Carpenter Nature Center

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
2024-10-05 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-07 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-03 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-07-06 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-01 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Chicago) | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $5 per person or FREE for ‘Friends of CNC,’ SCVBC and students.
Learn to identify birds with local experts. Binoculars and field guides available or bring your own.

Minnesota Campus Migratory Bird Count and Hawk Watch
2024-09-29 08:00 - 14:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
FREE PROGRAM FOR BIRDERS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES
Carpenter Nature Center and the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union host the 8th Annual Migratory Bird Count and Hawk Watch!
Each fall, thousands of raptors and other birds fly south to their wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and beyond. Our friendly team of spotters will be counting migrants including raptors, songbirds, gulls, and other southbound birds. Come ask questions, check in on the count totals, or participate in the count.
Location: CNC Minnesota Campus | 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Binoculars available upon request.
For more information, please call 651-437-4359.

Minnesota Campus Raptor Release
2024-09-28 11:00 - 14:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Join Carpenter Nature Center and The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota as they release rehabilitated bird of prey. Event includes hay wagon rides (weather permitting), kids activities, raptors on display, and a variety of education booths from area environmental organizations. This FREE event is enjoyed by all ages. Dogs are not allowed.
More information can be found on our event webpage.

Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2024-09-27 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-08-23 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-07-26 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-06-28 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-05-31 08:30 - 12:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 – back patio of the Administration Building
Program Fee: Free
See birds up close and watch the experts band birds at CNC. Banding runs continuously, so come and go as you please. Donations of bird seed and suet are appreciated in place of a program fee. In case of inclement weather such as heavy rain or snow banding may be canceled.
All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s BBL.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Orchard Fun
2024-09-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $6 per child or $4 for ‘Friends of CNC.’ No charge for adults.

These programs introduce children ages 2-5 to nature in a fun and safe environment. Listen to stories, spend time outdoors, make a craft and meet CNC’s live animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2024-09-14 08:00 - 10:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Rd, Hudson, WI 54016
Learn to identify birds with local experts. Binoculars and field guides available or bring your own. Program Fee: $5 per person or FREE for ‘Friends of CNC,’ SCVBC and students.

Tropical Wings Fall Migration Celebration Featuring Big Year Keynote Presentation
2024-09-14 07:00 - 12:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Whacky Worms
2024-08-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Whacky Worms
2024-08-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: $6 per child or $4 for ‘Friends of CNC.’ No charge for adults.
These programs introduce children ages 2-5 to nature in a fun and safe environment. Listen to stories, spend time outdoors, make a craft and meet CNC’s live animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Buzzin' Backyards: The Art of Bringing Nature to Your Door
2024-08-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Buzzing for information on everything pollinators? Join us for the Buzzin’ Backyards native plant and pollinator festival. This FREE event runs 12-4 PM and will feature local organizations, speakers, and activities for all ages highlighting our native plant and pollinator communities.
Located at the Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center on the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus | 279 South Cove Road, Hudson WI, 54016

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Speakers and Presentations
12:30—1:00 PM Native Garden Designs with Angie Hong
1:30—2:00 PM Native Pollinators with Margot Monson
2:30—3:00 PM UWRF Native Habitat and Soil Health Research Summary with Dr. Kevyn Juneau
3:30—4:00 PM Lawns to Gardens with Organic Bob

Activities and Booths
12:00—4:00 PM Organization Booths and Table Talks in Atrium
12:00—4:00 PM Planting Party with Gladi Sippel
1:00—2:00 PM Monarch Tagging with Abbey Holden
2:00— 2:30 PM Pollinator Hike with Margot Monson
3:00—3:30 PM Bird Hike with Tropical Wings

Be sure to Stop by the Art Festival between 10 AM – 5 PM

Carpenter Art Festival
2024-08-17 10:00 - 17:00 | Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016
Join us at the CNC Wisconsin Campus for the 8th annual art festival. It will feature more than 50 nature-oriented artists and vendors producing jewelry, ceramics, photography, sculptures, dried gourds and more.
Participating artists donate a portion of their sales from the event to support the environmental educational programs at the Carpenter Nature Center.
Local vendors from the Hudson area will be at the festival providing various food and drinks.
Located at the CNC Wisconsin Campus: 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI.
Visit our event page for more information!

