I jogged and walked the upland trails at the Ney Nature Center today. There was a bright sun which made it a bit on the hot side. The sky had that look and the air that feel of a dusty late summer day that could use some rain. The bright orange sunsets tell us that the sky is dusty and maybe smoky from the western fires.
Native grasses, plants and trees didn’t seem to mind the heat and dry spell as most are well adapted to the changing seasons and weather patterns of our state. One of the common native late summer–fall flowers is in the Aster family (New England, Sky Blue, and others) which are blooming in the prairie. Big Bluestem in our prairie is in its finest and the “showiest” of the several native grasses.
Native Americans had many names for the full moons. September’s full moon, which we just had, was the Harvest Moon. October will give us the Hunter’s Moon. The names of moons followed the seasons by the flowering and ripening of the plants and the hunting of animals that Native Americans used for food, medicines and daily living materials.
Our fiscal year at the NNC came to an end on June 30th and the next began on July 1st. So began another year at the Center. Just as the seasons change, so do programming needs change at the NNC to fit the seasons and, hopefully, the needs of our membership. friends and visitors. The Ney Board plans and works hard to improve opportunities for those of all ages who come to use and enjoy the park and center.
We do our planning and programming through, and with the support of, Le Sueur County resources, Ney memberships, gifts, fundraisers, and with countless volunteer hours, along with Board of Director and Staff time. We would hope that many who visit the Center in the coming months and seasons would consider sharing their time, talents and gifts that would aid the Board of Directors to continue improving what the NNC can offer everyone who loves the out-of-doors and vistas of the Minnesota River Valley.
We hope that those who visit us during the coming fall and winter seasons will enjoy what the Ney Nature Center has to offer. We hope that some of you might share with us ideas on how we can better serve each of you that comes to hike, ski, enjoy a program, or have planned an event such as a wedding or family reunion.
Maybe you would consider volunteering, sharing knowledge on a topic, or conducting a class as a local “expert.” Consider becoming a member and maybe serve on a committee or the Board of Directors.
A pleasant and enjoyable experience is what the Board of Directors hopes for all that visit, or become a part of the Ney Nature Center family.
