Come Meet The Marsh Moat: New Interpretive Panel at Volo Bog State Natural Area

Next time you're on Tamarack View Trail, stop by the observation blind. There's something new waiting for you! Friends of Volo Bog are excited to share The Marsh Moat, a beautiful custom interpretive panel that brings the story of Volo Bog's marsh ecosystem to life. Friends funded the replacement blind and its professional staining (read more in our earlier post, New Observation Blind Gets Professional Finish), and invested $3,600 in the design, fabrication, and shipping of the new panel.

We are so grateful to everyone who made this project possible. Created by artist and illustrator Lynda Wallis (freelanceillustrations.com), the panel features original illustrations of the wildlife and plants that call the marsh moat home, from great blue herons and trumpeter swans to muskrats, painted turtles, and green frogs. Lynda, who also created the maps for Volo Bog State Natural Area, has a wonderful gift for bringing nature to life through her art.

A closer look at the panel's detailed illustrations and interpretive content

Seasonal Naturalist Abby Winters worked closely with Lynda on the design and wrote the interpretive text that helps visitors understand what they're seeing. Her love for this place shines through every word. DNR Site Manager Jake Shurpit was a great support throughout and installed the sign, and retiring DNR Naturalist Stacy Iwanicki was our consultant and proofreader, making sure every detail was just right. This panel is one of the last projects completed before Stacy's retirement. A lovely tribute to her years of dedication to Volo Bog State Nature Area.

Stacy Iwanicki and Jake Shurpit with the panel at the nature center, ready to install

The panel was installed just last Thursday, and visitors are already discovering it! This Sunday, the blind was a busy spot. First a couple stopped by to enjoy the marsh views, and then a nature photographer from Austria, in the Chicago area on business, settled in with his camera. It's wonderful to see the blind bringing people closer to the beauty of the marsh moat.

Keep an eye out for the QR code on the panel. It links to the Friends of Volo Bog website, where we'll soon be adding a dedicated page with even more information about the marsh moat ecosystem.

The finished panel in the blind, with the frozen marsh visible through the window above

Come see it for yourself! Next time you're at Volo Bog, head down Tamarack View Trail, sit down on the bench, and let The Marsh Moat panel guide you through the amazing ecosystem just beyond the window.

Photos by Jake Shurpit, Stacy Iwanicki, and Julia Denne.