River Bend Nature Center

Lunch & Learn: Life of a Fish Squeezer
2025-09-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Life of a Fish Squeezer
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, September 17, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm, bring your own lunch.
Come take a walk through a year in the life of fisheries scientists, Tyler Fellows with Waterville Fisheries. How does a person become a fishery scientist? What types of studies do they perform? Where are the best places to fish around Waterville?
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles & Fabulous Frogs
2025-09-20 10:30 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles & Fabulous Frogs
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, September 20, 2025, 10:30am-12pm
River Bend is home to many different turtles and frogs. They are all terrific and fabulous! Join us as we learn about the species that call River Bend home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Turtles & Frogs Morning Class
2025-09-22 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles & Fabulous Frogs
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, September 22, 2025, 9:30am-11am
River Bend is home to many different turtles and frogs. They are all terrific and fabulous! Join us as we learn about the species that call River Bend home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Monarch Butterflies
2025-09-22 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Intro to Monarch Butterflies
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, September 22, 2025, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: Monarch Butterflies
Come join us as we learn about the life cycle of a Monarch Butterfly. As Monarchs begin their journey back to their wintering grounds, students will also participate in a survey to count specimens at RBNC.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Turtles & Frogs Evening Class
2025-09-22 17:00 - 18:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Terrific Turtles & Fabulous Frogs
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, September 22, 2025, 5:00pm-6:30pm
River Bend is home to many different turtles and frogs. They are all terrific and fabulous! Join us as we learn about the species that call River Bend home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Starwatch with Mike Lynch
2025-09-22 19:30 - 21:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Starwatch with Mike Lynch
Cost: $5 for ages 13 and younger, $10 for ages 14 and older.
Ages 10+ recommended
Monday, September 22, 2025, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Learn all about the night sky from the expert!
Register through Faribault Parks and Rec.
Register Here

MN Master Naturalist Instructor Training Online
2025-09-26 09:00 - 16:00 | Online
MN Master Naturalist Instructor Training
Part Two of MN Training Class
Friday, September 26, 2025 – Online 9:00am-4:00pm

National Public Lands Day
2025-09-27 09:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
National Public Lands Day
Cost: Free
Ages 10+ recommended
Saturday, September 27, 2025, 9:00am-12:00pm
National Public Lands Day
Help River Bend Nature Center control invasive buckthorn and learn about different and new management techniques!
Register through U of M . Registration Link to Come

Bagels & Birds
2025-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 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: Wilbur
2025-10-04 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: Wilbur, the Hognose Snake
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Storytime includes a short story and coloring activity.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-10-04 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club – The Nature Fix by Florence Williams
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 4, 2025, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Come gather for an enlightening discussion about environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, and Textures Morning Class
2025-10-06 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, and Textures
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, October 6, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Nature is filled with an abundance of colors, shapes and textures! In this class we’ll explore some beautiful examples of nature’s tapestry. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Aquatic Ecosystems
2025-10-06 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Aquatic Ecosystems
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, October 6, 2025, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: Intro to Aquatic Ecosystems
Students will spend time exploring all of the different aquatic ecosystems that can be found at RBNC. Time will also be spent talking about ways we can keep our waterways clean and healthy.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, and Textures Evening Class
2025-10-06 17:00 - 18:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Colors, Shapes, and Textures
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, October 6, 2025, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Nature is filled with an abundance of colors, shapes and textures! In this class we’ll explore some beautiful examples of nature’s tapestry. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Native Planting
2025-10-11 10:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Native Planting
Saturday, October 11
Free for all ages, Ages 10+ recommended
10:00-12:00 pm
Learn about some of the restoration work being done at River Bend, then assist with native planting! This might be prairie or woodland planting.

Lunch & Learn: Minnesota Moths
2025-10-15 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Minnesota Moths – Kyle Johnson, DNR
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, October 15, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Kyle will take you on a tour of Minnesota moth diversity, including habitat specialists, conservation concerns, and how to find and learn about moths.
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlers Morning Class
2025-10-20 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlers
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, October 20, 9:30am-11:00am
Mother nature can have tricks up her sleeve with tiny, creepy crawlers! In this class, we’ll explore her tricks and perhaps see some treats along the way. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: River Study
2025-10-20 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: River Study
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, October 20, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: River Study
This program will involve using seining nets to better understand what species are found in the Straight River and how they fit together to create an aquatic ecosystem.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlers Evening Class
2025-10-20 17:00 - 18:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Creepy Crawlers
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, October 20, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Mother nature can have tricks up her sleeve with tiny, creepy crawlers! In this class, we’ll explore her tricks and perhaps see some treats along the way. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Maple Syruping Afternoon Demo Program
2025-10-21 12:30 - 13:30 | 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

Bats, Bones & Bonfires
2025-10-25 14:00 - 17:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Details to Come

Bagels & Birds
2025-11-01 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 1, 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: All about Raptors!
2025-11-01 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: All about Raptors!
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 1, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Storytime includes a short story and coloring activity.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-11-01 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club – H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, November 1, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Come gather for an enlightening discussion about environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock Morning Class
2025-11-03 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock Morning Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, November 3, 9:30am-11am
Rocks Rock! The Earth is made up of different kinds of rocks that can be found in many different colors! Come and explore the beautiful hard side of nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Plant Life Cycles
2025-11-03 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Intro to Plant Life Cycles
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, November 3, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: Intro to Plant Life Cycles
Come learn all about some of the amazing plants that can be found at RBNC! From seeds to flowers, we will cover the many stages that plants undergo during their unique life cycles.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock Evening Class
2025-11-03 17:00 - 18:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock Evening Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, November 3, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Rocks Rock! The Earth is made up of different kinds of rocks that can be found in many different colors! Come and explore the beautiful hard side of nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

RBNC Trails & IC Closed for Deer Hunt
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-16 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Notice to the Public,
The trails of River Bend Nature Center and the Interpretive Center will be closed to the public for a deer management hunt Thursday, November 13th – Sunday, November 16th. Please plan your trip to River Bend accordingly.

Little Sprouts: Clouds & Weather Morning Class
2025-11-17 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Clouds & Weather Morning Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, November 17, 9:30am-11am
As the seasons change from fall to winter, clouds gather and the winds shift. Join us and learn about clouds and different forms of weather. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Minnesota Turtle Conservation
2025-11-19 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Minnesota Turtle Conservation with Dr. Tricia Markle, MN Zoo Wildlife Conservation Specialist
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, November 19, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes, is a veritable paradise for freshwater turtles. Unfortunately, as a result of habitat loss & degradation, road mortality, and poaching, turtles in our state are in trouble. Of the nine species found in Minnesota, Blanding’s and Wood turtles have faced significant population declines and are state listed as Threatened. Minnesota Zoo staff are tracking turtles to learn more about their habitat needs, investigating strategies to reduce turtle road mortality, and testing measures to protect turtle nests and boost populations. Join us to hear more about these projects and learn what you can do to help turtles in our state.
Register Here
