Here you can find news, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Thank you for keeping up with us! | |
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Field Trip Season has Begun
School is back in session, and so are Nature Center field trips! This fall, we will host 30 3rd grade classes. Our 3rd graders learn about habitats and habitat needs, deer overpopulation, how to use a compass, and adventure on a compass course to discover different habitats on our property.
385 5th graders visited the Nature Center for an all-day, 5 section-long excursion. 5th graders learned how to collect seeds, and made seed balls to re-introduce native flowers and grasses to recovering farm land. They learned how to use binoculars and look for birds, and learned about bird adaptations. They even learned about bison!
2nd grade began mid-September, during which 2nd graders learn all about seeds and seed transportation. 31 2nd grade classes get to help us make apple cider using a vintage cider press, and try some Nature Center made cider at the end of their learning experience!
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Honey Harvest
Thank you to those who participated in our Honey Harvest, and an extra thank you to our honey bees for working hard all year long to produce honey for us. This year, we harvested 102 pounds of honey!
Honey is not only delicious, but also has a lot of health benefits. According to Mayo Clinic, honey is full of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants. Honey can act as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and can help with heart disease, coughing, gastrointestinal disease, neurological disease. It can even act as an antibacterial for injuries.
Come out to the Nature Center to pick up your bottle today! 1 lb bottles are $12, and 2 lb bottles are $20.
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Wood Turtles at the Nature Center
October 7th, 10am-12pm
We are thrilled to announce that wood turtles, an endangered species of turtle, have been found on Nature Center property! Dr. Jeff Tamplin, UNI Wood Turtle Biologist and Professor, confirmed that a shell found on our property once belonged to a wood turtle. This is exciting news, not only because wood turtles are protected, but also because this is the first wood turtle positively identified and found in Mower County in recent years.
Fun fact about wood turtles: they are super intelligent creatures! They have learned to draw worms, their favorite snack, to the surface of the soil by imitating the sound of rainfall with their feet!
Join Dr. Tamplin at the Nature Center to look for wood turtle habitat. This unique event will last 2 hours, any age is welcome, but it will be out in the field, off trail. Make sure to wear long pants and shoes that can get dirty. RSVP by emailing info@hormelnaturecenter.org or call (507) 437-7519.
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Planetarium Unveiling
Saturday, Nov 18th, 1pm-3pm
The Hormel Nature Center was able to purchase a brand new inflatable planetarium called the StarLab thanks to a generous donation from Paul and Joanne Worlein and the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center! Join a naturalist inside the StarLab for a short 15 min presentation, for FREE!
- Only 20-30 people will be allowed inside the StarLab at a time
- No shoes are allowed inside the StarLab
- The StarLab is a walk-in planetarium and is wheelchair accessible
- No RSVP required, this will be a first come - first served event
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Give to the Max
Thursday, November 16th
Join thousands of Minnesotans as they get in the giving spirit with what has now become a new Minnesota giving holiday; Give to the Max. A day of giving in support of Minnesota non-profits.
When you donate to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center you are helping fund projects that enhance the nature center, environmental education, and the enjoyment of nature for all!
To give, visit GiveMN.org
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Upcoming Events
October 7th (Sat)
10:00am-12:00pm
- Wood turtle field biology tag-along. Please RSVP @ info@hormelnaturecenter.org or call (507) 437-7519
October 7th (Sat)
8:30pm-10:30pm
- Sola Fide Observatory Viewing
October 14th (Sat)
10:00am
- 1 mile Fun Run (registration required)
10:15am
- Eclipse the Nature Center Fun Run (registration required)
10:00am-1:00pm
- Eclipse telescope viewing - no running required!
October 15th (Sun)
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Volunteer Opportunities
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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.
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Tours — Give tours driving one of our electric vehicles along the Nature Center trails.
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Combat Invasive Species — Learn to identify and remove buckthorn, honeysuckle, and other invasive species.
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Animal transport — Bring birds of prey to and from the Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus.
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Eclipse the Nature Center 8K Race
Have you ever run a race during a solar eclipse? Join the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center on October 14 for our Eclipse the Nature Center 8K Race.
Race date: October 14
8k Race Time: 10:00 am
Race Registration/check in: 9:00 am
Online pre-registration: Sept.1-Oct 7
8k Cost: $30 - t-shirt included {Register}
Free 1 mile Fun Run: Time: 10:15 am {Register}
The 8K race begins at 10:00 am with same day registration/check in beginning at 9:00 am. If 8K is too much, a FREE 1 mile fun run will start at 10:15 am.
The solar eclipse starts at 10:30 am and will be at its maximum at 11:48 am meaning all racing will be done in time for the peak. The Cedar River Astronomy Club will be onsite to do eclipse programming so you can safely view the eclipse through a telescope or use provided solar eclipse glasses. Local food trucks will also be on sight for after the race food and fun. Registration will cost $30 and includes a t-shirt and eclipse glasses that will allow you to safely view the partial solar eclipse. Thank you to Family Eye Care in Austin for sponsoring the glasses! Any additional shirts will be $15 in adult sizes.
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Nature Note - Gone Batty
By Teacher/Naturalist Intern Ryen Nielsen
"There are many different animals, like spiders and ravens, that are associated with Halloween, but did you know that one Halloween favorite actually sleeps right through the holiday? Starting around October, hundreds to thousands of bats will begin to group together in hibernacula where they will hibernate through the winter and emerge when spring comes again. A hibernaculum is the kind of home an animal chooses to spend the winter in. Like bears, bats can hibernate in caves but that's not the only place they'll choose to hibernate."
To read more, click here!
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Become a Friends Member
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...
- an invitation to the Friends Annual Meeting
- $5.00 off all Summer Adventure Programs
- 15% off all Nature Center merchandise
- the chance to participate in members-only events and classes for youth and families at the Nature Center
- a discounted annual bus trip
Join the Friends here!
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