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
Autumn Wagon Ride
October 3rd
1:00pm-2:00pm
Members ride free, nonmembers $5
Enjoy a ride to appreciate the changing of the seasons here at Ney! Multiple rides are offered throughout the autumn season, so be sure to take note of the date and time of your registration. The wagon has a ramp that can be attached, so please also let us know if you will need that accommodation during registration. Remember to dress for the weather!
Sunset Wagon Ride
October 9th
5:45pm-6:45pm
Breathtaking views and a serene autumn evening await you on this sunset wagon ride event! Join us for a relaxing ride around the park, and see Ney like you’ve never seen it before. Register today, spots are going fast!
Members ride free, nonmembers $5
October 11th
1:00pm-2:00pm
Enjoy a ride to appreciate fall colors here at Ney! Multiple rides are offered throughout the autumn season, so be sure to take note of the date and time of your registration. The wagon has a ramp that can be attached, so please also let us know if you will need that accommodation during registration. Remember to dress for the weather!
Members ride free, nonmembers $5
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
Youth & Family Programs
Homeschool Drop-Off Programs
Tiny Trekkers [4-6 yrs] & Nature Detectives [7-11 yrs]
September- “Monarchs”
Tuesday, Sep 15th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekkers]
Tuesday Sep 29th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
It is Monarch Butterfly tagging season! Join us as we learn about these beautiful insects and their amazing journey to Mexico! Students should dress for the weather, as we will be going outside to catch Monarchs, tag them, and release them.
Members $5, non-members $7
October- “Bird Migration”
Tuesday, Oct 20th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekkers]
Tuesday Oct 27th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
Many of our Minnesota birds fly to warmer climates for the winter. We will be learning about why they migrate, why some stay, and what it takes to make this journey. Students should dress for the weather as we will be hiking during class.
Members $5, non-members $7
November- “Squirrels”
Tuesday, Nov 10th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekkers]
Tuesday Nov 17th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
Our friendly backyard squirrels are getting ready for winter! We will be learning about what they eat, where they live, and how they will spend their winter. We will be going on a hike, so remember to dress for the weather!
Members $5, non-members $7
December- “Bears”
Tuesday, Dec 8th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Tiny Trekkers]
Tuesday Dec 15th from 10:00am to 11:30am [Nature Detective]
It is time to settle in for our cold weather months! We will be learning all about bears: why they hibernate, where they live, what kinds of bears live in Minnesota, and much more! We will be going on a bear hunt, so please remember to dress for the weather.
Members $5, non-members $7
Creatures of the Night
October 30th
5:30pm-7:30pm
30 registrants per half hour (4 half hour slots)
5:30
6:00
6:30
7:00
Come learn about and celebrate all of the amazing creatures of the night that call MN home! Staff will be on hand to teach all about bats, coyotes, owls, and other amazing nocturnal animals. We will have a fire going in the fire ring outside of the main building. This evening program is family friendly, and will include walking lit trails at dusk or in the dark. Costumes are welcome, but not required. Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event.
Youth must be accompanied by an adult.
Registration Information
– Registration includes choosing the time slot you would like to arrive during, we would like to stagger participant arrival to ensure people are not crowded at stations. There is no time limit for participation, however, activities and tables will be open until 8pm.
– Please do not arrive after your time slot, if you choose to arrive early, please note that you will have to wait until your time slot to begin the trail.
– Pre-registration is required, limited spots available for each time slot.
– Registration is per individual attending, those under 2 years old attend for free.
– If you are a member, this event is free to attend, just select member at checkout.
Pre-registration is required. Register here!
Member $5, Non-member $7
2 and under free
Summer Day Camp
Thank you for a great summer! Visit our camp page for more information & to register (typically available starting in January)
Fall Break Camps
More info coming soon!
Questions about camp? Click here.
Registration coming soon!
Please check back later or subscribe to our newsletter for the most up-to-date notifications on upcoming programs.
Adult Programs
Geology & Artmaking in the Minnesota River Valley
October 3rd
10:00AM-12:00PM
Join glacial geologist Dr. Carrie Jennings, alongside painter, material researcher and educator Elisabeth Heying for an educational, hands-on workshop exploring the geologic history of the region and what makes the Minnesota River valley so unique. This event will begin with a 30-minute talk from Carrie teaching us about glacial Lake Agassiz, glacial River Warren and the stack of glacial sediment they exposed from her firsthand experience mapping the entire Minnesota River watershed. From there, Elisabeth will show mineral samples and discuss earth pigments and the mechanics of paint, connecting the formation of landscape with the creation of artwork. Hands-on workshop activities will include a large-scale collaborative piece made by the movement of pigments in frozen paint binder, and painting with glacial sediments collected in the Minnesota River valley. Attendees will experience this hybrid workshop at Ney Nature Center, surrounded by gorgeous county parklands with miles of scenic trails to explore and a breathtaking overlook of the valley. Part show and tell, part cooking show, part science lesson, part art class, this activity will connect Minnesotans with the matter and landscape of their home, and engage their attention to nature and place through creative experimentation.
