News at Quarry Hill
Prairie Restoration: Site Preparation
Oct 23, 2020
Prairie Restoration is a long term process that spans 4-6 years. This past spring, 1 acre of land was chosen near the Prairie House, which when mature will provide a rich environment for education and exploration. Seed from a successful restoration project, the Quarry Hill Oak Savanna, was collected late this summer to help start this new area of restoration.
Bringing the Prairie back to the Prairie House
Sep 15, 2020
Joel Dunnette, a Minnesota Master Naturalist and prairie enthusiast, saw an opportunity to enhance the educational programming at the Quarry Hill Nature Center Prairie House by restoring the meadow to diverse native prairie.
Joel has decades of experience restoring prairie throughout our county including many acres at his former home on the west edge of Rochester.
In cooperation with Rochester Parks and Forestry, one acre of land was chosen near the Prairie House and prepared for planting this past summer.
Joel will write several blog posts in the coming weeks sharing the multi -year process of returning the land to it's native state.
Horus, Our American Kestrel's Story
Jun 12, 2020
Quarry Hill is sad to share the news that Horus, the American Kestrel that had lived at the Nature Center the past 3 years, has died. Horus was trapped by staff member Kirk Payne, who is a licensed falconer, back in September of 2001.
Covid-19 Response Update: What can I expect from summer camp?
Apr 22, 2020
We understand that uncertainty about summer plans is unsettling. We will make decisions about summer camp as quickly as we can, but as slowly as we must to not eliminate options that may be in front of us with the rapidly changing information.
Phenology: Grass is greener proverb in the animal world.
Apr 10, 2020
Phenology is the study of cyclic and seasonal natural phenomena, especially in relation to climate and plant and animal life.
At Quarry Hill we have kept phenology records for decades. Many of our visitors enjoy reading the current month's entries which are logged on the big white board in the Nature Center entryway. While we are closed, our animal care staff continue to keep that daily log at the Nature Center. Those that are working from home also continue to make observations in their own backyards and neighborhoods. We'll share them with you periodically through our social media channels.
An update from Pamela Meyer, Executive Director
Apr 03, 2020
I am reaching out to let you know what is happening at Quarry Hill Nature Center and to remind you that nature is something we can all share right now.
Quarry Hill Nature Center is temporarily closed.
Mar 13, 2020
In response to the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding COVID-19; we have made the difficult decision to close operations beginning March 14, 2020.
Owl Research isn't just for scientists!
Oct 16, 2019
Each year in a silent and secretive wave, Northern Saw-whet owls migrate through Minnesota. Quarry Hill staff and other researchers capture, band, and release these birds in an effort to better understand their migration. You can be a part of this research, too!
Animals need enrichment, too!
Dec 13, 2018
Caring for the animals here at Quarry Hill is much more than just feeding and cleaning. Our animals are hardworking educational animals, so careful attention to their holistic needs is important.
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