Spring and Summer Events


Spring Bird Watching
May 2, 9, 14, 16, & 23 - 6:30 a.m.

      Meet in the Nature Center parking lot at 6:30 a.m. and join fellow birders for
      a hike on the Nature Center trails. Join us for any part of an hour and a half.
      This is the prime migration period and an excellent time to see a variety of
      colorful birds. This program is FREE and open to anyone interested in birding
      by sight or sound. Binoculars will be provided upon request.

      This event is co-sponsored by the Austin chapter of the Audubon Society.



Douglas Wood—Minnesota Naturalist, Storyteller and Musician
Thursday, June 20
Family/Children’s Program: 1:30 p.m.
Evening Program: 7:00 p.m.

Doug’s presentation for all of the family programs is “EarthSongs,
Earth Stories.” Audiences of all types and ages will enjoy Doug’s
music and storytelling, with everything tied to an abiding love for
the earth. From Native American legends of how mosquitos came
to be or how a rabbit reached the moon, to songs about the
Spaceship Earth and being careful about what you step on, this
program will take the audience on a gentle journey.
Please RSVP by June 17.


Summer Solstice Ecoblitz
Saturday, June 22
8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. FREE Family Event!

Bring your family out to the Nature Center for a morning and/or afternoon session of
outdoor summer fun. Ecoblitz is the discovery and exploration of our natural world.
Come out and discover the joy of outdoor activities with your child, grandchild, niece or
nephew. A parent/adult guardian and child must PRE-REGISTER and participate
together for either the morning or afternoon sessions. Select 3-5 activities from the 7
different offerings. Complete 3 of the 7 activities and receive prizes and raffle chances.

Enjoy timed canoe race on the pond, trail rides, pond scooping for aquatic critters, Doug
Wood: Storyteller and Musician, David Stokes: Nature Activities & Critters, Kurt Mead:
Dragonfly Expert and a nature survival game
Stop in the Visitor Center for trail activities, kid’s tree room activities, touch tables, and
making SUN NATURE PRINTS! This is a FREE event!
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: 507-437-7519.
Sign up forms are available at the Nature Center. Ecoblitz begins at 8:30 a.m.!


Mary Shideler, The Kayak Lady
Thursday, July 11
Family/Children’s Program: 1:30 p.m.
Evening Program: 7:00 p.m.

Mary’s senior program is entitled “Your Bucket List.”
Get inspired to follow your dreams. Start your own
list of 101 things you want to do. Hear about Goldie,
who—at age 80—began her bucket list and has
successfully accomplished 70% of her goals. If she
can do it, so can you! Her other two programs will
share her kayaking quest to paddle all 1007 lakes in
Northern Minnesota’s Itasca County. Enjoy Mary’s
stories and photos with a wonderful mix of adventure
and fun!
Please RSVP by July 10.


Okee Dokee Brothers
Thursday, July 18
Family/Children’s Concert: 1:30 p.m.
Evening Concert: 7:00 p.m.

The Okee Dokee Brothers, Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing,
won a Grammy this year for their album “Can You Canoe?”—
Best Children’s Album of the Year! Joe and Justin record and
perform family music with a goal to inspire children and their
parents or grandparents to get outside and experience nature.
They believe this can motivate everyone to gain a greater
respect for the natural world, their communities and themselves.
“Can You Canoe” celebrates music, nature, and everyday
explorers, young and old!
Please RSVP by July 17.


Amber Dolphin and the Pecatonica String Quartet
(Don Deines Alzheimer’s Fundraiser)
               Thursday, August 1
              Family/Children’s Concert: 1:30 p.m.
              Evening Concert: 7:00 p.m.

              From elegant Bach to Classic Rock, the Pecatonica String Quartet’s joy
              and passion for making music will set the tone for this special event.
              Based out of the Madison area, Pecatonica String Quartet is: Austin
              native Amber Dolphin, violin; Maggie Darby Townsend, cello; Carol
              Carlson, violin; and Chris Dozoryst, viola. This is an Alzheimer’s
              Fundraiser in memory of Don Deines.

              A freewill offering for Alzheimer’s research will be accepted at Amber’s
concerts.
Please RSVP by July 31.


Jim Jayes: Magician & Puppeteer
Thursday, August 15
Family/Children’s Program: 1:30 p.m.

Abracadabra! For over 30 years, Jim Jayes has been entertaining
people of all ages with his unique combination of magic and
puppetry. This Sacramento, CA, native makes all of his own
puppets and props. Come out and enjoy Jim’s magic and
puppets (who will give us tips on how to take better care of
the earth)!
Please RSVP by August 14.


Tom Pease: Singer & Musician
Thursday, August 22
Family/Children’s Concert: 1:30 p.m.

Tom Pease returns by popular demand. With movement, sign language, humor and joy, he
creates concerts that leave audiences laughing and singing. Tom connects and inspires
audiences with every show he does.
Please RSVP by August 21.

More events and programs coming soon! See our newsletter for a full schedule.
RSVP by emailing  
jchnatur@smig.net or
calling 507-437-7519.