River Bend Nature Center

Storytime: Maple Syruping
2026-03-07 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: Maple Syruping
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, March 7, 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

Stewardship Day: Maple Syruping
2026-03-14 10:00 - 12:00
Stewardship Day: Maple Syruping
Free Volunteer Event, Saturday, March 14 from 10-12 pm
All ages, people ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult
Help with the process of tapping trees and/or collecting and cooking sap.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: Maple Syruping
2026-03-16 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: Maple Syruping
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, March 16, 9:30am-11am
How do we get tasty maple syrup? From Maple Trees! have fun exploring the world of trees and how we make maple syrup at River Bend. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Maple Syruping
2026-03-16 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Maple Syruping
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, March 16, 1:00pm-3:00pm
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

Lunch & Learn: Gardening for MN's Pollinators
2026-03-18 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Gardening for MN’s Pollinators
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, March 18, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Wanting to attract pollinators to your garden? Looking for recommendations on native plants? Join RBNC Naturalist Matt Johnson to learn how to make a thriving pollinator habitat this spring!
Register Here

Maple Syruping Morning Demo Program
2026-03-21 10:30 - 11:30
Maple Syruping Morning Demo Program
Cost: $10/non-member, $5/member
Saturday, March 21, 10:30 – 11:30 am
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

Maple Syruping Afternoon Demo Program
2026-03-21 12:30 - 13:30
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

Chainsaw Safety Certification - Level One
2026-03-27 08:30 - 16:00, 2026-03-28 08:30 - 16:00
Chainsaw Safety Certification
Age 18+. Cost: Free * Must meet income eligibility requirement. If you don’t meet the income requirement, contact Quanda Arch at arch@rbnc.org or 507-332-7151.
Training Dates
Level One: Friday, March 27, 8:30 – 4:00 pm
Level One: Saturday, March 28, 8:30 – 4:00 pm
Level Two: Monday, March 30, 8:30 – 4:00 pm
Level One is a prerequisite to Level Two

Chainsaw Safety Certification -Level Two
2026-03-30 08:30 - 16:00

Bagels & Birds
2026-04-04 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 4, 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: April Showers Bring May Flowers
2026-04-04 11:00 - 12:00
Storytime: April Showers Bring May Flowers
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, April 4, 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Join a naturalist for a fun and interactive storytime about spring weather and blooming flowers, perfect for curious young minds.
Register Here

Little Sprouts Baby Animals
2026-04-06 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts Baby Animals
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, April 6, 9:30am-11am
Little Sprouts: Baby Animals is a playful early childhood program where young children explore the world of baby animals through songs, stories, and hands-on activities. Designed for toddlers and their caregivers, this program nurtures curiosity and connection with nature’s cutest creatures. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool: Intro to Spring Flowers
2026-04-06 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Intro to Spring Flowers
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, April 6, 1:00pm-3:00pm
A woodland walk in the Big Woods during spring time reveals a great diversity of plants trying to grow before shade envelopes the forest. Students will spend time identifying these colorful early emerging flowers.
Register Here

Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00
Stewardship Saturday: Invasive Species Removal
Free Volunteer Event, Saturday, April 11 from 10-12 pm
All Ages, people 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult
Help with the process of tapping trees and/or collecting and cooking sap.
Register Here

Lunch & Learn: Pollinators and Prairies in SW MN
2026-04-15 12:00 - 14:00
Lunch & Learn: Pollinators and Prairies in Southwest MN Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer Nongame Wildlife Specialist with DNR
Cost: Per Non-Member $10, RBNC Members $5
Wednesday, April 15, 12:00-2:00pm, Speaker begins at 12:30 pm
Pollinators, Prairies, and Private Landowner Partners: Explore the DNR Nongame Wildlife Program with a focus on southern region pollinator initiatives. Hear what has been learned about pollinator responses to various types of habitats. And how the DNR manages prairies and works with private landowners all with pollinators in mind.
Bring your own lunch and enjoy!
Register Here

Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:30
Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, April 18, 10:00am-11:30am
In this hands-on early childhood program, children will explore the fascinating world of bats through sensory play, observation, and storytelling. This playful, messy experience encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and a love for nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
2026-04-20 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts Batty about Bats
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, April 20, 9:30am-11:00am
In this hands-on early childhood program, children will explore the fascinating world of bats through sensory play, observation, and storytelling. This playful, messy experience encourages curiosity, scientific thinking, and a love for nature. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Homeschool Dwarf Trout Lily
2026-04-20 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool Dwarf Trout Lily
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, April 20, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Did you know that there is a plant found at River Bend that is only found in a few areas in Minnesota and nowhere else on earth? Students will learn more about the federally endangered Dwarf Trout Lily, Minnesota’s only endemic flower. If we’re lucky we might even get to catch a glimpse of this flower blooming!
Register Here

Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast
2026-05-02 06:00 - 15:00
Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast Race Day Timeline
Saturday, May 2nd | Prices vary by distance | Early bird pricing ends March 31, 2026 | Same day registration available | Registration includes a pancake breakfast & t-shirt when you register by April 12, 2026
Register Here

25K & 50K

Check In 6:00 am – 6:45 am
Race Starts at 7:00 am

10K, 5K, One Mile

Check-in 7:30 am – 8:15 am
5K & 10K Starts at 8:30 am
One mile walk/run starts at 8:40 am – Not chip timed

Pancake Brunch

Starts at 9:00 am for runners & their spectators, 10:00 am for public

Off-Site Event Parking
Located at 100 State Ave, Faribault, MN 55021
25K & 50K can park at the nature center, all other participants and spectators please park at Allina.
Get Printable Parking Information by clicking this link. Fun Run Parking and Bus Schedule

Volunteer at the Maple Syrup Fun Run
2026-05-02 06:00 - 15:00
Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, May 2 from 6:00 – 3:00 pm – sign up for a shift with one of the following areas:
Help out by volunteering with the pancake breakfast (prep, serving & clean-up), water stations, course marshalls, prepping the course, taking the course signs down, bag check, or parking attendants.
Sign Up Here

Homeschool: Intro to Signs of Spring
2026-05-04 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Intro to Signs of Spring
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, May 4, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Spring is a great time to observe the many changes occurring in the natural world. As the trees begin to leaf out and animals return from a long migration, join us as we tour River Bend to learn about all these spring happenings.
Register Here

Homeschool: Pond Dipping/Frog Call ID
2026-05-11 13:00 - 15:00
Homeschool: Pond Dipping/Frog Call ID
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child (Pre-registration is required)
Grades: K-5th
Monday, May 11, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Spring brings with it many sounds, one of them being the songs of frogs! Students will learn how to identify Minnesota’s native frogs, while also discovering what other creatures swim beneath the surface.
Register Here

Plant Hike
2026-05-16 13:00 - 14:00
Plant Hike
Cost: $10/non-member, $5/member
Recommended for Ages 8+
Saturday, May 16, 1:00pm-2:00pm
Come explore with a Naturalist on a guided hike as we discover what plants can be found around River Bend in May. From spring ephemerals to the trees of the forest. We will meet in the interpretive center then head out on an hour long hike. Elevation will include one rocky decline and one rocky incline on trout lily trail. Best suited to 8 years or older. All ages who can handle a one hour hike with some elevation are welcome!
Register Here

Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
2026-05-18 09:30 - 11:00
Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Monday, May 18, 9:30am-11am
Explore what lives in River Bend’s ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! Dress to be outside. A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
2026-05-30 10:00 - 11:30
Little Sprouts: What’s in the water?
Cost: $10/child, $5/member child, adults attend for free.
Saturday, May 30, 10:00am-11:30am
Explore what lives in River Bend’s ponds through sensory play, observation, and storytime! A portion of this class may be held outside. Please dress for the weather.
Register Here

Drop off Donations
2026-06-01 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-02 09:00 - 15:00
Drop off your donations of gently used or new items for River Bend’s upcoming Garage Sale.
Drop off Time: 9:00-3:00 pm
Location: River Bend Nature Center
Garage Sale Dates: June 5th, 9:00-4:30 pm & June 6th, 10:30-3:00 pm

Garage Sale
2026-06-05 09:00 - 16:30
Garage Sale
Friday, June 5th, 9:00-4:30 pm
River Bend Nature Center
Keep items out of the landfill by donating your unwanted, cleaned items such as clothes, toys, and kitchen appliances. Funds raised will directly support River Bend’s environmental programs and camps

Bagels & Birds
2026-06-06 10:00 - 11:00
Bagels & Birds
All ages. Cost: Free
Saturday, June 6, 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
