Helmer Nature Center

As the school year winds down and all of the activities amp up, why not take some time for yourself to relax and reconnect with nature and yourself?
Register Here: https://forms.gle/DKFWBobYuYo5WzwZ9

Join Root to Blossom Yoga for Family Yoga & Hike at the nature center, a playful, relaxing event for families with young children to connect with nature and each other.

Families will enjoy:

🥾 A gentle guided hike on our scenic trails
🧘 Playful family yoga and movement
🌲 Mindfulness and breathing activities for kids
☀️ A calm afternoon outdoors together

No yoga experience is needed, and the event is designed to be welcoming, low-pressure, and fun for all experience levels.

Spots are limited, and registration is required. We’d love to see your family here!

📅 Saturday, June 6, 1-2 p.m.
📍 Helmer Nature Center
🎟️ https://forms.gle/pUuk4EkxSKQpoy7EA

Enjoy the holiday weekend!
But remember to pratice good tick prevention:
🥾Stay on marked trails when hiking.
🌿Stay out of tall grass & un-cleared areas of the forest floor.
👚👖Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, & shoes.
🔍Check your clothing and gear for ticks and do a full-body tick check when coming back indoors. Pay special attention to under the arms, behind the knees, between the legs, in and around the ears, in the belly button, around the waist, and in the hair.
🚿Take a shower within two hours after spending time outdoors, which may help wash off any unattached ticks.

If you are concerned about young wildlife you may see while out and about this time of year, here is some helpful info from the NYS DEC regarding a few of the most common sightings around us.

Hope this helps!

Register for Family Yoga and Hike here:
https://forms.gle/vuFftPb33aHBzjeWA

Sign up for our upcoming Forest Bathing event here:
https://forms.gle/ynz7NGTdNt81Es8U9

Our fearless leader❤️❤️❤️

⭐STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Karen Mazzola started her schooling in West Irondequoit in the early 1970s at what was then Pinegrove Elementary School. In about eight weeks, she’ll end her career as the Director of Helmer Nature Center – about a stone’s throw from that same school building where it all began for her. “Witnessing the growth of such a special and unique outdoor classroom and community resource right in my hometown AND being a part of it all has been my greatest honor!” she says. No, Mrs. Mazzola, we have been honored to have your leadership and care for those 45 acres of land, the animals at HNC, all of the programming/learning you helped develop for students and the events that have become so woven into the fabric of our community. Thank you and best of luck in your retirement, which after 24 years at HNC is so very well-deserved!

💙POSITION: Helmer Nature Center Director (17 years); prior to that, she was HNC’s Events Coordinator for seven years. Prior to HNC, she was a real estate appraiser for 20 years.

📍HOMETOWN/FAMILY: She is a lifelong Irondequoit resident and 1980 graduate of Irondequoit HS. Mrs. Mazzola and husband, Marc, have been married 38 years and their daughter, Casey, is a 2009 IHS grad: Karen’s mother, Darlene Morgan, formerly worked for 20 years in Accounts Payable for the WICSD.

❓WHAT’S YOUR WHY? “Every day is different and meaningful in its own way from supporting the environmental education of our students and community programs to caring for our animal ambassadors and working on any number of conservation projects. My greatest ‘why’ has to be all the wonderful people I have had the privilege to know and work with over the years - passionate educators, amazing students, dedicated volunteers, supportive members and community collaborators.”

➡READ MORE ABOUT HER: bit.ly/WI_Spotlight