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Elementary School Groups
Carpenter's professional staff conducts quality environmental education programs for more than 10,000 students and their teachers annually. Each program is designed to supplement classroom studies through hands-on learning in the "outdoor classroom." A small student to naturalist staff ratio (20:1) allows for greater individual learning and enhances the experience for students.
All environmental education program curriculum at CNC is written to be age appropriate and to enhance science studies. Input from teachers and education specialists are a valuable tool in developing programs. Every program is designed to meet Minnesota and Wisconsin Academic Standards. Class outlines are available upon request for every program.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade 1.25 – 1.5 hour programs
Apple Orchard– Learn parts of an apple tree and observe animals in the orchard. Pick apples and make cider. Optional visit to the pumpkin patch for an additional fee.
Change of Seasons– Discover seasonal changes and visit live animals that hibernate, migrate, or stay active.
Flowers & Pollination– Learn about plant reproduction by role playing in and active game. Examine real pollinators visiting flowers on a hike by the gardens.
Plant Communities– Explore plant diversity in three different communities—a grassland; a pine forest; & a deciduous forest.
Winter Birds– Identify six year round birds through a winter hike and dissect owl pellets to solve a mystery.
Winterfest– Play native American games while celebrating winter. Warm up with a story and hot cocoa.
2nd & 3rd Grade 1.5 – 2 hour programs
Adaptations– Through hands-on activities and live animals, students learn about plant and animal adaptations for survival.
Birds & Banding– Go on a bird hike with binoculars and field guides and see birds up close during an introduction to the scientific process of bird banding.
Food Chains– Study the energy flow in food chains by finding clues in nature, developing food chains, and presenting findings.
Insects– By using nets and jars, students collect and identify classes of insects while looking at life cycles, metamorphosis, and diversity.
Reptiles & Amphibians– Become herpetologists as we study the differences and similarities of reptiles and amphibians in live animals. This is an indoor program.
Rocks & Minerals– Examine the difference between rocks and minerals through hands-on investigation. Learn about the rock cycle and formation.
Snow & Ice Study– Students learn scientific processes of hypotheses, experiment, and analyze results by testing properties of water, insulation, snow, and temperature.
Trees– Discuss the importance of trees, identify common deciduous and evergreen trees, and explore the life cycle of a tree.
4th, 5th, & 6th Grade 1.75 – 2 hour programs
Geology– Observe examples of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Participate in a "timeline of the earth" and a "rock investigation."
Invertebrates– Learn about animal classification by catching arthropods, annelids and mollusks.
Map & Compass– Take part in the sport of orienteering by learning how to use a compass, read a map & combine the skills to compete on a timed orienteering course.
Maple Syruping– Help CNC make maple syrup by identifying, tapping & collecting sap from a maple tree. Observe the boiling process & taste pure maple syrup.
Plants & People– Explore human/plant interactions by visiting the restored prairie, apple orchard & seeing plant products.
Snowshoeing– After a snowshoe demonstration, strap on a pair and go for a guided winter ecology hike. Students must wear boots.
Water Erosion– Discover what erosion is, what causes it and ways to prevent it through hands-on experimentation & games.
Water Quality– Use monitoring equipment to test CNC's wetland or the St. Croix River. Compare results to determine overall conclusions. Dress to get wet feet.
Weather– Use meteorology equipment to analyze current weather conditions & make a forecast.
Wetlands– Explore the diversity of life, human impact, and adaptations present in the wetland habitat. Dress to get wet & muddy.
Wilderness Survival– Discuss human survival needs, & work in teams to cooperate, and to make a signal, fire, & shelter to survive.
For non-school groups, $5.00 per child and for school groups, $4.00 per student for 1st visit, $3.00 per student for 2nd visit or more (within school year); $50.00 per program minimum; $5.00 per adult chaperone above 5:1 student/chaperone ratio. Free for certified teachers and PCAs.
Group Size
Group sizes should be at least 10 participants. Usually maximum group size is 60, please call to discuss options for larger groups. Given enough time in advance we can arrange classes for larger groups.
