Public Programs Are Open!
Browse our events below and sign up today to be part of the fun.
All Events
Family Campout Fall
This is the perfect way to introduce your family to the joys of camping. Bring your own tent or borrow one of ours (supplies limited) the price includes dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike.
This event is for members only
Pollinator Pathway
Learn how to best support the needs of pollinators that are vital to our environment and food sources. Join Rye and the surrounding region to create a Pollinator Pathway network of pollinator-friendly habitats.
FREE
The Great Leaf Hunt Begins
Throughout October, we will be looking for the largest leaf! The winning leaf will be on display here at our museum.
Pumpkin Smash and Composting
Join us for a fun, hands-on hour where we turn post-Halloween pumpkins into compost gold and celebrate sustainability.
47 for 47 Acres Day
School’s out, so bring the family to Rye Nature Center for an afternoon of fall fun! This special hiking experience invites you to explore the beautiful grounds and connect with nature.
Survival Skills
Discover the ancient art and science of fire-making in this hands-on workshop where participants will explore different traditional fire-starting methods.
Turkey Hike
Join us for a walk through the woods as we explore the secret life of wild turkeys!
Mistletoe Magic
The Chamber of Commerce will once again transform Purchase Street into a winter wonderland, offering fun activities, performers, crafts, and games for the entire family.
Animal Meet and Greet
Join us for a meet and greet with the Nature Center animals! Children and families will get to learn about our resident mammals, reptiles, and birds.
Campfire, Cocoa, S’mores, and Stories
Enjoy a cozy hour around the campfire with nature-based stories and a sweet treat.
Build a Better Birdfeeder
Learn which birds stay for winter, what they eat, and how to help them thrive in cold months.
Moss and Lichen Hike
Step into the world of mosses and lichens on this observation-focused hike.
Maple Sugaring
Learn how to tap a maple tree! Families will learn about the process of creating maple syrup and get a tour of our Sugar Shed.
Maple Sugaring Afterschool Workshop
Learn how to tap a maple tree! Families will learn about the process of creating maple syrup and get a tour of our Sugar Shed.
Pollinator Pathway
Learn how to best support the needs of pollinators that are vital to our environment and food sources. Join Rye and the surrounding region to create a Pollinator Pathway network of pollinator-friendly habitats.
FREE
Build a Nest: Bird Architecture
Learn about the clever ways birds build nests using natural materials.
Maple Sugaring
Learn how to tap a maple tree! Families will learn about the process of creating maple syrup and get a tour of our Sugar Shed.
Buds, Bark, and Beyond!
Discover how to identify trees just as they begin to wake up in anticipation of the summer months.
Decomposers in Action
Discover the unsung heroes of the forest hidden under the layers of leaves and logs.
Trivia Night
Join us for a night of brain-twisting fun at Rye Nature Center. From pop culture and science to bizarre wildlife facts, our trivia will blow your mind.
Earth Day Every Day
Celebrate Earth Month with hands-on activities that inspire sustainability!
Pollinator Pathway
Learn how to best support the needs of pollinators that are vital to our environment and food sources. Join Rye and the surrounding region to create a Pollinator Pathway network of pollinator-friendly habitats.
FREE
Family Campout Spring
This is the perfect way to introduce your family to the joys of camping. Bring your own tent or borrow one of ours (supplies limited) the price includes dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike.
This event is for members only
How Do You Play In The Mud?
Join us for a muddy adventure in nature! While the chefs are cooking, learn more about the Forest School’s approach to play-based and nature-based education from FRNC Educator(s).
REGISTER >
Pond Investigation
Come to the Nature Center and learn all about the animals that call our pond home!
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Family Campout
This is the perfect way to introduce your family to the joys of camping. Bring your own tent or borrow one of ours (supplies limited) the price includes dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike.
This event is for members only
REGISTER >
Intro To Birding
Learn more about our local birds as they start to migrate back to the area.
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Trivia Night at the Museum
Grab your favorite brainiac and head up the hill for an Earth-Day inspired trivia night. We'll celebrate the update to our Visitor Center as we put our wits and knowledge to the test!
Garden Prep
Spring into spring, roll up your sleeves and dive into the vibrant world of gardening. As nature awakens from its winter slumber, it's the perfect time to prepare our gardens for a season of abundant growth and beauty.
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Bird Watch!
Join us for a guided Bird Watch hike on Friday, March 28th, with two available sessions from 9:15 AM to 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Explore the forest as we identify local bird species, listen to their meditative calls, and discover what our students have learned about the birds in our ecosystem this year. Pre-registration is required.
Old-Fashioned Winter’s Afternoon/Member Day
Enjoy log-sawing, maple sugaring, crafts, winter-themed carnival games, and more at this 48-year-old Rye tradition!
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Maple Sugaring
Learn how to tap a maple tree! Families will learn about the process of creating maple syrup and get a tour of our Sugar Shed.
REGISTER >
Maple Sugaring
Learn how to tap a maple tree! Families will learn about the process of creating maple syrup and get a tour of our Sugar Shed.
REGISTER >
Animal Meet and Greet
Join us for a meet and greet with the Nature Center animals! Children and families will get to learn about our resident mammals, reptiles, and birds.
REGISTER >
Turkey Hike
Join our staff as we search for local turkeys in the forest and create a Thanksgiving craft.
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Pumpkin Smash and Composting
Not sure what to do with all those leftover pumpkins from Halloween? Bring them to the Nature Center and learn how smashing them up and composting them can be great for the earth!
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Bird Seed Orders Due
Help us support our feathered friends while making a difference in our community!
ORDER >
Project Feederwatch
Observe, record, and count our feathered friends that visit our bird feeders from the comfort of our wildlife observation deck.
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Leaf ID Hike and Craft
Hike with an FRNC naturalist and leaf peep at the Rye Nature Center!
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Naturalist in Your Neighborhood (Day 2)
An FRNC naturalist will visit your property and provide suggestions on how to make it more welcoming to wildlife through eco-friendly methods.
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Hike & Seek Evening for 5th - 6th Graders
Join the FRNC team as we play a large, group session of hide and seek in the RNC forest.
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Naturalist in Your Neighborhood (Day 1)
An FRNC naturalist will visit your property and provide suggestions on how to make it more welcoming to wildlife through eco-friendly methods.
REGISTER >
Family Campout
This is the perfect way to introduce your family to the joys of the outdoors. Bring your own tent or borrow one of ours (supplies limited) the price includes dinner, breakfast, and a guided hike.
This event is for members only.
Pollinator Pathways
Learn how to best support the needs of pollinators that are vital to our environment and food sources. Join Rye and the surrounding region to create a Pollinator Pathway network of pollinator-friendly habitats.
FREE
Composting for Our Forests and Beyond
Participants will learn how composting can help restore our forest soil ecosystem and what the best resources are for doing so at home. The program will consist of a 40-minute presentation, 30-minute interactive outdoor demonstration, and a 20-minute Q&A session.
Seed Starting
Join us for a day of hands-on gardening education. Families will decorate pots and plant their own seeds, then learn about the importance of local pollinators.
$5/person
Support Our Cause
Every donation, no matter how big or small, helps us continue our vital work in conservation, education, and environmental advocacy. Join us in our mission to create a sustainable future for generations to come.
