River Bend Nature Center is a non-profit day-use nature center in the city of
Faribault, Minnesota
Faribault ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Rice County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 24,453 at the 2020 census. Faribault is approximately south of Minneapolis–Saint Paul.
Interstate 35 and Minnesota State Highwa ...
. It was established in the late 1970s as an educational non-profit. The nature center encompasses cradling the
Straight River. There are of formal hiking trails with some also available for skiing, snowshoeing, biking, and snowmobiling. The main Interpretive Center houses naturalist staff, displays, Windows on the Wild backyard bird habitat, and the Carlander Nature Library. The Trailside Center is a 3-season programming and maintenance facility. Five peripheral parcels of River Bend are owned by
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is a global environmental organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, United States. it works via affiliates or branches in 79 countries and territories, as well as across every state in the US.
Founded in ...
.
Notable flora and fauna
The center contains a variety of habitats including wetlands, forests, and more than of restored and original prairie. The center contains some specimens of the endangered
dwarf trout lily.
Programming and staff

The River Bend Nature Center staff conducts interpretive programs for adults and children throughout the year. Children from public and several charter elementary schools in Rice County visit the center regularly as part of the science curriculum at those schools. In addition, River Bend staff travel to schools and home-schooled students throughout Rice County to provide natural and environmental education in several off-site programs.
Location
River Bend is located just off state highway 60 in the southeast corner of the city of Faribault in central
Rice County.
References
External links
* {{Official website, http://www.rbnc.org
Nature centers in Minnesota
Protected areas of Rice County, Minnesota
Buildings and structures in Faribault, Minnesota
Education in Rice County, Minnesota
Tourist attractions in Rice County, Minnesota