Services and Collaborations

I'm proud to have partnered with the following organizations and the amazing people who bring them to life by writing articles and grants, coordinating social media efforts, crafting emails and marketing messages, creating websites, organizing events, taking photos and videos, copy editing, and more.

• Marketing & Communications Freelance Clients: Own It: Building Black Wealth (current marketing specialist), Little Story Squad (current copy editor), Young Parent Collective, ART House 360, Jamie Gale, LLC, Sharing Active Independent Lives, O'Rourke Media Group, Foundation for Dane County Parks, Silent Sports Magazine.
• Family-Friendly Program Partners: Are YOU our next partner? Contact Sam! Here's who we've collaborated with so far: 9in9out, Active Youth Wisconsin, A Better Body Massage Therapy, Badger Rock Neighborhood Center, Belleville Farmers Market, Bloom Parent, LLC, CEDAR Center, CI Pediatric Therapies, 4-C, The Creekside Scoop, Crossroads Coffeehouse, Dane County Parks, ECO Madison, Flicker Wild Church, Friends of San Damiano, Frost Organizing, Hike & Heal Wellness, Ice Age Trail Alliance, Lagom: Music and Yoga Education, LC Babywearing, little om BIG OM, Lioness Fitness, Lussier Family Heritage Center, Macaroni KID - Madison, Madison Public Library, Madison Reading Project, Middleton Parks, Monona Public Library, Music with Julie Mazer, Naturing in Madison, Outdoors We Learn, OutGrown (Hike It Baby - Madison), Pufferfish Publishing, Rosemary Garfoot Public Library, Seven Acre Dairy Company, Sprig Native Plant Nursery, Sweet Hive Bakery, Village of Cottage Grove Library, Winterfell Acres, The Wonder Studio, Young Parent Collective.
• Volunteer Roles: Every Child Outside (ECO) Madison Green Schools Summit organizer (2023 - present), Defending Black Girlhood e-newsletter editor (2023 - present), Hike It Baby - Madison / We Are OutGrown hike host / outside guide (2023 - 2025), Active Youth Wisconsin / Tri 4 Schools grant writer (2018 - 2022), One City Schools, Kindergarten reading tutor (2019 - 2021), Big City Mountaineers, Boundary Waters chaperone (2019), Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin photographer (2016). 
• Affiliations: Lakeside Children's Book Writers & Illustrators co-founder and member (2024 - present); Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) Wisconsin Chapter SW Wisconsin Area Representative (2025 - present), critique group member (2020 - 2025); Young Parent Advisory Board community committee member (2025); Nature Everywhere Madison committee member (2024 - present); Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) Early Childhood Coalition (2024 - 2025) and member (2023 - present); Groundswell Conservancy monthly sustainer (2021 - present).
• Achievements: Published Children's Picture Book Author, "The Story of a Galápagos Albatross" (2024); UW-Madison Arboretum – Steinhauer Trust Gallery Nature Photography Exhibitor (2017); Wisconsin Newspaper Association Better Newspaper Contest Winner (2011-2014); Sigma Tau Delta International English Honor Society Convention Presenter (2010-2011); Joan P. Schaupp Women's Center Feminist of the Week (2010); English Endowed Scholarship Recipient (2010); St. Norbert Times Editor (2009-2010); Galapagos Islands Natural History Field Course Photojournalist (2009).
• Previous Employment: Nature Explorers Co-Teacher and Substitute with New Morning Nursery School (2025-2026). Marketing and Community Outreach Specialist with Mad City Dream Homes: Organized client appreciation events and led print and digital real estate marketing activities and those that supported nonprofit organizations focused on promoting social and racial justice, providing affordable housing, and protecting the environment (2017-2023). Communications Coordinator and Magazine Editor with the Partnership for the National Trails System: Connected with 30+ trail organizations around the country, wrote and edited articles for quarterly "Pathways Across America" publication, managed social media and website presence, and assisted with Hike the Hill advocacy events in Washington, D.C. and national workshops (2017-2020). Community Reporter and Photographer in Southern Wisconsin: Covered Dodge, Jefferson, and Dane Counties as an award-winning journalist. Wrote and edited articles, took photos, and designed pages for the following publications: Watertown Daily Times (2011 - 2014), Verona Press, Stoughton Courier Hub, Oregon Observer and Fitchburg Star (2014 - 2017), as well as contributed to Wisconsin Trails (2010), Family & Friends (2011 - 2014), and Your Family (2014 - 2017) magazines.
• Education: St. Norbert College, De Pere, WI: Bachelor of Arts in English; Creative writing emphasis, art minor; Magna cum laude (Aug. 2007 - Dec. 2010).
• Skills: Writing, Copy Editing, Photography, Marketing, Social Media, Web Design, CRM Management, Event Planning.
• Values: Collaboration, Creativity, Inclusion, Integrity, Transparency, Environmental Sustainability.

