Springbrook Nature Center Foundation

Join Us for the Autumn Sampler!

The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation is thrilled to announce its upcoming fundraising event, the Autumn Sampler!

The is a 21+ event that promises a delightful evening mingling with friends, while tasting delicious food from local restaurants and sampling some great beer and wine.

Event Details
Date: Friday, November 8, 2024
Time: 6-8:30 p.m.
Ticket Cost: $35 per person
Location: Springbrook Nature Center
100 85th Ave. NW,
Fridley, MN 55432

Come enjoy a delightful evening while supporting the Springbrook Nature Center. We look forward to seeing you there!

Get Your Tickets Today

Purchase your tickets online. Don't wait! There will be no tickets at the door.

The 2025 SPREE is scheduled for April 12.  

21+, catered buffet and cash bar, fundraising games, silent and live auctions.

Tickets

Tickets are $55 per person. Make sure you have contact information for each ticket you need to purchase (first name, last name, cell phone #, and menu choice)

Donations Needed

Would you like to donate a basket, item, or experience for the silent or live auctions? Please contact the Nature Center at 763-572-3588 or email Nature Center Manager, Tara Rogness at Tara.Rogness@FridleyMN.gov.

Volunteers Needed

Want to work with a creative, enthusiastic, fun group of volunteers for a great cause, then join the Springbrook Spree planning team. The Springbrook Spree is a spring time casual fundraiser sponsored by the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation. Foundation Board members team with other volunteers to organized and staff this fun event. Planning meetings begin about 6 months before the event. Call 763-572-3588 to learn how you can help. Funds earned by each Spree are dedicated to camp scholarships and various improvements to the Nature Center.

Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter

Please sign up for our regular email newsletter to stay informed about Springbrook events, learn about nature, and more. We take your privacy seriously and will not sell or rent your email address. Fill out an interest form or send an email to info@springbrookfoundation.org to be included in our next mailing.

Annual Reports

• 2021 Annual Report(PDF, 3MB)

The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation (SNCF) is a non-profit tax-exempt organization, governed by a Board of Directors, dedicated to enhancing the Springbrook Nature Center (SNC) in Fridley, Minnesota. Board members are volunteers and receive no remuneration for their time serving on the Board. Board members are selected by the current Board to serve three-year renewable terms. The current Board members are listed. While not being a Board member, the SNC Executive Director participates in most Board meetings. We are always looking for new Board members. If you are interested in serving on the Springbrook Nature Center Foundation Board, send an email to info@springbrookfoundation.org.

Committees

In order to do its work, the Foundation Board has established Committees composed of both Board members and other volunteers from the community. Generally, Committees are led by Board members and meet on an as needed basis. Meetings are often virtual or via telephone. The SNC Executive Director or designee serves as liaison to the Board and several Committees. Typical Committees are the Events, Nominations, Development, Finance, Executive, and Communications Committee.

Foundation Board Members

Neal Hayford – Chair
Brooklyn Center, MN

Gary Bank – Vice Chair
New Brighton, MN

Allison Egan – Secretary
Fridley, MN

Kim Tillberry – Asst Treasurer
Fridley, MN

Richard Walch – Treasurer
Fridley, MN

Ryan Verhulst
Blaine, MN

Ed Meyer
Vadnais Heights, MN

Ross Meisner
Fridley, MN

Nathan Obrestad
Fridley, MN

Jerry Hartlaub
New Brighton, MN

Laurie Young
Shoreview, MN

Pete Borman
Fridley, MN

Andy Stockman
New Brighton, MN

Marj Velishek
Fridley, MN

Tara Rogness – Manager
Springbrook Nature Center
Fridley, MN

The Springbrook Nature Center Foundation (SNCF) was founded in 1974 to help protect and improve the Springbrook Nature Center. Since founded, the Board has met monthly with many citizens contributing as Board members. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment was spearheading a community wide effort to “save Springbrook” in 2003-2004. Fortunately, the Fridley citizens voted to save and modestly fund the Nature Center.

Since 1974, the SNCF has received many donations, gifts, memorials, and grants to help the Springbrook Nature Center grow and thrive. These contributions have funded many of the trails, signs, benches, equipment, programming as well as scholarships. To date (December 2017), the Foundation has participated in raising more than $5.7 million with many partners and individual donors to enable all aspects of Springbrook’s growth, operation, and management. In addition, through tireless work over many years by Board members, in 2014 the State of Minnesota awarded Springbrook a $5 million grant to design and construct all components of the SPRING (Sanctuary Renewal into the Next Generation) project.

Over its history, the SNCF Board has worked collaboratively with state legislators, City of Fridley staff, governmental agencies and the Nature Center Staff on many significant initiatives. In addition, these same Board Members have actively volunteered and participated in many Nature Center events and programs offered each year.