HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 05-16 Hikes, exhibits herald nature center opening THE REVIEW •Hikes exhibits
t r center opening na e
By MELANIE WAAGE $60,000. This was split three ways: 50 per "The nature center is part of the
cent federal,25 per cent state and 25 per science curriculum in Dist,. 622," Blank Because the nature center is so new,
After many years of waiting, and cent Maplewood. The next year, a grant said. "The elementary students from there is a need for donations of equip-
planning, the Maplewood Nature Center for$116,000 was approved,and divided the Maplewood,Roseville and North St.Paul ment, teaching materials and books.
will celebrate its grand opening May 20 same way.The cost to the city in 1976 and are out there daily, for three hour Prairie and woodland restoration projects
from 1 to 4 p.m. 1977 totals $44,000. sessions, walking around the grounds and other long-term projects such as seed
Since a feasibility study was completed ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION began in with the help of a naturalist. collecting and erosion control are being
by Brauer and Associates, Inc.,in 1974,a 1977 with parking lot, trails and fencing "WE ALSO take Girl Scouts, Boy done with the help of community
lot of digging, planting and building has being constructed. Scouts, Brownies, church groups. You organizations and individual volunteers.
gone on at the site. The fall of 1978, the city received a name it.All a group has to do is call and
ONCE THE land was acquired in 1967, CETA grant to hire a naturalist and two reserve a time period.'" AFTER THE ribbon cutting May 20, at
Michael Lane Nature Center, the real assistants. Megan Gange, a landscape 328 persons, who were registered, 1:30 p.n�., there will be bird banding
name, was left largely untouched until architect, was hired as director of the tramped through the nature center in demonstrations, a Minnesota rock and
1976. It was initially acquired as land to center. She receives $833 a month. Jim April. This doesn't include the persons fossil display,a wild foods hike,and other
receive disposal material to create open McKee and Christine Soutter were hired who drive up after the building is closed, special events.
space playfields. This plan didn't follow through CETA as assistants. McKee is a and take a walk through the area. In the Self-guided trail brochures will direct
0� through because disposal materials were zoology and chemistry graduate from five months the center has been open, visitors to walk the trails at their own
anot found. Cornell University, and received his more than 3,000 persons have worked with pace. Herb teas and other wild foods will
During this time,the city sent letters to master's degree from the University of the naturalists, and traveled the trails. be served for special refreshments.
neighbors of the site, and more than 100 Minnesota in zoology and botany.Soutter Located in Maplewood at 2659 E,
\yam persons gathered to give their input into has an undergraduate degree in biological BESIDES THE naturalists, the center Seventh St., just off Century Avenue
had eight or nine volunteers who work between Highways I-94 and 212,the center
what they wanted to see developed in the science,and a master's degree in botany, extra hours each week. When the •
swampy open space land. These two receive$770 a month. naturalists are on the trails, they watch is an oasis for wildlife in an urban setting.
No one wanted it filled in. Residents CETA will only fund these three for 18 the buildingand phone. Theyhave also The trails are open daily from dawn to
wanted to see trails and have trail guides. months. Supervisor Eric Blank, corn- been trained as rail guides to teach dusk. The interpretive building houses
They were also very interested in having munity services director, hopes that thevisitors,and help with the larger crowds. displays concerning the plants and
classes with instructors to explain the city will be able to pay Gange's salary animals found on the preserve and a
natural area and its residents. when the grant runs out. New exhibits are being donated all the 1 teaching area for programs.This is open
So, in 1976, the city of Maplewood ap- "The city will have to decide if they time.The only fixtures the city has had to Monday through Saturday,8:30 a.m. to
plied for, and received, a grant for want to keep the staff on," Blank said. buy are the desk,filing cabinets and a few 1 p.m.
other hardware pieces.