River Bend NATURE CENTER

Fall 2016, Volume 37, Issue 3

Helping people discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world that surrounds us.

Mark Your Calendar Director’s Desk See calendar insert for complete listings. By Breanna Wheeler, Executive Director October Roar 19 -- OWLS Luncheon: Indoor Agriculture: The Future his morning when I arrived at talents, and financial resources in River of Farming River Bend, the roar of a flooded Bend which, like a pebble dropped in a Straight River as it crashed pond, ripples out to also generate good for 24 -- Homeschool Program: Tthrough trees and over trails hummed in the community, the region, and our shared Citizen Science and the the distance. On my drive to work, I saw future. Scientific Method an almost-submerged vehicle with only Please plan to contribute to River Bend 29 -- Bats, Bones & Bonfires: its roof showing and a house with water Nature Center’s future and mission to halfway up its height. Surely there were A Halloween Family Festival help people discover, enjoy, understand, countless others battling water in their and preserve the incredible natural November basements. The roar is a reminder of the world. Give to the Max Day is Thursday, 2 -- Lifelong Learning: power of nature to cause devastating loss November 17. We are incredibly grateful Misunderstood Animals and heartache, and at the same time, call to the Carlander Family for their generous people together in various ways. 5 -- Bagels & Birds offer to match all donations made to River 16 -- OWLS Luncheon: The idea of building community through Bend through Give to the Max Day up to a Water Resources 101 nature is so compelling that we used it as total of $10,000. Help us meet our goal of our theme for the River Bend Ramble a raising $10,000! Donations of any size are 17 -- Give to the Max Day! few weeks ago. Having a place like River welcome. If you are not a member, please 28 -- Homeschool Program: Bend Nature Center to spend time being join, renew or increase your membership Three “R” Warriors present in the moment to observe nature level. Volunteer your time. Introduce can lead to appreciation for nature and someone new to River Bend Nature Inside this Issue: next a desire to engage resources to preserve Center. Feel free to call me and share your Director’s Desk 1 it for others. That progression motivated story and interests in helping us meet our the people who founded River Bend and goals. Updates 2 others who have worked hard over the May you find peace in the celebrations Introductions 3 years to make this a place for others to do and struggles nature presents us with and the same. Naturalist Notebook 5 engage with the distant roar. Thank you News & Notes 6 River Bend is a treasure of the community for your ongoing support.  Business Members 6 and has a legacy of environmental education and nature experiences to celebrate. This The Volunteer Page 7 legacy would not exist without people New Members 8 coming together to invest their time, skills, River Bend Trails Open During Deer Hunt River Bend Nature Center will be holding an archery deer management hunt Nature Center from November 1st through November 14th. This hunt is to help control the deer population in the Nature Center with a goal of ensuring healthy 1000 Rustad Rd - PO Box 186 natural communities. When too many deer populate one area, native plants Faribault, MN 55021 and animals are negatively affected. River Bend will remain open to the public during the hunt. 507.332.7151 [email protected] Please follow the safety guidelines below when visiting the nature center during www.rbnc.org this time: 1. Stay on designated trails and maintained areas. Do not walk off trail. Board of Directors 2. Keep your pets on leash. It is River Bend policy that dogs remain on a Steve Underdahl, President/City Council Rep. physical leash while on the property. It is critically important that this Dustin Simpson, Vice President policy is followed during the deer hunt. Matt Carlander, Treasurer Cody VanDerVeen, Secretary 3. Wear blaze orange or other brightly colored clothing, even if you will Greg Carlson not be hunting. Penny Hillemann 4. Watch carefully for any hunt-related signs, and be sure to follow them! Tim Madigan 5. Check in at the Interpretive Center when you arrive, or one of the Nalani McCutcheon outdoor kiosks to see if there is any additional hunt-related information. Dirk Peterson

