FIELD NOTES From the Friends of Qu arry Hill Natu re Cente r

Autumn 2015
Volume XXV
Issue 4
From the Friends of Quarry Hill Nature Center
FIELD NOTES
Enjoy food, fun, live animal programs and all the best of
Quarry Hill at this annual fundraising event.
Live Animal Programs!
Free - All ages Welcome
Saturday
Live animal programs featuring MN
snakes, turtles and birds will be held
throughout the day.
Sunday
Bald Eagle Program
“How much does an eagle
weigh?” How big is their
wingspan?” The answers
await you during a live eagle program
presented by the
National Eagle Center.
Full schedule at QHNC.org.
Tree Climbing
sponsored by Maier Tree & Lawn
Noon—3:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday
Food available all day!
Brats, hot dogs, caramel
apples, popcorn, tabouli & more.
Activities include:
Big Dig
Candle Rolling
Canoeing
Cave Tours
Cookie Decorating
Design a frog or turtle
Face Painting
Color a Mini-Pumpkin
Nature Necklaces
Reptile Putt Putt
Rock Climbing
Sand Painting
Spidey Challenge and more….
New this year: Rock Climbing on
Prairie Wall’s 25 foot portable
climbing tower.
FREE ADMISSION
Activity & food tickets available for purchase: $1/ticket, 25 tickets/$20
Food and activities range from 1-5 tickets
Event is held rain or shine. Indoor & outdoor activities.
New Dog Leash
Ordinance
In late June 2015, the Rochester Park
Board and the Rochester City Council
adopted a new leash ordinance for the
city of Rochester.
The full ordinance can be viewed at:
http://www.rochestermn.gov/
departments/city-attorney/cityordinances
Under these new ordinances, all dogs
must be leashed in Quarry Hill Park.
This is different than other parks in the
city and is a requirement due to the
heavy use of Quarry Hill Park by student
groups, Rochester Public Schools and
summer day camps. Dogs are still
welcome to enjoy the trails with their
owners anytime the park is open, but we
appreciate your adherence to the new
ordinance.
PAGE 2
2015 Summer Nature Camp
Monarch Tagging—Get Involved!
Zumbro Valley Audubon Society presents:
Monarch Program and Tagging Demonstration
Tuesday, August 25, 6:30—7:30 p.m.
at Quarry Hill Nature Center
All ages are welcome at this free hands-on experience
presented by Pamela Meyer, Director of Quarry Hill Nature
Center. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of the monarch
butterfly and how it prepares for its long journey back to
Mexico. After the presentation, participants will observe a
tagging demonstration and help release the live monarch
butterflies.
Monarch Butterfly Tagging in the Field
Be a part of research in action!
August 27 and September 1, 4:00-6:00 pm
Northern Hills Prairie
3694 Nottingham Drive NW
Free and open to all ages; come one or both days.
No registration needed.
Nets will be available to help catch monarchs. Captured
monarchs will be tagged, recorded and released. Quarry Hill
naturalists and Zumbro Valley Audubon members will be
on site to lead the tagging process.
Monarch Conservation
Monarch Tagging Coded tags are attached to monarchs
when they are captured before migrating south, and
recovered when monarchs are found or captured
throughout the migration. Citizen scientists are how this
work can be done! Citizen scientists record the date,
location, monarch gender, and unique tag number for each
fall-migrating monarch that they tag. This data is then
submitted and used in research. The purpose of tagging
monarchs is to associate the location of capture with the
point of recovery for each butterfly. The data from these
recaptures are used to determine the pathways taken by
migrating monarchs, the influence of weather on the
migration, the survival rate of the monarchs, and more.
How else can you help?
 Plant milkweed for monarch caterpillars.
 Plant flowers for butterflies.
 Create a Monarch Way Station:
http://monarchwatch.org/waystations/
 Report your monarch observations to Journey North:
https://www.learner.org/jnorth/ maps/Gallery.html -
National Public Lands Day
Please join Minnesota Master Naturalists and Quarry Hill Nature Center in the nation’s largest annual volunteer effort for
America’s Public Lands. This year, on September 26, 2015, celebrate National Public Lands Day’s 22nd anniversary!
SERVICE PROJECT: Working together to remove
buckthorn to restore the oak savannah and possibly planting
in the butterfly garden.
WHEN: September 26 from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon
WHERE: Quarry Hill Park, 701 Silver Creek Road NE
WHAT TO BRING: Please wear long pants and long
sleeves in layers, closed toe shoes, sunscreen, bug spray,
water bottle and work gloves.
FEE: FREE! Participants who pre-register will be provided
lunch and a t-shirt to thank you for your service.
