Helping the Nature Center

While Dillon Nature Center does receive tax support and administrative services through Hutchinson Recreation Commission, a large percentage of its operations and almost all of its capital improvements are funded through other sources.

Here are a few ways you can help the Nature Center:

Living Land Foundation: This is a 501-c-3 non-profit foundation and is totally dedicated to helping the Dillon Nature Center. The foundation’s funds are managed at the Hutchinson Community Foundation. Through the Living Land Foundation’s efforts, many major improvements have been done at the Nature Center. For example: Visitor Center building, indoor and outdoor displays, trail improvements, major landscaping projects, etc. The foundation also manages endowment funds that help with annual operating costs. Donations may be made to the Living Land Foundation through the Nature Center or through the community foundation. Contact the Nature Center's director for more information.

Memorials, Designated Donations, and Recognition Bricks: Almost all of the landscaping projects, garden improvements, tree plantings, special programs, etc., have been funded through donations give in memory or honor of loved ones. All memorials and many other types of donations are placed in designated funds that are then used for specific projects (example: Arbor Day school programs, ECO-Meet scholarships, landscaping, program equipment, etc.). It would have been impossible for the nature Center to grow into the resource that it is today without this help. Engraved bricks may also be purchased. These bricks go in the front walkway and lead into the Visitor Center.

Membership and Other Donations: Members give an annual donation to the Nature Center that helps provide an important source of funding for our operations. Members then receive a discount on almost all programs, gift shop purchases, and trips. There also are special sales and other activities available only for members. Dillon Nature Center membership also is reciprocal – meaning they can be used at many other similar centers around the country. The Nature Center also receives a wide variety of other donations every year that are very important to its budget. A donation box is available in the lobby of the Visitor Center for your convenience.

Volunteering at the Nature Center: It is hard to put an exact value on what volunteers do for the Nature Center. To put it simply, the Nature Center would not exist as it does today without volunteer help. Volunteers help with almost every aspect of the Nature Center’s operations. Here are a few general categories for volunteering at the Nature Center. Some of our volunteers help in several of these areas. If you are interested, contact the Chief Naturalist who is also our Volunteer Coordinator at 663-7411, or by email at dncnaturalist@hutchrec.com.

Horticulture Green Team: There are several different teams of this horticultural help. One team is made up of those that help with the transplanting and care of seedlings. Most of this work can be done sitting down, but does require some manual dexterity to handle the seedlings. The next team is made up of those that help with the planting of the gardens. These people must be able to work outside and be able to get down to ground level to do the planting. The next team is involved with watering and weeding the flowerbeds once they are planted. The last team is made up of those people that want to receive mo in-depth training in the care of perennial flowerbeds. These volunteers will be required to provide a minimum number of volunteer work hours to receive this special training.

School Program Leaders: About 25,000 school children receive the Nature Center’s programs every year due to the dedication of our volunteers working under the supervision of our Chief Naturalist. These volunteers receive extensive training and do an apprenticeship before actually leading any school programs. Most of the programming is done for elementary grade students. Some volunteers work with only certain grade levels, while others work with all ages of students.

Office Helpers: Some volunteers mainly help with various clerical duties, such as assembling mailings, putting together packets, etc. Some help watch over the gift shop, greet visitors, etc. All of them help perform important tasks and save the Nature Center staff a great deal of time.