By Barry Johanson | on September 16, 2022

EDUCATING THE FUTURE – Cleveland Elementary students prepare study guides for the day as the first class of the year to use the newly completed Kohler Center for Marsh Education to learn about marsh ecology. –photo by Les Tension

It was a spectacular late summer day when the Kohler Center for Marsh Education was dedicated on September 7, 2022. The Friends of the Marsh welcomed local dignitaries and the large donors to an open house reception at the facility. All were amazed and pleased with the beautiful building that had been in the works for over ten years at the Broughton Sheboygan County Marsh Park.

Real tree trunks were used in the construction and actually support the roof of the log and fieldstone structure. Expansive windows everywhere provide lots of natural light and enable those inside to see the marsh and surrounding park and campgrounds. The building is LEED certified, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), meaning it is designed to reduce stress on the environment, being more energy and resource efficient than average structures.

The primary wing of the building contains the multi-purpose room which is used as a classroom but also can be rented from Sheboygan County for private events such as family reunions, anniversaries or other gatherings of under 100 people. The other wing contains restroom and shower facilities for the campers that enjoy the park. The two wings are connected by a soaring atrium full of natural light. A large ash tree that was harvested about 1000 feet from where the structure stands in the marsh park is the centerpiece and supports the ceiling of the atrium.

EDUCATIONAL ARCHITECTURE – An approximately 115 year old ash tree, which succumbed to the emerald ash borer and clearly showing tracks made by the insects, forms the centerpiece of the education center atrium. — photo by Les Tension

The Friends of the Marsh worked hard for many years to raise the funds needed from a multitude of businesses, sportsman and conservation groups, and individuals, whose generous donations have provided the spectacular structure which will benefit future generations to come. Sheboygan County funded portions of the infrastructure and will be maintaining the structure going forward.

Adam Payne, Sheboygan County’s Administrator, provided opening remarks and gave his heartfelt thanks to all of the donors who made the project possible. Payne, an avid nature lover and sportsman himself, spoke of his father and grandfather instilling a love and respect for the marsh, and multiple generations of his family have enjoyed its recreational opportunities. “Collaboration is the key to Sheboygan County’s success”, he said.

Cindy Howley, Director of Stewardship for the Kohler Company was present to applaud the project, and introduced Laura Kohler who appeared virtually on video. Laura Kohler gave a tribute to her father, Herb Kohler who had passed a few days previously. Mr. Kohler as well as Laura and her siblings Rachel and David had shared the vision and helped step up the generosity of Kohler Company’s participation in the progress to assure the LEED certification. They are very proud to have the Kohler naming rights of the building.

Other recognition and acknowledgements as well as the closing remarks were given by Lil Pipping, President of the Friends of the Broughton Sheboygan County Marsh. Lil and her husband Ken Pipping have been active in supporting sportsman and conservation programs for decades and had great vision on what could be done to enhance the Sheboygan marsh park. Lil Pipping first led the Friends group through designing, collecting funds for and building the tallest wooden observation tower in the state of Wisconsin that park visitors have been enjoying for a decade. Without skipping a beat Lil and Ken donated countless hours leading the Friends of the Marsh through the more complex and challenging process of bringing this new structure to life at the park.

The Elkhart Lake Chamber of Commerce oversaw the ribbon cutting which completed the dedication.

The children for whom the Kohler Center is designed to most benefit have actually already been using the structure for the outdoor skills and education programs sponsored by YMCA Camp Y-Koda and offered to all area school children as well. The sky is the limit to what the future will bring now that this exciting new educational facility is available which was designed with their needs in mind.

HISTORY OF OUTDOOR SKILLS PROGRAM

One of the attendees at this grand opening was one of the founders of the Skill Center, Roy Kalmerton, who told the interesting history of Sheboygan County’s wildlife/conservation educational program. Back in the 1970’s he and a group that included Walter Vollrath III, Konrad Testwuide and Ward Torke wanted to educate the kids. They formed a committee that met with the county board. The Skill Center started with a booth at the fairgrounds. Although their preferred location was the Marsh Park, Sheboygan County approved placement of a building at the fairgrounds.

The Sheboygan County Conservation Association was already strong in youth development, and with their involvement Sterling Strathe was hired and the log structure was built to house one of the first educational centers in the state. A rock from every township in the county was donated and used in the fieldstone fireplace inside that building, which housed the conservation, education, and firearms safety programs for years. Those programs eventually evolved into the Outdoor Skills Program at Camp Y-Koda. That building is now used for offices and security management at the fairgrounds.

Eventually the need for a home base for the Skills Center at the Marsh Park grew, and Sargento Company generously donated the semi-truck trailer where equipment was housed and children gathered to study the wonders of the marsh. Camp Y-Koda’s success at program development outgrew the trailer long ago and, as Roy Kalmerton so aptly put it, the new educational center is “a dream come true”!

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 17th from 1-4 p.m.

All of those who made generous donations, large or small, are invited and encouraged to come enjoy the results of the collaboration between Sheboygan County and its residents and businesses. The building will be open to the public on Saturday September 17, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring the family, come out and meet the Friends of the Marsh, and be proud of what we all accomplished together.

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