upcoming programs and 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.
- Check out our Sola Fide Observatory page for dates and times of free open house observatory nights.
- Check out our Senior Special and Nature Play pages to view free programs available on select Thursdays during the summer.
September
Halloween Warm-Up Tickets on Sale!
Can only be purchased at Jim's SuperFresh until October 13th
Jim's SuperFresh Address: 2101 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912
$10 per ticket - limit 25 per group
Halloween Warm-Up Dates: October 14 and 15 from 6:30 - 8:50 pm
Groups go out every 10 minutes. The walk/event takes about 45 minutes. Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets.
Tickets are non-refundable and only good for the time slot on your ticket.
$1 per person for refreshments and cookies at the end of the night - suggested donation.
For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night. Then relax inside the visitor center with cider and treats! Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!
**During the 6:30 pm time slot there will be powered track chairs for use for those in need. This needs to be set up in advance by calling the Nature Center and requesting one.
Can only be purchased at Jim's SuperFresh until October 13th
Jim's SuperFresh Address: 2101 4th St NW, Austin, MN 55912
$10 per ticket - limit 25 per group
Halloween Warm-Up Dates: October 14 and 15 from 6:30 - 8:50 pm
Groups go out every 10 minutes. The walk/event takes about 45 minutes. Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets.
Tickets are non-refundable and only good for the time slot on your ticket.
$1 per person for refreshments and cookies at the end of the night - suggested donation.
For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night. Then relax inside the visitor center with cider and treats! Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!
**During the 6:30 pm time slot there will be powered track chairs for use for those in need. This needs to be set up in advance by calling the Nature Center and requesting one.
October
Audubon Bird Seed Sale
Located at Runnings in Austin, MN
Sale runs from October 1st - October 9th
Part of the proceeds go to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center to help fund scholarships for Summer Adventure Classes!
Located at Runnings in Austin, MN
Sale runs from October 1st - October 9th
Part of the proceeds go to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center to help fund scholarships for Summer Adventure Classes!
Interpretive Center Closed - Trails Remain Open
Friday and Saturday, October 14 & 15
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, October 14 & 15
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
39th Annual Halloween Warm-Up
Tickets can only be purchased at Jim's SuperFresh until October 13th
$10 per ticket - limit 25 per group
Halloween Warm-Up Dates: October 14 and 15 from 6:30 - 8:50 pm
Groups go out every 10 minutes. The walk/event takes about 45 minutes. Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets.
Tickets are non-refundable and only good for the time slot on your ticket.
$1 per person for refreshments and cookies at the end of the night - suggested donation.
For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night. Then relax inside the visitor center with cider and treats! Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!
**During the 6:30 pm time slot there will be powered track chairs for use for those in need. This needs to be set up in advance by calling the Nature Center and requesting one.
Tickets can only be purchased at Jim's SuperFresh until October 13th
$10 per ticket - limit 25 per group
Halloween Warm-Up Dates: October 14 and 15 from 6:30 - 8:50 pm
Groups go out every 10 minutes. The walk/event takes about 45 minutes. Select your time slot when you purchase your tickets.
Tickets are non-refundable and only good for the time slot on your ticket.
$1 per person for refreshments and cookies at the end of the night - suggested donation.
For two magical nights, the Nature Center (with the help of Matchbox Children’s Theatre) is under special enchantment! Take a 45-minute hike and enjoy “spook”tacular Halloween and nature skits performed by creatures, critters, and spirits of the night. Then relax inside the visitor center with cider and treats! Especially designed to appeal to children ages 4-11 (accompanied by an adult), but all ages are welcome!
**During the 6:30 pm time slot there will be powered track chairs for use for those in need. This needs to be set up in advance by calling the Nature Center and requesting one.
Austin City-Wide Archery Deer Hunt Starts
Sunday, October 16
Trails remain open and safe!
With confirmation from the DNR, the city is holding a special deer bow hunt again this fall to help keep the deer population at a healthy level. The hunt runs from October 16 through December 31. Hunters are working with the Nature Center to ensure that visitors may safely use the trails while the hunt is in progress.
All hunters were required to pass a proficiency test and complete their bowhunter education course before applying to participate in the hunt. Deer stands must be located 100 feet from trails and 150 feet from structures.
Sunday, October 16
Trails remain open and safe!
With confirmation from the DNR, the city is holding a special deer bow hunt again this fall to help keep the deer population at a healthy level. The hunt runs from October 16 through December 31. Hunters are working with the Nature Center to ensure that visitors may safely use the trails while the hunt is in progress.
All hunters were required to pass a proficiency test and complete their bowhunter education course before applying to participate in the hunt. Deer stands must be located 100 feet from trails and 150 feet from structures.
Audubon Program - Banding Stories by Greg Munson
Tuesday, October 18; 7:00 pm
Free Program - Interpretive Center Classroom
Greg will have plenty to share with over 40 years of bird banding experience including his banding work with monarch butterflies. There will also be a net set up to catch Saw Whet Owls.