Mobility Limitations
CNC welcomes all participants regardless of abilities. Please inform CNC if there will be a participant with limited mobility when scheduling so that we may make appropriate accommodations.
Medical Emergencies
The staff at CNC is First Aid and CPR certified and is trained to respond to emergencies. However, participants must bring their own medication if necessary.
CNC staff are prepared to deal with most discipline situations, but may ask for the teacher's assistance if problems arise.
Accommodations for the Weather
The majority of programs take place outside. It is essential that leaders properly prepare participants to dress for the weather and to get dirty. CNC staff are prepared to go out in any weather. It is the leader's responsibility to cancel or reschedule if participants aren't prepared.
Deposits and Cancellations
A $50 deposit (credited to your program cost) is required to reserve a program. If CNC does not receive it in a timely fashion, we reserve the right to schedule another group in the time slot. If groups fail to give CNC a two-week advance notice of cancellation the deposit will not be refunded.
Scheduling Dates
Reservations for each season will be taken after the following dates:
School Year: August 1st for school groups or September 1st for non-school groups
Summer: January 1st
Teachers, please read the information below to help your class prepare for their visit to Carpenter Nature Center. Please feel free to contact the nature center if you have any additional questions.
Entrances and Drop-Off
There are two entrances to the Nature Center: the north entrance and the main/south entrance. The north entrance provides access to the Trailside Lodge. The main entrance provides access to the Visitor Center, the Interpretive Center, and the Administration Building. Please enter in the main entrance unless otherwise noted. Unless informed otherwise, all buses should pull into the main entrance and drop students off either at the Interpretive Center or the Visitor Center. If the bus will be staying during the program, we please ask that they park in the main parking lot. Occasionally, buses will need to collect students at different locations. In these cases, staff will inform the leader(s) and driver(s) at the beginning of the program.
If your students aren't properly dressed for the weather or if the weather is inclement the day of your visit, we ask that you please call ahead if you wish to reschedule your visit. If this occurs at the end of the school year there may not be days available to reschedule. Since our classroom is the out-of-doors our staff is prepared to go out in any weather conditions, so it is your responsibility to inform Carpenter Nature Center if you feel your students are not prepared well enough for the weather. If your group is already at the Nature Center when severe weather occurs, staff will take the necessary precautions to ensure students' safety.
To ensure that participants are comfortable, safe, and enjoying themselves, please have
them properly dressed for the weather. For all seasons, they must have close-toed footwear that is secure to the foot. In the late spring and early fall, we recommend long, lightweight pants due to the possibility of ticks and poison ivy. In the early spring and late fall, this means a sweatshirt or light jacket (layers), and possibly a rain coat. In the winter, this means insulated boots with a good tread, a warm pair of socks, a winter coat, insulated pants or long underwear, a hat that covers the ears, a scarf, and mittens or insulated gloves. Children (and leaders/chaperones!) should not wear new or special clothing that they would not wish to get dirty.
Site Use
Since you will be at a nature center, we ask that you remind your students to please respect nature. Please inform your students not to collect materials unless otherwise given permission. Please ask your students to move slowly and quietly around the Nature Center's captive animals and to keep their fingers out of the cages.
Since your students will be learning in nature, they may invite some ticks home with them. Please remind your students and their parents to perform a "tick check" when they get home. To prevent ticks, long pants are encouraged, unless it is too hot outside.
Limited Mobility
If you have any students that have limited mobility or special needs, please contact the Nature Center before your visit so that we can best tailor to your students' needs. We can provide a wheelchair, a wagon, or a pulk (for winter use) if needed.