Join local writer, photographer, and nature play advocate Samantha Cora Christian Haas for an interactive outdoor StoryWalk of her debut children’s picture book, “Waverly Braves the Breeze: The Story of a Galápagos Albatross” (2024, Tra Publishing), followed by outdoor/indoor activities and a fun Q&A.

Set in the Galápagos Islands off the coast of South America, the rhyming picture book introduces children to unusual land and ocean animals as well as Spanish phrases. This fictional story skillfully explores themes of anxiety, friendship, and bravery while weaving in factual information about the flora and fauna of the Galápagos. 

Walk like a crab, crawl like a giant tortoise, dance like a blue-footed booby, swim like a whale shark, and soar like a waved albatross! We’ll talk about animal migration, the geography of the Galápagos Islands, and how the climate and creatures near the equator compare to those of Wisconsin. See photos taken by the author and learn how her class trip and personal experiences inspired the story. After the Q&A session, there will also be coloring pages, activity sheets, and games. Signed copies of the book and wildlife photo memory games available for purchase. 

NOTE: Geared toward ages 3-8, and program activities can be modified for all ages. If weather is poor, the StoryWalk can be set up inside (painter’s tape on walls) or we can convert to a regular storytime with the book. A powerpoint presentation featuring the book pages and photographs taken by the author is also available as an indoor option. 

Join us at the start of spring/fall migration for a relaxing birding and nature connection gathering for parents of babies and toddlers (older kids are welcome) at a local park/trail.

Samantha Cora Christian Haas, a local author and nature nerd with Playful Acorns, will share some birding picture books and lead us on a relaxed nature walk as we listen and look for birds, animal tracks, and other signs of spring/fall through the fields/woods/park. 

If you'd like, bring along a pair of binoculars and download the Merlin Bird ID app on your phone. You are invited to stay at the park/trail and continue your playful exploration after the event.

NOTE: Geared toward ages 0-3 with caregivers. All ages are welcome. Outdoor program preferred near a park, greenspace, or trail. Books likely used are "When Wisconsin Wakes" by Samantha Cora, “Birding for Babies: A Numbers Book” by Chloe Goodhart, and/or “Birds” by Kevin Henkes.

OPTIONAL FOR MADISON, WI AREA: Leslie Cao a local babywearing expert with LC Babywearing, may be available to bring a selection of baby carriers along if you'd like to try something new during our walk, and she can also offer fit checks for carriers that people bring along with them.

Samantha Cora Christian Haas with Playful Acorns partners with local eateries and organizations to set up cozy areas filled with nature-themed books and open-ended toys for kids (geared toward ages 0-5) to play with and socialize while under the supervision of their caregivers. Sit back, relax, catch up with a friend, and have fun!

NOTE: Current pop-up play cafe offerings are available in collaboration with the Lussier Family Heritage Center here and the Studi-yo.

Stay tuned for more opportunities at our creative space, Studi-yo!

