St. Croix Scramble Golf Tournament

The St. Croix Valley Scramble is a fundraising golf event benefiting Carpenter Nature Center. Each year business and community golfers gather at a local area golf course for this popular fundraiser, which includes many prizes, catered lunch and dinner, and hole contests. It’s a wonderful day of golf and friendship. Save the date and plan […]

Explorers Summer Camp *FULL for 2022*

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Week-long day camp for children ages 9-11. July 18 - 22 Mon—Wed 9:00 am—4:00 pm, Thurs 9:00 am—Fri 12:00 pm

Public Bird Banding: MN Campus

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Join CNC’s expert bird banders as they catch, band, and release songbirds on our Minnesota campus. Banding runs continuously and visitors may come and go at any time. Program fee: Free. For more information please call 651-437-4359.

River Fest Evening Prairie Hike

Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, United States

Space is limited and reservations are required, so call CNC at 651-437-4359. Location: Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson Join Jennifer Vieth, Director of Carpenter Nature Center, for an evening hike through the prairie. We’ll be looking for blooming forbs and grasses as well as listening and looking for birds. This also includes plant, insect and […]

Christmas in the July Bird Count

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Space is limited and reservations are required, so call CNC at 651-437-4359. Location: Carpenter Nature Center MN Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings. Hike around the grounds or set up by the bird feeders to count birds. We’ll have experienced birders leading the hike and stationed near the feeders to answer questions. Program is […]

Namekagon Canoe Trip Summer Camp *FULL for 2022*

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Specialized camps designed to foster an interest in nature for youth ages 12 – 15 Join CNC naturalists for a three day/two night canoe trip on the Namekagon and St Croix Rivers.  We’ll canoe about 17 miles and camp along these rivers. Canoes, paddles, food, cooking equipment, tents, transportation, and PFDs are supplied. Canoeing experience […]

Weeds & Wildflowers *CANCELED*

Wisconsin Campus 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI

This program is canceled due to the weather Join Jyneen Thatcher on a guided plant hike around CNC's WI Campus. Wildflowers and weeds are both present on the CNC properties. Using a mix of collected samples and a walk around the neighborhood (woods, prairie or roadside) you'll learn to identify them and some of the […]

Pathfinders Summer Camp *FULL for 2022*

Wisconsin Campus 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, WI

Space is limited, and registrations are required. Please RSVP by calling (651)-437-4359. Week-long day camp on our WI Campus for ages 10 and older Explore the connection between the environment and food production through a variety of hands-on field trip experiences. Walk through a dairy farm, see bison in the prairie, pick berries at an organic […]

Trails & Ales *CANCELED*

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Enjoy the beauty of the St. Croix River Valley with an after-hours hike at Carpenter Nature Center. Learn about the history of CNC, listen for birds, spot wildflowers, and more during a 45-minute naturalist-led hike. After the hike, we will meet at nearby Spiral Brewery in Hastings, Minnesota for a Taproom Takeover! Join the staff […]

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike

Carpenter Nature Center - Minnesota Campus 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, United States

Space is limited, and registrations are required. Please RSVP by calling (651)-437-4359. 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 […]