Madison Reporter

Local author Andrea Debbink has been appointed as the 2025 Naturalist-in-Residence for Madison Public Library. Her residency, scheduled from June 16 to July 26, will focus on the theme "At Home in Nature" and feature various indoor and outdoor activities.

"Nature can seem far away—especially in a city. Yet its wonders are nearer than most of us realize," Debbink said. "My residency will focus on ways we can connect with nature in our own neighborhoods and weave outdoor experiences into our everyday lives."

Debbink, a resident of Madison for over two decades, has authored seventeen books centered around nature exploration and environmental stewardship.

Michelle Herbrand, the Community Engagement Librarian at Madison Public Library, praised Debbink's application. "Andrea's application stood out not only because of her passion for both the environment and literacy but also because of her emphasis on urban ecology," she said. "The programs Andrea is planning are fantastic ways to explore how nature can be found all around us and will highlight how library services and materials can enhance that experience."

The series will kick off with a Meet the Naturalist event on Monday, June 16, from 6-7 pm at Olin Park shelter. This informal talk will allow attendees to hear about the inspiration behind the residency's theme, preview upcoming events, and learn about Debbink's writing experiences. No registration is required.

Other planned programs include mindful birding and botany hikes, nature writing workshops, an ecological restoration project, among others.

"My hope is that no matter where people live in the Madison area, they can feel ‘at home’ in nature by connecting with the plants, animals, people, and ecosystems that share our habitat," Debbink stated.

Further details on this year's Naturalist-in-Residence program will be available on June 16 on Madison Public Library’s website. The initiative is hosted in partnership with Madison Parks with support from Nancy Leff and Kenneth Lerner.