Barb and Art Straub named Giant Days grand marshals

The Giant Days Committee held a giant welcome for the fesitval’s 2024 grand marshals Art Straub and Barb Iten Straub on Saturday.

For over 30 years the Straubs have taught generations of Le Sueur and Henderson area children about the natural world that lives right outside their window with their Nature Neighbors Le Sueur/Henderson summer program. The couple has sparked the curiosity of learners both young and old as they continue to host nature programs in two nursing homes in Le Sueur.

The Straubs roots in conservation and wildlife run deep. They both served on the first Board of Directors of the Don Ney Environmental Center and were two of the six founders of the Hummingbird Hurrah garden in Henderson. Over the past 10 years, the Straubs have served as master naturalists traveling to Mapleton, Hutchinson, Jordan, Belle Plaine, Le Center, Eagle Lake, Mankato and St. Peter giving nature programs to elementary-aged children.

As avid birdwatchers, the Straubs have spent around 40 years collecting data on bird life in the Minensota River for the Minnnesota DNR, Audubon and nearby colleges. They founded the Christmas Bird Count at the Ney Nature Center and have continued to lead the endeavor for 25 years. The Straubs are also active paricpants in the Chimney Swift Project, counting autumn migrating Chimney Swifts for the Minnesota Audubon.

In Le Sueur, the Straubs are also recognized for playing services at St. Anne’s Church and Zion United Church of Le Sueur, wehile in Henderson they play some services at St. Paul’s Church.