Upcoming Programs & Events
All programs held in the Interpretive Center unless otherwise specified.
RSVP by emailing info@hormelnaturecenter.org, calling 507-437-7519, or in person at the Interpretive Center.
RSVP by emailing info@hormelnaturecenter.org, calling 507-437-7519, or in person at the Interpretive Center.
- Eco-Blitz Week: July 6-10 - free events
- Look at our 50th Anniversary webpage for more free events!
- Check out our Sola Fide Observatory page for dates and times of free open house observatory nights.
- Once a month there will be an opportunity to help out with projects at the Nature Center. If you are interested in getting volunteer hours visit our Volunteer Work Parties page.
50th Anniversary Photo Contest
In celebration of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center 50th Anniversary, we are excited to announce the first-ever JCHNC Photo Contest! We are seeking photos taken on the JCHNC or at JCHNC programs any time in the past 50 years (including, but not limited to outings, summer adventure programs, school and public programs.
Starting April 12th through August 15th, entries for the contest will be accepted and held for display until our Annual Nature Art Show on August 21st and 22nd where they will be publicly voted on to determine winners in each category and age group.
For more information: [Click Here]
In celebration of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center 50th Anniversary, we are excited to announce the first-ever JCHNC Photo Contest! We are seeking photos taken on the JCHNC or at JCHNC programs any time in the past 50 years (including, but not limited to outings, summer adventure programs, school and public programs.
Starting April 12th through August 15th, entries for the contest will be accepted and held for display until our Annual Nature Art Show on August 21st and 22nd where they will be publicly voted on to determine winners in each category and age group.
For more information: [Click Here]
50th Anniversary Nature Coloring Contest
Everyone is invited to participate in this fun coloring contest! Coloring pages to enter in the contest are available inside the Nature Center to pick up, color and return to the office. Or you can download them [here]. Then you can print, color and then bring them in to the nature center for display! All pages are from the book "Essence of Place - the Story of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center".
Starting April 12th through August 15th, entries for the contest will be accepted and held for display until our Annual Nature Art Show on August 21st and 22nd where they will be showcased and voted on by the public. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each age group.
Age groups are as follows: 3 years old and under, 4-8 years old, 9-12 years old, & 13-100 years old.
Everyone is invited to participate in this fun coloring contest! Coloring pages to enter in the contest are available inside the Nature Center to pick up, color and return to the office. Or you can download them [here]. Then you can print, color and then bring them in to the nature center for display! All pages are from the book "Essence of Place - the Story of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center".
Starting April 12th through August 15th, entries for the contest will be accepted and held for display until our Annual Nature Art Show on August 21st and 22nd where they will be showcased and voted on by the public. Prizes will be awarded to winners in each age group.
Age groups are as follows: 3 years old and under, 4-8 years old, 9-12 years old, & 13-100 years old.
Free Paramount Movies
To thank the community for supporting the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for 50 years the Friends of the Nature Center are extending an invitation for all ages to enjoy attending three movies with Free admission, Free popcorn, and Free refreshments. Please come and join the fun at the Paramount Theatre!
Paramount Address: 125 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912
Thursday, June 17 - showings at 3:00 pm ad 7:00 pm
Movie: "The Okee Dokee Brothers - Can You Canoe?"
Come and meet Guka our Barred Owl from 2:30 - 3:00 pm with JCHNC staff.
To thank the community for supporting the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center for 50 years the Friends of the Nature Center are extending an invitation for all ages to enjoy attending three movies with Free admission, Free popcorn, and Free refreshments. Please come and join the fun at the Paramount Theatre!
Paramount Address: 125 4th Ave NE, Austin, MN 55912
Thursday, June 17 - showings at 3:00 pm ad 7:00 pm
Movie: "The Okee Dokee Brothers - Can You Canoe?"
Come and meet Guka our Barred Owl from 2:30 - 3:00 pm with JCHNC staff.
Rain Garden Preservation Work Party
Tuesday, July 6; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Help us with routine maintenance in our rain gardens around the property to assist with water and soil health. Please RSVP by July 3rd.
Steve Lawler with Soil and Water Conservation District: Cover Crops
6:00 p.m. • Free Program
Come and discover what an important role cover crops play in diminishing erosion and keeping local soil and ecosystems healthy! Please RSVP by July 5th.
Tuesday, July 6; 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Help us with routine maintenance in our rain gardens around the property to assist with water and soil health. Please RSVP by July 3rd.
Steve Lawler with Soil and Water Conservation District: Cover Crops
6:00 p.m. • Free Program
Come and discover what an important role cover crops play in diminishing erosion and keeping local soil and ecosystems healthy! Please RSVP by July 5th.