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2024-08-10 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-08 08:00 - 10:00 | North End – Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, 54016
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 300 East Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: $5 per person or FREE for ‘Friends of CNC,’ SCVBC and students.
Learn to identify birds with local experts. Binoculars and field guides available or bring your own.

Inspiration from the Wild Side: Nature Journaling Class
2024-08-03 09:30 - 14:30 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Inspiration from the Wild Side
Please join Nature Sketchbook artist Pam Luer, pamluer.com, and Lynette Anderson, Interpretive Naturalist for a day of intimate exploration and observation at the beautiful Wisconsin Campus of Carpenter Nature Center, in Hudson WI. Through guided sketching, writing prose, or poetry, we will be inspired by nature and find a deeper, more holistic understanding of place and personal exploration. With the trails and prairie as our classroom, please join us for a reflective day while connecting to the natural world through art and journaling. This workshop is for adults and is limited to 10 participants.
Small journal, pencil, watercolor pencils, and water brushes will be provided. If you have other materials you like to work with, please bring them. Also, don’t forget to bring:
Lunch – bring a bag lunch for a picnic-style break,
portable seating to work in the field, not a classroom – please note there are council circles and benches so portable seating is your choice,
bug spray, sunscreen, water bottle, curious minds and open hearts.
All levels of experience welcome – we will be OUTSIDE (weather permitting), and on the move.
Cost is $20 per person
Registration and prepayment are required. Click HERE to register now.
Please call 651-437-4359 with any questions.

BioBlitz - MN Campus
2024-07-26 15:00 - 2024-07-27 12:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Programs start at 3pm Friday, July 26, and run until noon on Saturday, July 27.
Learn from bird, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, and plant experts in a fun day of citizen science. Join us at the Minnesota Campus and help inventory teams in restored prairies, riparian habitats, and wooded bluff lands to discover and document plant and animal species. All ages are welcome!
Program Fee: This program is FREE, however donations are always appreciated!
Registration: Registration is not required but highly suggested. Click HERE to Register Online.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 26

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Dragonflies & Damselflies w/ Jeff Fischer.

The program will be indoors, before heading outdoors at 4 p.m. to catch, identify and release dragonflies and damselflies.

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Frogs & Wetlands w/ Chris Smith.

Explore the CNC wetland as we identify frogs by site and sound.

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Plant Hike w/ Jyneen Thatcher.

Look high and low for the incredible plants in the woods of CNC.

8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Moths w/ Dr. Kevyn Juneau.

This program will start with an introduction indoors, then the group will head outside to trap, identify and release moths.

9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Fungi under black lights w/ John Jonas

Explore the electric world of fungi with the help of black lights.

Saturday, July 27

4:45 a.m. “OMG it’s early Bird Survey” w/ Ben Douglas.

The team will get up before civil sunrise to survey birds.

9:00 – 10:00 a.m Prairie Plant Hike w/ Alex Bouthilet

Explore CNC’s large restored prairie while “nerding out” with native plants.

10:00 – 11:00 a.m Butterfly Survey w/ Dr. Kevyn Juneau

Check the traps set Friday night for invertebrates while keeping your eyes peeled for butterflies!

10:00 – 11:30 a.m St. Croix River Walk with Dwight Smith

Hike down to the St. Croix River in search of plants, turtles, birds, and all things St. Croix!

11:30 a.m – noon Species tally and wrap up celebration

Help experts tally and confirm the plant and animal species found.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Summer Fun
2024-07-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Summer Fun
2024-07-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

St. Croix Scramble Golf Fundraiser
2024-07-15 10:30 - 19:00 | Hastings Golf Club, 2015 Westview Drive, Hastings, 55033
Visit our event page for more information!

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2024-07-13 08:00 - 10:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center – 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: $5 per person or FREE for ‘Friends of CNC,’ SCVBC and students.
Learn to identify birds with local experts. Binoculars and field guides available or bring your own.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Terrific Toads
2024-06-07 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Terrific Toads
2024-06-05 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Welcome Back Birds
2024-05-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $6 per child or $4 for ‘Friends of CNC.’ No charge for adults.
These programs introduce children ages 2-5 to nature in a fun and safe environment. Listen to stories, spend time outdoors, make a craft and meet CNC’s live animals. Call ahead to register. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