Paul Stegmeir If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Emily Greger at Elizabeth Wright 507.332.7151. Wendy Wustenberg Staff Breanna Wheeler, Executive Director Our Committees and Task Forces Need You! Amber Brossard, Education Coordinator Emily Greger, Public Program Coordinator The River Bend Nature Center Board of Directors seeks community members Leslie Kennedy, Administrative Assistant to join its committees and task forces. Current needs are as follows: Jill Engle, Marketing & Comm. Coordinator • Strategic Planning task force: Responsible for developing a plan for Jason Pecore, Land & Facility Assistant and identifying resources for community engagement and timeline for Karen David, Receptionist the strategic planning process. Seasonal Environmental Educators • 40th Anniversary planning task force: River Bend will celebrate its School Year 2016-2017 40th Anniversary in 2018 and individuals are needed to envision and plan for how River Bend may celebrate it. Katie Elam Kara Johnson • Program/Events committee is charged with developing metrics Elsa Litecky to evaluate current programs/events and assisting with researching Stephanie Rathsack community and stakeholder interest and identifying resources to enhance program/event success. All content • Membership committee is charged with studying the River Bend © 2016 River Bend Nature Center membership and membership structures, identifying, planning, and participating in ways to develop, engage, and retain members; and unless otherwise noted. building awareness of River Bend in the region. • Development/Fundraising committee helps identify and contributes to overall fundraising strategy of River Bend. Ideal candidates would have knowledge or experience in a particular area to contribute and be able to dedicate up to 5-8 hours a month for meeting and/ or projects. Committees and task forces will meet bi-monthly to quarterly or more often as needed. Both short and longer-term involvement is desired, so if you have limited availability, there is probably a task that we could match for your interests and time. Please contact Breanna at [email protected] or 507.332.7151 with questions or to express your interest.

2 River Bend Nature Center Newsletter Fall 2016 Introductions

Upon returning home from vacation she enrolled in the environmental program at the University, and has been diving into the field, learning as much as possible ever since. Emily says, “It will never cease to amaze me that I can get paid to hike through the woods and talk about what I love. I feel extremely fortunate to have this opportunity and I look forward to getting to know all of the volunteers and local Seasonal Naturalists groups that make up River Bend Pictured, left to right, above are Nature Center.” Kara Johnson, Stephanie Rathsack, Emily’s free time is spent foraging for wild edibles with her best pal Elsa Litecky & Katie Elam Emily Greger Artie, a 100-pound St. Bernard Kara Johnson Public Program mix, paddling the St. Croix, and I graduated December 2015 from the University of Coordinator camping in the state and national Minnesota Twin Cities with a Bachelors of Science in forests. Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management. My Emily graduated from the past summers were spent up north in Walker and Bemidji University of Minnesota River Bend’s executive director, working for the MN DNR as a Watercraft Inspector with a Bachelor’s degree in Breanna Wheeler, says, “We and a Forestry Intern. I grew up in Golden Valley but I Environmental Conservation are very excited to have Emily spend my weekends and spare time up north at the cabin, and Resource Management. join us. Her combination of surrounded by nature: sailing, hiking, camping, canoeing, She is very ecosystem focused experience in natural resource biking, and adventuring. I also love working with children and passionate about habitat management and enthusiasm and encouraging kids to use their imagination to explore restoration. She says, “There are for involving the public through the world. I am thrilled to be able to spend my work days few things I find more satisfying programs and volunteering will at such a beautiful nature center, and educate our youth then removing a truckload of be a great addition to the River about why they should love nature as much as I do. invasive species from our parks.” Bend team.” Prior to working within the Stephanie Rathsack natural resource field, she spent Jason Pecore I have always been interested in Environmental 12 years employed as a Mental Land & Facility Assistant Education—I started volunteering at Springbrook Health Practitioner working Nature Center in Fridley at age ten and never looked with children and young Jason Pecore joined our staff in back. Every Saturday for the next ten years you would adults diagnosed on the autism July as our part-time Land and find me cleaning cages and feeding animals. With this spectrum. However, having Facility Assistant. Jason has a background it seemed only natural to pursue a similar always loved the outdoors and background in landscaping and career, and I attended the University of Minnesota Twin spending most of her time carpentry, which has been a huge Cities, graduating with a major in Fisheries, Wildlife, and exploring and learning about asset while he assists in rebuilding Conservation Biology. While in school, I worked at the nature, Emily’s career-altering our trails after the recent flood Bell Museum of Natural History as an interpretive guide, “a-ha moment” happened while event. When he isn’t making our as well as at the Monarch Butterfly Lab. hiking in Rocky Mountain trails safer, Jason is working to After graduating, I spent two years as a naturalist at Eagle National Park, when she realized maintain our Interpretive Center Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro where she wanted a career protecting and Trailside Center buildings. the majority of my time was spent outdoors teaching a our natural resources. Please join us in welcoming Jason! variety of subjects from basic geology, to living history, Continued on page 4

