Please call 651-437-4359 to register for the below programs or contact the Program Director

Ongoing programs

Preschool Story Times 10:30 - 11:30 am on the following Fridays

Dec 4 - Get Ready for Winter

Jan 15 - Animals in Winter - program time will be 10-11am starting in 2010

Carpenter Nature Center’s Preschool Story Times are designed to introduce young children, ages 2 through 5 (with a parent or guardian), to nature in a fun and safe environment.  The fun-filled hour of activities includes a nature story, an art or craft project, exploring the outdoors, and observing live animals.  Please call 651-437-4359 to register.  Program fee: $5.00 or $3.00 for “Friends of CNC;" no charge for accompanying adult. 

Bird Banding  9:00 am - noon on the following Fridays

Dec 18, Jan 22, Feb 26

Have you ever wondered what bird banding is all about?  This is your chance to see songbirds up close and to watch the experts band birds at Carpenter Nature Center. Bird banding records can help us learn how long the birds live, where they travel, when and where they migrate and many other interesting facts. Carpenter Nature Center has been banding birds for over 26 years and still meets weekly to capture, record, band and release songbirds.  Donations of sunflower bird seed or suet will be greatly appreciated in lieu of a program fee.

Special Monthly programs

Friday January 29                 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

Enjoy the winter night under the light of the moon with a relaxing snowshoe hike at Carpenter Nature Center.  Afterward, warm up by the fire and enjoy some fresh popcorn and hot apple cider.  Snowshoes provided or bring your own.  Dress appropriately for the weather; recommended for ages 10 and up. Call 651-437-4359 for reservations.  Program fee:  $7.00 or $5.00 for “Friends of CNC”

Saturday February 20           10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Water Color Painting

Learn to paint from internationally renown artist Charlene Buescher.  This class is for people with no previous drawing or painting experience and can be a great activity to do with your child or grandchild with a memorable painting to take home at the end of the day!  If you are experienced, her techniques will be new; so you will be challenged and gain valuable tools to improve your skills.  You will use a large brush and very little pencil for optimum learning of watercolor painting.  You will go home with your original completed landscape, and enthusiasm that watercolor is fun, easy, versatile, portable, inexpensive and gratifying.  Contact Charlene at charleneart@yahoo.com if you have questions.  Call ahead to get the equipment list or arrange to borrow supplies (for an additional $23).  Program fee:  $45.00 per person or $42.00 for “Friends of CNC’; bag lunch required.

Friday, February 26               7:00 – 9:00 pm

Moonlight Snowshoe Hike

Enjoy the winter night under the light of the moon with a relaxing snowshoe hike at Carpenter Nature Center.  Afterward, warm up by the fire and enjoy some fresh popcorn and hot apple cider.  Snowshoes provided or bring your own.  Dress appropriately for the weather; recommended for ages 10 and up. Call 651-437-4359 for reservations.  Program fee: $7.00 or $5.00 for “Friends"

Sunday, March 7                    1:00 – 2:00 pm

All About Owls

Presented by the World Bird Sanctuary from St. Louis, Missouri

Over 200 different species of owls share our earth.  Meet the World Bird Sanctuary’s founding director Walter C. Crawford, Jr. and several exotic owl species while learning the importance of their existence.  All About Owls gives you insight into those mysterious birds of the night.  Come and see owls from all over the world – a Tawny Owl, a Spectacled Owl, a Eurasian Eagle Owl and a free-flying demonstration from a European Barn Owl.  Space is limited; reservations required.  Program fee: $8.00 or $5.00 for “Friends of CNC”

March 14 - 20

Eco-tour to Jalisco, Mexico

Jim Fitzpatrick is finalizing an eco-tourism trip to Jalisco, Mexico, 44Km south of Puerta Vallarta.  Lodging for the trip will be a private American-owned ranch called Rancho Primavera in the town of El Tuito.  Cost is $2195 for six nights and seven days includes lodging, breakfasts and dinners at the ranch, lunches at local restaurants, guides, all activities and entrance fees, snacks, and transportation once in Puerta Vallarta (airfare not included).  A $500 deposit is due by Nov 1st.

    Guides will be Larry Liese of Tucson Audubon, an avid and enthusiastic birder and veteran of hundreds of trips into Mexico.  We will also be joined by Pinau Merlin, a naturalist and author of numerous books on the natural history of the Sonora Desert region.  Her insights and observations have been featured on PBS' Arizona Illustrated on National Public Radio, and in the Smithsonian and National Wildlife magazines.

    These leaders have promised over 150 species of birds in habitats including Pacific Ocean coast, mangroves, lowland thorn shrubs, arid and moist deciduous forests, pine-oak and pine woodlands, boating to Los Arcos in the bay of Banderas, snorkeling, and sea turtle conservation.  This promises to be an outstanding trip full of birds and all manner of natural history.  Reserve your places soon.  Call Carpenter Nature Center at 651-437-4359 for more info.

Sunday March 21                  1:00 – 3:00 pm

Making Maple Syrup

Welcome the coming of spring by joining the CNC staff in the tradition of making maple syrup. We’ll hike to the “sugarbush” to tap maple trees, witness the process of turning sap into syrup and sample the finished product.  This program will start indoors, but be prepared to hike in the spring snow and mud.  Call 651-437-4359 to make your reservation.  Program fee: $5.00 or $3.00 for “Friends of CNC” and children under 10

Sunday March 28                  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Pruning Apple Trees

Whether you only have a couple apple trees in your backyard or if you operate an orchard, you are invited to join Carpenter Nature Center’s Horticulturist for a session on pruning apple trees.  Winter and early spring is the best time for pruning fruit trees, so bundle up to walk through the orchard to see examples of properly pruned trees.  See what a difference proper pruning can make and learn about the theory behind pruning.  Learn what tools to use and participate in a pruning exercise in the orchard. Call 651-437-4359 by March 23 to make your reservation.  Program fee:  $20.00 or $15.00 for “Friends of CNC” (includes apple tree pruning manual)