River Bend Nature Center

Maple Syruping Afternoon Demo Program
2026-03-21 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Maple Syruping Afternoon Demo Program
Cost: $10/non-member, $5/member
Saturday, March 21, 12:30 – 1:30 pm
How does sap turn into syrup? This hands-on experience will follow the process of maple syruping from start to finish. At the end of the program, students will be able to sample the sweet syrup they helped make.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 4, 10:00 am-11:00 am
Join us on the first Saturday each month. Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while watching wildlife from the comfort of the Interpretive Center through our Windows on the Wild viewing area. Bagels provided by The Inn at Shattuck.
Register Here

Storytime: April Showers Bring May Flowers
2026-04-04 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime: April Showers Bring May Flowers
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a naturalist for a fun and interactive storytime about spring weather and blooming flowers, perfect for curious young minds.
Register Here

Little Sprouts Baby Animals
2026-04-06 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts Baby Animals
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, April 6, 9:30am-11am
Little Sprouts: Baby Animals is a playful early childhood program where young children explore the world of baby animals through songs, stories, and hands-on activities. Designed for toddlers and their caregivers, this program nurtures curiosity and connection with nature’s cutest creatures. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
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Homeschool: Intro to Spring Flowers
2026-04-06 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Intro to Spring Flowers
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, April 6, 1:00pm-3:00pm
A woodland walk in the Big Woods during spring time reveals a great diversity of plants trying to grow before shade envelopes the forest. Students will spend time identifying these colorful early emerging flowers.
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Lunch & Learn: Pollinators and Prairies in SW MN
2026-04-15 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Pollinators and Prairies in Southwest MN Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer Nongame Wildlife Specialist with DNR
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, April 15, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Pollinators, Prairies, and Private Landowner Partners: Explore the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program with a focus on southern region pollinator initiatives. Hear what has been learned about pollinator responses to various types of habitats. And how the DNR manages prairies and works with private landowners all with pollinators in mind.
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
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Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:30
Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-11:30am
In this hands-on early childhood program, children will explore the fascinating world of bats through sensory play, observation, and storytelling. This playful, messy experience encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and a love for nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
2026-04-20 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, April 20, 9:30am-11:00am
In this hands-on early childhood program, children will explore the fascinating world of bats through sensory play, observation, and storytelling. This playful, messy experience encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and a love for nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool Dwarf Trout Lily
2026-04-20 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool Dwarf Trout Lily
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, April 20, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Did you know that there is a plant found at River Bend that is only found in a few areas in Minnesota and nowhere else on earth? Students will learn more about the federally endangered Dwarf Trout Lily, Minnesota’s only endemic flower. If we’re lucky we might even get to catch a glimpse of this flower blooming!
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Signs of Spring
2026-05-04 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Intro to Signs of Spring
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, May 4, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Spring is a great time to observe the many changes occurring in the natural world. As the trees begin to leaf out and animals return from a long migration, join us as we tour River Bend to learn about all these spring happenings.
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Homeschool: Pond Dipping/Frog Call ID
2026-05-11 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Pond Dipping/Frog Call ID
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, May 11, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Spring brings with it many sounds, one of them being the songs of frogs! Students will learn how to identify Minnesota’s native frogs, while also discovering what other creatures swim beneath the surface.
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Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
2026-05-18 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, May 18, 9:30am-11am
Explore what lives in River Bend’s ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! Dress to be outside. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
2026-05-30 10:00 - 11:30
Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, May 30, 10:00am-11:30am
Explore what lives in River Bend’s ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2026-06-06 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 6, 10:00 am-11:00 am
Join us on the first Saturday each month. Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while watching wildlife from the comfort of the Interpretive Center through our Windows on the Wild viewing area. Bagels provided by The Inn at Shattuck.
Register Here

Storytime: What's in the Water?
2026-06-06 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime with a Naturalist: What’s in the Water?
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 6, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a Naturalist for a fun and interactive storytime as you explore what lives in the water!
Register Here