Who can attend? Open to anyone! Artists, non-artists, curious thinkers, geologists, rock collectors, researchers, people who like to know what things are made of, nature lovers, history buffs, DIYers, appreciators of pretty things, and probably everyone else, too. Zero experience required. Best suited for adults, teens and upper elementary aged children.
Pre-registration required. Free program.
Register here: https://ney-nature-center.square.site/
While this workshop is free to attend, capacity is limited. If you register for this event and later find that you are unable to attend, please contact Ney Nature Center at info(at)neycenter(dot)org with a minimum of 24 hours advance notice so other visitors may be contacted to attend in your place.
Grant Acknowledgement: Elisabeth Heying is a fiscal year 2026 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. This event is a part of a series of workshops titled “The Matter of Place: Layers Beneath Minnesota,” which will culminate in an exhibition at Cargill Gallery at Minneapolis Central Library in June and July of 2027.
Fall Colors Landscape Painting
October 18th
2:00pm-5:00pm
Join us for a relaxing autumn afternoon of painting in the park overlooking some of our most beautiful color-changing foliage! This 3-hour program will teach participants all about the autumn colors and how we can best capture them in art. There will be a guided live painting session of fall scenery. Feel free to follow the guide or venture into your own creativity! Before we start painting, we will walk through the park looking at all the beautiful fall colors, getting an up-close view at many of our wonderful color changing species of plants! Canvases, paints, brushes, and easels / tables will be provided. This event will be held inside in the case of inclement weather.
Please let us know if you need any tools or assistance for hiking trails, please let us know if you prefer a full-sized easel, a table easel, or a flat table for painting when registering.
This program is for participants aged 12 and up and all participants 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Limited to 15 participants
Pre-registration required. $10 member, $14 nonmember
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.
September 10th
Natural Fabrics from Around the World
Explore the wonders of human ingenuity as we learn about the different fabrics that have historically been used around the world. From the common to the truly exotic, we will explore how fabrics were made, if they are still currently used, and why they may no longer be produced. Plan on enjoying a catered lunch as we dive into this intriguing topic! Remember to register ahead of time so that we have enough food and coffee for everyone. We look forward to seeing you!
12:00pm-1:30pm
Members $12, nonmembers $15
October 8th
Fall Foliage & Wagon Ride
We will be investigating how and why leaves change color in the fall, as well as why some trees don’t drop their leaves. The lunch will be followed by a wagon ride around the property. Remember to register ahead of time so that we have enough food and coffee for everyone. We look forward to seeing you!
12:00pm-1:30pm
Members $12, nonmembers $15
November 12th
Owls
This month we will be learning about owls both in Minnesota and around the world. While often thought of as nocturnal, many of our species are active during daylight hours as well. Remember to register ahead of time so that we have enough food and coffee for everyone. We look forward to seeing you!
12:00pm-1:30pm
Members $12, nonmembers $15
December 19th
Ney Winter Bird Count
It is time for our Annual Winter Bird Count! We will have a brunch followed by a presentation about our bird count. Staff will lead some hikes around the property to count birds after the event. Remember to register ahead of time so that we have enough food and coffee for everyone.
10:00am-11:30am
Members $12, nonmembers $15
Members-Only Programs
Become a Ney Member & gain access to unique & exclusive programming throughout the year.
Members-Only Sunset Wagon Ride
September 18th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
As the sun goes down, the natural world comes alive. During this exclusive, Ney Members-Only wagon ride, participants will hop aboard the “People Mover” and enjoy the sights and sounds of an evening at Ney, including a dazzling sunset (weather allowing), the frog pond at dusk, and a prairie full of nocturnal wildlife.
Looking to add on to your experience? Consider heading to the Education Building after the conclusion of the wagon ride for a Members-Only presentation given by a member of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, followed by a guided tour of the stars with a high-powered telescope. (No registration required)
Register for the wagon ride here: https://ney-nature-center.square.site/
Registration is required for the wagon ride as seating is limited.
Free!
Members-Only Stargazing
September 18th, 7:00pm-8:00pm
A members-only program, hosted by the Minnesota Astronomical Society who will give a 30-minute presentation, and, clear skies permitting, a guided opportunity to view a spectacular night sky, and celestial objects of interest. Attendees should dress for the weather.
In the event of cloudy skies, the indoor portion of the program will run as scheduled.
All ages are welcome. Be sure to check your membership level, you won’t want to miss this one!
-No registration is required-
Free!
Community Events
Community Events at Ney are free for anyone to attend and are held seasonally throughout the year.
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.