JAY C. HORMEL NATURE CENTER



​The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center features over 500 acres of prairie, forests, and wetlands.
​Keep eyes and ears open for many kinds of wildlife as you explore the 10+ miles of trails!
  • Home
  • About
    • 50th Anniversary
    • FAQ
    • Trail Map
    • History
    • Staff
    • Nature Center Gifts
    • Ski & Snowshoe Rental
    • Injured/Abandoned Animals
  • Programs & Events
    • Cancellations due to COVID-19
    • Calendar of Events
  • Get Involved
    • Friends of the Hormel Nature Center
    • Volunteer Calendar
  • Facility Rental
    • Facility Rental Policies
  • Sola Fide Observatory
    • Night Sky Viewing Guide
  • Resources
    • Rain Garden
    • Sustainable Tips
    • Nature Notes
    • Environmental Education Resources

Education — Classes, Programs, Tours & More

Picture
Interpretive Center
Fun and interactive exhibits with live animals, touch tables, puzzles and games, a play area, and more! Learn about the local history, the wildlife, and the story of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

School Programs
Hands-on environmental education programs are offered to preschool through high school students. The staff is willing to adapt to your specific curriculum needs.

Summer Adventure Classes 
When school is out, learning at the Nature Center is anything but over! Course offerings throughout the summer provide students of all ages opportunities to learn about everything from water conservation to the migration of the monarch butterfly.

Free Programs
Generous community support allows the Nature Center to provide world-class programs to the general public at no cost to participants. Check the Programs & Events page or the Calendar of Events to see what's coming up!

Equipment Rental 
During the summer, visitors can rent canoes and kayaks for use on the pond and Dobbins Creek! Exploring on the water is a great way to experience the Nature Center and to see wildlife you might miss while walking the trails. When the snow arrives, the Nature Center rents cross-country ski equipment as well as snowshoes.

Bus Tours
Fun, interactive educational programs, including seasonal offerings such as maple syruping and apple cidering. Consider contacting Discover Austin, Minnesota, to plan a full tour of Austin.
​
Sola Fide Observatory
See the objects in our solar system and beyond through a 16-inch reflector telescope. Volunteers offer viewing opportunities twice a month on Saturday evenings.


Seasons of the Hormel Nature Center

This slideshow shows many of the sights you can see at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. With over 500 acres of prairie, forest, and wetland habitat, we have a great variety of wildlife which you may encounter on your visit.

If you upload photos you took while you were exploring the trails, make sure to tag the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. Let people know where they can experience wildlife, beautiful scenery, and the great outdoors!
Contact                                                   
Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
1304 21st St NE
Austin, MN 55912
Phone: (507) 437-7519
Email: info@hormelnaturecenter.org

Fax: (507) 396-2903
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  • View the Trail Map
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught."  — Baba Dioum
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  • Home
  • About
    • 50th Anniversary
    • FAQ
    • Trail Map
    • History
    • Staff
    • Nature Center Gifts
    • Ski & Snowshoe Rental
    • Injured/Abandoned Animals
  • Programs & Events
    • Cancellations due to COVID-19
    • Calendar of Events
  • Get Involved
    • Friends of the Hormel Nature Center
    • Volunteer Calendar
  • Facility Rental
    • Facility Rental Policies
  • Sola Fide Observatory
    • Night Sky Viewing Guide
  • Resources
    • Rain Garden
    • Sustainable Tips
    • Nature Notes
    • Environmental Education Resources