JORDAN NATURE CENTER
Due, to a lack of funding the 45+year old Nature Center has been closed after the 2011 fall school programs! We are currently working with the county parks to reopen this important education site but need your input. If you our your school classroom or groups has used this site or taken part in education programs over the years please contact DINO at Nature's Niche 715-340-7149 or 715-341-7149. We are looking at offering the education programs but need individuals to take part in a questionaire! Also if your school or classroom is looking to do education programs I was the county naturalist for approx.8 years at Jordan Park and still offer programs in the state, county, and city parks year round with many themes.
The Pulaski School was built in 1904 (circa)at a cost of $500.00. The first school was built of wood and known as School House #9 and was part of the thriving town of Jordan. In 1930, the school burned and was rebuilt out of red brick commonly used in the local buildings after many fires had destroyed the downtown. Those who were children remember having to attend school at the local tavern while it was being rebuilt. The new school was renamed Pulaski School after Casmir Pulaski a Polish general who fought in the Revolutionary War. A bust of Casmir Pulaski can be seen as you enter Stevens Point on the east side of town. Jordan was est. as an early English & Irish town but today the primary residents are of Polish background. The school was decommissioned by the Stevens Point School District and given to the Portage County Parks Dept. After several years as a storage shed and a place to winter the parks elk the decision was made to create a nature center. The town is all but gone except the school house and small hydro dam but many cultures made their home at this site from the early Native American cultures to the Pioneers. The draw to the center is the exhibits of local life in Central Wisconsin, native animal mounts, live honey bee exhibits, campground, Jordan Pond, summer education programs, nature trails that lead you into old growth mixed hardwoods forest with some 100-250 yr old white pines reaching 5ft across. You may also see the local Bald Eagles or the Pileated Woodpecker a symbol of the nature center.
Call: 715-345-0520 or 715-346-1433 to sign up for their Fall, Winter and Spring school education programs provided free to schools in Portage County for K-2nd grade. Spaces are limited and on first come basis.www.co.portage.wi.us
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