Join us for an evening with Ann Wasser, Executive Director of Severson Dells Nature Center, as she leads a hike and lecture about the evolving landscape of the former Elliot Golf Course — a site undergoing a rewilding transformation.

This guided experience will explore how abandoned fairways and manicured greens are being restored to native prairie, wetland, and woodland habitats. Learn about the trends in golf course rewilding, the ecological vision driving the project, and how rewilding supports biodiversity, climate resilience, and community well-being.
The hike will take place on uneven terrain, as there are no established trails on the property yet. Please wear sturdy shoes. The optional tour starts at 5:30 p.m., and the regular monthly meeting and program starts in the old Elliot Clubhouse at 6:30 p.m.

Ann Wasser is the Director at Severson Dells Nature Center. The center’s mission is to connect people to nature through education and research in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Before her time at Severson Dells, she was the Director of Education at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. She has almost two decades of experience in informal science education. Ann received the Association of Nature Center Administrators Outstanding New Director Award in 2019 and the Excellence in Leadership Award from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in 2021. Ann received her BS in Earth Systems Science and Policy with a concentration in Marine and Coastal Ecology from California State University, Monterey Bay, and an MEd in Science Education from the University of Washington.

This free educational program is open to the public. This program will be in-person only, and it will not be recorded. For more information about the program, contact Jerry Paulson at 815-222-4414.