Jay C. Hormel Nature Center – Austin, Minnesota
The JC Hormel Nature Center was established in 1971 with 507 acres of beautiful land within the city limits of Austin. There are restored and remnant prairie, hardwood forests, wetland and meandering streams just waiting for you to come out and enjoy the beauty that Minnesota can offer. There are 10 miles of hiking trails for you to experience and see deer, mink, raccoons, salamanders, birds and other wildlife that will be such a joy to witness on your hike. In fact, the deer are so thick that there are occasionally deer hunts to reduce the population to keep those surviving healthy instead of sickly and starving.
Trails are open from 6 AM to 10 PM seven days a week with no fees. The Interpretive (visitor) Center is open from 9 AM to 12 PM and then from 1 PM to 5 PM.
Don’t bring your pets on the hikes since they are not allowed. Neither can you use the trails for biking since they are just hiking trails. There are some rules that apply when using the trails, there is no smoking allowed, no alcohol, collecting of plants or animals, no camping, fires or picnicking on the trails or the grounds.
There are hands-on structured environmental educational programs for all ages although the main focus is on grades K – 6.
The Visitor Center has exhibits that show live animals, has touch tables, mounted animals, nature games and a preschool play area as well as a nature library for your enjoyment.
The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center will take injured birds of prey, hawks, owls, or eagles. They work with the vet to make sure the birds are healthy and then, if need be, they are transferred to the Raptor Center in St. Paul. Other injured birds or orphaned mammals will be helped by the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Roseville (651-486-9453).
During the summer you can take your children to the Center and let them experience things like pond scooping, insect or butterfly netting and use the trails to take a hike with your child. It will build memories that will last a lifetime for both of you.
There is the Ruby Rupner Auditorium that can be rented for special events. They also have cabins to rent. These were not damaged in the tornado that ripped through the area in 2010.
While visiting you may want to stop off at the Solafide Observatory. Although it isn’t open at all times there are some dates every month that you can go so stop in at the Visitor Center on your hike and ask for the dates that you can attend.
JAY C HORMEL NATURE CENTER
AUSTIN, MINNESOTA 55912
507-437-7519 FAX 507-437-8246
E-MAIL jchnatur@smig.net
Larry Dolphin, Director Naturalist
Julie Champlin, Assistant-Auditorium Coordinator
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