Volume 37, Issue 3 www.rbnc.org 3 Continued from page 3 Thank you for making the Ramble a success! stream ecology, and adventure high ropes courses. I also had the opportunity to teach using captive raptors and a rattlesnake, as well 35th Annual as give programs in our portable planetarium. And while my experience covers a broad range of subjects, my passions include monarch RAMBLE butterflies, astronomy, rocks/minerals, and Event Sponsors just about anything that will get me outdoors. I hope to utilize my experience at River Bend 1st United Bank KGP Companies Jennie-O Turkey Store by continuing to provide quality programs, as well as to introduce new and exciting Dessert Donor Ramble Video Flower Donor opportunities. Hy-Vee Troy Temple Faribault Growers, Inc./ Mum From Minnesota Elsa Litecky Auctioneer Music Emcee I am originally from Forest Lake. I went to Larry Lee Steph Helkenn Mike Sandberg college at the University of Wisconsin-- Ramble Committee River Falls and have a B.S. in Field Biology Lynette Dickson, Anne Dienst, Olga Knapp, & Mike Sandberg with a minor in Conservation. I initially was going to college for research and restoration Live Auction Donors Lynette Dickson Janet Mitchell work but as much as I love being outdoors Ahlman’s Guns Donahue’s Greenhouse Mount Kato Baymont Inn & Suites Father Henry Doyle Sigrid Nelson/Dan Schonebaum my real passion is working with people and Moe Brand Amy Elliott/Matt Drenth Nerstrand Meats & Catering getting them excited about the outdoors. I Country Inn & Suites Erickson Furniture Next Chapter Winery have a wide variety of experiences under my Cross Country Soaring Faribault Animal Center Glen/Shirley Norgaard The Depot Bar & Grill Faribault Garden Center Northwoods Theatre belt everything from prescribed burning to Holiday Inn & Suites Faribault Parks & Recreation Lawrence/Linda Olson scuba diving, volunteering on wolf trapping Northfield Arts Guild Faribault Vacuum & Sewing Lyle/Ruth Olson The Ole Store Restaurant Center, LLC Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic research up north to doing a fly-in to Paradise Center for the Arts Farmer Seed & Nursery Richard/Karen Paquette Washington D.C. as a Minnesota angler for Kathy Sandberg/Nalani Jonathan Finnesgard Zachery/Jenny Pelletier the Clean Water Act. Two things I am proud McCutcheon Firehouse Liquor Carole/Mike Perron The Inn at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Marian Fruechte Dirk Peterson of are meeting Jane Goodall and being a part School Dave/Dianne Frye Richard/Marianne Peterson of the Wisconsin Conservation Leadership Sunset Salon & Spa F-Town Brewery Roberta Peterson Corps. I also have a wide variety of passions Breanna/Matt Wheeler David/Sharon Geyer Reptile & Amphilbian Lana Good Discovery Zoo including fishing, archery, tracking, downhill Event Donations GrandStay Residential Suites Rice County Abstract & Title skiing, edible and medicinal plants, camping, Carol Anderson Sandy Hagel Co. Dawn/Patrick Andreas Haskell’s Wine & Spirits Rice County Historical Society star gazing, folklore, writing, reading, art, Angell’s Images Wendell/Linda Herron Museum predator and misunderstood species, and Allina Health Community Penelope Hillemann/David Richie Eye Clinic history so feel free to come talk whether it’s Engagement Program Keyes Bruce/Penny Rippentrop Annie Belle Creations Glenn/Kathleen Holman Brynhild Rowberg to learn something new or share your passion! Fran Babbitt Matt/Leah Inman Sand Creek Adventures Delores Barta Jay C. Hormel Nature Center Katherine Sandberg/Nalani Gregory/Diane Barta Barbara Jenkins McCutcheon Katie Elam Bauer’s Southside Liquor Just Food Co-op Michael Sandberg I graduated from the University of Wyoming Suzanne and Jon Birch Gary/Kathleen Kasten Jerry Sherwood in May 2015 with a dual major Bachelor’s Gary/Valerie Bollinger Kernel Restaurant Signature Bar & Grill Richard/LaVonne Brick Ryan/Emily Kjesbo-Johnson John/Kathryn Smith degree in Biology and Environment & Natural Melinda Brown Knecht’s Nurseries & Southern Heights Dental Group Resources. I have lived all across the United Ken/Linda Butzow Landscaping Steele Co. Historical Society Cabela’s Sally Kramer Story Landscaping, LLP States and just love exploring new places, Cannon River Offroad Debra Krause Straight River Sports and Fitness learning new things, and meeting new people! & Trails (CROCT) Krause Feeds & Supplies Inc. The Cheese Cave Most of my jobs over the last four years have Cannon River Winery Krunith, LLC The Rare Pair Carlander Cattle Company Waldo/Dorothy Lang The State Bank of Faribault been working at museums or nature centers Greg/Sue Carlson Larry’s Liquor Phillip/Beth Trout that have raptor programs, so I have had the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres Keith/Karen Larson Trump’s Orchard incredible opportunity to work with and care Chappuis Jewelry Lawrence/Liselotte Malecha Chris/Dena Whillock Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet Joan McCutcheon George Wickstrom Jr for live birds of prey, as well as teach people College City Beverage Betty Mealey Winds of Peace Foundation about them. I love to read, hike, take pictures, Community Co-op Oil Assoc. David Menke Ray/Linda Wood Court Sports and More Milltown Cycles Mark/Mary Ziegler and bake, and I am really excited to be here Crossroads Skin Care Clinic Minnesota Landscape Richard Zoesch and to see what Faribault and Minnesota have Connie DeGrood Arboretum to offer! Mark Hodge/Anne DeMuth Becky Minnick

