Friends of the Hormel Nature Center's logo in blue. Shows an outline of the Nature Center building with a sun behind it, a river in front of it, and a tree on the side.

Mission Statement: To enhance and encourage environmental education, scientific opportunities, ​and the enjoyment of nature at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Friends of the Hormel Nature Center's logo in blue. Shows an outline of the Nature Center building with a sun behind it, a river in front of it, and a tree on the side.

Mission Statement: To enhance and encourage environmental education, scientific opportunities, ​and the enjoyment of nature at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

In order to continue to fulfill our mission to the Nature Center, we depend on generous donations and Friends memberships.

Check out our annual report. Download the PDF here.

Why Join the Friends?

  • Support and promote environmental education programming.
  • Help preserve nature for future generations.
  • Receive a free copy of our summer newsletter mailed to you to stay up-to-date on the programs you enjoy.
  • Receive an invitation to the Friends Annual Meeting.
  • $5.00 off all summer classes.
  • 15% off all Nature Center merchandise.  ​​
  • Participate in members-only events and classes for youth and families at the Nature Center.
  • Enjoy an annual bus trip. Cost of bus paid by Friends, participants take care of their own admission fees (when applicable) and food.
  • Give a free one-year gift membership to a non-member.
  • $25 of Lifetime Memberships will be earmarked as scholarships for youth.

Membership Levels

Water (Supporter)…………………… $50
Prairie (Contributor)……..……….. $100
Forest (Patron)………..……………… $500
Night Sky (Lifetime)………….….. $1,000

Donate
Join/Renew
Lifetime Membership
Donate
Join/Renew
Lifetime Membership

If you would like to join or renew by paper, please download, print, and mail your form and check in. [Download Form]

Projects and Events Funded by the Friends

A large telescope sitting outside.
Telescope
A large group of people sitting in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium listening to music.
Concerts
Rain garden with different flowering plants.
Rain Garden
Two people doing forest restoration work outside.
Restoration Projects
A person in a bee suit pulling out a frame from the hive box with bees on it.
Honey Bees
A powered track chair sitting inside.
Powered Track Chairs
The outside of a building called the Sugar Shack with fall trees in the background.
ADA Sugar Shack
A garden bed filled with rocks with trees in it.
Gravel Tree Bed
A butterfly in between a person's fingers with a data tag on it.
Citizen Science
A female ridding a stationary bike indoors with a honey extractor cylinder on the front.
Honey Extraction Bike
Exhibit area showing a large mussel, TV, and informational posters with a landscape mural in the background.
New Exhibit
A group of people inside dressed up like Santa, the Grinch, and in holiday attire.
Merry & Bright Night
A child with her hands in a bowl full of dirt on a table inside.
Community Crafts
A trail map post outside.
New Trail Map
A group of kids posing and smiling outside.
Mentorship Program
An empty maple syrup evaporator.
New Evaporator Pan
An inflatable planetarium with a space background.
Inflatable Planetarium
A male adult instructor showing a group of kids a plant outside.
Guest Teachers
A thank you picture drawn by a kid with flowers on it.
Scholarships
A trail sign post outside with 5 different trail directions and pictures on it.
New Trail Signage

If you would like to join or renew by paper, please download, print, and mail your form and check in. [Download Form]

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