Pre-registration is required. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve your spot. Join an expert birder 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: $5.00 or free for “Friends of CNC,” Hastings Environmental Protectors, Hastings High […]

Hike various trails on our Wisconsin campus and learn to identify birds with local experts from the St Croix Valley Bird Club. Facemasks requested during check-in and when participants are closer than 6 feet. Meet at 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI. Please call 651-437-4359 to let us know you are coming. Program fee: $5 […]

Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center’s annual Apple Festival. This event is held snow or shine, with several activities being adjusted to accommodate the colder weather. At our orchard enjoy pick-your-own Apples and Pumpkins, the volunteer bake sale, cider-making demonstrations, pumpkin painting, delicious apple brats from the Hastings Lions Club, and more! For updates […]

Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center’s annual Apple Festival. This event is held snow or shine, with several activities being adjusted to accommodate the colder weather. At our orchard enjoy pick-your-own Apples and Pumpkins, the volunteer bake sale, cider-making demonstrations, pumpkin painting, delicious apple brats from the Hastings Lions Club, and more! For updates […]

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.

Pre-registrations required. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve your start time. Monthly preschool story time programs are designed to introduce children ages 2 – 5 to nature in a fun and safe environment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Start times will be staggered to allow for small groups and social distancing. Facemasks requested for check-in […]

Join CNC naturalist Abbey Holden for a morning of native seed collection. Explore the prairie of our Minnesota campus while learning to identify native species and how to harvest seed. This is a great family event, perfect for all ages. Seed collection plays an important role in the continued habitat management of Minnesota's beautiful native […]

Pre-registration required and space is limited, so call 651-437-4359 to reserve your spot. Discover how the bodies of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals help them thrive and survive in their environments. During this program, you will get a chance to meet some of CNC’s live Animal Ambassadors as we investigate what makes each of them […]

Pre-registration is required. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve your spot. Learn about the migration patterns of Northern Saw-whet Owls. Join our researchers as they venture out to band some of our native owls.  This program is weather dependent. Program fee: FREE.  

Pre-registration is required. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve your spot. Join an expert birder 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: $5.00 or free for “Friends of CNC,” Hastings Environmental Protectors, Hastings High […]