Field Day
Wednesday, July 7; 10:00-11:30 a.m. • Free Program
Join CRWD and Nature Center staff in viewing a large embankment that serves multipurpose benefits: flood reduction, water quality improvement and protected wildlife habitat to name a few. Come learn about Dobbins Creek history of flash flooding over the last 150 years and why these projects will leave a lasting image of improvement on Dobbins Creek. Meeting location TBA.
Please RSVP by July 6th.
Wednesday, July 7; 10:00-11:30 a.m. • Free Program
Join CRWD and Nature Center staff in viewing a large embankment that serves multipurpose benefits: flood reduction, water quality improvement and protected wildlife habitat to name a few. Come learn about Dobbins Creek history of flash flooding over the last 150 years and why these projects will leave a lasting image of improvement on Dobbins Creek. Meeting location TBA.
Please RSVP by July 6th.
Incredible Compost
Friday, July 9; 2:00 p.m. • Free Program
Come and learn about the ins and outs of how to compost! What is the magic behind turning organic materials into rich soil? Find out how to start your own small compost operation with your kitchen scraps, as well as the do’s and don’ts to be successful.
Please RSVP by July 8th.
Friday, July 9; 2:00 p.m. • Free Program
Come and learn about the ins and outs of how to compost! What is the magic behind turning organic materials into rich soil? Find out how to start your own small compost operation with your kitchen scraps, as well as the do’s and don’ts to be successful.
Please RSVP by July 8th.
Service Day
Saturday, July 10; 9:00-11:00 a.m. • Meet at the JCHNC Interpretive Center
Keep our waterways clean for all people and critters by helping us clean up the Cedar River. Join us and earn a free kayak/canoe rental! Please RSVP by July 9.
Saturday, July 10; 9:00-11:00 a.m. • Meet at the JCHNC Interpretive Center
Keep our waterways clean for all people and critters by helping us clean up the Cedar River. Join us and earn a free kayak/canoe rental! Please RSVP by July 9.
Citizen Science Series: Bumble Bee Survey
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, July 20; 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Help out scientist at the University of Minnesota study the health of the bumble bee population by snapping photos of bees you see around the Nature Center or in your own backyard. Nature Center staff will teach you the best places to find bumble bees, how to snap the best pictures for identification, and how to identify them yourself! Learn about the importance of sustaining the vast species diversity of bumble bees and share your knowledge with your friends by showing them your pictures you have taken all summer!
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, July 20; 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Help out scientist at the University of Minnesota study the health of the bumble bee population by snapping photos of bees you see around the Nature Center or in your own backyard. Nature Center staff will teach you the best places to find bumble bees, how to snap the best pictures for identification, and how to identify them yourself! Learn about the importance of sustaining the vast species diversity of bumble bees and share your knowledge with your friends by showing them your pictures you have taken all summer!
Volunteer Work Party: Seed Collection
Interpretive Center • Free
Wednesday, July 21; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
The best way to revive our prairies is to collect a diverse variety of flowers and grasses and relocate them to a new/struggling section of prairie. We will be collecting early blooming flowers and grasses as they are especially important to jump start pollinators in the spring.
Please RSVP for this activity at least 2 days before.
Interpretive Center • Free
Wednesday, July 21; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
The best way to revive our prairies is to collect a diverse variety of flowers and grasses and relocate them to a new/struggling section of prairie. We will be collecting early blooming flowers and grasses as they are especially important to jump start pollinators in the spring.
Please RSVP for this activity at least 2 days before.
Dammen Adventure Family Fun Day
Interpretive Center
Saturday, July 24; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Come walk the trails with your family and try out a variety of survival-themed games and challenges like archery, throwing an atlatl, mini-games, and more in this enjoyable family fun day event! This event is a fundraiser event for our Dammen Mentorship Program. Suggested donation of $20 per family is appreciated.
Interpretive Center
Saturday, July 24; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Come walk the trails with your family and try out a variety of survival-themed games and challenges like archery, throwing an atlatl, mini-games, and more in this enjoyable family fun day event! This event is a fundraiser event for our Dammen Mentorship Program. Suggested donation of $20 per family is appreciated.
Volunteer Work Party: TBD
Interpretive Center • Free
Wednesday, August 4; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
This project will be determined at a later date. We will update the website once there is more information.
Interpretive Center • Free
Wednesday, August 4; 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
This project will be determined at a later date. We will update the website once there is more information.
Mower County Fair Booth
August 11; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Bees
August 12; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Owl/Hawk talk (no live animals)
August 13; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Snake and Turtle (live animals)
August 11; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Bees
August 12; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Owl/Hawk talk (no live animals)
August 13; 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. : Snake and Turtle (live animals)
50th Special Programing - Bill Cagley
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, August 19; 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a variety of great music for people of all ages with Twin Cities musician, Bill Cagley! His skillful guitar flatpicking and infectious wit are sure to entertain.
