Carpenter Nature Center

Wisconsin Campus Apple Tree Care
2026-03-09 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – register ONLINE HERE
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $10 per person / $8 for ‘Friends of CNC’
Join CNC Orchardist Sam Behrends for a classroom presentation covering everything you need to know to get started growing apple trees or taking care of the ones you already have. Topics covered will include planning considerations, tree selection, planting, early care, pest management, seasonal maintenance, and pruning.
Program is offered on:
MN visitor center – March 2nd / 5:30 – 7:30 pm
WI visitor center – March 9th / 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
2026-03-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-07 09:00 - 11:00, 2026-01-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
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.

Minnesota Campus Apple Tree Care
2026-03-02 17:30 - 19:30 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Masters of the Sky
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-01 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
One of our team’s favorite events is back… the Masters of the Sky weekend! Educators and birds from the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, Missouri, will be coming to Carpenter to present a captivating program about birds of prey. Learn about eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls from around the world and see them close up. Witness the silent flight of a Barn Owl and be amazed at the aerial maneuverability of a Harris’ Hawk.
Space is limited so make sure you book your ticket early! Check out the Event Page to see show times and register.

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2026-02-14 09:00 - 11:00 | North End – Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, 54016
Pre-registration required – Register Online Here
Location: North End – Wisconsin Campus 300 East Cove Road, 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.

*FULL* Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - I Love Owls
2026-02-13 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
This program is full – please call 651-437-4359 to be added to a waitlist
Online pre-registration required – Registration opens January 16th / Register Online Here
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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Owls & Ales
2026-02-12 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. Register online by clicking
HERE.
Must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Program Fee:
$25 / Person for General Admission
$15 / Person for ‘Friends of CNC’
$10 / Person for Frosty Forty-five Participants
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 the 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. We will be hiking a short distance on a paved trail but weather conditions can make the trail icy. You are welcome to bring Yak Traks or trekking poles if desired. We will also stop in the Visitor Center after the hike to meet CNC’s ambassador owl.
Once we wrap up at Carpenter, you will drive the short distance to Spiral Brewery. The staff at Spiral will lead us through 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-led 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!
Program fee includes a hike and 1 beer flight, and guided tasting.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - I Love Owls
2026-02-11 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Online pre-registration required – Registration Opens January 14th / Register Online 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.

FREE Family Ice Fishing
2026-02-07 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-10 09:00 - 12:00 | Lake Rebecca, 415 Lock & Dam Road, Hastings, MN, 55033
Ever wanted to ice fish but don’t have the equipment or know-how or just want to experience ice fishing without all the work of set up? Join us for ice fishing at Lake Rebecca Park and we’ll do the prep work while you enjoy time outdoors with family or friends!
– Register for a start time. Volunteers & Equipment are available until Noon.
-Poles, Bait, Tackle & instruction provided
-Pre-drilled holes & underwater cameras
-Fishing gear & gift card giveaways
-No license is needed under our DNR waiver
-Parking? Lake Rebecca Park, 415 Lock and Dam Road, Hastings
Questions? Contact Hastings Parks and Recreation 651-480-6175 or email Parksinfo@hastingsmn.gov
Follow the link to register for a timeslot today! FREE Family Ice Fishing Registration Link

Confluence: Past, Present, and Future
2026-02-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required. Register Online, or call 651-437-4359 ext. 0
Program Fee: FREE
Join retired CNC Program Director Mayme Johnson at our Minnesota Campus to listen to stories about the early days of Point Douglas and the connection to Carpenter Nature Center. We’ll be looking back at the past 45 years of CNC history sharing photos and events that helped shape what CNC is today.
Unable to attend? This program will be recorded and a link will be emailed out to all registrants afterwards.
Rescheduled from original program date on Thursday 1/22.

*CANCELED* Wisconsin Campus Moonlight Snowshoe Hike
2026-01-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Due to poor snow conditions this program has been canceled.
Pre-registration required – please call 651-437-4359
Location: Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center – 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: $8 per person or $5 for ‘Friends of CNC,’ or Free for Frosty 45 participants
Enjoy a moonlit evening with a guided snowshoe hike at CNC. Enjoy light refreshments & snacks after. 18+ age. “6 inches of snow needed to use snowshoes. Program will be modified to a guided winter hike without snowshoes if there is not enough snow.

