New Springbrook Nature Center Director Has 'Right Combination' of Skills

Mike Maher has 'big shoes to fill' after Siah St. Clair's retirement, but his new and past employers have good things to say about him.

Mike Maher began his new job May 1, 2013 as director of the City of Fridley's Springbrook Nature Center, replacing the retiring Siah St. Clair.  Maher is the right guy for the job, his new boss in Fridley told ABC Newspapers: “I think he had the right combination of being a naturalist and director and administrator,” said Jack Kirk, Fridley’s director of parks and recreation. “We really need somebody who can do both.” ... Said Kirk about the new director, “He certainly has big shoes to fill with Siah’s leaving. But, we think he’ll do really well.” Maher told the Star Tribune a bit about his family ties to the area: “My wife grew up in St. Paul,” Maher said. “We’ve been making the trip across Wisconsin to Minnesota for years. As we’ve …

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It's the Last Day at Springbrook Nature Center for Director Siah St. Clair

Retirement open house for longtime leader of Fridley nature park is Sunday, May 5, 2013.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013 is the last day for Siah St. Clair at the City of Fridley nature park he has led for 35 years. Among the comments on his retirement at the Springbrook Nature Center Facebook page: The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation will host a retirement open house for St. Clair at SNC on Sunday, May 5, 2013, from 3–6 p.m. (program at 4 p.m.). The foundation notes that parking at the nature center is limited and recommends carpooling if possible.  Here is the SNC Foundation's description of St. Clair's tenure: Siah became SNC’s director in 1978. At that time Springbrook was empty land that was unique in that it has never been plowed or developed in any way. Under Siah’s leadership, Springbrook has become a leading …

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Fridley Nature, Research Center Says Goodbye to Trailblazing Leader

Siah St. Clair has helmed Springbrook Nature Center for a staggering 35 years.

Springbrook's Siah St. Clair in Star Tribune: 'Hard to Get My Head around Retirement'

The Fridley nature center director told the newspaper about tornados, tarantulas and what's next.

Siah St. Clair, longtime director at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley, is the subject of a Q&A-style interview in the Star Tribune. (He is retiring after 35 years at the city-owned nature center.) Brief excerpts from the long Star Tribune article: A place like Springbrook brings out people who feel passionately about this place. ... It’s a privilege to simply be in the middle of all of that, and to work with all those people who have a commitment to see the nature center continue in a vibrant way. ... I had taken my family on a vacation in Michigan. I got a phone call and was told to turn on the TV. And there was the famous Springbrook tornado, being filmed live. It was on the front page of the Star Tribune the next day. I had to leave…

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Siah St. Clair 'Made Springbrook Nature Center What It Is Today'

City of Fridley looks back at leadership of Center's director, who will retire April 30, 2013.

As the City of Fridley looks for a replacement for the retiring Siah St. Clair, the city's website looks back at the career of its longtime Springbrook Nature Center director: Siah has established a great working relationship with area school districts and has Springbrook staff working with the Elementary and Middle School students on an exciting and informative environmental education curriculum. The annual Pumpkin Night in the Park and the Spring Fling are extremely popular special events that draw people from all over the Twin Cities area. ... Siah’s knowledge and love of nature made the nature center what it is today. We wish him well and thank him for making Springbrook Nature Center such a great place to visit. Read the full post at …

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Help Wanted: Springbrook Nature Center Director

When Siah St. Clair retires this spring, Fridley will have seen three longtime local leaders leave in a matter of months: at City Hall, Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts, and the city's signature nature park.

Another person at the helm of a major Fridley institution is saying goodbye. Siah St. Clair, longtime director at the city's Springbrook Nature Center, is retiring this spring, the center's Facebook page announced Thursday. The City of Fridley posted a job announcement for the director position online. City Manager Bill Burns retired at the end of 2012 after 24 years, with Finance Director Darin Nelson serving as interim city manager until Burns is replaced. Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts director Lia Rivamonte is also leaving this spring. "She has given her notice effective March 31st," the center's board president, Ann Bolkcom, said by email. "Banfill will miss her experience and guidance." Here's what the Springbrook director job …

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