River Bend Nature Center

Restoration Club: Buckthorn Blitz!
2017-09-24 05:00 - 09:00 (America/Chicago) | MINNESOTA
Restoration Club: Buckthorn Blitz!
Ages 10 and up. Free!
Sunday, September 24th, 2017, 10:00am – 2:00pm
Help us make this one of our biggest removals yet! We’ll be targeting one region of the River Bend property and working in small teams to eradicate buckthorn from the area. Participants will be able to help in a variety of ways: identifying, cutting, treating stumps, hauling brush, and more. There will be a job for everyone, so invite your friends!
There is no cost associated with this event and all ages are welcome! Arrive at 10:00 for a brief introduction and to learn how to identify the trees before heading out with RBNC staff. The event runs from 10:00-2:00pm and participants are welcome to join us at any point during the event–please stop at the interpretive center when you arrive in order to recieve directions to the site if arriving after 10:30AM.

Homeschool Science Day: Insectopia
2017-09-25 09:00 - 10:30 | MINNESOTA
Homeschool Program: Insectopia
Open to homeschoolers in K-6th grade. Cost: $8 per child.
Pre-registration is required by Friday, September 22nd.
Monday, September 25th, 2017, 2:00-3:30pm
Classes are divided by age if the group has more than 10 participants.
Please note that the fee applies to each walking or older child who accompanies a class.
Insectopia:
Find out what’s crawling, hopping, and flying around River Bend! Learn what it means to be an insect, discover their cool adaptations, and we’ll even go outside for a chance to catch some!
River Bend offers a monthly science program designed for homeschool families. Our programs are led by our experienced education staff. The classes are designed to provide students with an enriching hands-on experience to supplement their science lessons. All classes include an outdoor component.

Nature Book Club
2017-09-26 14:00 - 15:00 | MINNESOTA
Nature Book Club
Open to adults. Cost: Free!
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017, 7:00-8:00pm
Join us once a month for a nature book club and discussion.
Check back for this month’s title, or call us at 507.332.7151.

Restoration Club - Seed Collection
2017-09-27 10:00 - 12:00 | MINNESOTA
Restoration Club – Seed Collection
Ages 10 and up. Free!
Wednesday, September 27th, 2017, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Join us for a restoration-themed work day. We’ll head out onto the River Bend property to remove non-native invasive species and work to restore native habitat. You’ll learn restoration skills at River Bend that you can take home and implement on your property! No experience needed, no commitment required. Come once or come for them all!
On September 27th we’ll work in the River Bend prairies to collect native seeds to be used in next spring’s planting! Be sure to wear close-toed shoes and long pants.

Bagels & Birds
2017-10-07 04:30 - 05:30 | MINNESOTA
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, October 7th, 2017, 9:30am-10:30am
Join us on the first Saturday each month September—April. 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.

36th Annual River Bend Ramble
2017-10-07 12:30 - 16:30 | MINNESOTA
36th Annual Ramble“Choose Your Own Adventure”Cost: $50 per person. Saturday, October 7th, 2017, 5:30pmat the Inn at Shattuck, 1000 Shumway Avenue, Faribault, MN 55021River Bend Nature Center hosts its 36th Annual Ramble dinner and auction fundraiser on Saturday, October 7th. You are invited to join fellow supporters of River Bend for an evening celebrating the Nature Center’s work in our community.

Animal Ambassadors: Meet the Animal Ambassadors!
2018-07-14 05:00 - 06:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Join us for a very special Animal Ambassadors program where you will get to learn about, meet, and even touch ALL of our Animal Ambassadors! You’ll experience a turtle’s shell, a salamander’s skin, and even get to see our bull snake eat her lunch. $5/person, $15/family ($3/member, $10/member family)

OWLS Lunch & Learn November
2018-11-21 06:00 - 08:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Mader Farms Wetland Restoration
From 2014 – Februrary 2018, the Mader farm in Minnetrista on the western edge of Hennepin County underwent a restoration process from being 41 acres of tiled agriculture land to returning to its natural wetlands. It is the first and only certified wetlands credit bank restoration project in the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. Packy shares the rewards and frustrations of going through the rigorous process which involved years of engineering, berm construction, dealing with invasive plant species, planting native sedges, grasses, and wildflowers, and even the financial costs and benefits

Life-Long Learning Papermaking Holiday Cards
2018-11-29 03:00 - 05:00 | MINNESOTA
Learn how to recycle paper and make beautiful holiday cards!

Bagels & Birds
2018-12-01 03:30 - 04:30 | MINNESOTA
Come join us for breakfast and bird watching at the interpretive center on the first Saturday of the month at 9:30AM.

OWLS Lunch & Learn Audubon Bird Count
2018-12-12 06:00 - 08:00 | MINNESOTA

Adult Learn to Ski
2019-01-08 03:00 - 05:00 | MINNESOTA
January is “Learn to Ski” Month. Take advantage of River Bend’s trails by formally learning how to ski from River Bend’s naturalists. Beginners are encouraged! Cost is $15/person or $10/member.
Register today!

Adventure Day February!
2021-02-21 03:00 - 09:30 | MINNESOTA
Pay What You Can Adventure Day February!
Monday, February 21, 9 AM-3:30 PM
Suggested Cost: $40/members, $50/non-members or Pay What You Can
Suggested amount for Before/After Care: $10 You can drop your child off as early as 8:00 AM and pick them up by 4:30 PM.
A River Bend staff member will remain with the students until all are picked up.
Have fun exploring River Bend and learning about the natural world!
What should I bring?
Students should come prepared to spend a portion of the day outside. Bring appropriate outdoor gear (winter boots, snow pants, jacket, mittens, and a hat). Bring a water bottle and a lunch from home that does not require refrigeration.