TO REGISTER: www.minnesotamasternaturalist.org/
courses/register/?courseId=536
Above: Oak Savannah at Quarry Hill Park in full bloom.
QUESTIONS? Contact
Brittany Kinney at
kinne164@umn.edu.
PAGE 3
Upcoming Programs & Events
Preschool Nature Classes
Nature Toddlers
Observe, listen, and feel … toddlers are natural explorers.
Join us monthly for a nature-themed class and some special
one on one time with your 2-3 year old. Class includes
story, art and outdoor adventures. Sign up for one session
or all sessions., choose Wednesday or Saturdays. Adults
wishing to bring an older child as well, should sign up for
the Nature Nuts class.
Fee per adult/child pair per session: $8/$6.50 members
Class time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Pre-register by calling 328-3950.
Sept. 5 or 9
Oct. 3 or 7
Nov. 7 or 11
Dec. 5 & 9
Looking for Critters
Apples!
Animals & their Winter Clothes
Winter Trees
Nature Nuts
Children are born naturalists, constantly exploring the
environment around them with all their senses. Join us
monthly throughout the school year for an adventure that
nurtures that natural curiosity. Each month we explore a new
nature-theme; class includes story, art and outdoor
explorations. Enjoy time with that special 2-5 year old in
your life. Register for one class or the whole series!
The class follows the format of Nature Toddlers but allows
for more flexibility to meet the needs of a multi-age group.
Fee per adult/child pair per session is $8 / $6.50 members
Class time: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Pre-register by calling 328-3950.
Sept. 19
Oct.
Nov. 21
Dec. 19
Looking for Critters
No Class
Animals & their Winter Clothes
Winter Trees
Sundays at Quarry Hill
Birthday Parties!
Public programs open to all ages are held Sundays at 1:30 p.m.
Programs last approximately one hour.
$2 for adults and $1 for children, free to members
Host a nature—themed birthday party at
Quarry Hill Nature Center for your child
ages 4 +. Parties include use of our
party room, our Exploration Hall and a
30 or 45 minute naturalist program.
Bird Banding Program: Sept 6, Oct 4, Nov 8, Dec 6
Experience the beauty of birds up close. Learn about bird characteristics, bird
adaptations and the Federal Bird Banding Program. Program is hands on and
includes trapping, netting, banding and releasing birds.
Cave Tour and Historic Hike
Sept 27, Oct 11 & 25, Nov 15 & 29, Dec 13 & 27
Quarry Hill Park was formerly the grounds of the Rochester State Hospital.
Learn about some of the Park’s historic structures before a short hike to the
manmade sandstone cave. Following the cave tour is an optional hike to a
featured historical site. Pre-registration recommended; space is limited.
Critter Sunday
Sept 20—Naturalists Choice
October 18—Totally Turtles
November 22—Minnesota Owls
December 20—Silly Over Snakes
Join a Quarry Hill naturalist for a presentation about our live animals.
Presentations often include the opportunity to observe animal care and feeding.
Nature Program & Hike
Nov. 1—Nuts about Squirrels!
Join us to learn about a specialty nature topic. Program includes a hike or
outdoor activity.
PAGE 4
Signature Quarry Hill birthday programs
include: Totally Turtles, Birds of Prey,
Scaly Critters, Sensational Snakes,
Cave Hike and more.
Party times available:
Saturday:
9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., or 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:15 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.
Cost:
$40 or $50 for members
$85 or $95 for non-members
Upcoming Programs & Events
NEW! Nature Programs for Youth Grades 3 +
An Evening with Night Owls
(Gr. 3 & up w/Adult)
October 15, 8:30—10:30 p.m.
Every autumn a small north woods owl called the Saw-whet migrates
south in a silent and secretive wave. The staff at Quarry Hill is among a
small group of researchers trying to capture and band these birds in the
eastern US in an effort to better understand their migration. During
this evening we will enjoy a snack and beverage while learning more
about the secretive Saw-whet Owl and Quarry Hill's research. Then we
will travel in the Quarry Hill Critter Coach a few minutes east of town
to visit the owl banding site, where, after a 10 minute hike to the study
site, we will check the nets and band any captured owls.
Fee: $40 Child w/Adult, $32/members
Pond Globe Ecosystem
(Gr. 5 & Up w/Adult)
October 3, 1:00—2:30 p.m.
Join a Quarry Hill naturalist to make a miniature pond in a glass
globe. We will collect water samples and aquatic plants before
using microscopes to explore our catch. You will then assemble a
recipe of our pond water discoveries in a 6 inch glass globe to
create a beautiful sealed miniature world to take home. Placed at
room temperature where it can receive some natural light each
day, your ecosphere may survive months or even years and serve
as a daily reminder of the larger ecosphere we all call home.
