River Bend Nature Center

Little Sprouts
2023-09-11 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts, an adult/child class for ages birth-5. There are planned educational exploration activities with a different theme each week. Dress for the weather, as most of the course will be outside.
Beginning in the fall, classes will be held on Mondays from 9:30-11:00 am with pop-up Saturdays.
Monday, Oct 30: Colorful Leaves – As summer ends and fall arrives, leaves begin to change to brilliant shades of yellow, red and orange. Come and learn about colorful leaves and see if you’ll find more!
Monday, Nov 13: Rocks Rock! – 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!
Monday, Nov 27: Clouds and Weather – With winter arriving, clouds gather and the temperature begins to drop. Rain soon begins to fall as snow. Come learn about clouds and weather at different times of the year.
Monday, Dec 4: Animals of Minnesota – Winter is a great time to see wildlife as you can easily track who has been where in the snow. Let’s discover what animals call Minnesota home.
Monday, Dec 18: Snow Fun – Playing in the snow is so much fun and you can do so many things with it, from sledding to snow angels, snowman or snowballs, the fun is endless! And just like you and me, no two snowflakes are alike. Join us and have some snow fun!

Homeschool Classes
2023-09-11 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool Classes: River Bend Nature Center invites all learners, grades K-5th, the opportunity to experience all of the seasons at River Bend! Classes are held on the second Monday of the month from 1pm-3pm.
Monday, September 11: Prairie Pollinators – From beetles to butterflies and bees, many animals visit prairie plants. Come learn about what pollination is and why it’s important!
Monday, October 9: Birds, Beak to Tail Feathers – Come learn all about how to identify birds, the adaptations different birds have, and how/why some birds migrate for the winter.
Monday, November 13: Orienteering – Looking to do more exploring in the wilderness? Come learn the art of the compass, and use it to navigate off trail.
Monday, December 11: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – With increasing populations and some limited resources, we must learn to use our resources wisely. Come learn about ways to reduce, reuse or recycle items you purchase on a regular basis.

Archery for Beginners
2023-09-16 11:00 - 12:00 | MINNESOTA
Archery for Beginners: Did you know archery is one of the oldest sports still practiced today? Bring your family to learn the fundamentals of archery. Practice shooting at stationary targets, play exciting games, and participate in challenges as you develop your skills. The NASP archery equipment provided for this program was sponsored by a No Child Left Inside grant through the Minnesota DNR.
Saturday, September 16, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Ages 10+, $15/person, $10/member

Archery II
2023-09-16 12:30 - 13:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Archery II – Do you already know the basics of archery and want more practice with the help of an instructor? Practice shooting at stationary targets, play exciting games, and participate in challenges as you develop your skills with an instructor. The NASP archery equipment provided for this program was sponsored by a No Child Left Inside grant through the Minnesota DNR.
Saturday, September 16 from 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Ages 10+, $15/person, $10/member

Fall Lunch & Learn Series
2023-09-20 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Fall Lunch & Learn Series: Join us every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 12:00-2:00 pm for a featured guest speaker. Bring your own lunch and learn about the topic of the month.
September 20: Sodexo with guest speaker Lexi Vanderlinde
October 18: Butternut Canker with guest speaker Melanie Moore. Butternut Canker Disease and selection of Resistant Hybrid Butternut trees US Forestry Service
November 15: Squirrels with guest speaker Charlotte Devitz
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Bagels & Birds
2023-10-07 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Bagels & Birds
10:00 am – 11:00 am
All Ages
Cost: Free!
Join us for bagels from The Inn at Shattuck on the first Saturday each month Fall through Spring.

Nature Notebook
2023-10-07 11:30 - 13:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Nature Notebook – Drop by the nature center anytime between 11:30-1:30, to make your very own nature notebook to take on adventures outside! No need to register.

Saturday, October 7, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Storytime with a Naturalist
2023-11-04 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist – Join us for nature story time and free play!

Saturday, November 4 , 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Trash to Art
2023-11-18 10:30 - 13:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Trash to Art – Turn trash into art! Use materials that would otherwise be disposed of (cleaned) to create beautiful works of art.

Saturday, November 18, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Storytime with a Naturalist
2023-12-02 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist – Join us for nature story time and free play!

Saturday, December 2 , 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Storytime with a Naturalist: The Mitten by Jan Brett
2023-12-16 10:00 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Storytime with a Naturalist: The Mitten by Jan Brett – Join a River Bend Naturalist as they read “The Mitten” by Jan Brett, then make your own “mitten” with animals to stuff inside!

Saturday, December 16 , 10:00 – 11:00 am & 12:30-1:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

"Hoppy New Year!" Storytime with Harry Hopper
2024-01-06 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
“Hoppy New Year!” Storytime with Harry Hopper
Celebrate the new year with animal ambassador, Harry Hopper. Learn what makes the Grey Tree Frog a cool animal!
Free for all ages . Saturday, January 6 . 11:00-12:00 pm

Homeschool: Kitchen Science
2024-01-08 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Kitchen Science
Kitchen science will be filled full of fun experiments using safe ingredients found in your kitchen. Prepare to get a little messy and have lots of fun!
Monday, January 8, 2024
1pm-3pm, K-5th Grade
Cost: $10/person, $5/member

Turtley Awesome Storytime with Orwin!
2024-01-20 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Turtley Awesome Storytime with Orwin!
Have a turtley awesome day with animal ambassador, Orwin. Learn what makes the Painted Turtle a cool animal!
Free for all ages . Saturday, January 20 . 11:00-12:00 pm

Drop-In Papermaking
2024-02-03 11:30 - 13:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Drop-In Papermaking
Saturday, February 3, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Create upcycled greeting cards as you learn how to make homemade paper from a River Bend Naturalist.

