Jumping Frogs
2023-06-01 10:00 (America/Chicago)
Family program all about frogs. Includes a puppet show, game, walk, and craft. Register by email or phone starting May 18.

Stargazing
2023-06-09 20:00 - 21:30
Join Randy Harrison as he helps you view constellations & other space objects. Randy will have a telescope & a giant pair of binoculars. Bring your own binoculars, if you have some, and a lawn chair if you like. Cancelled if too cloudy. No registration required. All ages.

Campfire Night
2023-06-16 19:00
Gather around the fire for songs, stories, & roasted marshmallows. We’ll learn about creatures of the night and hike a trail. $5 per family suggested donation. Register by email or phone starting June 2.

Bountiful Blooms
2023-07-21 18:00
Come make a flower vase and then take an evening stroll through the prairie to find some flowers to fill it. For families and adults. Register by email or phone starting July 7.

Paint Night
2023-07-26 18:30
Adult program. Enjoy a relaxing atmosphere as you paint a wooden dragonfly. Snacks included. $10 fee. Register by email or phone starting July 12.

Sense-ational Night Hike
2023-07-28 20:00
Use your senses on this hike after dark. Family & adult program. Register by email or phone starting July 14.

Buzzy Bees
2023-08-02 10:00
We’ll discover many types of bees as we walk a trail. We’ll also have games and a craft. Family program. Register by email or phone starting July 19.

Astronomy Night
2023-08-19 19:00 - 21:00
The Riverbend Club will set up telescopes for public viewing. In the sky for viewing will be a thin crescent moon, star clusters, nebula, double stars and more. Saturn will rise later in the evening. The club members will talk about astronomy and help anybody with telescopes as time and weather allow. No registration needed. Starting at 7pm.

3D Bow Shoot Fundraiser
2023-09-09 07:30 - 16:00
Thirty targets. $30 for adults, $20 for ages 12-18, $10 for 11 and under. Includes a meal.

3D Bow Shoot
2023-09-10 07:30 - 16:00

Senior Moments
2023-09-14 10:00
We’ll have crafts using leaves, learn to identify common trees by their leaves, and take a walk to look at trees. Adult program. Register by email, phone or facebook message.

Raptor Program
2023-09-23 13:00
The World Bird Sanctuary will be here with live hawks & owls. It will be in the lower level and last approx. 45 minutes. For all ages. Register by email, phone, or facebook message.

Campfire Night
2023-09-29 18:30
Gather ’round a fire for stories & songs. There will also be activities and a hike. Family program. Pre-register by Sept. 27.

Spooky Night
2023-10-27 18:00
Hike a spooky trail and collect treats from nocturnal animal puppets along the way. A 5:15pm, 6:15pm and 7:15pm time to choose from. $5 fee per child. Designed for ages 5-9, but all are welcome. Parents attend with children. Registration open on Oct 17-25. Register by facebook message, email, or phone.

Fundraising Banquet
2023-11-11 17:30
Our annual fundraiser includes appetizers, wine tasting, meal, raffles, games, silent and live auctions.
2023 Banquet Flyer

Owl Prowl
2023-12-01 16:30
Learn about owls, make a craft, and take a hike. Maybe we’ll hear one! For adults and families with kids 7 year old and older. Registration required – email, phone, or facebook message.

Christmas Fun Hike
2023-12-22 13:00 - 15:00
Take a hike along a special trail as you learn about the things animals might want in their stockings. Find the special tree and get a treat! A simple craft and fun games will be available in the lower level of the visitor center. Come anytime from 1-3pm. $5 fee per family.

Owl Fun
2023-12-28 10:00 - 11:30
Kids ages 7-10 will learn about owls, take a hike, and make a really cute craft. $10 fee. Registration required by email or phone.

Backyard Birds
2024-01-27 14:00
Adult program. Come learn about the birds in your backyard during a slide show and fun activity. Learn tricks to identify them and attract them to your yard. You will go home with a log peanut butter feeder. Program fee: $5 Registration required. Register by email, phone, or FB message.

Night at the Races Fundraiser
2024-02-02 18:00
Ballard Flyer 2024 Horse Race.docx (1)

Starry Night
2024-02-09 18:00
Our classroom will be transformed into a magical starry night by the “campfire.” We’ll learn to recognize some constellations in a fun way, listen to campfire stories, sing a few songs, & play games. We’ll go out and look at the stars on a short night hike. A great way to relieve some of your cabin fever! Family program.
Registration required by Feb 8th. Register by email, phone, or private FB message. No fee

Starry Night
2024-02-23 18:00 - 19:00
Our classroom will be transformed into a magical starry night by the “campfire.” We’ll learn to recognize some constellations in a fun way, listen to campfire stories, sing a few songs, & play nocturnal animals bingo. We’ll go out to look at the stars & do an activity on a short night hike. Family program.
Registration required. Register by email, phone, or private FB message. No fee

Under the Stars
2024-03-16 19:00
Join Randy Harrison, a Master Naturalist, for a night under the stars! Please dress to be outdoors and bring a comfortable chair if you would like and stay a while. If you have a pair of binoculars, bring them along. We will tour the visible constellations at this time of year, as well as use Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) to see galaxies, nebulas, and star clusters! We hope you will join us for a night of star hopping through the sky. Come anytime from 7-9pm. No registration needed. No fee. For all ages.

UKC Shed Dog Event
2024-03-22 08:00 - 2024-03-24 16:00
The United Kennel Club is holding the Elite Shed Dog Series Nationals. Some trails will be closed to the public.

Sounds of Spring
2024-03-28 13:00
Come learn about the animals who make their voices heard in the spring, along with other changes that the season brings. We’ll play games, craft, and go on a trail walk. Family program. Registration required-call or email. No fee.

Spring Babies
2024-03-29 10:00 - 11:30
Springtime is baby time in nature. We’ll learn about baby animals and their family lives. A windchime craft is part of the fun. Registration required-call or email. $5 fee.

Summer Camps
2024-04-27
Summer camp sign up begins. See our page on our summer camps to get the schedule.

Walking with Llamas
2024-04-27 13:00 - 15:00
THIS IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN COMING IN ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. Come out and walk on the trail with llamas. We’ll also have some yard games for kids. No registration or fee.

Cicada Fun
2024-05-28 13:00
They are coming whether you are ready or not. Are you excited for this natural phenomenon? Or are you dreading it? Either way, join us as we have some fun learning about the amazing periodical cicada. We’ll have a book, snack on cicada shaped cookies, make a fun craft, test our ability to identify different animal sounds, and go on the search for cicadas to get up close with them.
For all ages. No fee.
Registration required. Register by phone, facebook message, or email.

Campfire Night
2024-05-29 18:00
Gather ‘round the fire for songs & stories as we learn about bats. We’ll also roast marshmallows & and take a hike on a trail. Registration required by email, phone, or facebook.
