upcoming programs and events
All programs held in the Interpretive Center unless otherwise specified.
RSVP by emailing [email protected], calling 507-437-7519, or in person at the Interpretive Center.
RSVP by emailing [email protected], calling 507-437-7519, or in person at the Interpretive Center.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/editor/new-building-angle-photo-credit-savanna-dahl.jpg?1692457817)
Interpretive Center Closings
Monday, September 2
Trails will remain open.
Monday, September 2
Trails will remain open.
July
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Volunteer Forest Restoration Project
Saturday, July 27; 10:00 - 11:30 am
Meet at the Interpretive Center
Looking for some volunteer hours or a great way to help your community and the environment? Help us restore our forests by removing invasive buckthorn. A naturalist will be there to guide you during this process. You may either sign up through United Way or call the Nature Center to let us know you would like to help out. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and pants are preferred. We can provide bug spray and work gloves.
Saturday, July 27; 10:00 - 11:30 am
Meet at the Interpretive Center
Looking for some volunteer hours or a great way to help your community and the environment? Help us restore our forests by removing invasive buckthorn. A naturalist will be there to guide you during this process. You may either sign up through United Way or call the Nature Center to let us know you would like to help out. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and pants are preferred. We can provide bug spray and work gloves.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/7-25-06-004.jpg?1718735728)
Sola Fide Observatory Open House
Saturday, July 27; 9:30 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
Saturday, July 27; 9:30 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
august
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/zoo-turtle-tower-sign-edited-edited.webp?1718736557)
Senior Special and Family Program
Thursday, August 1; Senior Special: 10:00 am, Family: 1:00 pm
Interpretive Center Classroom - Free
Senior Special & Family Program: Come meet some awesome reptiles from the RAD Zoo. Learn about turtles, lizards, snakes and a small alligator. There will be an opportunity to touch a reptile at the end of the presentation.
Thursday, August 1; Senior Special: 10:00 am, Family: 1:00 pm
Interpretive Center Classroom - Free
Senior Special & Family Program: Come meet some awesome reptiles from the RAD Zoo. Learn about turtles, lizards, snakes and a small alligator. There will be an opportunity to touch a reptile at the end of the presentation.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/nature-play-day-11.jpg?1718737043)
Nature Play Thursdays!
Thursday, August 1; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Interpretive Center - Free Activities
Twice a month on Thursdays the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center hosts free nature play days. This event is an open house and you are free to participate in any or all of the activities. Activities include: art, water tables, sand tables, pond scooping, touch tables, possible snake presentation, and canoe the pond for free!
Thursday, August 1; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Interpretive Center - Free Activities
Twice a month on Thursdays the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center hosts free nature play days. This event is an open house and you are free to participate in any or all of the activities. Activities include: art, water tables, sand tables, pond scooping, touch tables, possible snake presentation, and canoe the pond for free!
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/fish-and-wildlife-building.png?1718737517)
Mower County Fair - Game & Fish Building
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, August 7-9; 4:30 - 7:30 pm
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will have an interactive booth at the Mower County Fair in the Game & Fish building. Wednesday - Friday during certain times we will have a Naturalist at the booth to answer questions and provide information on skulls and pelts. One day we may even bring our snake!
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, August 7-9; 4:30 - 7:30 pm
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will have an interactive booth at the Mower County Fair in the Game & Fish building. Wednesday - Friday during certain times we will have a Naturalist at the booth to answer questions and provide information on skulls and pelts. One day we may even bring our snake!
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/dsc3143.jpg?1718739972)
Naturalist Nature Walk
Saturday, August 10 - Free - Interpretive Center
10:00 - 11:00 am and 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Join one of our Naturalists on a 45 minute hike on one of our trails. These hikes will focus on what is happening in nature at the time of the hike. Naturalists will point out important flowers, trees, and/or animals. They may also sprinkle in a little history and facts about the Nature Center.
Please meet inside the main building and check in at the front desk.
Saturday, August 10 - Free - Interpretive Center
10:00 - 11:00 am and 1:00 - 2:00 pm
Join one of our Naturalists on a 45 minute hike on one of our trails. These hikes will focus on what is happening in nature at the time of the hike. Naturalists will point out important flowers, trees, and/or animals. They may also sprinkle in a little history and facts about the Nature Center.
