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 […]
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 Weather Watch Update: Due to rain currently forecasted for 1:00 p.m., we are planning to release the rehabilitated raptors earlier than originally scheduled. Bird releases will begin at Noon (12 pm) with programs will follow until 2 pm, rain permitting. Because the birds cannot be released […]
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 Program Fee: Free Join Carpenter Nature Center and the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union host the 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 […]
Wisconsin Summit for Natural Resources Volunteers, Oct 1-3, 2026 Threads of Service: Woven Together in Nature Co-hosted by the Wisconsin Master Naturalist Program, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center Join us and celebrate nature-based volunteerism. Learn, share, laugh and reconnect with a community that shares your passion for conservation! […]
Registration: Pre-registration required. Register Online 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.
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center’s annual Apple Festival! This event is free and is held rain (or snow) or shine. Enjoy pick-your-own apples, hayrides (weather permitting), cider-making demonstrations, live music, live animal programs, children’s activities, apple brats grilled by the Hastings Lions, baked goods, […]
Pre-registration required – Register Online Here Location: North End - 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI 54016 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.
Location: Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center - 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI 54016 Registration: Online Registration. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Program Fee: This program is FREE, however donations to Carpenter Nature Center are always appreciated. Learn about the migration patterns of Northern Saw-whet Owls. Join our researchers as they venture […]
Pre-registration required – register ONLINE HERE Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 – Apple Shack Program Fee: $5 per person Youth ages 12 – 19 years old are invited to experience the fall harvest at Carpenter's Apple Orchard! Students will learn how apples are harvested and packed out to ensure top quality fruit is […]
Pre-registration required - Register Here Location: 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016 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.