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-02-03 14:30 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club
February Topic: Earth Eras
Saturday, February 3, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Teens and Adults
Cost: Free!
Book 1: Here Be Dragons: How the Study of Animal and Plant Distributions Revolutionized Our Views of Life and Earth
Book 2: The Incredible Unlikeliness of Being: Evolution and the Making of Us
We’ll meet the 1st Saturday of each month to have a one group discussion on a book. Refreshments provided. Please register by filling out this form.

Homeschool: Maple Syruping & Survival Skills
2024-02-12 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Maple Syruping & Survival Skills
Learn about how real maple syrup is made, and how to survive in the wild!
Monday, February 12, 2024
1pm-3pm, K-5th Grade
Cost: $10/person, $5/member

Luminary Hike
2024-02-15 18:00 - 20:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Luminary Hike
Thursday, February 15 6:00 – 8:00 pm
All ages, 5 & under free
Cost: $10/member, $15/member with snowshoe rental;
$15/non-members, $20/non-members with snowshoe rental
Must pre-register for this event with a specific entry time

With or without snow, come on out to River Bend and enjoy an illuminated evening hike! Hot cocoa will be provided! Participants are welcome to bring their own snowshoes.

Growling Good Storytime with Sammy!
2024-02-17 11:00 - 12:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Growling Good Storytime with Sammy!
Have a growling good time with animal ambassador, Sammy. Learn what makes the Tiger Salamander a cool animal!
Free for all ages . Saturday, February 17 . 11:00-12:00 pm

Lunch & Learn: In depth look at Woodpeckers
2024-02-21 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: In depth look at Woodpeckers
Cost: $10; $5 for River Bend members.

Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: In depth look at Woodpeckers with guest speaker Andy Wendt from Nerstrand State Park
Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.

Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock!
2024-02-26 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Rocks Rock!
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, February 26, 2024, 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.

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-03-02 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club
March Theme: Climate Change
Saturday, March 2, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Teens and Adults
Cost: Free!
Book 1: A Guide on Climate Optimism and Environmental Sustainability
Book 2: Memory of Water by Emmi Itäranta
We’ll meet the 1st Saturday of each month to have a one group discussion on a book. Refreshments provided. Please register by filling out this form.

Little Sprouts: Maple Trees & Sap
2024-03-11 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Maple Trees and Sap
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, March 11, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Where do we get tasty Maple Syrup from? Maple trees! In this class, we’ll learn about maple sap and what it’s used for. Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Homeschool: Geology
2024-03-11 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Geology
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, March 11, 2024, 1-3pm
Geology rocks! Learn all about rocks and minerals and how scientists learn about what happened millions of years ago.

Maple Syruping
2024-03-16 10:30 - 11:30 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Maple Syruping
All Ages. Cost: (FREE for members) $5/person, $15/family * a family is 2 adults and 4 kids under 18
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm
Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm
Thursday, March 28, 2024, 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm
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.

Lunch & Learn: Twin Cities Coyote & Fox Project
2024-03-20 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Twin Cities Coyote & Fox Project
Cost: $10; $5 for River Bend members.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Twin Cities Coyote & Fox Project with guest speaker Geoff Miller
Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.

Sweet Reads Book Club
2024-04-06 14:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Sweet Reads Book Club
April Theme: Sustainability
Saturday, March 2, 2024
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Teens and Adults
Cost: Free!
Book 1: Rooted: Stories of Life, Land and a Farming Revolution, by Sarah Langford
Book 2: The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good
We’ll meet the 1st Saturday of each month to have a one group discussion on a book. Refreshments provided. Please register by filling out this form.

Little Sprouts: Spiders
2024-04-08 09:30 - 11:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Little Sprouts: Spiders
Cost: $10/child, $5/member
Monday, April 8, 2024, 9:30am-11am
Come learn all about spiders and how beneficial they are in nature. Dress for the weather, as a portion of the class will be outside.

Homeschool: Water Cycle
2024-04-08 13:00 - 15:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Homeschool: Water Cycle
ages 5-12. Cost: $10/person, $5/member
Monday, April 8, 2024, 1-3pm
Water, water everywhere! Learn about the importance of the water cycle through games and activities!

Lunch & Learn: Dakota County's New Bison Herd
2024-04-17 12:00 - 14:00 | River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Rd., Faribault, MN, 55021
Lunch & Learn: Dakota County’s New Bison Herd
Cost: $10 ($5 for River Bend members).

Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 12:00-2:00pm
Topic: Dakota County’s New Bison Herd: Guest speaker Dakota County Naturalist
Bring your own lunch and join us as we learn about a new topic each month.