• Aaron Seligman, Macaroni Kid Madison: "Playful Acorns is a great resource for families. Sam is incredibly thoughtful and creative in designing activities and promoting nature play while providing opportunities for parents to connect with each other."
• Pop-Up Play Program - Parent of a 2 year old: "We liked meeting other children and moms. My son enjoyed having a chance to play with new toys and books and liked running around outside! It was great to have the coffee shop right there and bathrooms and changing area right across the hall. Bonus that there's walking trails and parks so close by!"
• Pop-Up Play Program - Parent of a 3.5 and 1 year old: "We played at the nearby park beforehand (and) my younger child really enjoyed exploring the indoor play space. It's fun to meet other parents and then invite them to join for outdoor adventures."
• Pop-Up Play Program - Parent of a 2.5 year old: "I appreciated the well chosen materials to interact with (beautiful, high quality, safe for many ages), and my daughter enjoyed playing with other kids her age. We could have our snack, the park and library were within walking distance, and the coffee shop itself was nice."
• Pop-Up Play Program - Parent of a 1.5 year old: "I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of activities available for my busy son! It was great seeing him interact with other toddlers and I enjoyed meeting other parents in the community. The fresh coffee from the cafe was a great perk as well!" 

Your story matters. As a professional writer and editor, I thrive on transforming words to fit our agreed upon vision, timeline, space, budget, and other considerations without sacrificing quality or integrity. Whether it's for a grant, your e-news, your book, or anything under the sun, my main priority is to capture heart and amplify truth through the lens of our shared perspective, not AI.

Stories come in all shapes and sizes. Digital marketing offers various pathways to share them with the world, including social media, emails, websites, videos, and more. I adapt my skillset to meet your project's needs, utilizing new and familiar programs to help stories become more enjoyable, digestible, and accessible.

My background in photojournalism and nature photography taught me the beauty of creating stunning stories through simple, honest images. I am unencumbered by flashes, tripods, filters, props, or forced poses. Instead, I use a Nikon and iPhone, natural light and surroundings, and my imagination so that your story shines.

• Chelsea B., Partnership for the National Trails System: "Samantha is hands down one of the most professional, organized, and kindest individuals I have had the opportunity to work worth. Her attention to detail, phenomenal writing and editing skills, and follow-through on project deadlines and deliverables make her an incredible asset to any team. I cannot speak highly enough of her skill sets and character."
• Judie P. and Bill L., Foundation for Dane County Parks: "Dear Sam, we wouldn’t be where we are today without your talent and creativity. You applied for and won our free website, you took the most amazing photos of so many parks, you helped our DEI Committee and helped write our policy, and you wrote articles for suburban newspapers about our grantees and accessible piers."
• Sharon R., NAMI Wisconsin: "A big thank you to Samantha Haas for creating the NAMI Wisconsin Spotlight Article for mental health month. She did an outstanding job. I have worked with several people in my years of management, and can say that Samantha is a valuable employee. Her work ethic on this article and her communication skills are second to none. I really enjoyed working with her." 
• Dan M., Mad City Dream Homes: "We'd like to offer a public thank you to Samantha Haas, who has spent the last 6 plus years sharing her ideas, talents and values with our team. Thanks to Sam's influence, our team has evolved to view everything we do through the lens of community. In addition to coordinating our marketing efforts and team events, Sam has invested a significant amount of her time into supporting and promoting local non-profits. We wish you all the best, Sam, as you write your next chapter. Although we can't possibly replace you, we can continue with the spirit that you brought to our team. Thank you for everything!" 
• Bruce S., Silent Sports Magazine: (In reference to "A Path Worth Pursuing: CamRock County Park Trail Project to Connect Outdoor Enthusiasts Across Southern Wisconsin"): “I reached out to Dane County Park Property Planner Sara Rigelman, who connected me to Samantha Haas, who wrote the story along with a sidebar by IMBA’s Mike Repyak. It has been a pleasure working and communicating with all of you. Both submissions are among the cleanest I've received, and I thank you for that. They also read very well. The content, flow, and interesting nature of the stories, individually and together, create an excellent submission to the April (2021) issue."
• Tom T., Foundation for Dane County Parks: "Thank you Sam! You have been such a pleasure to work with and such a huge help on many of the Park's and Foundation's pursuits and events these past number of years. Your work, insights, photos, and technological skills have contributed greatly."