River Bend Nature Center

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-02-01 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club
The Darkness Manifesto: On Light Pollution, Night Ecology, and the Ancient Rhythms That Sustain Life by Johan Eklöf
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join Ampact members Caitlin and Nick for Sweet Reads Book Club! Discuss environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Family Fun - Paper Making
2025-02-08 10:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Family Fun – Paper Making
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
All Ages, under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Saturday, February 8, 2025, 10 – 2 pm
Have fun making recycled paper and using recycled paper to make greeting cards!
Register Here

Homeschool: 3Rs & Snowshoeing
2025-02-10 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle & Snowshoeing
Ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, February 10, 2025, 1-3pm
Learn about the importance of the 3R’s while creating some fun take-home projects. Then head outside on snowshoes!
Register Here

Snow Crush Event
2025-02-15 11:00 - 18:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Snow Crush Race
Saturday, FEBRUARY 15th **(MOVED TO BACKUP DATE)
Registration/Check-in: 11:00-12:30 pm
Race Start: 1:00 pm
Registration Fee:
Beginners: $30, $40 day-of
Intermediates: $35, $45 day-of
Advanced: $40, $50 day-of
Online registration closes at 12pm Wednesday, February 12. Entrants may also register on the day of the race starting at 11:00 am.
Race registrations are non-refundable.

Little Sprouts: Animals Around the World
2025-02-15 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Animals Around the World
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Saturday, February 15, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Come and learn about different animals around the world. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. Dress for the weather as a portion of the class will be outside.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock!
2025-02-17 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 free
Monday, February 17, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Rocks rock because they come in so many different types of colors, textures and can be dull or crystals! Come and explore how fascinating rocks can be! Dress for the weather, as most of the course will be outside.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Lake Superior
2025-02-19 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Lake Superior
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Wednesday, February 19, 12:00-2:00pm
We will discuss the origins, characteristics, and long-term changes of Lake Superior–how a tectonic rift valley carved out a spot that glaciers, one billion years later, filled. Eventually these glaciers melted and formed pro-glacial Lake Duluth, then later Gichigami or Lake Superior. Learn how one of Minnesota’s iconic features has changed over its past and continues to change into the future. Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month. Guest speaker begins at 12:30 pm.
Register Here

Family Painting: Winter Landscapes
2025-02-22 12:30 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Family Painting: Winter Landscapes
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, February 22, 2025, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Learn about winter weather patterns in Minnesota and then paint a winter landscape! Pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available for participants. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2025-03-01 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 1, 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: Maple Syruping
2025-03-01 11:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: Maple Syruping
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 11:00 am-11:30 am
Come read a children’s book all about how maple syrup is made!
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-03-01 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club – Creativity a Short and Cheerful Guide by John Cleese
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 1, 2025, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join Ampact members Caitlin and Nick for Sweet Reads Book Club! Discuss environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
2025-03-08 10:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
Teens +. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Learn about invasive plants and how River Bend is controlling them. Then help us to remove them! The specific species being mitigated will depend on the seasonality.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Maple Syruping
2025-03-10 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Maple Syruping
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Monday, March 10, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Learn all about the science of Maple Syruping, and help River Bend collect sap. All or a portion of this class will be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Maple Syruping and Nature Play!
2025-03-10 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Maple Syruping and Nature Play!
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, March 10, 2025, 1-3pm
Learn all about the science of Maple Syruping, and help River Bend collect sap. Then let your imagination run wild as you play with other participants in River Bend’s Nature Play area! *Note: Depending on the weather conditions, students may get muddy during play.
Register Here

Maple Syruping Programs
2025-03-15 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Maple Syruping Programs
All Ages. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Saturday, March 15, 2025
10:00-11:30 am & 12:30-2:00 pm
Maple syruping is a tradition that dates back to the first nations that lived in this area. Learn about the history of maple syruping, what makes the sap flow, and the process of turning sap into syrup through hands-on syruping experience.
Register Here

Maple Syruping Programs
2025-03-22 10:00 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Maple Syruping Programs
All Ages. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Saturday, March 22, 2025
10:00-11:30 am & 12:30-2:00 pm
Maple syruping is a tradition that dates back to the first nations that lived in this area. Learn about the history of maple syruping, what makes the sap flow, and the process of turning sap into syrup through hands-on syruping experience.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Alexander Faribault
2025-03-26 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Alexander Faribault
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Date Changed to
Wednesday, March 26, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Join us and guest speaker, Sam Temple, as he tells the tale of city founder, Alexander Faribault. Learn about his life as a fur trader, befriending the local Native American tribes, and the influence he had on this area we now call Faribault.
Register Here

