Bats, Bones & Bonfires
2025-10-25 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Little Sprouts: Clouds & Weather Saturday Class
2025-11-22 10:30 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Clouds & Weather Saturday Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, November 22, 10:30am-12pm
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

Interpretive Center Closed for Thanksgiving, Trails Open
2025-11-27 - 2025-11-29 | MINNESOTA
Notice to the Public,
The interpretive Center will be closed for the holiday, but the trails remain open. Enjoy!!

Little Sprouts: MN Animals Morning Class
2025-12-01 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: MN Animals Morning Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, December 1, 9:30am-11am
Many animals migrate to MN during the summer, but who sticks around during the winter? Come learn about the animals that call MN home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Birds
2025-12-01 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Intro to Birds
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, December 1, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: Intro to Birds
Learn all about our feathered friends! We will cover all the adaptations that make birds such amazing animals.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: MN Animals Evening Class
2025-12-01 17:00 - 18:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: MN Animals Evening Class
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, December 1, 5:00pm-6:30pm
Many animals migrate to MN during the summer, but who sticks around during the winter? Come learn about the animals that call MN home. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Bagels & Birds
2025-12-06 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 6, 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: Winter Weather
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: Winter Weather
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 6, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Cozy up in kid’s corner as you listen to stories about winter weather, read by a River Bend Naturalist!
Register Here

Natural Fiber Weaving Workshop
2025-12-06 12:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Natural Fiber Weaving Workshop
Ages 10+. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 6, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm
In this 3 hour workshop learn the heritage craft of willow weaving to craft a tension tray. These are handy to serve or simply used as a decoration. Participants will learn about how to ethically harvest locally and how to weave using this abundant and beautiful material. Some moderate hand strength is required. Bring garden shears and dress for indoors and outdoors. Workshop led by Laura Korynta.
Register Here, Limited to 6 people

Sweet Reads Book Club
2025-12-06 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club – Saved in Time by Estella B. Leopold and Herbert W. Meyer
Teens and Adults. Cost: Free
Saturday, December 6, 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 Snow Fun Morning Program
2025-12-15 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts Snow Fun Morning Program
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, December 15, 9:30am-11am
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

Homeschool: Bird Counting
2025-12-15 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Bird Counting
Cost: $20/child, $10/member child
Grades: K-5th
Monday, December 15, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Topic: Bird Counting
Join us as we partake in the practice of bird counting! Students will practice their identification skills and learn the basics of using binoculars, as we count birds at River Bend.
Register Here

Little Sprouts Snow Fun Evening Program
2025-12-15 17:00 - 18:00 | 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 | MINNESOTA
Happy Holidays!!

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

Interpretive Center Closed
2026-01-01 | MINNESOTA

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