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, August 19; 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a variety of great music for people of all ages with Twin Cities musician, Bill Cagley! His skillful guitar flatpicking and infectious wit are sure to entertain.
Nature Art Show
Interpretive Center • Free
Saturday & Sunday, August 21 & 22; Interpretive Center operating hours
The classrooms in the Interpretive Center will be filled with nature inspired art to enjoy. There will also be a contest for the 50th anniversary on photographs taken at the Nature Center over the past 50 years. Enjoy pictures from the past and present and vote for your favorites.
Information on how to enter the Nature Art Show: [Here] or the 50th Photography Contest: [Here]
Interpretive Center • Free
Saturday & Sunday, August 21 & 22; Interpretive Center operating hours
The classrooms in the Interpretive Center will be filled with nature inspired art to enjoy. There will also be a contest for the 50th anniversary on photographs taken at the Nature Center over the past 50 years. Enjoy pictures from the past and present and vote for your favorites.
Information on how to enter the Nature Art Show: [Here] or the 50th Photography Contest: [Here]
50th Special Programing - David Stokes
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, August 24; 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a special evening program from JCHNC favorite, David Stokes! Audiences of all ages will enjoy David's amazing energy, live critters, songs, and stories about the natural world.
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, August 24; 6:30 p.m.
Join us for a special evening program from JCHNC favorite, David Stokes! Audiences of all ages will enjoy David's amazing energy, live critters, songs, and stories about the natural world.
Citizen Science Series: Monarch Tagging
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, August 31; 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
This citizen science series is for young adults and adults interested in becoming involved with tagging monarchs either at the Nature Center during the summer/fall months for volunteer hours or with your own kits at home in the future. Learn to catch, tag, record, and release monarchs properly without harm to the butterfly.
Please RSVP for this activity at least 2 days before.
Interpretive Center • Free
Tuesday, August 31; 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
This citizen science series is for young adults and adults interested in becoming involved with tagging monarchs either at the Nature Center during the summer/fall months for volunteer hours or with your own kits at home in the future. Learn to catch, tag, record, and release monarchs properly without harm to the butterfly.
Please RSVP for this activity at least 2 days before.
Friends Members Only Monarch Butterfly Tagging Class
Saturday, September 4; 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
This class is free for current Friends Members only - Please RSVP by September 2.
Help with Monarch Watch's research by learning to catch, tag, record, and release monarchs on their amazing 2,000 mile journey to winter in Mexico.
Saturday, September 4; 1:30 - 4:00 p.m.
This class is free for current Friends Members only - Please RSVP by September 2.
Help with Monarch Watch's research by learning to catch, tag, record, and release monarchs on their amazing 2,000 mile journey to winter in Mexico.
50th Special Programing - Dariel Bustad
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, September 9; 6:30 p.m.
Stop on by the nature center for an evening of good music and great company. With guitar in hand local musician, Dariel Bustad, will perform a delightful selection of music for all to enjoy.
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, September 9; 6:30 p.m.
Stop on by the nature center for an evening of good music and great company. With guitar in hand local musician, Dariel Bustad, will perform a delightful selection of music for all to enjoy.
Honey Harvest & Processing Open House
Interpretive Center • Free
Saturday, September 11; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Stop in to witness the honey harvesting process from the Nature Center's own beehives!
Interpretive Center • Free
Saturday, September 11; 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Stop in to witness the honey harvesting process from the Nature Center's own beehives!
50th Special Programing - Tom Pease
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, September 16; 6:30 p.m.
Come enjoy music from Tom Pease! He creates concerts that leave audiences laughing and singing with movement, sign language, humor, and joy. Tom Pease loves to explore the role of music in shaping our lives and the world we live in.
Interpretive Center • Free
Thursday, September 16; 6:30 p.m.
Come enjoy music from Tom Pease! He creates concerts that leave audiences laughing and singing with movement, sign language, humor, and joy. Tom Pease loves to explore the role of music in shaping our lives and the world we live in.
Friends Members Only Bus Trip
Saturday, September 18; 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum • $10 per person
Join Nature Center Staff as we take a journey to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota. Rochester Lines will be talking up to 40 people to enjoy a day at this beautiful facility. Enjoy lunch at the Café, no outside food or drink is allowed.
Please register in person at the Interpretive Center - cash or check only.
For more information and the itinerary: [Click Here]
Saturday, September 18; 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum • $10 per person
Join Nature Center Staff as we take a journey to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, Minnesota. Rochester Lines will be talking up to 40 people to enjoy a day at this beautiful facility. Enjoy lunch at the Café, no outside food or drink is allowed.
Please register in person at the Interpretive Center - cash or check only.
For more information and the itinerary: [Click Here]
Use our calendar of events to plan your next visit!