River Bend members receive a discount on classes and events.

If you are not a member, become a member today to get your perks, further our mission and show your support for River Bend.


Face masks and social distancing are encouraged at RBNC events. 

As always, if the participant is feeling sick in any way, they must stay home

River Bend reserves the right to change or modify these rules as needed to comply with state regulations and recommendations.

Public Programs
Lunch & Learn Series - New topic each month
Wednesdays, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Cost: $10/person, $5/member, Adults
April 17: Dakota County's New Bison Herd: Guest speaker Dakota County Naturalist
May 15: Wildflowers (Dwarf Trout Lilly): Guest speaker Andy Wendt from Nerstrand State Park
June 19: Recycling and Composting: Can this be recycled? Can this be composted? Why not put everything in the landfill? These are just a few questions we all struggle with. Join, as we discuss these questions and more about recycling and composting!
August 21: Prairie Seed Collection: Guest speaker and Naturalist, Matt Johnson. Fall is the best time to harvest seeds from prairie flowers. Learn how to sustainably collect seeds to grow your own flowers.

Fall Bagels and Birds
Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Cost: FREE!, All ages

Come and enjoy coffee and a free bagel, provided by The Inn at Shattuck, and watch for birds at Windows on the Wild.


Sweet Reads Book Club
Saturdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE!, Teens and Adults
Open group discussion on topics that include environmentalism, forestry, wellness, sustainability, climate change, and more. Refreshments provided. Please fill out this form if you're interested in attending. 

April 6 Sustainability
Book 1 Rooted: Stories of Life, Land and a Farming Revolution, by Sarah Langford
Book 2 The Conscious Closet: The Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good

June 1 Restoration
Book 1 Saving Tarboo Creek by Scott Freeman

August 3 Sustainable Agriculture
Book 1 Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall-Kimmerer

Maple Syruping
Tuesday, March 26, Cancelled due to weather
Thursday, March 28, 10:30-11:30am & 12:30-1:30pm
All Ages
Cost: FREE for members, $5/person, $15/family * a family is 2 adults and 4 kids under 18

Maple syruping is a tradition that dates back to the first nations that lived in this area. Learn about the history of maple syruping, what makes the sap flow, and the process of turning sap into syrup through hands-on syruping experience.


Earth Day Celebration
Saturday, April 20, 10:30 am - 2:00 pm
Cost: FREE!, All Ages

Come celebrate Earth Day at River Bend! Ampact members will lead stewardship and educational programs for all ages. Click here for more details.


Maple Syrup Fun Run & Pancake Brunch
Saturday, May 4
All Ages

For more information and to register, click here.


Woodland Flower Walk
Saturday, May 18, 1:00- 2:00 pm
All Ages
Cost: $10/person, $5/member

Take a walk with a naturalist and learn tips and tricks for identifying different woodland flowers.


National River's Month Celebration
Saturday, June 1, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, Ages 12+

10:30 am- 12:00 pm - River Cleanup

We're celebrating National River Month! Join us June 1st to help clean up the Straight River that runs through River Bend. There will be a half hour of education about the river followed by river clean up for the Straight River. There will be two teams, starting at two locations- at Teepee Tonka and Trout Lily Trails.

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm - Stream Table Activity

What happens to the land when water flows through it? What happens when the amount of water changes or the speed at which it flows? Explore these questions and more through interactive hands-on activities using the stream table at River Bend. Make land formations out of sand, design a river channel, then add water and see what happens! Fun for all ages!


Big Woods Biome Hike
Saturday, June 8, 10:00- 12:00 pm
Ages 12+
Cost: Free

The Big Woods is one of the major biomes found in Minnesota. Come learn about what makes this biome unique and explore the Big Woods at River Bend Nature Center. Program consists of a short presentation followed by a naturalist-led hike.


Storytime with a Naturalist
Saturdays, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Cost: FREE!, All ages
These programs will be held before family painting sessions with coordinating themes.
June 22: All About Owls
July 6: Turtle-ly Awesome - no family painting
July 13: Prairie Party
July 27: Cool Coyotes
August 17: What lives in the pond?
August 24: Harry Hopper - no family painting

Family Painting
Saturdays, 11:00 - 12:30 pm
Cost: FREE!, All ages
Join artist Kate Langlais for a fun, free family painting program. Learn all about owls in Minnesota and how to paint them! Pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available for participants. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Themes are coordinated with Storytime with a Naturalist. Make a day of it and sign up for both!
June 22: Give a Hoot About Owls
July 13: Prairie Landscapes
July 27: Cool Coyotes
August 3: Forest Landscapes - No storytime
August 17: Duck, Duck, Grey Duck

Member Saturday Programs
Saturdays, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Cost: FREE!, All ages
These programs are for members of River Bend Nature Center
July 20: Meet our Animal Ambassadors
August 17: Prairie Sweep Netting

Northfield Community Program Partnership
Tuesdays & Fridays, Ages 10+
These programs are in partnership with the City of Northfield. Please register here for these programs.
Tuesday, August 6, 1:00-2:30 pm; Geocaching - At RBNC
Tuesday, August 13, 1:00-2:30 pm; Compass Course - At RBNC
Tuesday, August 20, 10:00-11:30 am & 1:00-2:30 pm; Archery - At RBNC
Friday, August 23, multiple sessions from 9am-2:30pm; Canoe & Kayaking - At Alexander Park, Pavillion #4 (young kids must be accompanied by a paying adult.)

River Bend Bounty in partnership with PCA
Tuesdays & Thursdays, Ages 55+

With the sun, prairie, and woodlands of River Bend Nature Center you can bring new life to your creative work.

If you are a knitter, quilter, painter, artist wannabe. and/or naturalist join us to identify colors you can extract from plants, trees & minerals using it to dye natural fibers during the August Course at River Bend Nature Center (RBNC). (For Ages 55+) Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning August 1 from 9AM-11AM with a concluding event August 29th. Time tbd for the final event. Tuition: Member: $120, Non-Member: $144. (Scholarships available.) If you are a member at RBNC, contact the Paradise Center for the Arts to receive the membership tuition price!

Thursdays, August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th
Tuesdays, August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
Little Sprouts
Homeschool
Scout Badges
Annual Events