Friends of the Hormel Nature Center
Donate, join the Friends, or renew your membership online:
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Interested in supporting us through membership? Please use the button on the left to join the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center or to renew your membership.
New in 2022: Choose to continue your membership with monthly, semi-annual, or annual donations.
Become a lifetime member for a donation of $500 or more.
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Why join the Friends?
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Join/renew online, OR download membership form here and send with your donation to: Friends of the Hormel Nature Center (FHNC) PO Box 83 Austin, MN 55912 |
A note from our President:
March 2021
About every time I’m leaving the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, I tell myself that I need to get out there more often. Most people probably think similarly after walking, skiing or running through the nature center’s over 530 acres of woods, wetlands and prairie or after taking in the beautiful, education-filled $7 million interpretive center opened four years ago. My hope in 2021 as the president of the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is to help support that feeling for nature center users of all ages.
This year, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is 50 years old. Back on March 11, 1971, the City of Austin purchased the original nature center property from Geordie Hormel, one of the late Jay Hormel’s three sons. This protected the land from being developed into a gas station and strip mall along the interstate.
More importantly, the citizen-led effort 50 years ago ensured that tens of thousands of students from Austin, greater Mower County and beyond would have an incredible outdoor classroom to learn about and grow an appreciation for nature.
Today, the City of Austin continues to own and staff the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The Friends of the Nature Center, formed in 1988, continues to raise donations to invest back in the nature center in ways that enhance it through education, research and the overall enjoyment of the outdoors.
This is your nature center. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Friends member. Please consider, though, becoming a Friends member to help show your appreciation for the nature center and your commitment to work with us on protecting and improving this crown jewel of the community and region.
Our 50th anniversary plans are greatly hampered by the ongoing pandemic. The Friends, however, will continue to look for safe ways to celebrate this year with the community. One thing you all can do on your own in celebration of this milestone is commit to visiting the nature center more than ever. Come out for the exercise, fresh air, environmental education, public programs, scenic views, wildlife, stream crossings and calming atmosphere. I hope to see you on the trails!
-Tim Ruzek, President of the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center
March 2021
About every time I’m leaving the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, I tell myself that I need to get out there more often. Most people probably think similarly after walking, skiing or running through the nature center’s over 530 acres of woods, wetlands and prairie or after taking in the beautiful, education-filled $7 million interpretive center opened four years ago. My hope in 2021 as the president of the Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is to help support that feeling for nature center users of all ages.
This year, the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center is 50 years old. Back on March 11, 1971, the City of Austin purchased the original nature center property from Geordie Hormel, one of the late Jay Hormel’s three sons. This protected the land from being developed into a gas station and strip mall along the interstate.
More importantly, the citizen-led effort 50 years ago ensured that tens of thousands of students from Austin, greater Mower County and beyond would have an incredible outdoor classroom to learn about and grow an appreciation for nature.
Today, the City of Austin continues to own and staff the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. The Friends of the Nature Center, formed in 1988, continues to raise donations to invest back in the nature center in ways that enhance it through education, research and the overall enjoyment of the outdoors.
This is your nature center. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Friends member. Please consider, though, becoming a Friends member to help show your appreciation for the nature center and your commitment to work with us on protecting and improving this crown jewel of the community and region.
Our 50th anniversary plans are greatly hampered by the ongoing pandemic. The Friends, however, will continue to look for safe ways to celebrate this year with the community. One thing you all can do on your own in celebration of this milestone is commit to visiting the nature center more than ever. Come out for the exercise, fresh air, environmental education, public programs, scenic views, wildlife, stream crossings and calming atmosphere. I hope to see you on the trails!
-Tim Ruzek, President of the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center
Sunrise from the trails. Photo by Steven Conradt
Mission Statement
To enhance and encourage environmental education, scientific opportunities,
and the enjoyment of nature at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.
To enhance and encourage environmental education, scientific opportunities,
and the enjoyment of nature at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.