Chief Naturalist Danesa Stolz helps to preserve natural areas for future generations
By Beth Taylor
As chief naturalist for the Fishers Parks and Recreation Department, Denesa Stolz combines her passion for nature with her love of teaching to instill a sense of stewardship for all living things.
When Stolz arrived on the Ball State University campus in the fall of ‘93, she had already declared her major—elementary education. At freshman orientation, the natural resource and environmental management department booth caught her attention. “I thought, I have to find out more about this, so I met with the department chair, Professor Mortenson. I said, ‘okay, I want to teach kids about nature, is this a job?’ He said, ‘Do everything I tell you to do, and I will make you a naturalist.’ And I did everything he told me to do.” said Denesa Stolz, the chief naturalist for the Fishers Parks and Recreation Department.
Stolz’s career at Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve began in 1996—before it was acquired by the Town of Fishers. “It was owned by The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis when I started my internship at Ritchey Woods, and I was hired as a naturalist in 1997,” said Stolz. As a naturalist, Stolz seeks to translate the concepts of nature and the environment to the public.
“The town of Fishers acquired Ritchey Woods in June of 2004, and I was hired in August of 2004 for the naturalist position,” said Stolz. Much of the work that Stolz enjoys is out of the public’s view. “I’ve gotten to help develop the master plan for this property (Ritchey Woods), and I’ve worked to help restore the habitat, which means removing invasive plants and planting native plants, working with erosion control,” she said.
Natural areas are vital to urban development because they provide essential ecosystem functions such as the filtering of urban run-off, the storing and slowing of storm water and help to improve local air quality. Stolz also works on the urban forestry program. “I’ve helped develop the list of what trees are allowed to be planted and those that are banned in our city. I feel like I’m making a difference in this world, and the long term sustainability of Fishers,” she said.
Fishers’ flourishing park system includes five exclusively natural, parks and eight others have a natural component—totaling 274.3 acres of natural areas within the city’s park system.
“Ritchey Woods serves as the hub for natural outdoor environmental education because it has all the amenities,” she said. Environmental programs focus on topics and activities to lead to a greater understanding of the natural environment and the interdependence of all living things. Special events are offered to the public free of charge, and nature-related themed day camps occur during school breaks.
Stolz works with a network of naturalists in Hamilton County, HAMPA. “We share ideas and programs. The parks system in Hamilton County is wonderful,” she said.
“I’m working on several new ideas right now. I like the idea of developing more on-your-own kinds of things. The public can go to our website and look up an activity to do in the natural parks.”
About me: Chief Naturalist Denesa Stolz
Education: Ball State University
Husband: Ronnie,
Children son, Augden, 15; Daughter Kaileigh, 12
Favorite creatures: Dragonflys and Barn Owls
Vacations: Roaring River State Park in Missouri, anything outdoors.
Hobbies: How many people can say that their careers is their passion and their hobby?
Pull quote: “I love that I’m helping to preserve and protect the natural areas for future generations.”
“I did an internship the summer of ’96 at Ritchey Woods. My boss at the time told me that if you see a tree shaped like a rainbow, it’s called a wishing tree. The whole summer, I wished for Ronnie to propose. Ronnie and I arrived early for the end-of-the-season party, so I shared with him what I had been told about the wishing tree. He popped down on one knee and proposed. We got married here between two redbuds. I have been very passionate about this property for a long time.”