4 River Bend Nature Center Newsletter Fall 2016 Illustrated by Moe Brand NaturalistText by Brooke Piepenburg, Seasonal EnvironmentalNotebook Educator

North American Porcupine Erethizon dorsatum

While Erethizon dorsatum, or the North American porcupine, same method of attack when hunting a porcupine, including may be slow-moving, these rodents can sure pack a punch rapid bites to the porcupine’s face followed by biting into the with up to 39,000 long, sharp quills, which are modified hairs porcupine’s quill-free underside. that can be lodged into a predator in order to injure, and even The annual mating behaviors of porcupines occur in the late kill, the attacker. In fact, as soon as the quills of a newborn fall months when males of reproductive age begin seeking porcupine are dried, even the smallest porcupine is able to out receptive females, who “scream” from the tree tops defend itself against predators, which allows porcupines to live to communicate their readiness to mate. Because female for up to seven years in the wild. porcupines will attract multiple potential mates with her calls, Weighing in between 10 and 35 pounds, an adult porcupine a successful male must actively defend the female for up to 4 can be 24 to 40 inches in length – including their tail of 5 to days after mating with a female, as to prevent other males from 7 inches – making them the second largest rodent in North attempting to mate with her. This defensive behavior of the America. They tend to have a dark grey to black coloration successful male ensures that the resulting offspring shares his with white-banded quills covering their body. As they age, they genetic makeup. The baby porcupine, called a porcupette, will become increasingly gray or white in color. remain with its mother until it is approximately five months old. It is at that time that the little one will leave the nest and These rodents can be found throughout Minnesota’s forests and take on the world all on its own.  wooded farming areas that make up the upper two-thirds of the state, as well as the state’s eastern border. It is in these areas that porcupines are able to find the bark, buds, leaves, nuts, and berries that make up their daily diet. However, this habitat is also home to some of the porcupine’s greatest predators – fishers, bobcats, wolves, and coyotes. These predators all use the