Group Leaders and Chaperones
We recommend, although not required, a student/adult ratio of 20:1 for a school group. For a pre-school group, we recommend at least one adult per ten students. One adult for every five students will be allowed free of charge. If there are more adults (including parent chaperones) than 1:5, additional fees will apply. If it is a parent/child program, the fee is $5/child and $3/adult. During the program our staff may ask group leaders to divide your students into smaller field groups for a better field experience. Please mix sexes and separate those individuals who may be able to focus better if not in the same group. Feel free to call ahead of time if you would like to know how many field groups will be needed. Please inform parents/chaperones to lead by example, encouraging and supporting your students, and to refrain from coaching them (whispering the answer into their ear) and doing the work for them. Also, please try to limit conversations
amongst other adults during the program. This is not only distracting to the naturalist, as well as the students, but also shows them that it is acceptable to talk to each other and not pay attention.
Picnic Lunch
If your class chooses to eat lunch with us, you should know that we are striving for a "waste-free" lunch system. To be a Zero-Waste Center, we need to prevent waste, reuse products, and utilize recycling and composting as much as possible. At the Nature Center, we provide containers for trash, recyclables, and compostable items. Please encourage your students to pack a Zero-Waste lunch at home.
Parents, please read the information below to help your child prepare for their visit to Carpenter Nature Center.
Proper Clothing
Proper clothing starts at home; please make sure that your child is dressed for the weather. For all seasons, they must have close-toed footwear that is secured to the foot. In the late spring and early fall, this means boots or tennis shoes with good tread and support. Long, lightweight pants are recommended due to the possibility of ticks and poison ivy. In the early spring and late fall, this means an additional sweatshirt or light jacket (layers), and possibly a rain coat. In the winter, this means insulated boots with a good tread, a warm pairs of socks, a winter coat, insulated pants or long underwear, a hat that covers the ears, a scarf, and mittens or insulated gloves.
In general, waterproof outerwear should be worn on rainy/drizzly days. Windbreakers should be worn for chilly, windy days. Always leave "Sunday bests" at home. Children (and leaders/chaperones!) should not wear new or special clothing that they would not wish to get dirty.
Being properly dressed ensures that participants are comfortable, safe, and enjoying themselves.
Please have your child dressed for the weather. If the weather is inclement the day of your child's visit, it is the teacher's responsibility to call the Nature Center and cancel the visit. If your child is already at the Nature Center when severe weather occurs, staff will take the necessary precautions to ensure your child's safety.
Anytime you are outside there is a chance you may encounter ticks. Please remind your child to perform a "tick check" when they arrive back home in case they have invited any ticks to go home with them. To prevent ticks, long pants are encouraged, unless it is too hot outside.
Group Leaders/Chaperones
If you are a group leader/chaperone, we please ask that you lead by example, encouraging and supporting your child, and refraining from coaching them (whispering the answer into their ear). Many of the naturalist's questions are meant to challenge the children and immediate answers are not always expected. Also, please try to limit conversations amongst other adults during the program. This is not only distracting to the naturalist, as well as the children, but also shows them that it is acceptable to talk to each other and not pay attention.
Picnic Lunch
If your child's class chooses to eat lunch at the Nature Center, you should know that we are striving for a "waste-free" lunch system. To be a Zero-Waste Center, we need to prevent waste, reuse products, and utilize recycling and composting as much as possible. At the Nature Center, we provide containers for trash, recyclables, and compostable items. Please encourage and help your child to pack a Zero-Waste Lunch at home. Also, inform them on the importance of packing a Zero-Waste Lunch. Thank you for helping us to reduce our impact on the environment.
A Look at a Waste-Free Lunch
- Sandwiches and other main dishes, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and treats in a reusable container
- Cloth napkins
- Stainless-steel forks and spoons (or reusable plastic ones)
- Reusable drink containers, reusable lunchboxes (or save and reuse paper ones)
- If plastic bags are used, they can often be washed out with soapy water and reused
- Food products that have very little waste and minimal packaging
For more information, and to book a program, please contact the Program Director Mayme Johnson or call the Nature Center at (651) 437-4359.
