The new director at Springbrook Nature Center is hardly new to Minnesota or to this type of work. He's in his natural environment.

Mike Maher spent nine years around Green Bay as executive director of the Manitowoc County Historical Society. But before that, he was in Lanesboro for six years, working at the Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.

"My wife grew up in St. Paul," Maher said. "We've been making the trip across Wisconsin to Minnesota for years. As we've gotten older, we just wanted to get close to family."

Maher succeeds Siah St. Clair, who retired after serving 35 years at the Fridley nature center.

"We've got big things in the works," Maher said. "Our spring project is an overhaul of our interpretive center and creating some outdoor classroom space. There's a comprehensive plan to reinvent the entrance to the park."

His biggest project may involve fundraising. Overall, the nature center is looking at $6 million in projects, he said.

Paul Levy

plevy@startribune.com