When Andy Rieth was a young boy growing up, he would often spend a week at his aunt’s and uncle’s house on the lake with his close cousins. They would wake when the sun came up, swim and fish all day long, and run through acres and acres of the wooded land.
Bird banding research has been a highlight during the summers at Merry Lea since 2001. Staff and volunteers wake up very early in the morning to learn more about the flying inhabitants of Merry Lea. However, due to safety restrictions related to COVID-19, we are not banding this summer in order to protect both the human team and the birds.
This newsletter features our very own Kerry Goodrich, who celebrated 40 years of service as Merry Lea's property supervisor this past year. Hear about the many ways our volunteers contribute to Merry Lea, including the experiences of Julie Davidson, who has been with us for 20 years. If you've ever had food from Merry Lea Sustainable Farm, you know how tasty it is - we share a couple recipes that you can make while you learn about the many ways our farm's food enriches our programs and people.
You don’t need to travel for this year’s New York Fashion Week in the middle of a winter storm – not to mention during a global pandemic – to catch the latest fashion. See what styles and trends our Nature Preschoolers have to offer for winter 2021.
When Emma Zuercher, Apple Creek, Ohio, visited Merry Lea during freshman orientation fall 2019, she heard about cheesemaking, soapmaking and other hands-on opportunities through Merry Lea’s programs.
This fall issue features undergraduate students in the Sustainability Leadership Semester, who recently delivered presentations on their proposals for community development in a Fort Wayne neighborhood. Did you know Merry Lea runs an after-school program? Discover PROWL's beginnings and how it's adapted during the pandemic. Learn about one of Merry Lea's new education programs by channeling your inner detective as kindergartners explore living and nonliving things in their schoolyard.
The summer 2020 Merry Leaflet features the Environmental Education Outreach team, whose nature-based programs and trainings provide hope and practical solutions amid the pandemic. Get to know the summer farm crew, who took over projects and helped run the farm during an unconventional summer. Learn how the graduate students have been exploring their new surroundings as they participate in safe, outdoor classes in person.
These are unconventional times, but much has happened at Merry Lea that offers hope and vision for the future. The first cohort of the Sustainability and Environmental Education Department of Goshen College graduated in April. The education team and master's students are creating online learning opportunities. A new executive director was hired. And spring is blooming!
Merry Lea Sustainable Farm is now home to six new baby goats, also known as kids, born the first week of May. Our two adult female goats, Ruby and Diamond, each had triplets and both families are doing well.
The search committee for Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College has named Dr. Jason Martin as Merry Lea’s new executive director. He brings over 10 years of programmatic leadership across environmental services and environmental education programs.