Program Director
Mayme Johnson
Phone: 651-437-4359
Contact Us
Minnesota Campus
12805 St. Croix Trail S.
Hastings, MN 55033
Wisconsin Campus
300 East Cove Road
Hudson, WI 54016
Latest Nature News
Stay Connected
Upcoming Events
WI Campus Saw-Whet Owl BandingOctober 25 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Public Bird BandingOctober 26 @ 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Preschool Storytime: Costumes and CrittersOctober 26 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am


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Local Control Funding Formula
What is the Local Control Funding Formula?
The Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) represents a significant change in the way California schools are funded. The LCFF replaces the complicated Base Revenue Limit funding model and provides a consistent allocation of dollars to schools based on grade spans and numbers of students who are English learners, low-income, or foster youth. The LCFF, which will take eight years to fully implement, establishes a per student Base Grant target and supplemental funding allocations for high needs students. The following resources should provide answers to many LCFF questions.
The State Board of Education (SBE) and California Department of Education (CDE) are committed to supporting local implementation of LCFF. The LCFF Channel provides Implementation Insight videos for viewing or download to help facilitate local implementation of LCFF are available below.
Episode 1 – What is the Local Control Funding Formula?
Episode 2 – What Makes LCFF Different and Better?
Episode 3 – What Should LEAs Do Now?
Episode 4 – Performanced Based Budgeting and Planning
Episode 5 – Accounting and LCFF
Episode 6 – Local Control and Accountability Plan and LCFF State Priorities
Budget Advisory Committee
The Evergreen School District established a Budget Advisory Committee to promote transparency and stakeholder understanding of the District's fiscal resources. The purpose of the Budget Advisory Committee is to monitor the development and implementation of the budget and make appropriate recommendations for the Superintendent's consideration.
Visit the Budget Advisory Committee page for more information about committee by-laws and members, as well as meeting agendas, presentations and minutes.
Proposition 30 (EPA) FY 12-13 Spending Plan and Actual Expenditures
Proposition 30 passed in November 2012 and created the Education Protection Account (EPA). These funds are derived from the incremental tax increase approved by the voters. This means that effective July 2012, the Principal Apportionment received (our District's Revenue Limit funding) was reduced by an amount equal to approximately 21% and will be reallocated back to the District in a restricted form by June 28, 2013. There are specific requirements governing the use of these funds. Per Article XII, § 36 of the Constitution of the State of California, the use of EPA funds must be determined by the Board of Trustees at an open public meeting.
SB 754 Economic Impact Aid
Existing law provides economic impact aid funding to school districts based on the number of economically disadvantaged pupils and English learners enrolled in the school district. Existing law requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to perform specified calculations to determine the amount of economic impact aid a school district receives for a fiscal year and further requires each school district to expend these funds for specified programs and activities.
2018-2019 Budget Documents
All documents are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
September 13, 2018
August 9, 2018
- Board Presentation
2017-2018 Budget DocumentsAll documents are in PDF format unless otherwise noted.
