Upcoming at Rye Nature Center!
Browse our events below and sign up today to be part of the fun.
All Events
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
Registration opens Tues, 3/3
Fairy House Festival
Step into a world of enchantment and imagination at our first-ever Fairy House Festival! Wander through a whimsical woodland village of handcrafted fairy homes built by local schools, garden clubs, and community groups, each one a tiny masterpiece tucked among the trees and rocks.
Enjoy an afternoon sprinkled with magic: create your own fairy wand, explore shimmering crystals and geodes, chase bubbles across the meadow, and visit our magical and mysterious animal table.
Don’t miss face painting in the pavilion, our magical potion bar, colorful popcorn and party mix, and a photo op with wings! Costumes encouraged—fairies, elves, and woodland creatures welcome!
It's guaranteed to be a magical day!
Free for members | $30 per family for non-members
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
Earth Day Every Day
Celebrate Earth Month with hands-on activities that inspire sustainability!
Trivia Night (Adults Only)
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.
Decomposers in Action
Discover the unsung heroes of the forest hidden under the layers of leaves and logs.
School’s Out Workshop
Children will learn how Rye was impacted by the Ice Age and investigate the properties of water when it freezes.
Registration opens at 10am on Tues, Mar. 3
Buds, Bark, and Beyond!
Discover how to identify trees just as they begin to wake up in anticipation of the summer months.
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.
Old Fashion Winter’s Afternoon
Join us for a 49-year-old Rye tradition! All ages are welcome for an afternoon filled with fun pastimes like log sawing contests, fire-roasted marshmallows, hikes, maple sugaring, and so much more.
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
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.
Moss and Lichen Hike
Step into the world of mosses and lichens on this observation-focused hike.
Build a Better Birdfeeder
Learn which birds stay for winter, what they eat, and how to help them thrive in cold months.
Campfire, Cocoa, S’mores, and Stories
Enjoy a cozy hour around the campfire with nature-based stories and a sweet treat.
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.
School’s Out Workshop
We’ll wander toward the high point in search of greenery and uncover which mosses and winter buds are hiding in plain sight.
Turkey Hike
Join us for a walk through the woods as we explore the secret life of wild turkeys!
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.
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.
Pumpkin Smash and Composting
Join us for a fun, hands-on hour where we turn post-Halloween pumpkins into compost gold and celebrate sustainability.
Registration Full
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.
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
REGISTER >
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
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!
REGISTER >
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.
REGISTER >
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.