Family Painting: Totally Turtles
2025-03-29 12:30 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Family Painting: Totally Turtles
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 29, 2025, 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Learn about Minnesota Turtles and then try to paint one! Pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available for participants. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2025-04-05 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 5, 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 with a Naturalist
2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: April Showers bring May Flowers
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Storytime includes a short story and coloring activity.
Register Here

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-04-05 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club – The Wilderness World of John Muir edited by Edwin Way Teale
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 5, 2025, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join Ampact members Caitlin and Nick for Sweet Reads Book Club! Discuss environmental-related books with eco-conscience individuals while enjoying refreshments in the interpretive center.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Animal Homes
2025-04-12 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 free
Monday, April 7, 2025, 9:30am-11am
Animals live outside all year-round. Come explore how and where animals make their home to help them survive.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
2025-04-12 10:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
Teens +. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Learn about invasive plants and how River Bend is controlling them. Then help us to remove them! The specific species being mitigated will depend on the seasonality.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Weather
2025-04-14 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 free
Monday, April 14, 2025, 9:30am-11am
The weather outside is weather and it happens in many forms. Come learn all the different ways weather happens. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Reptiles and Amphibians
2025-04-14 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Reptiles and Amphibians
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, April 14, 2025, 1-3pm
Learn all about Reptiles and Amphibians from their unique characteristics to how they survive our cold winters. Then meet River Bend’s live animal ambassadors!
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Geological Society of MN
2025-04-16 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Randy Strobel with Geological Society of Minnesota
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).
Wednesday, April 16, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Join us and guest speaker, Randy Strobel, as he discusses the geological formations of Minnesota. Minnesota has a fascinating geological history. We hope you’ll be able to join us. Bring your own lunch.
Register Here

FREE Chainsaw Training, Level 1
2025-04-19 08:30 - 16:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
FREE Chainsaw Training, Level 1
Ages 18+, Cost: Free. Space for 8 people.
Saturday, April 19, 2025, 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Interested in learning how to use a chainsaw safely? Join us April 19th to gain hands-on, basic safety training on how to use a chainsaw. This event is open to the public.
Pre-Registration is Required.
What to bring with you:

Bring a document that provides proof of age, driver’s license.
Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty that are long sleeves and pants.
Bring your own chainsaw if you have one.

Course Description
Participants in Level 1 training will spend part of the morning in the classroom, and at least 5 hours outside practicing techniques to operate chainsaws safely, comfortably and productively. Topics covered include personal protective equipment (PPE), body mechanics, chainsaw safety features, the chain and the cutter tooth, reactive forces, planning and executing tree felling, intro to limbing, and bucking. Level I introduces the participant to bore cutting and open face felling, and develops the mechanics to execute these techniques. Hands-on training gives participants the opportunity to fell or limb at least one tree.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Play Time Weather!
2025-04-19 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Play Time Weather!
Cost: $10/child, $5/member-child, adults attend free
Saturday, April 19, 2025, 12:00 – 2:00 pm
The weather outside is weather and it happens in many forms. Come learn all the different ways weather happens. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Land Dedication Ceremony
2025-04-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Straight River Tract, 3733 220th St E, Faribault, Minnesota, 55021
Land Dedication Ceremony
Event Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Location: 3733 220th St E, Faribault, MN 55021 (next to the main River Bend Nature Center campus)
Attire: Casual with sneakers or hiking boots for optional post-dedication land tour.
Join Trust for Public Land and River Bend Nature Center for a special land dedication event celebrating the expansion of the nature center and the protection of cherished natural space for generations to come.
Thanks to incredible partnerships and support of the Hein family, this newly protected land will enhance outdoor access, wildlife habitat, and environmental education opportunities. Come explore the expanded grounds, connect with nature, and help us celebrate this important milestone!
Please RSVP by April 15.
Questions? Please email Sara Shaw Meyer at sara.meyer@tpl.org.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Earth Day Celebration!
2025-04-26 10:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Stewardship Saturday: Earth Day Celebration!
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 26, 2025, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Join River Bend Naturalists to celebrate Earth Day by learning about and participating in a Citizen Science project!
Register Here