Please meet inside the main building and check in at the front desk.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/pxl-20240312-165636792.jpg?1718740359)
Senior Special and Family Program
Thursday, August 15; Senior Special: 10:00 am, Family: 1:00 pm
Interpretive Center Classroom - Free
Senior Special: Nature's Apothecary: Sip on a cup of herbal bliss, and come learn about natural remedies. Though the physical health benefits may vary, there is no denying the joy and peace one can gain from being closer to nature in day to day life. Enjoy herbal tea as we talk about native and locally found flora that has the potential to heal.
Family Program: The Power of Fire: Jump into the realm of fire ecologies! There is a dual nature to fire: wild and helpful, yet with the potential for danger. Explore the benefits and risks as we check out the different types of fire and their essential role in nature. Learn how to support positive fires while preventing harmful ones.
Thursday, August 15; Senior Special: 10:00 am, Family: 1:00 pm
Interpretive Center Classroom - Free
Senior Special: Nature's Apothecary: Sip on a cup of herbal bliss, and come learn about natural remedies. Though the physical health benefits may vary, there is no denying the joy and peace one can gain from being closer to nature in day to day life. Enjoy herbal tea as we talk about native and locally found flora that has the potential to heal.
Family Program: The Power of Fire: Jump into the realm of fire ecologies! There is a dual nature to fire: wild and helpful, yet with the potential for danger. Explore the benefits and risks as we check out the different types of fire and their essential role in nature. Learn how to support positive fires while preventing harmful ones.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/nature-play-day-30.jpg?1718743237)
Nature Play Thursdays!
Thursday, August 15; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Interpretive Center - Free Activities
Twice a month on Thursdays the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center hosts free nature play days. This event is an open house and you are free to participate in any or all of the activities. Activities include: art, water tables, sand tables, pond scooping, touch tables, possible snake presentation, and canoe the pond for free!
Thursday, August 15; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Interpretive Center - Free Activities
Twice a month on Thursdays the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center hosts free nature play days. This event is an open house and you are free to participate in any or all of the activities. Activities include: art, water tables, sand tables, pond scooping, touch tables, possible snake presentation, and canoe the pond for free!
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/20220603-103841.jpg?1718742559)
Volunteer Forest Restoration Project - CANCELLED
Saturday, August 17; 10:00 - 11:30 am
Meet at the Interpretive Center
Looking for some volunteer hours or a great way to help your community and the environment? Help us restore our forests by removing invasive buckthorn. A naturalist will be there to guide you during this process. You may either sign up through United Way or call the Nature Center to let us know you would like to help out. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and pants are preferred. We can provide bug spray and work gloves.
Saturday, August 17; 10:00 - 11:30 am
Meet at the Interpretive Center
Looking for some volunteer hours or a great way to help your community and the environment? Help us restore our forests by removing invasive buckthorn. A naturalist will be there to guide you during this process. You may either sign up through United Way or call the Nature Center to let us know you would like to help out. Make sure to wear close-toed shoes and pants are preferred. We can provide bug spray and work gloves.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/20210925-191511.jpg?1718743425)
Sola Fide Observatory Open House
Saturday, August 17; 9:00 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
Saturday, August 17; 9:00 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/7-25-06-007.jpg?1718743431)
Sola Fide Observatory Open House
Saturday, August 24; 9:00 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
Saturday, August 24; 9:00 - 11:00 pm - Free
Weather Dependent, please check social media for updates
See the stars up close and personal through our large telescope. This Saturday's Sola Fide will focus on looking at the moon. A naturalist will be there to provide interpretation on the stars, star clusters, nebulas, or planets you will be seeing. Weather dependent, meaning if there is 60% or more cloud cover Sola Fide will be cancelled.
September
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/1/6/25166228/published/photo-sep-09-2023-11-23-24-am.jpg?1718744234)
Honey Harvest Open House
Saturday, September 7; 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Free - Multipurpose Room
Our annual honey harvest is a great opportunity to see the entire harvesting process for honey. You will get to see a larger operation working at the same time as we are harvesting ours. There will be a large powered harvester and our bike harvester that everyone can try out! Learn about our bees and how the summer went! Honey will NOT be for sale until after the honey harvest is complete. We sell one pound and two pound bottles.
Saturday, September 7; 9:30 am - 12:00 pm
Free - Multipurpose Room
Our annual honey harvest is a great opportunity to see the entire harvesting process for honey. You will get to see a larger operation working at the same time as we are harvesting ours. There will be a large powered harvester and our bike harvester that everyone can try out! Learn about our bees and how the summer went! Honey will NOT be for sale until after the honey harvest is complete. We sell one pound and two pound bottles.