Canoe and Kayak Rentals are opening!

• We have six single kayaks, two tandem kayaks, and seven canoes. (Life jackets and paddles are provided)
• The 2023 season began May 27th. Rentals are available Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. 
• Individual canoe or kayak rentals are $10.00 per boat
• Purchase a punch pass for $25 dollars and get 5 boat rentals for the half of the price! These passes can be used for cross country skiing, as well as rock climbing at the rock gym in Albert Lea

Astronomy Club is Underway!

The Cedar River Astronomy Club is active and looking for new members!

Meetings run on the 2nd Friday of the month and discuss various space related topics.

Membership Tier List: 

• 3 hours volunteered: Sola Fide/CRAC t-shirt
• 6 hours volunteered: Run big telescope at Sola Fide public event
• 12 hours volunteered: Run/head a Sola Fide public event
• 20 hours volunteered: Open access to Sola Fide

The next Cedar River Astronomy Club Meeting: June 9th; 8:00pm at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. 

Topics: Telescopes & Constellations

To join, email [email protected]

Our mentorship program has started!

We are excited to welcome 19 mentees to this year's mentorship program team. Mentees may help with and participate in a variety of activities, including classes, programs, canoe/kayak rental, etc. Mentees will be awarded a portion of the Kevin Dammen Mentorship fund, and can apply some of their hours worked to the Assurance Scholarship, which covers tuition (65 credits), fees, and includes a stipend for needed books and class materials at Riverland Community College. Mentees also develop leadership skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, and more to carry into their professional life.

A special delivery to the Nature Center makes for exciting news!



Our honeybees have arrived and are ready to pollinate! The warm weather and blooming trees and flowers make this time of year a great one for all kinds of bees. One of the first pollinators to come out, various species of bees have been spotted here pollinating bluebells and many other blooming flowers in the forest! Our naturalists are hard at work ensuring that our hives are healthy and successful.

COMING UP AT JCHNC

June 08 (Thurs)

• 10 am Senior Special
• 1 pm Nature Play

June 10 (Sat)

• 9:30-11 pm Sola Fide Observatory

June 14 (Wed)

• 5:30-7:30 pm 4th Ave Fest Mill Pond Free Canoe/Kayak

June 17 (Sat)

• 1 pm Nature Play Afternoon with Archery (no program)

June 20 (Tue)

• 9-10:30 am Free Kids Forestry Class—RSVP

June 21 (Wed)

• 3:30pm Volunteer Outdoor Work Day

June 22 (Thurs)

• 10 am Senior Special
• 1 pm Nature Play with Archery

June 23 (Fri)

• 6-7 pm Free Tree Container Presentation

June 24 (Sat)

• 10 am-4 pm Free Kids Tree Craft
• 9:30-11 am Free Tree ID class—Must RSPV
• 1-2:30 pm Free Tree ID class—Must RSPV
• 9:30-11 pm Sola Fide Observatory

June 28 (Wed)

• 12-6 pm Red Cross Blood Drive Auditorium

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

• 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.