Carpenter Nature Center

Minnesota Campus Guided Winter Hike - CANCELED
2024-01-13 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
THIS PROGRAM IS CANCELED.
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359 or register online by following the link HERE.
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Kick off the new year with a CNC naturalist while you look for birds and other wildlife and enjoy the scenic St. Croix River. After the hike, warm up in the Visitor Center and meet some of CNC’s live animal ambassadors!
Program Fee: $10 per person / $5 for ‘Friends of CNC’ / Free for Frosty 40 participants.
*This hike no longer included snowshoeing due to lack of snow*

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike - CANCELED
2024-01-13 09:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
THIS PROGRAM IS CANCELED
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 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.

FREE Family Ice Fishing at Lake Rebecca *Canceled*
2024-01-06 09:00 - 12:00 | Lake Rebecca, 415 Lock & Dam Road, Hastings, MN, 55033
*THis event has been canceled due to poor ice conditions*

Learn to ice fish from the experts at these fun and educational catch-and-release programs. Bait, tackle, and poles provided. Programs are open to learners of all ages, and no fishing license required!
Location: 415 Lock & Dam Rd in Hastings.
For more info, contact Paige Marschall Bigler of Hastings Parks & Recreation at 651-480-6182.
Click here to Register.

Owl & Ales *FULL*
2024-01-04 17:45 - 20:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Space is limited and reservations are required. To register please call 651-437-4359 or register online by clicking HERE.
Must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Fee: $25 / Person
Enjoy an after-hours hike in the scenic St. Croix River valley at Carpenter Nature Center. After our eyes adjust, we will head out on trail to watch and listen for some of Minnesota’s native owl species. This portion of the event is outdoors; please dress for the weather.
After our Owl Prowl adventure, we will join the staff at Spiral Brewery for a guided tour of the flagship flavors and styles of their beers on tap at the moment in the taproom. The tasting includes a beer flight for each participant and a staff member leading a discussion around each beer sample. Enjoy the atmosphere of the bright and fun taproom while you learn about the history of Spiral Brewery and its beer. This experience will take approximately 45 minutes, with the option to stay for another beer you can purchase on your own! Cheers!
The cost is $25 and includes a hike and 1 beer flight, and guided tasting.

Minnesota Campus Bird Banding
2023-12-29 08:30 - 12:00, 2023-11-17 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
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 lieu of a program fee.
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 - Animal Signs
2023-12-15 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
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. Program Fee: $6 per child or $4 for ‘Friends of CNC.’ No charge for adults.

Exotic Pet Surrender Event
2023-12-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
All questions should be directed to John Moyles of J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue at adoptions@jraar.org.
In some areas, there are no rehoming options for exotic animals such as fish, birds, and reptiles. Some pet owners that are unable to care for their pet may think that releasing the animal is the right thing to do, however, releasing a pet is harmful for the animal and the environment. Organized by J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, this event brings together a collection of area partners that provide rehoming services for exotic pet owners who are no longer able to care for their pets. Area organizations will be accepting fish, invertebrates, reptiles, pet birds, small mammals, and plants. Domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and chickens are not accepted.
Carpenter Nature Center is providing support as a host for this event, but is not involved with organizing, and will not be adopting any of the surrendered animals.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Animal Signs
2023-12-13 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
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. Program Fee: $6 per child or $4 for ‘Friends of CNC.’ No charge for adults.

Wisconsin Campus Holiday Decor Making
2023-12-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration is required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Join CNC Director of Education and Visitor Services Sarah Germscheid to create a one-of-a-kind holiday home décor piece. Participants will be outside for a portion of the program collecting materials, please dress for the weather. Program Fee: $30 per person.

Wisconsin Campus Holiday Decor Making - FULL
2023-12-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
PROGRAM IS FULL
Pre-registration is required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Join CNC Director of Education and Visitor Services Sarah Germscheid to create a one-of-a-kind holiday home décor piece. Participants will be outside for a portion of the program collecting materials, please dress for the weather. Program Fee: $30 per person.

Inclusive, Accessible Outdoors! SWEEP Fall Networking Event
2023-11-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Wild Rivers Conservancy, 1015 N Cascade Street, Osceola, WI, 54020
Join fellow environmental enthusiasts and educators on Thursday, November 16 from 10:00am – 2:00pm to hear success stories and new ideas for providing inclusive and accessible outdoor spaces and programming. This event is free and open to any interested in participating!

Organized by: SWEEP – St. Croix Watershed Environmental Education Partnership
Hosted by: Wild Rivers Conservancy – 1015 N Cascade Street, Osceola, WI 54020

Schedule of Events
10:00-10:30am | Networking w/ Coffee/Tea and pastries provided
10:30am-Noon | Panel discussion focusing on success stories and new ideas on creating inclusive and accessible programs and spaces
Noon-12:30pm | Lunch – Bring your own.
12:30-2:00pm | Guided outdoor activities

RSVP at https://forms.office.com/g/uFP0yB2Pnw
