|
Here you can find news, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Thank you for keeping up with us! |
|
|
Calling all community members! We want your input on our summer class offerings.
We have created a Google survey for you to complete anonymously.
We are looking for input on types of classes, age ranges, time frames, and a few other things. That way, we can plan our summer classes around what works best for you all. Thank you for taking the time to take the survey!
| |  |
|
A big thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the holidays with us! We had over 800 people stop by to visit Santa, eat cookies, and listen to stories and music.
These events would not be possible without the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center! Thank you to our board members who volunteered their time to help put on this amazing free event for the community.
Thank you to The Austinaires for the wonderful holiday music and Gretchen Erickson for reading stories in the log cabin!
| | |
|
Cross Country Skiing at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will be better than ever this winter thanks to equipment upgrades we have been working on the past couple years!
Thanks to generous donations to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center we have been able to purchase all new equipment for cross country skiing. THANK YOU to Karen Herreid and Belita Schindler, donating in memory of Rick Herreid and Dr. Richard Schindler.
Boots, poles, skis, even a new trail groomer have all been upgraded to help make the skiing experience out here the best it can be. Now all we need is snow. Keep your fingers crossed for some snow soon and we will see you out here!
| | |
A departing note from our 2023 Intern Adrianna | "Over the past year, I have learned more lessons than I can count. I couldn't possibly begin to tell you everything, but I know a few things. Each day here taught me something new, brought a new experience, and got me a little bit out of my comfort zone. I was overwhelmed by the appreciation shown to me by the community and staff we have here at our small Nature Center in Southern Minnesota. It has been exciting to give back to this community through teaching about the environment. Thank you to all who have been a part of this journey--fellow staff, volunteers, board members, and the community. You all have made an impact on my experience here and I will continue to cherish the memories made. I am continuing on my journey in Environmental Education through an Environmental Education Fellowship position at Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Sandstone, MN beginning this January." | | |
|
|
Friends Focus
Join us for the Friends Annual Meeting on January 27th, 1:30pm - 3:30pm.
During this meeting, you will discover all Nature Center happenings from this past year, and plans for the new year. Both Nature Center interns will introduce themselves, and give a short presentation on their previous work and experiences that led them to us. New board members will be voted on. We will also be unveiling the Nature Center's new logos!
Dessert and beverages will be served. Please join us for this event to learn about what we've been up to, what we're planning, and enjoy some pastries!
| | | |
|
NATURE CENTER CLOSINGS
Jan 1st
Jan 7th
Jan 14th, 15th
Jan 21st
Jan 28th
NATURE CENTER EVENTS
January 12th (Fri), 8pm
Cedar River Astronomy Club Meeting
Cross your fingers for snow so Ski rentals/Snowshoe rentals can begin!
| | |
- Staff the Interpretive Center — There are always days that we are looking for help, specifically on the weekends. Fill out our volunteer contact form and we will add you to our email list.
- Tours — Give tours driving one of our electric vehicles along the Nature Center trails.
- Combat Invasive Species — Learn to identify and remove buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other invasive species.
- Animal transport — Bring birds of prey to and from the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.
| | |
Nature Note
By Teacher/Naturalist Intern Adrianna Meiergerd
| |
"As many of us Minnesotans remember, the Decembers of our childhood had been filled with several inches of snow and cold weather. We spent our time skiing and sledding down hills until our faces were bright red, and catching snowflakes on our tongues. This year looks a bit different. After a dry, hot summer, we are also having a dry winter. We can credit the changes in currents and the jet stream... El Niño refers to a global pattern of weather that weakens the trade winds and breaks the normal occurrences of upwelling. During the weakening of trade winds, the warmer water causes the Pacific Jet Stream to shift south of its typical position. On occasion, the winds can even change direction. During an El Niño period, places in the American Southwest which are typically very dry and desert-like, become floodplains."
| | | |
2024 Membership Campaign
Why join the friends? Well, our Friends allow us to offer more high quality programming, conserve our natural spaces, and continue to grow! As a friends member, you will receive...
- Invitation to the Friends Annual Meeting
- $5.00 off all programs
- 15% off all Nature Center merchandise
- Chance to participate in members-only events and classes for youth and families at the Nature Center
- Discounted annual bus trip
Join the Friends here!
| | | | |
