Carpenter Nature Center

Wisconsin Campus BioBlitz
2025-06-27 - 2025-06-28 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Registration: Register Online or call 651-437-4359 ext. 0
Location: The Al and Laurie Hein Visitor Center / 279 South Cove Rd., Hudson, WI 54016
Program Fee: Free
Learn from bird, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, and plant experts in a fun day of citizen science. Join us at the Wisconsin Campus and help inventory teams in restored prairies, riparian habitats, and wooded bluff lands to discover and document plant and animal species. All ages and skill levels welcom!
Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 27

2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Dragonflies & Damselflies with Jeff Fischer.
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Dendrology and Tree ID with Sam Behrends
3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Bird Banding Demonstration
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Intro to Birding – Family Friendly Bird Hike with Jessie Eckroad
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Anything and Everything Hike with Steve Weston
8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Moths with John Jonas

Saturday, June 28

7:00 a.m. Bird Hike with Ben Douglas.
9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Butterflies with Dr. Kevyn Juneau
10:00 – 12:00 p.m. Bees with Chris Smith
11:00 – 11:45 a.m Snake Boards with Abbey Holden
11:45 – 12:00 p.m. Species Tally and Wrap Up

Minnesota Campus Public Bird Banding
2025-06-27 08:30 - 12:00, 2025-07-25 08:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-22 08:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-24 08:30 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | 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
2025-07-05 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 - Amazing Ants
2025-07-09 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 - Amazing Ants
2025-07-11 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
2025-07-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-09-13 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
2025-07-21 | Hastings Golf Club, 2015 Westview Drive, Hastings, 55033
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.

Learn more or register online on the St. Croix Scramble Event Page

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
2025-08-02 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-09-06 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-10-04 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 - In Style with Reptiles
2025-08-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - In Style with Reptiles
2025-08-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Wisconsin Campus Bird Hike
2025-08-09 08:00 - 10:00, 2025-10-11 08:00 - 10:00 | North End – Wisconsin Campus, 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, 54016
Pre-registration required – Call 651-437-4359
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.

Wisconsin Campus Art Festival
2025-08-23 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. Cash and Checks only for vendors.
Celebrate art and nature in the St. Croix Valley! Music, Fine Arts, Beautiful Scenery, and Live Animals. Participating artists donate a portion of their proceeds to support environmental education at Carpenter Nature Center.
Learn more about this event on the Carpenter Art Festival Event Page

Autumn in the Valley Gala
2025-09-07 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Join the friends and family of Carpenter Nature Center for an evening of fun for a good cause. It’s a memorable dinner, raffle, silent and live auction, and is Carpenter’s most important fundraiser of the year. Funds raised from this event directly go towards supporting environmental education programs for youth, protecting wildlife habitat in both MN and WI, and providing nature-based recreation opportunities for the community.
Learn more on the Autumn in the Valley Gala Event Page

Tropical Wings Fall Migration Celebrtaion
2025-09-13 07:30 - 12:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States

Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Orchard Fun
2025-09-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Minnesota Public Bird Banding
2025-09-26 08:30 - 12:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States

Minnesota Campus Raptor Release
2025-09-27 11:00 - 14:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: Free admission, cash and check for vendors.
Join Carpenter Nature Center and The Raptor Center of the University of Minnesota as they release rehabilitated raptors at CNC. Event includes hay wagon tours, kids activities, raptors on display, and a variety of education booths from area environmental organizations.
Learn more about on the Raptor Release Event Page

Minnesota Campus Hawk Watch
2025-09-28 08:00 - 14:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: Free
Join Carpenter Nature Center and the Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union host the Annual Migratory Bird Count and Hawk Watch! Each fall, thousands of raptors and other birds fly south to their wintering grounds in the southern U.S. and beyond. Our friendly team of spotters will be counting migrants including raptors, songbirds, gulls, and other southbound birds. Come ask questions, check in on the count totals, or participate in the count.
Binoculars available upon request.
For more information, please call 651-437-4359.

Minnesota Campus Apple Festival
2025-10-11 - 2025-10-12 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN 55033
Program Fee: Free admission, cash or card for vendors.
Celebrate the harvest at Carpenter Nature Center’s annual Apple Festival! This event is held rain (or snow) or shine.
Enjoy pick-your-own apples, hayrides (weather permitting), cider-making demonstrations, live music, live animal programs, children’s activities, apple brats grilled by the Hastings Lions, baked goods, and more! Learn about the animals of the St. Croix River Valley in our Visitor Center, and take a hike with your family on the trails!
Learn more on the Apple Festival Event Page.

*FULL* Minnesota Campus Saw-whet Owl Banding
2025-10-16 20:00 - 22:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS
SPACE IS LIMITED AND PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Call 651-437-4359 to reserve your spot.
Location: 12805 St. Croix Trail South, Hastings, MN 55033
Learn about the migration patterns of Northern Saw-whet Owls. Join our researchers as they venture out to band some of our native owls. This program is weather dependent. Program fee: FREE.
Note: This year is expected to have lower than usual migration activity in our area. There is no guarantee that an owl will be sighted during the program.
*All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s BBL.

Wisconsin Campus Preschool Story Time - Costumes and Critters
2025-10-29 10:00 - 11:00 | Al & Laurie Hein Visitor Center, 279 South Cove Road, Hudson, WI, 54016, United States
Pre-registration required – Register here tinyurl.com/WI-Oct-Storytime
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.

(FULL) Minnesota Campus Preschool Story Time - Costumes and Critters
2025-10-31 10:00 - 11:00 | Carpenter Nature Center – Minnesota Campus, 12805 St. Croix Trail S., Hastings, MN, 55033, United States
THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS.
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.

Minnesota Campus Bird Hike
2025-11-01 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.
*time change*
