All programs 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.
All Ages Programs
Maple Syrup: Sap to Sugar
March 7th | 1:30pm- 2:30pm Members, $5, General Public, $7
March 22nd | 1:30pm- 2:30pm Members, $5, General Public, $7
Ever wondered if you could make your own syrup? Join us for an immersive tour of Ney Nature Center’s maple syrup operation, where you’ll discover the journey from tree to table! This experience takes you through our syrup process to learn about traditional and modern maple syrup and sugaring methods, as well as the science behind it all. To conclude, indulge in a tasting session and see if you can guess which syrup is ours and which is store-bought. This tour is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about the process—and enjoy some delicious maple syrup!
These programs spend time outside – please dress for the weather and ground conditions (mud, snow, cold, etc)
Each registration is for one individual, all ages welcome, geared towards those aged 6 and up. Children 2 and under attend for free. Pre-registration required.
Bird Buddies Series
Join us to learn about different bird species each month of 2026! Together we’ll be learning bird identification details, participating in activities to explore the life of a bird, and going on hikes around the park to hopefully observe the birds.
This program is great for bird enthusiasts or families starting their birding journey. Binoculars will be provided to all participants, but feel free to bring your own. Please wear active, weather appropriate attire. All youth 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Programs run from 8:30AM-10:00AM
Members $5, non-members $7
January 31 – Woodpeckers & Nuthatches
February 28 – Bird Olympic Games
March 28 – Eastern Bluebirds**
April 25 – Spring Pond Birds
May 30 – Warblers
June 27 – Waterfowl
July 25 – Seated Birding at the Pond
August 29 – Hawks
September 12 – Migratory Birds
October 3 – Pheasants
November 19 – Owls [EVENING PROGRAM]December 19 – Winter Bird Count
**This program covers bluebird life history and basic birding. Interested in building your own bluebird house to take home? An additional follow-up program from 10am-11am will give participants a chance to do just that! (Additional fees apply, more info below)
Build-Your-Own Bluebird House
Immediately following the morning Bird Buddies program, this ADDITIONAL program will allow participants to learn how to build a bluebird house and then put that learning into action — building their very own bluebird house to take home!
Already attending Bird Buddies and want to make a bluebird house? Registering for this separate program is still REQUIRED.
Pre-registration required. $5 member, $7 nonmember PLUS $25 per bluebird house (limit 1 house per person)
Geocaching for Bunny Baskets
Saturday April 4th 10:00AM or 1:00PM
Sunday April 5th 10:00AM or 1:00PM
Celebrate the spring with one of our favorite animals, the rabbit! We will have themed bunny baskets hidden throughout the park for your family to discover and enjoy! At the beginning of your session, we will send GPS coordinates where your basket is located. Staff will be available on-site, but this is designed to be an “on-your-own-adventure”. The baskets contain candy, small toys, and fun items related to nature. Geared toward those ages 12 and younger, however, the hunt is fun for all ages!
Participants will need access to a GPS or smartphone with a Geocaching app. You will receive an email with instructions for finding your basket before the event, and an email with GPS location at the start of your morning or afternoon session (10am or 1pm).
Registration is per basket. Maximum 2 baskets per family. **If your section is sold out and you would like to be added to the waiting list OR you would like more than 2 baskets, please email us.**
Youth & Family Programs
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Emerald Ash Borers”
Tuesday, March 10th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday March 24th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We will be learning all about the invasive Emerald Ash Borer and its impact on our Ash trees. After learning about the life cycle of this nonnative insect, and looking at some examples of them and the damage they cause to wood, we will go out into the park to look at the health of our Ash trees. Come dressed for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Frogs”
Tuesday, April 7th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday April 28th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We are going to be learning all about frogs this month! We will compare amphibians and reptiles to learn how they are different, as well as their various stages of life. We will walk down to the pond and try to find frogs or toads as we go, before learning about the history of our Frog Pond. If the weather and water temperature permits, we will also do a pond study to look at what our frogs eat. Come dressed for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
Tiny Trekkers & Nature Detectives Homeschool – “Flowers”
Tuesday, May 19th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekker]
Tuesday May 26th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
We are going to be learning all about flowers this month! From big, brightly colored flowers to tiny, hidden flowers, we will learn all about them, why plants have them, and why they look so different. The craft this month will be flower themed, so bring your creative juices. As always, dress for the weather as we will be going outside to look for flowers!