Fee: $25 child w/Adult, $20 members
Wild Caving: A Spelunking Adventure!
(Gr. 6 & Up)
November 7, 6:00—10:00 p.m.
Join other adventurers as we explore the underground world in a
private system of caves near Spring Valley. We will learn all
about the fascinating world of Karst geology that is unique to SE
Minnesota. Belly crawling and crevassing will be optional.
Helmet and headlamp will be provided. A packing list will be
distributed to registered participants. Please provide us with your
email address when registering. A $5.00 cave entrance fee will
be collected the evening of the program. Quarry Hill will
provide transportation to/from the cave.
Fee: $45, $36 members
PAGE 5
Construction Zone
Severe Weather Shelter Room:
Construction will begin in late September at the Nature
Center. The Nature Center will be open and fully functional
during this time! This is what's happening:
In December 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) released $327,054 in Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program funds to the City of Rochester for the
construction of a severe weather shelter room at the Nature
Center. The Nature Center was chosen for this structure
due to it’s heavy use by the general public, park users and
school & camp programs. Entrance to the building when
sheltering is needed will be automatically activated and park
users will be notified by an audible warning system already
installed in the park that they can take shelter in the
building. Although the shelter is an addition to the existing
Nature Center building, it is self sustaining and can
accommodate 250 people. Occupying 1,260 sq. ft., the
shelter will be compliant with all FEMA-361 and American
Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and operate as a
multi-use, flexible space to support programming needs.
The space is expected to be complete in early 2016.
Bike Path Extension:
Minnesota’s ranking as the nation’s second-most bikefriendly state (behind Washington) is cause for celebration.
It’s about to even friendlier around Quarry Hill Park.
Construction of a trail extension from Viola Road through
the north end of the park down to the Nature Center, and
across the bridge connecting to Collegeview Road. The
existing path will be resurfaced and should be accessible
during the construction.
For some helpful tips on biking Rochester and the official
statues for bikers, visit webikerochester.com.
Check it Out: We’ve got what you need for an adventure
Check it Out:
Free for day use in the park.
Stop by the front desk during
building hours.
Books, like a walk in the woods, can be an
adventure and an escape. They open a new
world to the reader – a world that can
spark interest in nature and fuel
imagination. For years, Quarry Hill
naturalists have used children’s books
during our early childhood programs to
help illustrate natural science concepts in a
fun and engaging way. ABC’s Naturally
will expand that concept by providing
thematic tote bags for families to use while
visiting the nature center. Aimed at young
readers ages 2 – 8 each themed tote bag
contains a variety of children’s books,
chosen to introduce children to the
language of science and the natural world
around them. Also included is an activity
to do in the park that springboards off
concepts presented in the books, and a
take away to continue the learning at
home. Totes are free to check out for use
in the park.
PAGE 6
GPS: Find your way and hunt for treasure with a great little GPS!
 Pre-programmed with coordinates for four caches
maintained by Quarry Hill staff. (Spring - Fall)
 We'll provide easy to follow instructions and a park map.
 Explore geocaching.com for the coordinates of other
caches hidden in the park by geocaching enthusiasts.
Discovery Packs: Filled with interactive ideas, tools, maps, games
and more to help you explore the park. Enjoyable for all ages.
Choose from:
Birding Basics
Pondering the Pond
Insect Investigator
Binoculars: Be right next to everything with a powerful set of
binoculars!
Upcoming Programs & Events
Nature Programs for Adults
Historical Hike of Quarry Hill Park
October 1, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
The lands of Quarry Hill Park were once part of Rochester’s historic
State Hospital grounds. Join other adults on a guided walking tour of the
park to visit some of the interesting historic features that remain from a
century of State Hospital use. For example did you know that there are
actually two quarries in the park, that the hospital farmed over 1,000
acres and ran a soap factory that provided soap to all of Minnesota’s
state hospitals? From cave, to cemetery to quarry operations – the
history is rich and intriguing! We will cover about a mile and a half of up
and down terrain. Participants should wear good walking shoes and be
able to hike approximately one and a half miles.
Hike begins at the West Entrance (9th St. NE) to Quarry Hill
Park. Please park in the west lot.
Fee: $14 per person / $11 member, pre-registrations required.
An Evening for Night Owls
Oct. 23 or Oct. 30, 8:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Every autumn a small north woods owl called the Saw-whet migrates
south in a silent and secretive wave. The staff at Quarry Hill is among a
small group of researchers trying to capture and band these birds in the
eastern US in an effort to better understand their migration. During this
evening you’ll enjoy a snack and beverage while learning more about the
secretive saw-whet owl and Quarry Hill’s research. Then we’ll travel in
the Quarry Hill Critter Coach a few minutes east of town to visit the owl
banding site. There, after a 10 minute hike to the study site, we will
check the nets and band any captured owls.