Tuesday, October 18; 7:00 pm
Free Program - Interpretive Center Classroom
Greg will have plenty to share with over 40 years of bird banding experience including his banding work with monarch butterflies. There will also be a net set up to catch Saw Whet Owls.
Sola Fide Observatory Open House Night - Last one of season!
Free Open House - Weather Dependent! - meaning 0-20% cloud cover, any more than that and it cannot be held.
Saturday, October 22; 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
This open house is dependent on clear skies, we will update our website and social media if the event is not happening. There is no heat inside the building - dress warm! For more information, upcoming dates, and the address visit our Sola Fide web page [Here].
Free Open House - Weather Dependent! - meaning 0-20% cloud cover, any more than that and it cannot be held.
Saturday, October 22; 8:00 - 10:00 p.m.
This open house is dependent on clear skies, we will update our website and social media if the event is not happening. There is no heat inside the building - dress warm! For more information, upcoming dates, and the address visit our Sola Fide web page [Here].
Planetarium Open House
Free Open House located in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium
Saturday, October 29; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
The Hormel Nature Center will have an inflatable planetarium for one weekend only! During 15 minute time slots, a naturalist will give a star presentation in the planetarium.
The planetarium is a small space that you will need to crawl into.
Free Open House located in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium
Saturday, October 29; 1:00 - 4:00 pm
The Hormel Nature Center will have an inflatable planetarium for one weekend only! During 15 minute time slots, a naturalist will give a star presentation in the planetarium.
The planetarium is a small space that you will need to crawl into.
Christmas Craft Registration Begins Online
Monday, October 31; 9:00 am
Class is $35 per person
Session 1: Tuesday, November 29; 6-8 pm
Session 2: Wednesday, November 30; 1-3 pm
Session 3: Thursday, December 1; 6-8 pm
Session 4: Saturday, December 3; 9-11 am
Session 5: Saturday, December 3; 1-3 pm
Monday, October 31; 9:00 am
Class is $35 per person
Session 1: Tuesday, November 29; 6-8 pm
Session 2: Wednesday, November 30; 1-3 pm
Session 3: Thursday, December 1; 6-8 pm
Session 4: Saturday, December 3; 9-11 am
Session 5: Saturday, December 3; 1-3 pm
DNR Conducting CWD Testing in Nature Center Garage
Saturday & Sunday, November 5 and 6
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Saturday & Sunday, November 5 and 6
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Live Bird Program
Wednesday, November 9; 4:00 pm
Free - Interpretive Center Classroom
One of our Naturalists will be taking out either our Barred Owl, Guka, or our Red-tailed Hawk, Wiyaka. There will be a short presentation and then time for questions afterwards.
Wednesday, November 9; 4:00 pm
Free - Interpretive Center Classroom
One of our Naturalists will be taking out either our Barred Owl, Guka, or our Red-tailed Hawk, Wiyaka. There will be a short presentation and then time for questions afterwards.
Interpretive Center Closed - Trails Remain Open
Friday, November 11
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Friday, November 11
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Audubon Program - Minneopa State Park Naturalist Alex Watson
Tuesday, November 15; 7:00 pm
Free Program - Interpretive Center Classroom
Past Hormel Nature Center intern, Alex Watson will be coming back to share his experiences as a Minneopa State Park Naturalists working with Bison.
Tuesday, November 15; 7:00 pm
Free Program - Interpretive Center Classroom
Past Hormel Nature Center intern, Alex Watson will be coming back to share his experiences as a Minneopa State Park Naturalists working with Bison.
Give to the Max Day
Thursday, November 17 - Online
We will be participating in the annual Give to the Max Day through GiveMN for the third year! Check us out at GiveMN.org and search for Friends of the Hormel Nature Center.
Give to the Max Day was created in 2009 to launch GiveMN, a collaborative venture led by Minnesota Community Foundation and many other organizations committed to helping make our state a better place. That initial spark touched off an outpouring of generosity — $14 million in 24 hours. Since then, Give to the Max Day has become Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, raising more than $250 million in its first 13 years. Every year, thousands of organizations and individuals generate donations and excitement for Minnesota causes that are working to improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans. Give to the Max Day has become a national model for giving days.
Thursday, November 17 - Online
We will be participating in the annual Give to the Max Day through GiveMN for the third year! Check us out at GiveMN.org and search for Friends of the Hormel Nature Center.
Give to the Max Day was created in 2009 to launch GiveMN, a collaborative venture led by Minnesota Community Foundation and many other organizations committed to helping make our state a better place. That initial spark touched off an outpouring of generosity — $14 million in 24 hours. Since then, Give to the Max Day has become Minnesota’s annual giving holiday, raising more than $250 million in its first 13 years. Every year, thousands of organizations and individuals generate donations and excitement for Minnesota causes that are working to improve the quality of life for all Minnesotans. Give to the Max Day has become a national model for giving days.
Interpretive Center Closed - Trails Remain Open
Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thursday & Friday, November 24 & 25
Trail hours: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.