*FULL* Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Awesome Amphibians
2026-06-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Online pre-registration required – PROGRAM IS FULL
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.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Awesome Amphibians
2026-06-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Online pre-registration required – Register Online Here
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: $5 or $3 for ‘Friends of CNC’
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
2026-06-13 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-08 08:00 - 10:00 | 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.

Animal Ambassador Meet & Greet
2026-06-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Join naturalist Elsa on Sundays at CNC for training sessions and meet & greets with some of CNC’s Animal Ambassadors. She will talk through husbandry practices, natural history, and the critters will get a tasty treat.
These are FREE, drop-in programs. You don’t need to register.
Sunday, June 14th:
10 AM Kevin the Raven – Feeding and training session
12 PM Sapa the Rabbit – Meet & Greet
2:30 PM Eastern Screech Owl – Food prep and feeding

MN Campus Gentle Yoga with Julie Pfeiffer
2026-06-14 13:00 - 14:00 | 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 – 3M Pavilion
Program Fee: Free, but donations encouraged
Join Julie Pfeiffer as she leads a slower paced Vinyasa – style practice that will unite body, mind and spirit in perfect harmony. Moving and flowing at your own perfect pace, incorporating modifications and supportive tools to gently expand your flexibility, balance and overall well- being, all while enjoying the peaceful sites and sounds of Carpenter Nature Center. Please bring a yoga mat and water. Arrive 10 minutes early to allow yourself to find your space and settle in.
Julie is a seasoned instructor and provides a supportive environment and opportunities for growth in your practice. She has over a decade of experience teaching diverse yoga styles. Aside from sharing her passion of Yoga, you will find Julie enjoying walking, biking and running the trails around Hastings.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Julie Pfeiffer by calling 612-518-5140

Minnesota Campus Story Stroll - Watercress by Andrea Wang
2026-06-17 - 2026-06-24 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Registration: No registration required – Visit the trail anytime between 8:00am – 4:30pm
Location: Carpenter Nature Center Minnesota Campus | 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: Participation is FREE, however donations to CNC and/or Washington County Library are appreciated.

Combine the joy of reading and spending time in nature! Walk our designated Story Stroll path and pause at as you encounter pages of celebrated children’s picture books. This experience is self-led.
June 17 – 24 | Watercress by Andrea Wang
July 8 – 15 | Johnny’s Pheasant by Cheryl Minnema
August 5 – 12 | Mr. Fox’s Game of No by David LaRochelle
Presented in partnership with Washington County Library

Animal Ambassador Meet & Greet
2026-06-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Join naturalist Elsa on Sundays at CNC for training sessions and meet & greets with some of CNC’s Animal Ambassadors. She will talk through husbandry practices, natural history, and the critters will get a tasty treat.
These are FREE, drop-in programs. You don’t need to register.

Sunday, May 31st:10 AM Kevin the Raven – Feeding and training session12 PM False Map Turtle – Meet & Greet2:30 PM Barred Owl – Food prep and feeding

Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2026-06-26 08:30 - 12:00, 2026-08-28 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.

Youth Skills Workshop: Sustainable Agriculture
2026-06-27 09:00 - 15:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – register ONLINE HERE
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 – Interpretive Center
Program Fee: $5 per person
Join CNC Orchardist Sam Behrends to learn about the sustainable agriculture methods in use at Carpenter, and how agriculture on a broader scale can fit into a healthy ecosystem while still providing essential nourishment for people. Topics covered will include Integrated Pest Management, soil, and water health. Youth ages 12 – 19 yrs.
Thanks to generous funding from the CHS Foundation, Carpenter Nature Center is excited to launch a new Sustainable Agriculture & Orchard Skills Series for Youth. This hands-on workshop series invites youth to explore real-world agricultural experiences and build practical skills in orchard management, sustainability, and land stewardship.

Other dates & topics in this series include:

May 2 – Apple Tree Planting & Grafting
May 30 – Tractor & Equipment Safety
October 18 – Apple Production & Harvest

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
2026-07-04 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-08-01 08:00 - 10:00 | 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 Story Stroll - Johnny's Pheasant by Cheryl Minnema
2026-07-08 - 2026-07-15 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Presented in partnership with Washington County Library
Location: Carpenter Nature Center Minnesota Campus | 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, MN 55033
Combine the joy of reading and spending time in nature! Walk our designated Story Stroll path and pause at as you encounter pages of celebrated children’s picture books. This experience is self-led.
No registration required – Visit the trail anytime between 8:00am – 4:30pm
Participation is FREE, however donations to CNC and/or Washington County Library are appreciated.
June 17 – 24 | Watercress by Andrea Wang
July 8 – 15 | Johnny’s Pheasant by Cheryl Minnema
August 5 – 12 | Mr. Fox’s Game of No by David LaRochelle

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2026-07-11 08:00 - 10:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Register Online Here
Location: North End – Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 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.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Spiders
2026-07-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Online pre-registration required – 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.

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Spiders
2026-07-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Minnesota Campus Story Stroll - Mr. Fox's Game of No by David LaRochelle
2026-08-05 - 2026-08-12 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Caterpillars and Butterflies
2026-08-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Caterpillars and Butterflies
2026-08-21 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Carpenter Art Festival
2026-08-22 10:00 - 17:00 | North End – Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, 54016
Location: North End – Wisconsin Campus 300 East Cove Road, Hudson WI, 54016
Program Fee: Free admission
Join us at the CNC Wisconsin Campus for our annual art festival. It will feature nature-oriented artists and vendors producing jewelry, ceramics, photography, sculptures, dried gourds and more.
Local vendors from the Hudson area will be at the festival providing various food and drinks.
For more information, please check out the Event Webpage Here.

Youth Skills Workshop: Apple Production
2026-10-18 09:00 - 15:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Pre-registration required – register ONLINE HERE
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033 – Apple Shack
Program Fee: $5 per person
Join CNC Orchardist Sam Behrends and experience fall harvest in the Apple Orchard at CNC! Students will learn how apples are harvested and packed out to ensure top quality fruit is available to customers of the apple shack. Students will process apples not fit for fresh sale into cider and sauce to take home. Youth 12 – 19 years old.
Thanks to generous funding from the CHS Foundation, Carpenter Nature Center is excited to launch a new Sustainable Agriculture & Orchard Skills Series for Youth. This hands-on workshop series invites youth to explore real-world agricultural experiences and build practical skills in orchard management, sustainability, and land stewardship.
Other dates & topics in this series include:

May 2 – Apple Tree Planting & Grafting
May 30 – Tractor & Equipment Safety
June 27 – Sustainable Agriculture