5 River Bend Nature Center Newsletter Fall 2016 News & Notes

On the Road with River Bend State Academies for the Deaf and exciting adventures for your children and Blind Continue Partnership grandchildren for Summer Camp 2017! River Bend is taking their programs on Camp registration is slated to open on the road! A new contract was developed River Bend will continue its partnership February 1st -- mark your calendars! with Lonsdale Elementary School starting with volunteers from Minnesota State in fall 2016 to bring our environmental Academy for the Blind and Minnesota education programs to the nature area State Academy for the Deaf during the at their school. River Bend naturalists 2016-2017 school year. Approximately will work with all of the students at ten hours each week, several volunteers Lonsdale once each season. “The goals visit River Bend and assist with crucial for this partnership are to use programs operation duties such as maintaining we have already developed for use at the facilities, taking care of animals, and Nature Center to reach students that are trail maintenance. We are thrilled to see Give to the Max Day Matching outside of our typical range, and to build the return of this partnership and look Grant the confidence of their teachers to be forward to working more with both able to use the outdoors as a classroom,” schools in the future. We are very excited to announce that as says River Bend’s education coordinator part of Give to the Max Day 2016, the Amber Brossard. “This outreach program Summer Camp Wrap-up Carlander Family has generously offered also eliminated the need to transport all to match all donations made up to of the children to Faribault, which helps Summer at River Bend was busy $10,000. So for the first $10,000 given keep the program costs down.” River as ever as we ran 24 summer camp by our donors, River Bend will receive Bend is looking forward to developing sessions, reaching a total of 245 kids! $20,000! Watch for more information to more partnerships of this type to reach as New camps this year included an art come as the big day nears. Thank you, many students as possible. in nature camp and a Carlander Family! camp. We’re already planning new and

Business Members Please support our business members! Platinum Basic Pawn Minnesota LLC 1st United Bank – Faribault A & W Restaurant Quality Appliance Brushwork Signs Anderka Construction R.C. Mutual Insurance Co. Post Consumer Brands Arnold Law and Mediation Reese, Winter & Associates, Ltd. Paddington’s Seed & Feed Boldt Funeral Home Reliance Bank Shattuck-St. Mary’s School Brite Way Window Service Reynolds Services, Inc. Seal Coating State Bank of Faribault Cannon River Watershed Partnership Tom’s Lock and Key LLC Donahue’s Greenhouse TRB Electric LLC Gold Faribault Animal Center Treadway Graphics ABC Bus Companies, Inc. Faribault Area Retired Educators Faribault Transportation Company Faribo Air Conditioning and Heating Faribo Insurance lus P Faribo Sno-Go Club, Inc. Cannon River STEM School Fette’s Electronics Canneidigh, Inc./Inisfail, Inc. Goat Dispatch Faribault Flyers Bike & Club Historic Hutchinson House B&B Faribault Rotary Youth Services, Inc. HomeTown Federal Credit Union Faribo Farm & Home Supply, Inc. Humphrey Manlift Company, Inc. Mercury Minnesota Hy-Vee Milltown Cycles Landscape Restoration, Inc. Schroder Concessions, Inc. Mortenson Fire & Safety, Inc. Sertoma Club of Faribault Parker Kohl Funeral Home

