All classes require registration to attend unless otherwise noted.
Please note that our calendar only shows public Ney programs, board & committee meetings, and volunteer opportunities. It does not show field trips or private event rentals. If you are curious if a day is open on our calendar, please reach out to us directly.
Youth & Family Programs
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool Programs
Discovery during the week! These drop-off programs are during the week, so they work well for homeschoolers. However, all are welcome! Tiny Trekkers are for ages 4-6 years old, and Nature Detectives are for ages 7-11 years old. Descriptions for each topic can be found on the registration site.
November: Raccoons
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, November 19th from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, November 26th from 10am-11:30am
December: Foxes
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, December 10th from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, December 17th from 10am-11:30am
January: What is Snow?
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, January 21st from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, January 28th from 10am-11:30am
February: Crows
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, February 11th from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, February 25th from 10am-11:30am
March: Maple Syrup
Tiny Trekkers: Tuesday, March 18th from 10am-11:30am
Nature Detectives: Tuesday, March 25th from 10am-11:30am
Pre-registration required. $3/member or $5/non-member. Register here.
Tinsel & Tillandsia: Air Plant Ornaments
Thursday, December 5th, from 6-7pm
Create your own unique holiday decorations in this fun and creative Air Plant Ornament class! Using beautiful, low-maintenance air plants, participants will craft two custom ornaments to take home and enjoy throughout the season. Learn how to design your ornaments with natural materials, such as moss, twine, and decorative accents, while discovering the basics of air plant care. Perfect for gift-giving or adding a touch of nature to your holiday décor, this class is great for beginners and experienced crafters alike. All supplies are included, and hot cocoa will be provided for a cozy crafting experience.
$10 for members, $15 for non-members. Register here.
Winter Walk (or Snowshoe)
Monday, December 23rd from 2:00-3:00pm
Join a Ney staff member on a trip through the park! Depending on the amount of snow we have, we’ll either hike or snowshoe. Along the way, we’ll chat about the trails, trees, wildlife, and any other observations we make. If weather allows us to snowshoe, a snowshoe rental will be included with your registration. Please arrive dressed for the weather, as we will be spending all of our time outside.
This program is designed for families and geared towards those ages 6+, however, all ages are welcome. Those under 2 can attend for free. Pre-registration is required, each registration is for one individual.
$3 for members, $5 for non-members. Register here.
Family Winter Wilderness Survival
Thursday, December 26th from 9:00-11:00am
Dive into Winter Wilderness Survival with us! We will discuss safety precautions and winter preparedness and sharpen our shelter and fire-building skills. Please come prepared to be warm outside with hats, mittens, jackets, snow pants, boots, etc.
This program is designed for families and geared towards those ages 7+, however, all ages are welcome. Those under 2 can attend for free. Pre-registration is required, each registration is for one individual.
$3 for members, $5 for non-members. Register here.
Cold Creativity: Winter Crafts Drop-In
Friday, December 27th from 9:00am-3:00pm
Cold Creativity is a drop-in crafting experience perfect for those looking for a fun family activity over winter break! Stop by anytime between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM to create three fun, winter-themed nature crafts. Whether you stay for a few minutes or an hour, you’ll get the chance to explore easy-to-follow projects that are fun for all ages. All supplies are provided, and hot cocoa will be available to keep you cozy while you create!
Each registration includes one free winter equipment rental (nordic skis or snowshoes) that can be used anytime that day or for the remainder of the season.
You need only register the youth taking part in the crafting, unless you would like to make your own creations too!
$3 for members, $5 for non-members. Register here.
Family Winter Wildlife Adventure
Monday, December 30th from 1:00-2:30pm
Bring your whole family out to Ney to learn about our favorite wild winter creatures! We’ll spend some time inside exploring the different ways we can spot and track birds and mammals during the winter. Towards the end of the program, we’ll put our new skills and knowledge to the test by going on an outdoor adventure walk. Please dress for the weather.
This program is designed for families and geared towards those ages 5+, however, all ages are welcome. Those under 2 can attend for free. Pre-registration is required; one individual per registration.
$3 for members, $5 for non-members. Register here.
Snowshoe Saturdays
Saturday, January 4th from 1-2pm
Saturday, February 1st from 1-2pm
Saturday, March 1st from 1-2pm
Join us each month for a guided snowshoeing adventure at Ney Nature Center! Discover the beauty of winter as we trek through snowy trails, explore hidden paths, and learn about local wildlife and winter ecology. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snowshoer, this class offers a fresh, peaceful way to experience nature and embrace the magic of Ney in winter. Snowshoes are provided if you need them, and each session brings a new route and unique theme!
Each registration is for one individual, ages 7+ recommended. Pre-registration required.
$3 for members, $5 for non-members. Register here.
Adult Programs
Lifelong Learner Series
Discover a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history, and conservation issues. This class is designed in a lecture-style format, ensuring that participants can remain seated throughout the session. The structure is tailored to be accessible for anyone, including those with limited mobility, allowing everyone to engage comfortably without the need for physical exertion. Whether you’re joining us to learn, socialize, or enjoy a relaxed educational environment, this class offers an inclusive experience for all participants. Please inform staff of any dietary restrictions.
Winter Bird Count Brunch: Saturday, December 14th from 10-11:30am
This month, join us for a presentation by local naturalists Art and Barb Straub and to learn about the Ney Winter Bird Count and our participation in the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. We will enjoy food and talk birds, and there is an option to go birding with us after the presentation is over!
Zoos: Thursday, January 16th from 12-1:30pm
We will explore the history and modern purpose of zoos, as well as the various kinds of zoos. Controversies and benefits will also be discussed.
Chimney Swifts: Thursday, February 20th from 12-1:30pm
Chimney Swift populations have been reduced dramatically in the past few decades. In addition to discussing why that is, we will go over what we can do to help.
Extremophiles: Thursday, March 20th from 12-1:30pm
In some of the most inhospitable places on Earth, we find amazing creatures called extremophiles. These creatures are able to survive blazing heat, caustic conditions, and other mind boggling things.
Pre-registration required. $12/member or $15/non-member. Register here.
FAQ & Policies
Public Programs Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration 48 hours or more before the start of the program, you can receive a 100% refund. If you cancel within 48 hours of the start of the program, you will receive a 50% refund. If you leave partway through or no-call, no-show, you will not receive a refund.
Ney Nature Center reserves the right to cancel any program due to illness, staffing issues, low registration, weather, etc. We promise to try our best to avoid cancellations and will try to give participants fair notice of any changes, but we are not always able to do this, so we appreciate your understanding. If Ney cancels a program, all participants will receive a 100% refund of their registration.
COVID-19 & Illness: At this time we are following CDC guidelines for all of our procedures, please visit the MN Department of Health website for more information. If you are experiencing symptoms of a communicable illness, please stay home! You can reach us by email or call us at 507-357-8580.