Interpretive Center OPEN: Monday, May 26
May
Austin Audubon Hikes
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm: May 20
Thursdays at 6:30 am: May 22
Interested in learning more about birds? Want some help from the experts on identification? Join Austin Audubon members as they explore the Nature Center looking for birds. The early morning and evening times are optional for bird watching, as this is when most birds are out and active. This is a free activity, please meet at the metal entrance gates to the trails in the main parking lot if you wish to participate. Binoculars can be provided if you do not own any of your own.
Sola Fide Observatory Open House
Saturday, May 17; 9:00 – 11:00 pm
Free Open House; Weather Dependent
Get away from the city lights and join us under the stars at Sola Fide Observatory. Located off property south of town. Enjoy the stars, moon, or galaxies from one of our two telescopes. There is no heat in the building and you may need to wait outside.
This event is weather/cloud dependent. If there is more than 50% cloud cover, we cannot run the telescope and the event will be cancelled. Please watch our social media for updates.
Canoe & Kayak Rentals Open for Season
Saturday, May 24
Rentals are available during normal business hours. All boats must be back 30 min before business closing hours.
Rental Cost: We only take CASH or CHECK! $10 per single kayak or $15 per canoe.
Rental Time: 3 hours Rental Location: Dobbins Creek to East Side Lake or Nature Center Pond
June
Senior Special and Nature Play Program
Thursday, June 12; Interpretive Center Classroom; Free
Senior Special: 10:00 am, Nature Play Program: 1:00 pm
Abracadabra and… math? Kevin Hall is The Magic Maniac and he’s bringing his antics down to Austin! This Minnesotan magician will bring the oo’s and also the ahhh’s when he performs his tricks that will be sure to inspire and delight. There’s nothing up his sleeve but pure fun (and a little magic).
Free Nature Play Activities
Thursday, June 12; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Get outside and discover nature with your child! Enjoy free activities such as: canoes & kayaks, water tables, scooping the pond, touch tables, and animal encounters.
Cedar River Astronomy Club Meeting
Friday, June 13; 8:00 – 9:00 pm
Interpretive Center; Free
The Cedar River Astronomy Club’s mission is to connect people with interest in astronomy and give hands on experience exploring the night sky while helping with outreach at the Sola Fide Observatory.
The Cedar River Astronomy Club is open to all ages, skill, and interest levels. It doesn’t matter if you’re a novice, or an expert, if you own a telescope, or just like the night sky, all are welcome!
The club is free to join.
Bus Trip: La Crosse, WI
Art Festival and River Cruise
Saturday, June 14; 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thank you to the Friends of the Hormel Nature Center, this bus trip is open to everyone! Join Nature Center staff on a coach bus trip to La Crosse, WI to explore one of the largest free art festivals and cruise down the Mississippi in the La Crosse Queen. If you are a current Friends member, the bus ride is free! If you are not a current Friends member, the cost of a bus ticket will be $50 per person. There will be costs associated with this trip; such as: river cruise ticket: $20.
Please register by contacting the nature center and then stopping out to pay your ticket fees. Limited to 35 people.
Naturalist Led Hike
Saturday, June 14; 1:00 – 2:00 pm; Free
Meet in the Interpretive Center lobby for a free naturalist led hike. A naturalist will give you a guided tour of one or more of our trails and chat with you about what is currently happening in nature, such as what flowers are blooming or what animals are nesting. This hike is mostly on flat, unpaved trails. The hike will be about a mile and a half or less and last about an hour.
Sola Fide Observatory Open House
Saturday, June 14; 9:30 – 11:00 pm
Free Open House; Weather Dependent
Get away from the city lights and join us under the stars at Sola Fide Observatory. Located off property south of town. Enjoy the stars, moon, or galaxies from one of our two telescopes. There is no heat in the building and you may need to wait outside.
This event is weather/cloud dependent. If there is more than 50% cloud cover, we cannot run the telescope and the event will be cancelled. Please watch our social media for updates.
Free Nature Play Activities
Saturday, June 21; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Get outside and discover nature with your child! Enjoy free activities such as: canoes & kayaks, water tables, scooping the pond, touch tables, and animal encounters.
No free program available on Saturday Nature Play.