Volume 37, Issue 3 www.rbnc.org 6 The Volunteer Page Thank you to our June through September volunteers, listed below, for their hard work and dedication! Upcoming Volunteer Office Mailings Kim Cunningham Tiernan Donahue Delores Barta David Lee Eli Howells Opportunities Cecilia DeGrood Douglas Miller Eddie Nigon Charlotte Dirksen Scott Reher Amber Olson A great way to support River Bend Nature Center is by Kathleen Holman Maddy Schiffer volunteering your time. Judy Lee Rice County Fair Kandie Mensing Kenn Dubbels Trail Maintenance Restoration Volunteers Joan Nordquist Ron Engle David Angell Volunteer for our monthly Restoration Club which meets Dave/Diana Hering Seth Brossard the fourth Wednesday of each month, year round. We also Office Receptionist Penelope Hillemann Cheryl Culbreth need volunteers for other land restoration projects, mostly Janet Mitchell Michael Sandberg Friendship House David Lee Volunteers seasonally. Policy Eddie/Janet Lozon David Lee ,, Contact Emily at [email protected] to volunteer. Lori Pommerenke Tim Madigan Mary Niermann Saturday Volunteers IT Support Janet Mitchell Scott Reher Myron Engle Deb/Rick Scheil Volunteers greet, assist, and provide an interpretive and Robert Stossel Vehicle educational experience to weekend visitors. Shifts are Public Programs Steven Underdahl Maintenance from 9am-12:30pm and 12:30pm-4pm. Training will be David Lee Evan Brossard Jean Westberg provided. Rain Garden Care Volunteer Weekend ,, Contact Amber at [email protected] to volunteer. Crew Naturalists Volunteers Dustin Demmer John Battles Wally Wetzel Volunteer Naturalists Eddit/Janet Lozon Brenda Pittman Diana Hering Help make a difference in the lives of local students Jean Westberg Glenn Holman Binn/JoAnne Rodgers by spending time teaching them about the natural Ramble Robby Holmes environment. Volunteers meet once a month for training Lianna Koberoski Lynette Dickson Service Groups and then sign up to help with school programs on days Janet Mitchell Anne Dienst Faribault that they are available. All training provided. Michael Sandberg Mary Niermann Evangelical Free Olga Knapp Barb Rost Church ,, Contact Amber at [email protected] to volunteer. Monica Wallace Shattuck-St. Mary’s Restoration Club School Staff Weekday Receptionists Phil Anderson Summer Camp Assistants Shattuck-St. Mary’s Volunteers needed to greet Interpretive Center visitors, David Angell Hands Across help answer questions, answer the phone, and assist with Alexis Bussert Evan Brossard Mikey Cross Faribault Students, office projects during our business hours. Cheryl Culbreth Staff, Alumni Serena David ,, Contact Leslie at [email protected] to volunteer. Event Volunteers Needed Housekeeping Volunteers We have a need for supplemental light housekeeping help Bats, Bones & Bonfires -Saturday, October 29th, 2-6pm with tasks such as vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, and window cleaning in the Interpretive Center and Trailside WinterFest - Saturday, January 21st, 1-4pm Center buildings during business hours. If you would like Two of our biggest events of the year are our Halloween to help, celebration, Bats, Bones & Bonfires, and our winter celebration, ,, Contact Emily at [email protected] to volunteer. WinterFest. Many volunteers are needed to make these events happen, so we’re asking for your help. Volunteers help with Trail Grooming admission, parking, games, crafts, food service, and more. Shifts We need volunteers to join our winter trail grooming crew. are usually 1.5 to 2 hours long; volunteer for one shift and spend Volunteers groom trails for skiing and with our the other enjoying the event free of charge! snowmobile-groomer after each new fallen snow or as ,, For more information or to volunteer, contact Emily at conditions warrant it. Training provided. [email protected] or 507.332.7151. ,, Contact Emily at [email protected] to volunteer.

Volume 37, Issue 3 www.rbnc.org 7 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Faribault, MN Permit #35

River Bend Return Service Requested NATURE CENTER PO Box 186 1000 Rustad Rd Faribault, MN 55021

507.332.7151 www.rbnc.org

New & Returning Members New members, welcome! Members who have been away, welcome back! July-September Memberships Brett Belcourt Troy, Lorry & Tyler Karow Christine/Andrew Bothun Tabbetha/Jeffrey LaPanta admISSon: Deni Buendorf Kai Xin/Hua Lin Sponsored by Christian/Brita Bragnalo Calvin/Nicolle Mann Mike's Garage Chad Caron Kyle McConnell Darla Crosby Dallas/Delon Musselman Kelly/Lynnette DeShane Eric/Jennifer Olson Matthew Dilworth Steve/Leona Openshaw Christy Dore Robert D. Peoble Catherine/Eric Gasner Dirk Peterson Katherine/James Cale/Kristina Politoski Hauschild Lori Pommerenke Jacob Helgeson Dan Powers Janette Gould Martin Hayley Rosenfield Kristin/Darwin Grosse Peter/Lori Schleif Jane/Brian Hake Thomas Spartz Elizabeth Hanrahan Nathan Stroud Tom/Liz Hartman Mary/David Whitlow Mike/Michelle Johnson Joy Zimmerman