Members $5, non-members $7
Summer Day Camp
Visit our camp page for more information & to register!
Spring Break Camps
Discover the wonders of spring at our action-packed Spring Break Camp! Kids will explore the outdoors with guided nature hikes, unleash their creativity with nature-inspired crafts, and get hands-on with science experiments. This camp is full of new adventures, teamwork, and fun!
Questions about what to bring to camp? Click here.
March 20th
Friday, March 20th, 2026 | Ages 6-11
Full-day camp from 9am-3:15pm
April 6th
Monday, April 6th, 2026 | Ages 6-11
Full-day camp from 9am-3:15pm
Adult Programs
Lifelong Learner Series
Discover a new topic each month as we explore local wildlife, history, and conservation issues. The structure is tailored to be accessible for anyone, including those with limited mobility, allowing everyone to engage comfortably. Whether you’re joining us to learn, socialize, or enjoy a relaxed educational environment, this class offers a fun experience for all participants. Lunch is included, please inform staff of any dietary restrictions when registering.
March’s Topic:
Everyone’s favorite rodents are the topic of discussion this month! Come welcome in Spring by learning about these amazing creatures, where they live, and what roles they play in our landscapes.
April’s Topic:
Freshwater mussels are amazing creatures who had a large impact on the button industry here in Minnesota. We will be learning about these hidden wonders, where you might find them, and why they are so important to our aquatic ecosystems. We will talk about mussels that are known to be in the Minnesota River currently, as well as what efforts are being made to bring some of the historic diversity back to our waters.
May’s Topic:
We will be diving into the history of the Ney Family Homestead here in the park. Thanks to the help of our Ney Nature Center historian, Carol Jackson, and our historic interpreter Koleesa Dirksen, we will have photos of the homestead when the Ney family lived there, as well as information about the family’s time on the property. Following our presentation, we will load onto the wagon for a ride down to the homestead where we will tour the property. Remember to dress for the weather!
Members-Only Programs
Become a Ney Member & gain access to unique programming throughout the year.
Please check back later or subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date notifications on upcoming programs.
FAQ & Policies
Sold Out Programs: Send us an email or give us a call, we sometimes open more spots, and either way, we take public interest into account and may run the program again or add spots in the future.
Drop-Off Program Policy: If a program is listed as “Drop-Off” we ask that you step out of the building (or area where the program takes place) for the duration of the time while your child takes part in the program. You are welcome to wait in your car, go for a walk in the park, or run some errands! We will ask that you confirm your phone number on the check-in sheet before leaving and staff will call you if we need you! If you are not comfortable with the drop-off format, we welcome you reaching out to us with any concerns or questions. We also would love for you to join us at a family program if it is more your style to participate with your kids!
Public Programs Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your registration 48 hours or more before the day of the program, you can receive a 100% refund if requested. If you cancel within 48 hours of the day of the program, you can receive a 50% refund if requested. Day-of cancellations are appreciated for communication with instructors, however, we do not provide refunds in this case.
Example: If your program is on a Thursday, we can provide full refunds up until Monday at midnight. If you cancel on Tuesday or Wednesday, we can provide 50% of your registration fee back. If you let us know on Thursday, we would not provide a refund.
If your registration is under $10, consider donating it instead of requesting a refund! As a small non-profit, every dollar really does count. Thank you!
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 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.
Public Programs Registration Transfer Policy: If there is a class offered at the same value or less and still has open spots, we can transfer your registration to that class up until the day of the program. However, you must request this before the start time of your original class.
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.