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
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
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!
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
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.
May
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 & exclusive programming throughout the year.
Members-Only Stargazing
August 21, 7:00pm-8:00pm
September 18th, 7:00pm-8:00pm
A members-only program, this fall we will be hosting the Minnesota Astronomical Society TWICE 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. A second members-only program hosted by the Minnesota Astronomical Society is scheduled for September 18 7:00pm-8:00pm which will include an indoor presentation as well as a guided sky-viewing opportunity.
All ages are welcome. Be sure to check your membership level, you won’t want to miss this one!
Registration coming soon!
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.