Adams County, Wisconsin

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Adams County, Wisconsin, is a scenic and historically rich region located in central Wisconsin, just north of the bustling Wisconsin Dells. Known for its rolling pine forests, sandstone bluffs, glacial lakes, and rural charm, Adams County offers a blend of natural beauty and small-town life. The land itself has long been a place of deep significance. Long before European settlers arrived, the area was home to the Ho-Chunk Nation (also known as the Winnebago), who lived in close relationship with the rivers, wetlands, and woodlands. They hunted, fished, and harvested wild rice, leaving their stories carved in stone—petroglyphs and pictographs—still visible today at sites like Roche-A-Cri Mound, a sacred sandstone bluff that remains a spiritual and cultural landmark.

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European-American settlers began arriving in the mid-1800s, drawn by the promise of fertile farmland and the bounty of the forests. In 1853, Adams County was officially formed from part of Portage County. The construction of the railroad later in the century spurred growth in towns like Adams and Friendship, turning them into transportation and agricultural centers. As small communities such as Grand Marsh, Rome, and Arkdale emerged, the county became rooted in cranberry farming, logging, and dairy production.

The natural beauty of Adams County has made it a popular destination for recreation. Roche-A-Cri State Park offers hiking trails, birdwatching, and panoramic views from the top of its 300-foot bluff. The county also boasts two of Wisconsin’s largest inland lakes—Castle Rock Lake and Petenwell Lake—which attract visitors year-round for boating, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation. The glacially sculpted Friendship Mound and its scenic overlook further exemplify the area’s geological richness. From summer camping and canoeing to autumn foliage hikes and winter snowshoeing, the county provides nature-based experiences in every season.

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Today, with a population of just under 20,000, Adams County remains a quiet and inviting place where nature, history, and community are deeply intertwined. It continues to serve as a peaceful retreat for outdoor enthusiasts and a rich learning environment for environmental educators. Whether you're exploring ancient petroglyphs, paddling across a glacial lake, or walking forest trails, Adams County offers a meaningful connection to both the past and the natural world—a perfect landscape for programs like Crystal’s Nature School that celebrate learning, land, and legacy.

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Juneau County, Wisconsin

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Juneau County

Nestled in central Wisconsin, Juneau County is a landscape shaped by glacial history, flowing waters, and deep-rooted human presence. Home to rolling forests, oak savannas, wetlands, and river valleys, the region offers an abundant and dynamic setting for immersive outdoor education. For nature-based learners, Juneau County is more than a place on a map—it’s a living classroom.

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Long before it became a county in 1857, the land was stewarded by Native American tribes, including the Ho-Chunk Nation, who lived in close relationship with the area’s natural cycles. Evidence of this long history remains in the region’s mound structures, wild rice beds, and enduring cultural practices tied to the land.

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The county takes its name from Solomon Juneau, a French-Canadian fur trader and one of Milwaukee’s founders. As settlers arrived in the 19th century, the region developed around agriculture, timber, and the rivers that continue to shape its ecosystems today, most notably the Wisconsin River, Lemonweir River, and Yellow River.

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For nature school programming, Juneau County offers a rich variety of outdoor exploration spaces. The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge—a crown jewel of Midwest conservation—provides thousands of acres of habitat for endangered species like the whooping crane and Karner blue butterfly. Children can learn firsthand about prairie restoration, wetland ecology, bird migration, and the interconnectedness of all living things.

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Other highlights include the Buckhorn State Park, a peninsula of forests and backwaters ideal for forest play, sensory walks, and aquatic study; and Castle Rock Lake, which borders Adams and Juneau Counties, offering shoreline habitats and opportunities for water-based education. The county’s trails, like those in the Yellow River State Wildlife Area, invite reflection, journaling, and wildlife tracking across all seasons.

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With its quiet woodlands, active conservation areas, and welcoming small towns like Mauston, New Lisbon, and Necedah, Juneau County fosters a sense of place that is perfect for deep, seasonal nature connection. It’s a landscape where curiosity is sparked, stewardship is taught, and children grow wild with wonder.

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Tuesday Mornings in Adams & Juneau County—Join the Adventure!

Imagine a morning of nature journaling, art, exploration, and community with families just like yours. Every Tuesday from 9 AM to noon—come be part of the magic.

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“You are worthy. You are loved. You belong in nature.”

​      -Ms. Crystal 

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