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River Bend Nature Center - 1000 Rustad Rd, PO Box 186, Faribault, MN  55021 - 507.332.7151 - www.rbnc.org

River Bend Rapids January 2020

A quick look at what's going on at River Bend Nature Center

THANK YOU YEAR END DONORS!

Because of you, we were able to receive the entire $10,000 in matching funds! Thank you for your commitment to River Bend Nature Center and helping to ensure that we are able to continue to operate the education, conservation, and recreation programs and activities. It is more important than ever for people to have a place to connect with nature -- it improves the health of individuals, families, the community/region and the planet for generations to come. Thank you!

SHOP TARGET CIRCLE: VOTE BY JANUARY 5

River Bend is a proud partner of Target Circle. Each time a Target shopper checks in with their phone number or by scanning the app when making a purchase, they receive a vote for a nonprofit partner.

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR THE MAPLE SYRUP FUN RUN

Registration is now open for the Maple Syrup Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast on May 2, 2020. Commit early to your new year's resolution of running a 1 mile, 5K, 10K, 25K, or 50K race. Price increases January 31.  

SEEKING SPONSORS FOR THE MAPLE SYRUP FUN RUN

River Bend is seeking sponsors for the Maple Syrup Fun Run and Pancake Breakfast on May 2, 2020. 

River Bend Nature Center is hosting the Maple Syrup Fun Run and Pancake Brunch, scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020. The run has lengths for every age and ability, including: 50K, 25K, 10K, 5K, and 1 mile walk. Afterwards, runners get to enjoy a pancake breakfast with real maple syrup that is made at River Bend. Spectators can pay to enjoy the breakfast. Our goal is to raise $16,000 to continue to fund:   

  • Environmental education and outdoor recreation programs reaching over 7,500 children, families, and people of all ages from Faribault and surrounding communities.
  • Year-round opportunities for the public to enjoy 743 acres of woods, prairies, and wetlands including exhibits and wildlife viewing at the Interpretive Center for free.
  • Conservation and restoration of the 743 acres of woods, prairies and wetlands, including areas home to endangered species

Please consider becoming a sponsor or promoter of this important event. Please contact us for more information at 507-332-7151. The Poster can be displayed in your store or office space.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS FOR SPRING

Are you interested in becoming an intern? River Bend is looking for spring Environmental Education Interns to help plan and teach school programs that meet state science standards. Learn about environmental education practices and techniques while working with students of diverse cultures and ages. The internship can work around schedules, as long as the applicant has some weekday availability. Check out our Environmental Education Internship opportunity here

NATURAL RESOURCE & LAND MANAGEMENT INTERNSHIPS FOR SPRING

Are you interested in a career in Natural Resources? Get hands-on experience as a Natural Resource and Land Management intern this spring at River Bend. Learn and carry out habitat restoration practices and techniques over River Bend's 743 acres of land. Learn and execute trail management techniques for River Bend's 10 miles of trails. The internship can work around the applicant's schedules. Check out our Natural Resource & Land Management Internship opportunity here.

SCHOOL IS OUT ADVENTURE DAYS SPRING 2020

Pay What You Can Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis! Find the form here. 

Monday, January 20, School’s Out Adventure Day: Winter Survival, 9AM-3:30PM

Learn the art of fire building and shelter making as you master the skills needed to survive outside in the winter. Grades K-5. $50/child, $40/member child. Optional before and aftercare (8AM-4:30PM) is an additional $10.

WINTER FIELD TRIPS

River Bend is getting snow! If you are a teacher, parent, or grandparent, don’t forget to suggest River Bend for field trips to give the students a hands-on winter experience they won’t forget! If you are short on time or transportation is an issue, we can come to the classroom. For more information, visit rbnc.org/field-trips or email us at education@rbnc.org

NATURE TIME SESSIONS

Join Faribault Early Childhood Family Education at River Bend Nature Center for Nature Time, a weekly program for children ages 2.5 to 5 years old and their parents to build appreciation of the environment and encourage them to spend time in nature. Families explore and engage in experiential learning and guided discovery at the beautiful River Bend Nature Center with lessons from Naturalists and ECFE staff. From habitats to gardening and the world in between, nature-based learning has never been so fun! For more information, visit River Bend's website.

Registration is online through Faribault ECFE or call Val at 507-333-6460

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SCOUT PROGRAMS

River Bend Nature Center is proud to offer programs for Scout groups. River Bend partners with Girl Scouts of the River Valleys to offer Girl Scout badges on specific Saturdays. Registration is through the Girl Scouts. If those dates don’t work, schedule a troop program with us!

River Bend can also accommodate a variety of Cub/Boy scout badges. Popular options include: Archery, Insect Study, and Into the Wild. Visit River Bend's website for details.

BIRTHDAYS AT RIVER BEND

Does your child like adventure in the outdoors, animals, and exploring with friends? Don't want the mess of a birthday party at your house? Then schedule a birthday party at River Bend! A River Bend Birthday Party includes one hour of a Naturalist-Led activity for the kids, followed by an hour of space rental for a family-led party. Find out more here.

JANUARY PUBLIC PROGRAMS

View programs for January here.

Saturday, January 4, Bagels & Birds, 9:30-10:30AM

Join us on the first Saturday each month September through April. Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while watching wildlife from the comfort of the Interpretive Center through our Windows on the Wild viewing area. All Ages. FREE

Saturday, January 11, Learn to Ski, 10AM-12PM

January is "Learn to Ski" month. Take advantage of River Bend's trails by formally learning how to ski from River Bend's naturalists. Beginners are encouraged! In the case of insufficient snow, we will hold the program and offer a rental coupon to be used later in the season. Ages 8+. $15/person, $10/member.

Wednesday, January 15, Lunch & Learn: 10,000 feet up and 10,000 years ago- How past events continue to have an effect on the way the water flows 12-2PM

Join us once a month for a catered meal and nature presentation. Carrie Jennings from the Freshwater Society will talk about how the glacial history has shaped the way we use land and how land use affects water quality. $12/person, $10/member. (Presentation only is $5/person, $3/member)

Monday, January 20, School’s Out Adventure Day: Winter Survival, 9AM-3:30PM

Learn the art of fire building and shelter making as you master the skills needed to survive outside in the winter. Grades K-5. $50/child, $40/member child. Optional before and aftercare (8AM-4:30PM) is an additional $10.

Tuesday, January 21, Learn to Ski, 10AM-12PM

See the description on January 11.

Friday, January 24, Homeschool Science Day: Winter Birds 10AM-11:30AM

Ever wonder how birds survive a Minnesota winter? Discover what birds spend the winter at River Bend on a bird hike with binoculars and learn how other birds make the long migration south. Dress to be outside. Ages 4-14. $10/student, $8/member.

Friday, January 24, Homeschool Science Day: Snowshoeing and Kicksledding 12PM-1:30PM

Learn about the history and technique of these fun forms of winter transportation. Explore River Bend's winter landscape on a snowshoe hike, and maybe even participate in a kicksled race! Alternate activities will be provided in the case of no snow. Ages 4-14. $10/student, $8/member.

Saturday, January 25, Learn to Ski, 10AM-12PM

See the description on January 11.

Tuesday, January 28, Learn to Ski, 10AM-12PM

See the description on January 11.

VIEW OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER - WINTER JANUARY-MARCH 2020

Thank you for your continued support!

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