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Here you can find news, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities. Thank you for keeping up with us! |
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In March, we burned ~100 acres of prairie; about 1/3 of the prairies on property. You might have seen the fires in action or the ashen prairies after burning and wondered why we were doing this.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, controlled and prescribed burns help with prairie health. Firstly, burning a prairie kills off invasive species that out-compete native plants for nutrients, sunlight, and other essential resources. A recently burned prairie has a lot of room for native plants to regrow, and a lot of nitrogen and nutrients (thanks to the burned material and ash left behind) that can be used by native plants.
Above all, prairie plants can survive a fire, and are well adapted to pop back up after a burn. This is possible because their new shoots emerge from underground where fire can't reach them, and their root systems are long and deep.
Burning when done by professionals in a controlled and safe way can do a lot of good for prairie ecosystems. Prescribed burning is a slow and careful process, allowing wildlife plenty of time to leave and find somewhere else to wait while the prairie burns. We look forward to seeing grasses and flowers growing back in our prairies soon!
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We have a solar eclipse coming up!
We will be experiencing a partial solar eclipse here in Austin; when the sun is partially obscured by the moon.
To celebrate, we have a preparatory event on Saturday, April 6th from 1pm-4pm (last viewing will begin at 3:40pm) for a planetarium viewing. Say hello to the Library at their table!
On Monday, April 8th, we will be hosting an eclipse watch party, complete with a telescope for viewing, solar glasses to hand out, a live-stream of the total eclipse, and some bonus activities.
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What an interesting spring that we have had! It felt like spring had sprung in February, and some of our creatures took note. A few turtles emerged from brumation on March 13th, and a swallowtail was spotted flying the same day. Red-winged blackbirds, robins, and sandhill cranes were all spotted the first week of march, along with ticks. Mosquitoes were seen the second week of march, as well as lots of tree buds and beautiful sunshine. By the 15th, we had seen Virginia waterleaf and lilies sprouting. On March 15th, naturalists found a garter snake on property, and visitors had seen blue birds and blue jays.
As many of us could have predicted but didn't look forward to, winter seemed to arrive late this year. Snow fell on March 21st and continued through the end of March, putting a halt on plant growth and critter emergence.
We are thrilled to have precipitation, even if it's in the form of snow! We are hopeful that snowmelt will help spring plants once it seeps into the soil.
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Maple syrup is on sale at the Nature Center! That being said, our batch is limited this year; which might not be surprising after looking at the weather from March.
As weather warms, trees begin trying to grow leaves. To do so, they need energy, and what better energy source to use than sugar?! Trees send the sugary sap from their roots all the way up to the tips of their branches to start making leaves, but can only do so when the temperature is above freezing. At night, when the temperature drops below freezing, trees push the sap all the way back down to the roots - if trees kept the sap in their trunk when temperatures drop, the water would freeze inside of the trunk and cause damage to the tissues. This constant flow of sap from the roots to the branches, and from the branches back down to the roots, is what allows us to collect it. Consequently, our false spring and end of March freeze made sap collection minimal.
We tapped our trees on March 1st, and taught hundreds of 4th graders about our syruping process. Regardless of the weather and sap flow, all 4th graders learned about the history of syruping, how we create syrup from sap, learn how to identify maple trees, and best of all, taste our Nature Center made syrup. We collected about 300 gallons of sap that was usable, and have 50 bottles for sale. Last year, we filled 173 bottles with syrup.
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Summer Class Registration Opens Apr 1 at 9:00am | |
It's time! Our summer brochure is out and available on our website, as well as our Nature Play offerings and our Senior Special programming. All can be found at the links below.
If you are a Friends Member, you should have received a postcard in the mail with this year’s Friends Discount Code, which will take $5 off each Summer Adventure Class fee. As always, Nature Play programming and Senior Special programming are free, and scholarships are offered for all Summer Adventure Classes (details are found on page 1 of the brochure).
New this summer, free SMART Transit transportation is being offered to individuals and families to and from Senior Specials and Nature Play afternoons, thanks to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center. Simply call SMART Transit to reserve your seat for these select days, and your ride will be billed to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center.
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NATURE CENTER CLOSINGS
Sunday, April 7th
Sunday, April 14th
Sunday, April 21st
Sunday, April 28th
NATURE CENTER EVENTS
April 1st; 9am
- Summer Class Registration Opens
April 6th; 1-4pm
April 8th; 12:30-3:30pm
April 9th; 5pm
- Mentorship Applications due
April 12th; 7pm
- Cedar River Astronomy Club meeting
April 19th; 10am-4pm
- Blood Drive in Ruby Rupner
April 20th
- Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA
April 22nd
- Earth Day! Enjoy nature, and participate in a trash clean up
April 27th; 1:30pm-3:30pm
- Friends and Volunteer Appreciation Event
April 27th; 9pm-11pm
- Sola Fide Viewing (weather permitting)
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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.
- 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.
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Nature Note - Canada Geese Family Rearing
By Teacher/Naturalist Intern Kendalynn Ross
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A month ago, V-shaped flocks peppered our skies. With their populations increasing fast in the Midwest, Canada geese return to their birthplaces every spring to nest and create new families. April brings about their nesting activities, as well as the first of the season’s goslings (baby geese).
Canada geese tend to always choose a nest site within 150 feet of water, with concealment from predators being ideal. The female usually has the final say on the nest, building it herself out of sticks, leaves, and some of her own feathers. When the nesting site has been built, both mates will defend it. Each day, the female goose will lay one egg until she has a clutch ranging from 2-12 eggs. Then, the female will stay at the nest, incubating them for 28 days as the male guards her. Once the eggs hatch, the adult pair will wait about 24 hours before leading them away from the nest. Both adults will defend their broods for 10-12 weeks, until they are able to fly at 70 days old.
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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
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$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!
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