CNC Announces Staff Promotions
Chippewa Nature Center (CNC), located at 400 S Badour Rd in Midland, is excited to announce the promotions of two staff members in its Department of Programs. Michelle Fournier is now the School and Public Program Director and Allie Robb has assumed the role of Assistant Camp Director and Interpretive Naturalist.
Fournier began her career at CNC in 2004 as a Junior Counselor with Nature Day Camp, and most recently held the position of Public Program Coordinator. In her new role, she will be responsible for guiding the team of educators and coordinating school programs as well as coordinating the many public programs offered to the community.
Robb started with CNC in 2018 as a school program Educator and joined the Nature Day Camp staff in 2019 as a Program Coordinator. Previously a seasonal position, this marks the first time CNC has had a year-round Assistant Camp Director for its Nature Day Camp (NDC) program. Establishing this role helps ensure a sustainable future for the NDC leadership team. Robb’s focus will be on the development of the teen Counselor-in-Training program and helping ensure continuity for camp staff and families. During the school year, Allie will also coordinate Birthday Party and Scout programs, support logistic and material needs of school programs, teach school programs and lead public programs.
CNC’s public programs include naturalist-led adult field trips such as kayaking and canoeing, Voyageur canoe trips, birding excursions and snowshoeing. Workshops are offered on topics such as basket making, fungi identification, wreath making and natural dyes. Presentations and programs include topics including stewardship, live animals, local history, bird banding and more. Naturalist-led hikes feature birds, insects, wildflowers, the full moon and reptiles and amphibians. Several golf carts tours are also offered annually for those with limited mobility. Programs for children include programs such as Wee Stroll and Story Hour, and are designed for children to enjoy with their families, and help bring nature to life for CNC’s youngest visitors.
CNC’s school programs bring authentic, place-based and curriculum-connected programs to thousands of students in 34 counties, both onsite and at their schools. These programs come in the form of field trips to CNC, a CNC educator at the school, Traveling Trunks available to use at schools, science and literacy kits and virtual visits. Programs for homeschooled students are also offered.
Nature Day Camp is CNC’s longest running program, first welcoming campers in 1966. At NDC, campers are inspired to build lifelong, meaningful relationships with the natural world as they catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river. Small groups ensure excellent learning opportunities. Campers ages 3-16 make new friends, gain confidence in outdoor skills and get dirty as they explore Chippewa Nature Center and beyond.
Allie Robb Michelle Fournier