June 14, 2018
- 2018-2019 Adopted Budget
April 12, 2018
March 8, 2018
January, 25 2018
- Board Presentation - Budget Study Session, 2018-19 Budget Development
December 14, 2017
- Board Presentation
October 12, 2017
- Board Presentation
September 28, 2017-Work Session
- Board Presentation for Additional Information , Pages 33 - 40
September 21, 2017
- Board Presentation
August 17, 2017
- Board Presentation
2016-2017 Budget Documents
June 8, 2017
- 2017-2018 Adopted Budget
May 11, 2017
March 9, 2017
- Board Presentation
December 8, 2016
- Board Presentation
November 10, 2016
- Board Presentation
September 8, 2016
- Board Presentation
2015-2016 Budget Documents
June 9, 2016
- Board Presentation
March 10, 2016
- Board Presentation
February 11, 2016
- Board Presentation
January 6, 2016 - Board Presentation
- Projected Enrollment by Enrollment Projection Consultants
- Budget Review by School Services of California
December 10, 2015
- Board Presentation
November, 2015
August 13, 2015
- Board Presentation
June 18, 2015
2014-2015 Budget Documents
May 21, 2015
- Board Presentation
April 16, 2015
March 12, 2015
February 12, 2015
December 11, 2014
November 13, 2014
- November 13, 2014 FY 14-15 Operational Budget Presentation
- Operational budget 2014-15 November Budget Report
September 11, 2014
Local Control and Accountability Plan/Local Control Funding Formula
Adopted Budget FY14-15
2013-2014 Budget Documents
2nd Interim Report 2013-14
Operational Budget 2013-14 February Budget Update
Operational Budget 2013-14 November Budget Update
- November 14, 2013 FY 13-14 Operational Budget Presentation
- Operational Budget 2013-14 November Budget Report
September 12, 2013, FY12-13 Unaudited Actuals
Adopted Budget 2013-2014
2012-2013 Budget Documents
Unaudited Actuals
Budget Updates
- May 9, 2013 End of Year Projection Report
- March 14th, 2013 Budget Work Session
- December 13, 2012, 1st Interim 2012-13 Narrative
- December 13, 2012, Approved 1st Interim Budget
- February 14, 2013 - FY12-13 Operational Budget Report
- February Budget Comparison
- November 8, 2012 - FY12-13 Operational Budget Presentation

subset: commoncrawl


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By David Knopf, News Editor
Three members of Richmond High School's 2015 Prom Committee got some public-speaking experience in May when they made a presentation to the school board.
Makenzie Turley, Taylor Rittmiller and Madeline Zeller asked the board to consider buying a movable covering that would protect the high school gym floor and allow dances and other events to be held there.
"Members of the Class of 2016 would like to bring prom back to Richmond High School," the students noted in a handout for board members. "We believe that prom would be more meaningful and convenient if it is held at the high school."
One month later, the students got some action. At its June meeting, the board voted unanimously to purchase a 40-foot-by-60-foot bleacher-to-bleacher covering for just under $7,200.
The covering comes in two pieces, is rollable and heavy enough not to move when people walk or dance on it, Principal John Parker said.
For the rest of this story see the June 19 print edition of the Richmond News.
Click here for our E-edition and read the rest of the story.
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NEED A LITTLE TIME OFF? How does a whole year away from work - at double your pay - sound? Far-fetched, right? Wrong. The British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC) is offering just such a prize to the top finisher in its "millennium quiz" contest. All finalists will be informed two weeks early of their status as potential winner ... providing enough time to notify employers it's possible that they will be absent for the next 12 months. No, BBC employees are not eligible.
THEY THREW THE BOOK AT HIM In Albania, which has a recent history of lawlessness, Edmond Koseni is known as the "iron chief" because he heads the police department in Elbasan, considered the safest city in the country. Unfortunately for him, that cut no ice with the folks who run the national Police Academy. He flunked its exam, so he has been ordered to repeat his coursework.
Two-seater found stingiest among 2000-model cars
The Environmental Protection Agency has found the Honda Insight, which arrives at US showrooms in December, the most efficient among more than 800 vehicles of the 2000 model year. The two-seat Japanese import is powered by gasoline and electricity and gets 61 miles per gallon in city driving and 70 on the open road. Other vehicles rated best in fuel use in various categories, with their respective miles-per-gallon figures:
Subcompact VW New Beetle (diesel) 42/49
Compact Volkswagen Jetta/Golf (diesel) 42/49
Minicompact Audi TT Coupe 22/31
Midsize Mazda 626 26/32
Minivans Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager 20/26
Sport Utility Vehicle (2-wheel dr) Chevrolet Tracker, Suzuki Vitara 25/28
Sport Utility Vehicle (4-wheel dr) Chevrolet Tracker, Suzuki Vitara 25/27- - Associated Press
Compiled by Robert Kilborn and Lance Carden
(c) Copyright 1999. The Christian Science Publishing Society


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IPR's Artist and industries relations coordinator Brian "Champtown" Harmon has teamed up with the number one urban website in the world allhiphop.com to launch his underground video show entitled Footage Fa Dayz.
