Upcoming Events

Join as the University of Minnesota’s Raptor Center releases rehabilitated raptors to the water, prairie and forest of the Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center. Visitors will enjoy watching 4-6 wild birds of prey take to the air after being rehabilitated by The Raptor Center’s veterinarians. The FREE event starts at 10:00 am, with bird releases at 11:00 am. There are many other fall activities to do as well. For more information follow the link or call 651-437-4359. https://carpenternaturecenter.org/plan-your-visit/annual-events/raptor-release/

Each fall, thousands of raptors and other bird migrants follow the St. Croix/Mississippi River Flyway south to their wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and beyond. Our team of spotters and greeters will set up behind the Administration Building to count migrants including raptors, songbirds, gulls, and other southbound birds. Come ask questions, check in on the count totals, or participate in the count. Binoculars will be available upon request. Program Fee: FREE. For more information, please call 651-437-4359.

Join expert birder, Kevin Smith, on a morning hike around the Nature Center. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound. Field guides and binoculars are available to use or bring your own. Program fee: $6.00 or free for “Friends of CNC,” Hastings Environmental Protectors, Hastings High School students and St. Croix Valley Bird Club members. Please RSVP at 651-437-4359.

Celebrate the fall at Carpenter Nature Center’s annual Apple Harvest. Join in our hayrides, children’s activities, live animals, music and great food. Spend time in our Visitors Center to learn of the habitat and animals of the St. Croix River Valley. Enjoy the spectacular fall colors of the river valley, and visit our neighboring orchards and their activities. Dates are Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13 from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm . For more information, please call 651-437-4359.

Learn about the migration patterns of Saw-whet Owls. Join our naturalists as they venture out to band some of our native owls on the WI Campus. Space is limited for this FREE program, so please call 651-437-4359 early to reserve your spot. Program is weather dependent.

Learn about the migration patterns of Saw-whet Owls. Join our naturalists as they venture out to band some of our native owls on the MN Campus. Space is limited for this FREE program, so please call 651-437-4359 early to reserve your spot. Program is weather dependent.

Join CNC’s expert bird banders every month as they catch, band and release songbirds on our Minnesota campus. Banding runs continuously and visitors may come and go at any time. Donations of birdseed or suet are greatly appreciated in lieu of a program fee.