Larry Dolphin has always had a passion for environmental conservation, and that’s just what he talked to people about over the weekend during the first Water Festival at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

Nature Center Executive Director Larry Dolphin started at the center in Austin in 1988. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin—Steven’s Point with a degree in natural resources, and minors in environmental education, nature interpretation and biology.

“I knew very early on as a freshman I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, and I knew right away,” Dolphin said.

Throughout school, Dolphin focused on fields involving nature and the environment. His passion for nature stemmed from his early days as a youth.

“I think the biggest thing is just in my youth having the opportunity to be outdoors, enjoying the experiences that happened to me outdoors,” Dolphin said.

He recalled many moments where he was amazed at what was happening in the world around him, such as seeing 50 to 60 dragonflies shedding their old skin during metamorphosis, or watching a fox follow a butterfly on its hind legs.

“[It was] experiencing what was out there and the memories that brings,” Dolphin said. “I realized, ‘Boy, I don’t wanna miss this. I wanna see this on a regular basis.’”

Dolphin’s co-worker, nature center assistant Julie Champlin, said he has an amazing personality for the job.

“His teaching style is animated, charismatic, and I think that’s why the kids are so drawn to him, because he is charismatic,” Champlin said. “His personality is amazing, really.”

Champlin has worked with Dolphin for all of his 26 years. Their families were close throughout the years as Champlin’s and Dolphin’s children are roughly the same age.

Originally from Livingston, Wis., Dolphin said his parents were always good stewards for the environment. His father was one of the first farmers back in the 1930s to put soil conservation practices on the farm that he grew up on. Dolphin said this is one of the things he took after his father in; a strong passion in looking out for the environment.

“[It’s] learning how things are connected, and using the knowledge you have so people can become environmentally literate citizens,” Dolphin said.

What really got Dolphin excited about nature was being able to discover things about nature for himself. But learning wasn’t enough. He wanted to share his experiences with others.

“I also feel determined to share that with other people,” Dolphin said. “Understanding that everything on this planet, we are connected to it, we are a part of it somehow, we need to understand how to take care of it.”

Champlin said one of Dolphin’s favorite things to do is talk with people about nature.

“He has really done an excellent job getting the community involved, whether it’s a child taking classes or adults enjoying programs,” Champlin said.

Dolphin moved to Austin mainly because of the opportunity to teach at the nature center. According to Champlin, he has worked closely with the school system to ensure what the nature center teaches children follows what they learn in school as well as science standards.

“Our mission is to teach environmental education, and that was the primary goal,” Champlain said. “And it has been done extremely well under Larry’s direction.”

Champlin noted Dolphin often uses different characters when he teaches the children, from a prairie chicken — a common appearance at the annual Thanksgiving feast — to a flower hat with a burlap outfit showing how soil works.

“Oh, his characters,” Champlin said with a laugh. “I think what draws people is the prairie chicken mating dance.”

She said children love his different characters, and he always gets the audience engaged in what he is teaching, whether it’s through rain dances, beaver adaptations or dressing up like a loon.

“He really knows how to engage his students as well as his audience,” Champlin said.

Dolphin was excited to see the community support the nature center received when he first came to Austin, with funding from various companies, and he said the support has only grown.

“It’s been really good support by the community [for] the nature center, and I saw that early on when I started to work here,” Dolphin said. “Within a few weeks of being here, I said, I think I’m gonna be here a long time.”

And 26 years later, he has no regrets.

“I wouldn’t change what I’ve done and coming here just reinforced that,” Dolphin said. “I’ve had the opportunity to teach a lot of young folks and families over the years.”

More than half of Dolphin’s job is teaching others about the environment, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do, and it’s been enjoyable to share some of the natural, some of the mystery that’s occurring out there,” Dolphin said. “That’s been a great part of my job.”