www.rbnc.org/halloween River Bend Nature Center Fall Program & Event Schedule 2016-17 October November Homeschool Science Day Give to the Max Day 24 2:00-3:30pm 17 12:00am-11:59pm Cost: $8 per child Support River Bend on this state-wide day of giving to Topic: Citizen Science and the Scientific Method Minnesota nonprofits. Your donation on Give to the Max Day See ad below for program description or rbnc.org/homeschool. 2016 will be matched by a generous $10,000 matching grant Pre-registration is required by Oct. 21st. given by the Carlander Family. Give on November 17th and your dollars will have double the impact! Nature Book Club 25 7:00-8:00pm Nature Book Club Cost: Free! 22 7:00-8:00pm October Book: The Earth Moved: On the Remarkable Cost: Free! Achievements of Earthworms by Amy Stewart Join us once a month for a nature book club and discussion. Join us once a month for a nature book club and discussion. Call us for title of this month’s book - 507.332.7151. Open to adults. Open to adults. Homeschool Science Day 26 Restoration Club 28 2:00-3:30pm 4:00-6:00pm Cost: $8 per child Cost: Free! Topic: Three ‘R’ Warriors Join us on the 4th Wednesday of the month for a land See ad below for program description or rbnc.org/homeschool. restoration work day. Every month we will head out onto the Pre-registration is required by Nov. 25th. River Bend property to practice implementing restoration techniques such as bud ID, buckthorn removal, trail repair, and more. Open to adults. New members welcome anytime.

Bats, Bones & Bonfires 29 2:00-6:00pm Cost: $7 each, capped at $20/family. Member Cost: $5 each, capped at $15/family. Bats, Bones & Bonfires is a fun Halloween event for the whole family! All ages will enjoy our non-scary activities and Open to homeschoolers in grades K-6. entertainment. Wear your costumes! Upcoming Dates & Topics November October 24th 2-3:30pm Citizen Science and the Scientific MethodAre you Bagels & Birds interested in science projects that can be done in your own 5 9:30-10:30am backyard, or projects that help scientists all over the world? Cost: Free! Join us as we learn about the awesome citizen science Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while opportunities available to add to your science curriculum. watching the antics of wildlife. We’ll meet in the comfort of the building to observe the birds and other visitors to the November 28th 2-3:30pm Windows on the Wild backyard habitat feeding area. Help with identification, fun facts, binoculars, guide books, and Three ‘R’ Warriors Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! We’ve all conversation will make this a great way to start the. heard it before, but why is it important? We’ll learn all the Open to all ages. ways you can help our environment by reducing, reusing, and recycling! 16 OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) 12:00-2:00pm December 19th 2-3:30pm Cost: $12 ($10 for members) Winter Weather Join us as we test the weather! We’ll Topic: Water Resources 101: Farmers Protecting Soil Health learn how to test the current weather conditions and use the and Water Quality by Tonya Kjerland of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership (CRWP) signs in nature around us to predict the weather. Join us once a month for a catered meal and nature January 30th 2-3:30pm presentation. CRWP Agriculture Program Assistant, Tonya Kjerland, will talk about the water cycle, effects of storm Awesome Astronomy How far away is the moon? What water runoff, and how recent work by local farmers is would it be like to live on another planet? Come take a trip benefiting soil health, streams, and downstream neighbors. through the stars with us as we learn about our solar system, Open to seniors. Pre-registration is required by Nov. 11th. constellations, and what lies beyond. River Bend Nature Center Fall Program & Event Schedule 2016-17

