An end of an era at WCCO radio.
Jim Gilbert, the noted naturalist who hosted Nature Notes for 42 years, announced his retirement at the end of his final show on Sunday.
"Being on 'CCO has made me a small part of the voice of the upper midwest," Gilbert told long-time co-host Denny Long. "It'given me credibility as a teacher. I hope that our 'CCO listeners have enjoyed keeping up with how the Earth works."
In addition to talking about nature, Jim was able to keep listeners up-to-date with his family, including annoucing the birth of his seven grand-children.
"I won't name them right now," he said.
Jim was a science teacher and naturalist at Hopkins High School for 30 years, and also taught classes at Gustavus Adophus College in St. Peter.
He also hosted cultural and eco-tours around the world sponsored by WCCO, which included trips to Costa Rica, Brazil, Italy, Egypt, Kenya, and the Galápagos Islands.
"We have traveled with a lot of wonderful people."
Jim also authored 43 editions of the Minnesota weather guide environmental calendar and almanac, starting in 1977, and wrote five books on nature in Minnesota.
As the show wound down, Jim thanked Denny for being "a fine interviewer, communicator, and one of 'CCO's great voices."
Following a note of gratitude from Denny, Jim had a simple sign-off.
"Thank you, thank you listeners, thank you. 'Bye."