Fall Fest
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Fundraising for the Nature Center
The current nature center, built in 1981, is not equipped to provide for the growing opportunities to learn and interact for the over 200,000 park visitors each year. Thus, Olmsted County Parks are embarking upon an ambitious project to build a new nature center beginning in May 2021. Friends of Oxbow needs your help to complete the planned exhibit hall, add classroom technology, and further support zoo animals.
Oxbow Nature Center’s expansive new Exhibit Hall will showcase the geology, flora, and fauna of southeastern Minnesota. Live animal displays, educational exhibits with prompted activities, and areas for exploratory play will excite minds of all ages and offer hours of discoveries. A wildlife viewing area and resource library offers a relaxing place to spend time.
FOX is working harder than ever to build support for this amazing new facility and have set an ambitious $1,000,000 fundraising goal to support classroom technology, biome exhibits, and zoo animals. The new nature center will serve as a hub for the community and with help from people like you, we can extend the park’s programs, activities, and educational impact far beyond what it’s currently able to offer. Regardless of the size of your donation, any amount can help make these essential improvements a reality.
Want to donate to the Nature center?
You can donate online here: https://www.4giving.com/GZ9C, contact one of the current board members, or send us an email at: friendsofoxbow@gmail.com and we can work with you! The picture to the left outlines our plans for a donor wall.
Please renew your FOX membership!
New Merchandise Available!
Board Member Highlight
I moved to Byron in 2012 and started visiting Oxbow Park & Zollman Zoo frequently to hike and see the zoo animals. Over the course of my visits I became aware of the Friends of Oxbow as the group that helps fundraise for the park, plans events, and supports the mission. I was excited to join the board in January 2020 to help expand the presence of Friends of Oxbow on social media.
Favorite Zoo animal: the otters! They are always excited to see people!
Favorite Trail: The Maple Trial - it is gorgeous regardless of the season
Fun Facts about Me: I am an avid vegan baker - constantly trying to re-work recipes for all sorts of goodies. The biggest accomplishment to date is successfully making vegan macarons - a meringue cookie without eggs!
Give to the Max Day: November 18th!
Friends of Oxbow
In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, a small group of people became very involved with Oxbow Park. These folks shared a common love of the outdoors and nature, and took advantage of all that this relatively new county park had to offer. Almost immediately, these pioneers had a vision for how they could influence, support and provide services for the park.
Current Board Members:
Seanne Buckwalter, President
Kris Nelson, Vice President
Lou Kuhlman, Treasurer
Deb Hanson, Secretary
Barb Jensen
Jan Nelson
Byron Stadsvold
Danielle Sterling
Dawn Thompson