December January Bagels & Birds New Year’s & Hike 3 9:30-10:30am 1 10:00-11:00am Cost: Free! Cost: Free will donation. Enjoy coffee and bagels in a relaxed atmosphere while Let’s start the year off right! Join one of the naturalists for a watching the antics of wildlife. We’ll meet in the comfort winter walk. Wear or boots, and bundle up! We’ll of the building to observe the birds and other visitors to our take a one-mile scenic stroll to work off those holiday meals! Windows on the Wild backyard habitat feeding area. Help Open to all ages. with identification, fun facts, binoculars, guide books, and conversation will make this a great way to start the day. Bagels & Birds Open to all ages. 7 9:30-10:30am Cost: Free! Homeschool Science Day See description on December 3rd. 19 2:00-3:30pm Animal Ambassador Meet & Greet Cost: $8 per child 14 9:30-11:00am Topic: Winter Weather Cost: $5 ($3 for members) See ad on reverse for program description or rbnc.org/ What do you know about insects, arachnids, amphibians, & homeschool. reptiles? Are you interested in seeing some amazing examples Pre-registration is required by Dec. 16th. of them and learning some cool facts? Join a naturalist to get OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) up close and personal with our incredible Animal Ambassadors! Open to all ages. 21 12:00-2:00pm Cost: $12 ($10 for members) OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) Topic: Misunderstood Animals: Mosquitoes, Ticks, Leeches & 18 12:00-2:00pm More with River Bend Naturalist Elsa Litecky Cost: $12 ($10 for members) Join us once a month for a catered meal and nature Topic: To be announced, check website. presentation. Have you ever wondered why on earth Join us once a month for a catered meal and nature mosquitoes exist? Or gross leeches? Join us for a new eye- presentation. opening perspectives on some of nature’s less lovable critters. Open to seniors. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 13th. Open to seniors. Pre-registration is required by Dec. 16th. WinterFest Hibernate, Migrate, Adapt or Die 21 1:00-4:00pm 23 2:00-3:00pm Cost: $7 each, capped at $20/family. Cost: Free will donation. Member Cost: $5 each, capped at $15/family. From cross-country journeys to long winter naps, Minnesota Come to River Bend to celebrate the winter season at animals have adapted well to deal with below freezing our annual WinterFest celebration! There will be fun for temperatures. Join one of the naturalists as we explore how all ages including horse-drawn sleigh rides, snow games, our native species survive the winter. sledding, nature crafts, kicksled races, snowshoeing, and Open to all ages. live animal shows. We’ll have hot cocoa and s’mores to eat at the campfire. Open to all ages.

Pre-Registration Information Nature Book Club To pre-register for our programs you have four 24 7:00-8:00pm options, choose what works best for you. Cost: Free! Call us Go online Join us once a month for a nature book club and discussion. 507.332.7151 shop.rbnc.org Call us for title of this month’s book - 507.332.7151. Email us Or stop in to see us Open to adults. [email protected] 1000 Rustad Rd, Faribault Homeschool Science Day 30 2:00-3:30pm Cost: $8 per child Programs are subject to change. Please check Topic: Awesome Astronomy our web site for complete details and updates. See ad on reverse for program description or rbnc.org/ www.rbnc.org homeschool.. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 27th. aDmission incluDes Wagon Rides S’mores Free on the prairie to roast on the fire goody Bags Live Animals Hot Cocoa for kids to meet & greet Cider While supplies last. Bouncy House Fresh-popped obstacle course Popcorn Sponsored by Games Face Painting Mike’s Garage Animal Crafts Faribo Air Conditioning Mystery Trail & Heating Trumps Orchard Music By Mark Hedenstrom admISSon: Guitar & Vocals $7 each 3-5 PM Max $20 per family St. Olaf College River Bend Members Taiko Drum Club $5 each or 5-6 PM Max $15 per family

1000 Rustad Road www.rbnc.org Faribault, MN 55021 507.332.7151 Double your donation to River Bend Nature Center on Give to the Max Day!

On Thursday, November 17th, the state-wide day of giving returns. We are thrilled to announce that the Carlander Family has pledged to match all donations made to River Bend Nature Center for Give to the Max Day up to a total of $10,000! That means that your donation will have twice the impact. Twice as many schoolchildren will get a hands-on nature experience. Twice as many acres can have invasives removed and native habitat restored. And, twice as many hearts and minds will know the joys of the natural world. To donate, visit www.rbnc.org.