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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'Springbrook Trail Mix' is Special Earth Day Flavor at Grandpa's Ice Cream in Fridley

Celebrate Earth Day 2013 by trying an ice cream named for Springbrook Nature Center, which gets 15 percent of all sales.

Make Earth Day 2013 delicious by sampling ice cream named for Springbrook Nature Center: Springbrook Trail Mix. Grandpa's Ice Cream posted on Facebook: Springbrook Trail Mix ice cream will be out today. Come in and see what you think of it. Remember, 15% of all sales will go to Springbrook. Coloring Contest and $1.00 Dirt and Worm Sundaes. Here are some of the comments: Have you tried Springbrook Trail Mix ice cream at Grandpa's? Leave a comment below!

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Connie Bernardy: Springbrook Nature Center in Bonding Bill

The state representative from Fridley also addresses legislation for early childhood education and all-day kindergarten in her new 'Capitol Update' video.

State Rep. Connie Bernardy (DFL-Fridley) shares the latest on her bills at the Minnesota House of Representatives in a new Capitol Update video: "I'm pleased to announce that my bill to get $5 million for Springbrook Nature Center's bonding project got into our bonding bill at the Minnesota House of Representatives. That's really good news." In the video (watch it here or at YouTube.com), Bernardy also comments on the progress of legislation for early-childhood education and voluntary all-day kindergarten legislation. Here are two recent press releases from Bernardy. From April 9, 2013: Springbrook Nature Center Included in MN House Bonding Bill The 2013 Omnibus Bonding bill (HF270), estimated to create 22,800 jobs, was unveiled in the …

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Find a Summer Camp Near Fridley for Your Kids

Our 2013 summer camp guide includes a handy rundown of camps near you, and a growing list of camps on our map throughout the Twin Cities area. Registration is on now.

With the choice and variety of summer camps available in 2013, boredom won't be an option. Organizations from area colleges to your local parks and recreation department offer dozens of camp choices for science, nature, sports, music and more. Whether you're looking for an all-around experience or a more focused camp, this list features a few in your town and nearby. Check the list below for some camps near Fridley, or check out the map above for camps around the region. Click the green pins for more information, or use the map slider on the left to zoom in or out. Know of a camp that's not on our list or our map? Visit our earlier post asking for summer camp suggestions—submit the information, and we'll add it. Here are some at …

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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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Snowshoe at Springbrook Nature Center

'Come out and join us before the snow's all gone!'

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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Thanks, Orko! Perfect Day to Snowshoe at Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley

Tromp around the park on showshoes you can rent for $5 per hour.

Put down the shovel, the book or the video game controller and get yourself over to Springbrook Nature Center for snowshoeing in Winter Storm Orko's fresh snow. As advertised at Springbrook's webpage and Facebook page:  Ready for a fun, relaxing trip into the heart of nature? Stop in to the building to rent a brand new pair of snowshoes for your use on the trails. Rental is available on weekends (Saturday 9:30–4:30 and Sunday 12:30–3:30) when there is sufficient snow. Rental fees are: $5 per hour Do they have snowshoes for kids? The reply, on the Springbrook Nature Center Facebook page: "We have snowshoes for people ages 5- 105."

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