Nature's Laboratory Foraging Workshop
2024-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1pm-3pm
Carpenter Nature Center – MN Campus
12805 Saint Croix Trail S, Hastings, MN 55033
Presentations & Hike: $15/person
Optional Make & Take Class Add-On $20/person

Presentations: 1 – 2 PM
“Heritage Highlight: Nature’s Laboratory” will bring the community together to learn about foraging, herbal medicine, and traditional ethnobotany from Master Alchemist, Heather
Mashuga and The Friendly Forager, Tanna Worrell. Our teachers will have a variety of their products available for purchase. Hear about the Heritage Area and Carpenter Nature Center’s programs.
Enjoy refreshments and a delicious tea made from locally foraged ingredients.

Optional Add-On: Make & Take Class: 3 – 4 PM
Herbalist Heather Mashuga is offering an optional Make & Take class after the program for those who want to try their hand at making herbal tinctures! Make and Take class is optional and must be added at registration.

Registration:
Registration is required for this event. Register online by clicking the link – Carpenter Nature Center · Heritage Highlight: Nature’s Laboratory Foraging Workshop (lglforms.com)
You must select BOTH the hike and optional ‘make and take’ class at registration if you plan to attend the entire workshop.
For questions, please contact Abbey at 651-437-4359 or at Abbey@carpenternaturecenter.org
This event is offered in partnership with North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area, Master Alchemist Heather Mashuga, and The Friendly Forager Tanna Worrell.

Wisconsin Campus Wings of Spring Festival
2024-05-11 06:00 - 12:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Join Carpenter Nature Center, Tropical Wings, and the St. Croix Valley Bird Club for a morning of birding!

Guided hikes for birders of all skill levels
Bird banding demonstrations
Activities include birding 101, kids crafts, native planting for birds, preventing window strikes, and more!
Sample and learn about bird-friendly coffee

Located at the Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center on the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus | 279 South Cove Road, Hudson WI, 54016
ADVANCED REGISTRATION FOR BIRD HIKES IS REQUIRED – Click here to Register Online!
Select from one of the following hike options during registration:

6:00 AM – Noon | Full Morning Hike | Led by Brian Collins

Please note: The meeting place for this hike is on the north end of the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus at 300 East Cove Road, Hudson. This hike is designed for adult birders of any skill level that are looking for an extended birding experience.

8:00 – 10:00 AM | Adult Learners Hike | Led by representatives from Tropical Wings and the St. Croix Valley Bird Club

Please note: The meeting place for this hike is at the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center at 279 South Cove Road, Hudson. This hike is designed for adult birders of any skill level that are looking for an informative and casual birding experience.

8:00 AM – TBD | Family-friendly Hike | Led by representatives from Tropical Wings and the St. Croix Valley Bird Club

Please note: The meeting place for this hike is at the Carpenter Nature Center Wisconsin Campus Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center at 279 South Cove Road, Hudson. This hike is designed for birders of all ages and skill levels. The educational content and length of the hike will be determined by hike leaders based on the specific needs of the learners in each group.

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2024-05-11 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: 279 South 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.
**apart of the Wings of Spring Event

Birdie Big Year: Elevating Women Birders with Tiffany Kersten
2024-05-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Presented by Tiffany Kersten, 2021 Big Year record holder and professional bird guide.
Tiffany Kersten didn’t set out to do a Big Year, but after a series of unanticipated and serendipitous events, she suddenly found herself amidst one. As a sexual assault survivor, she spent 2021 traveling to all corners of the Lower 48 States, tallying birds and gifting personal safety alarms to women she met along the way. Her goal was to see 700 species, and to raise awareness of women’s safety in the outdoors. She ended up surpassing her goal and setting a new record, of 726 species. In her presentation, Tiffany will lead us through the fear, empowerment, struggles, and healing that all played vital roles in the personal growth she experienced on this wild adventure.

Program Fee: This program is FREE, thanks to sponsorship from the Saint Paul Audubon Society and Wild River Audubon Society. However, SPACE IS LIMITED AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
Registration: Click here to Register Online.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Welcome Back Birds
2024-05-22 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. Call ahead to register. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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.

Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2024-05-31 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-06-28 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-07-26 08:30 - 12:00, 2024-08-23 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 Bird Hike
2024-06-01 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-07-06 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-03 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-09-07 08:00 - 10:00 | 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 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
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.

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
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
2024-06-08 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-08-10 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.

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.

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 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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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.
