergrad at UW–Stevens Point during “the dawn of environmental education,” which initially limited career opportunities, she explains. So, after graduation, Kathy and a friend took a road trip to look at different graduate schools and programs. During the trip, she visited Bowling Green State University and it seemed like a good fit.
At grad school there, she was involved in the residential life program and learned about an open position as a Residence Hall Director at the University of Fairbanks. Not being able to turn down such an incredible experience, Kathy applied for the role. While in Alaska, she got to visit remote schools around the state and talk to students about college and the admissions process. Her favorite thing about living in Alaska was “the aurora was out almost all the time. It felt like you could almost touch it,” she says. This program fueled her love for the outdoors and helping youth have meaningful educational experiences.
Several years later, Kathy was living in La Crosse, Wisconsin with her husband and daughter when she came across a volunteer opportunity to be a hike leader at The Nature Place (a nature-focused community center). “Volunteering there was a great intro to and training for hands-on, outdoor education,” Kathy says. Then, when Kathy and her family moved to the Madison area, she became aware of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and pursued a career in environmental education there.
Kathy first became acquainted with the Ice Age Trail in 2017 through a Trailtessa winter hike. “The Trail is such a cool way to see the state. When I turned 60, I decided I wanted to do 60 miles of the Trail. Then, my husband and daughter decided to join me. I’ve now done a total of 66 miles,” she says. When she learned about the job opening for the Saunters Project Coordinator, she knew immediately it offered everything she wanted to do: giving kids access to the outdoors across the state, with transportation!
In this role, Kathy coordinates Think Outside, a National Park Foundation, grant-funded initiative, including educator communications, pre-hike presentations, and field-experience hikes.
So far as the Saunters Project Coordinator, Kathy has loved leading hikes and presenting to the kids about the Ice Age Trail and its glacial history. “They’re so interested and excited! During a recent hike on the Indian Lake Segment, a kid ran up to show me a soft plant they found. This excitement and curiosity is rewarding,” she explains. The Think Outside program also encourages her to continue to explore the Trail to see the different glacial features she teaches about.
What is Kathy’s favorite Ice Age Trail Segment?: The St. Croix Falls Segment, but she hopes she actually hasn’t found it yet.
We look forward to working with Kathy to conserve, create, maintain, and promote the Ice Age Trail!