*FULL* Minnesota Campus Moonlight Snowshoe Hike
2026-01-30 19:00 - 21:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
This program is full.
Pre-registration required – register online HERE
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $8 per person or $5 for ‘Friends of CNC,’ or Free for Frosty 45 participants
Enjoy a moonlit evening with a guided snowshoe hike at CNC. Enjoy light refreshments & snacks after. 18+ age. “6 inches of snow needed to use snowshoes. Program will be modified to a guided winter hike without snowshoes if there is not enough snow.

Wisconsin Campus Wilderness First Aid
2026-01-24 - 2026-01-25 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Preregistration required – CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
Location: Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI 54016
Class times for both days. You must attend both days to be certified.
Saturday, January 24| 8:30AM – 6:30PM
Sunday, January 25 | 8:30AM – 6:30PM
Prepare for the unexpected with this engaging, hands-on introduction to wilderness medicine, taught over two days. This is a great course for anyone who recreates outdoors whether you are family camping, scouting, solo or with a group of friends. People of all experience levels will learn Wilderness First Aid, Adult + Pediatric CPR/AED, and patient assessment through hands-on learning. At the end of the course, you will know to to provide effective first-aid treatment for injuries and illnesses common outdoors and how to make evacuation decisions when medical help may be hours or days away.
Class is 20 hours over two days, which includes meal breaks.
Important: Your certification will be based on attendance, class participation and demonstration of your understanding of the material. You will receive the certificate 2-5 business days after class. The certificate is good for 2 years. This course is for ages 18+.

*CANCELED* Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2026-01-23 08:30 - 12:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
This program is canceled due to the extreme low temperatures.
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.

*FULL* Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Fantastic Fox
2026-01-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – Please call to be added to the Waitlist – 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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

*FULL* Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Fantastic Fox
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Please call to be added to the Waitlist – 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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2026-01-10 09:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Location: Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove, 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.
Registration: Pre-registration required – Register Online or call 651-437-4359

Owls & Ales - FULL
2026-01-08 17:45 - 20:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
This program is now FULL. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for the Jan 8th event, please call 651-437-4359 ext. 0
There is still space available in the February 12th and March 12th event dates. Please click HERE for the registration link.
Must be 21 years of age or older to participate.
Program Fee:
$25 / Person for General Admission
$15 / Person for ‘Friends of CNC’
$10 / Person for Frosty Forty-five Participants
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 the 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. We will be hiking a short distance on a paved trail, but weather conditions can make the trail icy. You are welcome to bring Yak Traks or trekking poles if desired. We will also stop in the Visitor Center after the hike to meet CNC’s ambassador owl.
Once we wrap up at Carpenter, you will drive the short distance to Spiral Brewery. The staff at Spiral will lead us through 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-led 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!
Program fee includes a hike and 1 beer flight, and guided tasting.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Gifts for Wildlife
2025-12-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Online pre-registration required – Register Here
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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Gifts for Wildlife
2025-12-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Online 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.

*CANCELED* Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2025-12-13 09:00 - 11:00 | North End – Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, 54016
Canceled Due to Weather
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359 ext. 0
Location: North End – Wisconsin Campus 300 East Cove Road, 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 Bird Hike
2025-12-07 09:00 - 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: $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.

Wisconsin Campus Holiday Decor Making
2025-12-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration and payment required – Call 651-437-4359 ext. 103 or register HERE
Location: 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: $40 per person.
Join CNC Director of Education & Visitor Services, Sarah Germscheid, to create a one-of-a-kind holiday home décor piece (Spruce tip container). Please dress for the weather as a portion of the program participants will go on a short hike to collect material. Registration fee includes plastic planter, spruce and pine branches, red dogwood branches, birch branches and a few decorative accent pieces.
Gloves and pruning shears are provided, but bring your own if you prefer.
No refunds if you cancel on or after Dec. 1st.

Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2025-11-28 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 - Pigeon Party
2025-11-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Online pre-registration required – Click Here to Register
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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Pigeon Party
2025-11-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Online pre-registration required – Click Here to Register
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.

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2025-11-08 09:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
Location: 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.
