Use an old-fashioned cider press to make apple cider and taste the finished product. Learn about pollinators, flowers and fruits on an autumn nature walk. Reservations required. Everyone attending this program must register and pay. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Work with naturalists to create a unique buckthorn wreath to decorate for the holidays. Arrange evergreens and other natural materials to bring color and depth to your wreath. Learn about this common invasive plant and how buckthorn impacts local ecosystems. Warm up with complimentary coffee, tea or bring your favorite cozy beverage. Enjoy good company and conversation while you work. Come ready to create, connect and celebrate the season. $32/person.

Learn about buckthorn, an abundant non-native tree, before repurposing its wood to make gift tags, small decorations and more. Decorate 1-3" buckthorn wood slices using wood burning tools, watercolor paints, decoupage supplies and twine. Tea and cocoa will be provided for you to enjoy as you work. $8/person.

Learn about nature at your own pace through hands-on experiences. Each week features a different topic, with a naturalist available to share insights and answer questions. Activities change weekly and may include self-guided activities such as a short hike, exhibit discovery or using an exploration kit. Designed for individuals, families and learners of all ages. Drop in anytime, no registration required. Free.

Hike an illuminated autumn trail at your own pace. Relax around a campfire while listening to live acoustic music. Hennepin County Libraries will provide a new Story Stroll to read on your hike each of the evenings. Bring your own snacks, beverages and s'mores. Stop in the building to view exhibits and purchase Richardson Nature Center's very own wildflower honey. The illuminated trail is approximately one-half mile along rolling woodchip and turf trails. No reservation needed; drop in anytime. All ages welcome. Free.

Discover the natural world with your preschooler through free play, a craft and a naturalist-led hike. Use all five senses to explore nature and the changing seasons with a naturalist. Reservations required for both adult and child. Ages: 2-6, plus adult. $6/person.

Discover the natural world with your preschooler through free play, a craft and a naturalist-led hike. Count and find numbers in nature, then make discoveries along the way. This program is primarily outdoors. Reservations required. This program is designed for ages 2-6 and an accompanying adult. Both adult and child must register and pay. $6/person.

Learn alongside your preschooler through imaginative play, nature artifacts and movement. Then, watch a silly puppet show! Try a self-guided nature activity after the show. $5/person. Ages 2-6 plus adult.

Join naturalists for an evening hike through the shadowy autumn forest. Explore the mysteries behind glowing eyes, nighttime sounds, and the ways humans and animals experience the night differently. Learn how owls, foxes, deer, and other nocturnal and crepuscular creatures navigate using their keen senses, moonlight, the stars and even Earth's magnetic field. The hike will be moderately paced along rolling turf and woodchip trails. Reservations required. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Drop off your preschooler to discover the natural world through art, songs, play, live animals, hikes and more. Enjoy a snack brought from home and listen to nature stories. Each session is taught in English with an introduction to the Spanish language. $68/child for four sessions.

Drop off your preschooler to discover the natural world through art, songs, play, live animals, hikes and more. Enjoy a snack brought from home and listen to nature stories. Each session is taught in English with an introduction to the Spanish language. Reservations required. $68/four sessions.

Drop off your preschooler to discover the natural world through art, songs, play, live animals, hikes and more. Enjoy a snack brought from home and listen to nature stories. Each session is taught in English with an introduction to the Spanish language. Reservations required. $68/four sessions.

Get an up close look at some of nature's most powerful and fascinating birds—raptors! You'll meet two live birds of prey while learning what makes these hunters so unique. Discover the key traits all raptors share, explore their incredible adaptations and pick up tips for spotting and identifying them in the wild. Open to all ages but designed for ages 7+. $6/person.

Welcome the new year with family and friends while enjoying the thrill of sledding. Bring your own s'mores supplies to roast and enjoy by a fire. Limited supply of sleds and roasting sticks available. All ages welcome. Free.

Find clues hidden in the park that lead to supplies for making a fire and s’mores. Work together as a group to practice safely building and maintaining a fire to enjoy your campfire treat. Graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate are provided. All ages will enjoy, but please note that the clues are designed for ages 7+, younger children may need assistance with writing and decoding. $15/group (maximum 5 people).

Celebrate Halloween by getting to know the sometimes feared, often misunderstood, always fascinating spiders of Minnesota. Learn to identify spiders based on their habitat, web and eyes. Contribute to citizen science by finding, identifying and recording web and spider sightings on a guided 1-mile walk through the forest and prairie. All ages welcome. $6/person.

Join the Outdoor Recreation School for a nighttime hike on quiet trails. Get tips on navigating trails after dusk. After the hike, gather around a fire for s'mores. If there is snow, we will use snowshoes or traction devices. We will hike 2-4 miles on variable terrain. $8/person.