Et cetera : NCCC Oak 2 Builds New Path for Marsh Haven Nature Center

The old boardwalk during the removal process that Oak 2 conducted.

The finished product of the new boardwalk that Oak 2 completed.

By: Sarah Hoke and Tyler Morgan

Oak 2 packed up their van on May 2 and headed out to Waupun, Wisconsin for the first half of their split project round. This was their second project and they were eagerly waiting to get started at Marsh Haven Nature Center, a nonprofit volunteer-supported nature center that educates the community on the wildlife of their 46 acre property of wetland and prairie.

Oak 2’s object for this first half of their project was to build Marsh Haven a new boardwalk over top of their wetland on their property so visitors could finally use a trail that had been closed down for numerous years. For this plan to work, the team had to remove the old boardwalk, build sections, and then put everything into place.

“Overall the days were long and physically demanding, there were some moments when we didn’t think we were going to finish the boardwalk”, said team member Heather Gordo of Houston, Texas, “It seemed never ending but we worked together. Then when the last board was put in place, all our hard work felt like it finally paid off. Walking from one end to the other with my teammates was so satisfying and that’s when I knew it was worth it.”

Oak 2 got a chance to learn and experience Waupun on a different level while building a stronger bond as a team with weekly activities. Activities such as dinner with the mayor, boat tours, and weekly journal prompts, these brought the team together even closer than before.

The team’s ISPs (Independent Service Project) while in the area have included serving with Horicon’s Historical Society and Free S.P.I.R.I.T. Riders. Working together the team enjoyed making a difference in Waupun, Wisconsin.