The show has been on just four weeks and has already had close to five hundred thousand views. Footage Fa Dayz features vintage interviews ranging back as far as fourteen years as well as current footage with today's artists. This week Champ has teamed up with IPR instructor Matthias Saunders, known around the world as the Notorious DOP (Director of Photography). Matthias's skills can be seen on smash classic movies like Ghostbusters; he's also lent his hand to such notorious artists as Spike Lee.
This week the IPR duo teamed up to do three episodes of Footage Fa Dayz with Minneapolis Rhymesayers recording artist Brother Ali.
Matthias Saunders stated, "It was an honor doing these episodes with Champ and Brother Ali, both of these guys are amazing, their hip hop IQ is second to none." Saunders continued, "It was hard to edit these episodes because everything champ and Ali discuss is very strong information that could not be left out – I had no choice but to make this a three part series!"
Footage Fa Days episodes of Brother Ali air Tuesday, June 30th along with a special independent week series on allhiphop.com
Click here to watch the interview…


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After a 24-hour shift on the fire lines and bit of shut-eye, a strike team of 22 Washington State firefighters was told to take a break. They didn't go winetasting.
The firefighters from greater Seattle went to work Tuesday feeding evacuated animals, cleaning stalls, moving hay and spreading wood chips at Forget Me Not Farm, a therapeutic refuge for abused and neglected children off Highway 12 between Santa Rosa and Sebastopol.
"It was amazing," said the farm's founder and director, Carol Rathmann. "They kept saying they want to give, which is a pretty amazing place to be coming from."
One firefighter after another said he was saddened to the see the destruction Sonoma County has suffered, pleased to pitch in and struck by the way local residents are welcoming them and coming to the aid of those displaced or left homeless.
"This is a great opportunity for us on our day off," said Dave McDaniel, a battalion chief with Eastside Fire & Rescue in Issaquah, 20 miles east of Seattle.
He said the strike team arrived on Friday night and have taken part in firefighting efforts in the Oakmont and Geyserville areas. Learning that there was work to be done at Forget Me Not Farm, the team showed up Tuesday morning and got to know the resident animals and the 22 others that were evacuated from a country home on Sonoma Mountain Road.
Among the sociable menagerie were miniature-sheep and horses, Angora and Lamancha goats, alpacas, donkeys and llamas.
Seattle firefighter Aaron Patterson said his four kids will want to hear more about the animals than the fires.
The firefighters, all on their first mutual-aid call to California, spoke of the unfamiliar vegetation and terrain, the huge fire camp and the heartbreaking loss of life and destruction and loss of life.
Normally when they travel to wildfires, said Seattle firefighter Jonas Smith, they are out in the woods, away from people.
"This being such an urban interface, the people are right there. Typically you don't have that interaction."
Smith said Sonoma County's "flashy grasses" and oaks are much different than the sage brush and Douglas fir of the Pacific Northwest, and the abundant poison oak caused some susceptible firefighters to be pulled of the lines.
Smith said he's also been surprised by the local weather, with its nighttime lows nearing the 30s and the daytime highs at about 90.
Then there are the snakes.
"I didn't think there are rattlesnakes, we found a rattlesnake in a ditch," the visiting firefighter said. "I'm going to try to avoid sleeping on the ground."
For one member of the Seattle-area strike team that toiled at the therapeutic farm that's located behind and is independent of the Sonoma Humane Society, this was a homecoming. Peter Ubaldi, the captain on the Seattle Fire Department's Engine 28, grew up in San Anselmo in Marin County and attended the fire academy at Santa Rosa Junior College.
Ubaldi said his colleagues, aware of his familiarity with Sonoma County and the North Bay, "kind of used me as a navigator."
Ubaldi, whose twin brother, Peter, lives in Petaluma, said he wishes the Washington team had been dispatched to Sonoma County earlier.
"When I heard about it Monday (Oct. 9) I said, 'When are we going? When are we going?'"