MADISON, Wis. (Mennonite Mission Network) – Wisconsin’s snowy winters, rolling hills, and open spaces make it a prime location for snowmobiling, hunting, skiing, and other forms of outdoor recreation. But for Taylor McCabe-Juhnke, these natural spaces are more than tourist hotspots; they are precious habitat for declining grassland bird species and worship-inspiring sanctuaries.
“I think of myself as an environmental steward of the earth,” said McCabe-Juhnke, who feels most connected spiritually when she is immersed in nature. “Nothing built by humans can compare to what was naturally here. By protecting these places, I like to think I have a small part in ensuring that future generations have the same opportunity to feel connected to God.”
McCabe-Juhnke, a Mennonite Voluntary Service participant, works at the Madison Audubon Society, which focuses on preserving Wisconsin’s prairies, educating about wildlife conservation, and advocating for the environmental protection in the capital. McCabe-Juhnke contributes to the Society’s mission by maintaining its social media presence and by organizing volunteers for events.
Since McCabe-Juhnke’s arrival, the Madison Audubon Society’s Facebook page increases in popularity every week, which is just one example of how more people are becoming involved with the Madison Audubon Society.
“It is a great organization, but they needed someone to show off their good work,” McCabe-Juhnke said.
When she’s not updating social media, McCabe-Juhnke helps coordinate logistics for events like field trips to one of the Society’s bird sanctuaries to educate students about native Wisconsin prairie and wildlife.
“The native birds are declining because their habitat is continually converted into shopping malls, crops, airports, and shooting ranges,” McCabe-Juhnke said. “Urban sprawl, among other factors, is forcing animals out of their native homes.”
Though the vote in Wisconsin’s capital tends to favor outdoor recreation and new shopping centers, McCabe-Juhnke and the Audubon Society continue to advocate for preserving parts of the prairies for twittering friends. To McCabe-Juhnke, each “re-tweet” and “like” is another vote for the environment.
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