Conservation Conversations
2021-08-12 14:00 - 15:00 | MINNESOTA
Are you interested in nature and environmental policy? Join us for a series of three evening conversations at 7pm on Thursdays at River Bend. Come to one or all. Meet on the Interpretive Center Lawn.

Walk or Ride with a Naturalist
2021-08-16 04:00 - 07:00 | MINNESOTA
Join a River Bend Naturalist for an hour-long walk (or golf cart ride) around the River Bend grounds. Learn a bit about the history and local flora and fauna at River Bend.
This program is part of Ramble, a week-long fundraiser to support River Bend’s mission to help people discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world around us.
If you have purchased a Ramble week ticket, you DO NOT need to purchase a ticket here, this event is included in Ramble Admission.

Campfire Trivia
2021-08-18 14:00 - 16:00 | MINNESOTA
Test your knowledge of nature at Nature Trivia around a bonfire with smores. This will be held in the amphitheater, so dress for the weather. Feel free to bring your own camp chair.
This is part of Ramble week events. If you have purchased a Ramble ticket, admission to trivia is included.

Music on the Prairie
2021-08-19 13:00 - 14:30 | MINNESOTA
Come enjoy music on the prairie by Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing! Free, all ages event. Donations appreciated.

Ramble Dinner & Live Auction
2021-08-20 12:30 - 15:00 | MINNESOTA
Join River Bend supporters for a night to renew and restore River Bend!

Little Sprouts: What's in the Water?
2021-09-14 04:30 - 06:00 | MINNESOTA
Have fun with your little one(s) as you explore different nature topics each class. Your little sprout will learn about the natural world through nature play and exploration. On September 14, have fun exploring “What’s in the Water?” at River Bend’s ponds with nets and buckets.
Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.
These programs are open to children birth through 5 years old and their adult.

Science Day: The Buzz on Pollinators
2021-09-17 05:00 - 06:30 | MINNESOTA
Learn all about the types of animals that pollinate flowers, what pollination is, and why it is important. We will catch insects and play pollinator games. Bring a lunch and stay for the afternoon program. Open to kindergarten through 5th graders.

Science Day: Prairie Power
2021-09-17 07:30 - 09:00 | MINNESOTA
Learn about the parts of a plant, the different types of plants, and flowers that grow in the prairie. Play games and take a hike to look at the different plants we can see in the prairie, and if any pollinators are at the flowers.

Adult Night Out: Splatter Paint Archery
2021-09-23 13:00 - 14:30 | MINNESOTA
Have an adult night out with anyone special in your life. Learn how to shoot a bow and arrow and get some practice shooting before we add some paint balloons to the target and watch them splatter. Leave with a piece of art created in a one-of-a-kind way. Ages 18+. Pre-registration required.

Little Sprouts Turtle Time
2021-09-28 04:30 - 06:00 | MINNESOTA
On September 28, learn all about turtles during “Turtle Time”. Go on an exploration hike to see if you can spot turtles at Turtle Pond.
Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.

Bagels & Birds
2021-10-02 05:00 - 06:00 | MINNESOTA
Join a RBNC Naturalist on the first Saturday of the month for bagels while watching birds through the windows on the wild viewing area. Ask bird related questions and enjoy the bagels compliments of The Inn at Shattuck.

Little Sprouts The Secret of Seeds
2021-10-12 04:30 - 06:00 | MINNESOTA
On October 12, explore the many different types of seeds that you see outside this type of year, and learn how they grow. Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building.

Science Day Batty About Bats
2021-10-15 05:00 - 06:30 | MINNESOTA
Learn all about this “spooky” animal, from what types are found in Minnesota, to what they eat and where they live. Your child’s curiosity will take flight! Stay for the afternoon program!

Science Day Forests and Feathers
2021-10-15 07:30 - 09:00 | MINNESOTA
Learn about the types of trees that grow in Minnesota. Then learn about the birds that migrate through Minnesota in the fall. Go on a scavenger hunt and play fun games to better understand what birds go through during migration.

School's Out Adventure Day: MEA Break
2021-10-20 04:00 - 10:30 | MINNESOTA
School is Out Adventure Days are day-long camps open to kindergarten through 5th grade students on days when school’s not in session, but the craving for adventure and exploration is strong! River Bend’s team of naturalists will provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and activities to interact with, discover, and understand nature.
NEW FOR FALL 2021! PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADVENTURE DAYS!
suggested registration $50 (nonmembers) $40 (members)
$10 (suggested for before or aftercare)
or pay what you can

Little Sprouts: Colorful Leaves
2021-10-26 04:30 - 06:00 | MINNESOTA
On October 26, learn your colors with the leaves this time of year.
Little Sprouts is a parent child class, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, exploring the natural world. Each week has planned educational activities and nature-play time. Make sure to dress for the weather, as the class will be mainly outside. Masks are required when inside the building. These programs are open to children birth through 5 years old and their adult. The Little Sprout’s fee is $10 per child, per class ($5 for River Bend members). Pre-registration is required for these programs by the Monday before the program.

Bats, Bones, & Bonfires
2021-10-30 09:00 - 13:00 | MINNESOTA
Bring the whole family to enjoy a fall celebration! Enjoy games, s’mores, crafts, and more! Costumes optional.
