Little Sprouts Snow Fun Evening Program
2025-12-15 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts Snow Fun Evening Program
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, December 15, 5:00pm-6:00pm
A big part of winter is snow! Snow comes in many forms and can be fun to play in. Let’s explore how much fun snow can be. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Challenges and Successes of Animal Conservation
2025-12-17 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Challenges and Successes of Animal Conservation with Larry Vorwerk, Retired MN Zookeeper
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, December 17, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Today there is a great need for conservation efforts when so many species are threatened and going extinct. Come hear about the challenges and successes of animal conservation through the eyes of reputable Zoological Gardens and Aquariums.
Register Here

Interpretive Center Closed
2025-12-24, 2025-12-25
Happy Holidays!!

Interpretive Center Closes at 2:00 pm
2025-12-31
Happy New Year!!

Interpretive Center Closed
2026-01-01

Bagels & Birds
2026-01-03 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, January 3, 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: Winter Animals
2026-01-03 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: Winter Animals
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, January 3, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Cozy up in kid’s corner as you listen to stories about animals in the winter, read by a River Bend Naturalist!
Register Here

Little Sprouts Animal Tracks
2026-01-05 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts Animal Tracks
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, January 5, 9:30am-11am
The snow can show us who’s been where. We all leave tracks and signs in the snow. What animals will you find at River Bend? A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Animal Adaptations
2026-01-05 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Animal Adaptations for Winter
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, January 5, 1:00pm-3:00pm
The changing of the seasons requires many animals to adapt in order to survive our harsh winters. Students will learn about some of the more amazing adaptations we can observe this time of year.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
2026-01-10 10:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
Saturday, January 10th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free Volunteer Opportunity
Ages: Teen+
Come learn about what biochar is, how it’s created, and why River Bend has decided to use this as another sustainability method. Then, weather permitting, try your hand at creating biochar.
Meet at River Bend Interpretive Center. Dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
2026-01-19 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, January 19, 9:30am-11:00am
Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter? A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Snowshoeing
2026-01-19 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Snowshoeing
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, January 19 1:00pm-3:00pm
Snowshoeing is a fun winter activity that draws inspiration from the large feet of several well-adapted animals. Come learn about how humans created these useful winter tools and then spend time outside practicing traversing through the snow.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: River Bend Land Work
2026-01-21 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: River Bend Land Work, 2025 in Review and Plan for 2026 with Brittany Smith
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, January 21, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Join Brittany, River Bend’s Associate Director of Environmental Stewardship as she covers the work that has been done and what is in the works. Invasive species management, native plantings, trail improvements and so much more. Learn the Who, What, When, Where, and Why’s of River Bend’s land work.
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
Saturday, January 24th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free Volunteer Opportunity
Ages: Teen+
Come learn about what biochar is, how it’s created, and why River Bend has decided to use this as another sustainability method. Then, weather permitting, try your hand at creating biochar.
Meet at River Bend Interpretive Center. Dress for the weather.
Register Here

Luminary Snowshoe and Hike
2026-01-29 18:00 - 20:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Luminary Snowshoe and Hike
Cost: $10/member, $15/member with rental; $15/non-members, $20/non-members with rental; 5 & under free.
All ages, under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday, January 29, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Enjoy the quiet of winter with a luminary hike through River Bend. Trails are packed snow, participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes. Then relax by a warm bonfire with a complimentary hot chocolate!
In the event we do not have snow, the event will be held as a luminary hike. Anyone who rents snowshoes will be reimbursed for their rental only.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
2026-01-31 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Icy Weather
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, January 31, 10:00am-11:30am
Water rains down on the earth in many different forms from pretty snowflakes to large ice balls called hail. What makes our weather icy in the winter? A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock
2026-02-02 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, February 2, 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 how fascinating rocks can be! A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Animal Tracking
2026-02-02 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Intro to Animal Tracking
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, February 2, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Winter is a great time to better understand animal activity and behaviors. Students will learn how to identify tracks and interpret what they can teach us.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2026-02-07 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, February 7, 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: The Mitten
2026-02-07 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: The Mitten
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, February 7, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Come read along with a naturalist and follow along with your very own paper animals!
Register Here

Luminary Snowshoe and Hike
2026-02-12 18:00 - 20:00
Luminary Snowshoe and Hike
Cost: $10/member, $15/member with rental; $15/non-members, $20/non-members with rental; 5 & under free.
All ages, under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Thursday, February 12, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Enjoy the quiet of winter with a luminary hike through River Bend. Trails are packed snow, participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes. Then relax by a warm bonfire with a complimentary hot chocolate!
In the event we do not have snow, the event will be held as a luminary hike. Anyone who rents snowshoes will be reimbursed for their rental only.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
2026-02-14 10:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Biochar
Saturday, February 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Free Volunteer Opportunity
Ages: Teen+
Come learn about what biochar is, how it’s created, and why River Bend has decided to use this as another sustainability method. Then, weather permitting, try your hand at creating biochar.
Meet at River Bend Interpretive Center. Dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Animal Homes
2026-02-16 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Animal Homes
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, February 16, 9:30am-11am
Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Making Tracks
2026-02-16 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Making Tracks
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, February 16, 1:00pm-3:00pm
This program will allow students to learn the process of animal track casting. While our casts are drying, students will get outside and have a blast learning about and using kicksleds.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Fruit of the forest, MN's Edible Mushrooms
2026-02-18 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Fruit of the forest: Minnesota’s Edible Mushrooms
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, February 18, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Guest Speaker, Heather Erickson, Vice President of MN Mycological Society, presents: Minnesota’s forests, fields, and river valleys are home to an amazing variety of edible mushrooms—if you know where to look. In this engaging presentation, we’ll explore some of the state’s most sought-after wild edibles, how to safely identify them, and ideas for how to prepare them safely. We’ll also cover foraging tips for beginners, and fun facts that bring our local fungi to life. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or simply curious, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the hidden food treasures growing all around us.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Animal Homes
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Animal Homes
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, February 21, 10:00am-11:30am
Animals have homes too! Explore what types of homes animals live in and look for animal homes on a walk outside. Dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Weather
2026-03-02 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Weather
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, March 2, 9:30-11:00 am
“Rain, rain go away come again another day!” We’ll explore what weather is, and how we can be prepared to enjoy the outdoors in almost any weather. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Maple Syruping
2026-03-02 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Intro to Maple Syruping
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, March 2, 1:00pm-3:00pm
By learning about the process of maple syruping, students will further their knowledge of both the science of tree physiology and the history of syruping as an important cultural practice.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2026-03-07 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 7, 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