Fee: $22 per person / $17 member, pre-registrations required.
Wreath Making
December 1, 6:00—8:00 p.m.
Join us this holiday season to make your
very own evergreen wreath
complete with a bow. We will instruct
partipants in arranging evergreen boughs
into a splendid door sized wreath and
adorning it with a bow made from
ribbon. This craft is sure to please and
to be the talk of the family this holiday.
A $15.00 supply fee will be collected at
the beginning of the class.
Fee: $17 per person /$13 members
Make your own Nature Wool Ornament
December 5, 1:30—3:00 p.m.
Join us to make your very own decorative wool ornaments. Work with a
beautiful assortment of natural and dyed wool to learn the basics of wool
felting. We will use naturals materials like milkweed pods, acorns and
more to create a variety of festive ornaments.
Fee: $22 per person / $17 member, pre-registrations required.
Zumbro Valley Audubon
Monthly Programs
Storyteller - Al Batt
Tuesday, September 22, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
You’re invited to an evening of funny and
heartwarming stories as told by Al Batt of rural
Hartland, MN. Al writes humor and nature
columns for many newspapers and does regular
radio shows about nature. He writes a number
of popular cartoon strips that are syndicated
nationally and is author of the book, “A Life
Gone to the Birds.” He is also a columnist for
“Bird Watcher’s Digest”.
Jan Dunlap on birds, writing and the
importance of humor.
Tuesday, October 27, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Jan Dunlap is the author of the humorous Bob
White Birder Murder Mysteries (all six of which
have been nominated for the annual Minnesota
Book Awards) that follow the adventures of a
really nice guy who finds dead bodies when he’s
out birding. With readers across America and
Europe, Jan’s brand of humorous storytelling
has earned her accolades from critics and
readers alike of all ages. Come hear Jan talk
about her books, her birding adventures and her
enthusiasm for the great outdoors.
Owls to Orchids:
Magic & Mystery in our Northern Bogs
presented by Sparky Stensaas
Tuesday, November 17, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Are bogs really dark, dank, mosquito-infested
swamps? Sax-Zim Bog birders know better and,
through Sparky Stensaas’s spectacular HD video and still images, we’ll explore our northern
Black Spruce and Tamarack Bogs ... without
getting our feet wet or frozen! You’ll meet a
bird that grows snowshoes, see a devious orchid
that outsmarts bumblebees, and learn about a
death-defying frog. And of course, the stars of
the show will be some Great Gray Owls and
Northern Hawk Owl families caught on HD
video. Don’t miss this special presentation by
Sparky Stensaas, photographer, author, speaker
and Executive Director of the Friends of
Sax-Zim Bog.
All Zumbro Valley Audubon monthly
programs are free and open to the public.
PAGE 7
CONNECT WITH US
Phone (507) 328-3950
Fax (507) 287-1345
quarryhill@QHNC.org
Quarry Hill Nature Center
701 Silver Creek Rd. NE
Rochester, MN 55906
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Non-Profit Org
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Permit No.
1000
Rochester, MN
www.QHNC.org
www.facebook.com/
QuarryHillNatureCenter
HOURS (Sep 1-May 31)
Mon.-Sat.: 9-5 p.m.
Sun.: Noon-5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day and
Dec 24 & 25
Board of Directors
BOB CLINE
President
MICHAEL SADAUSKIS
Vice President
BARB AMES
Treasurer
GEORGE PENOKIE
Secretary
CHRISTOPHER DAVIS KATHY OHM
NORA DOOLEY
LINDY LANGE
MIKE NIGBUR
Staff
PAMELA MEYER
Executive Director
JILL DANIELSEN
Volunteer/Program Coordinator
KAREN FINN
Office Administrator
LORI FORSTIE
Outreach/Public Relations
GLENNA MAKOSKY
Teacher / Naturalist
JOE MELMER
Facilities Manager
TRAVIS MEYER
Naturalist
CARRIE NELSON
Naturalist
KIRK PAYNE
Teacher / Naturalist
SAMMIE PETERSON
Naturalist
This entertaining night begins with an hour long
guided hike through the Quarry Hill woods and
cave. Along the hike you’ll encounter the
“Creatures of the Night” costumed characters
featuring a Worm, Opossum, and Flying Squirrel
each with a tale to tell about their night life! After
the hike it’s back to the Nature Center for treats!
Friday & Saturday guided hikes start at 4:15 p.m.
and leave at 15 minute intervals. The last hike leaves
at 8:00 p.m. Hikes are held rain, shine or snow.
“Opening Eyes and Minds Through Natural Science Discovery”