Rentals

2026 Standard Rental Fees

2026 Nonprofit and Mission-related Discounted Rental Fees

Mission-related groups (environmental groups, educators, nonprofits, etc.) receive ~ 33% off standard fees. See below for additional details about discounts

Additional Charges

Additional Discounts

Additional discounts may be given for groups that partner with NBNC. Groups that use the space on an ongoing basis and have a good trackrecord of cleaning may also receive discounts. BIPOC groups may rent our spaces for free or minimal cost.

Want to rent it ALL for an all-day event?

Tents, outside areas, yurt, kitchen, indoor facilities, bathrooms, AV equipment, and library are all yours for $2,265.

More Information & Policies

Facilities Inclusions

Indoor Facilities

• Use of the 30’ by 30’ multipurpose Maxham Room
•  100 folding chairs
• 6’ tables (6)
• Smartboard projector system (you must bring your own laptop)
• Wi-Fi
•  1 ADA-accessible bathroom, 1 additional bathroom

Outdoor Facilities

• Use of 30’ by 30’ event tent (Mid-May through Mid October)
• 25 plastic chairs
• 6’ folding tables (6)
• 3 picnic tables
• 1 ADA-accessible bathroom, 1 additional bathroom

Yurt

• Use of 17’-diameter yurt
• 12 wooden folding chairs
• 1 ADA-accessible bathroom, 1 additional bathroom
• At NBNC’s discretion, might include use of woodstove
• If needed, fan and lanterns

Note: The yurt does not have water, electricity, or heating/cooling outside of the fan and woodstove. The bathrooms are in a separate building.

Deposits

A refundable $100 security deposit is required to cover cleaning costs or damage that may occur. This can be paid by a separate check which will be returned to the user if the facility is left in good order and the key returned. We reserve the right to ask for an additional $400 damage deposit for higher-impact rentals. Space will not be reserved without a deposit. Final payment is due the week of the event.

Cancellations

If a reservation is cancelled more than 1 month in advance, the reserving group will receive a full refund of the deposit and all paid fees. Groups who cancel with less than one month’s notice will forfeit their deposit.

Liability and Insurance Requirements

Rental groups are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum of $1M general liability insurance coverage and proof of Workers Compensation insurance (when applicable). North Branch Nature Center must be listed as an additional insured on that certificate. NBNC may choose to waive this requirement under certain circumstances such as meetings or lectures. NBNC will not waive this requirement anytime alcohol is being served

Damages

Damage to NBNC property caused by the user, any contractor or employee of the user, or any person attending the event sponsored by the user, is the user’s responsibility. Any damage, cleaning, or replacement costs resulting from the misuse of NBNC facilities, equipment, furniture or fixtures will be charged to the user. Services of police or fire to satisfy the requirements of the State statute or local ordinance, or for any other reason, shall be arranged and paid for by the entity contracting to use the building. Any property left on NBNC premises shall be at your own risk and left only with prior permission.

Alcohol

Any group wishing to serve alcohol must receive prior approval from NBNC and hold a Certificate of Insurance listing NBNC as additional insured as mentioned above. If a rental has an outside caterer, uses a bartender, or sells alcohol, the renting group must also provide NBNC with proof of a liquor license and liquor liability insurance.

Parking

There are approximately 30 winter and 60 summer parking spaces available. At any time, some of those spaces may be used by NBNC staff, program participants or the general public. Generally, more parking is available in the evening.

Animals

Only service animals are permitted inside NBNC facilities. All pets must be on leash at all times on NBNC property, inside or outside.

Audio/Visual Equipment

Indoor rentals include an Epson BrightLink smartboard projector system. You can plug into this system using any laptop computer with a HDMI or VGA display port. Mac users must bring their own display adapter if the computer does not have an HDMI or VGA port already. NBNC may help you set up equipment, but please make plans prior to arrival to be sure someone can assist you.

Use of Farmhouse Kitchen

The kitchen may only be used if prior arrangements have been made. The kitchen must be left clean. Use of the farmhouse kitchen allows access to the oven, stovetop, dishwasher, toaster oven, microwaves, and NBNC dishes and kitchenware. Please wash dishes and turn off all kitchen appliances when finished. We discourage the use of one-time plastic or paper items and encourage the use of reusable kitchen items. If your event is for fewer than 50 people, we have enough plates, cups, glasses, cutlery etc. in our kitchen for you to use.

Political Activities

NBNC does not participate in political campaigns nor endorse political candidates. Parties renting any part of NBNC for political activities must adhere to these restrictions:

• Renting parties must prominently display one or more signs (provided by NBNC) stating that the event is not affiliated with NBNC. Sign placement will be determined by NBNC.
•  Public-facing signage promoting a) the event, b) any political activity, or c) any campaign or candidate is not allowed. This prohibition includes the entire outdoor portion of our property and all indoor areas open to the public during the rental. Political signs may only be placed in the rooms or tents being rented.
• Any written or oral statements claiming or implying NBNC’s endorsement of the candidate, campaign or affiliated causes are prohibited.

Closing Up

Buildings not left in the same or better condition than at the start of the event may result in loss of the security deposit.
Please do the following when your event is over:

• Make sure all persons have exited the building.
• Close and lock all windows.
• Double check that the porch doors to the Maxham Room are completely closed.
• Turn off all lights and fans.
• Empty trash, compost, and recycling cans. Anything recycled should be empty of food or liquid and rinsed clean. Trash and recycling bins are located outside at the service entrance to the farmhouse. If these bins are full, take your trash and recycling with you.
• Do not leave any food at NBNC in the fridge, freezer, or on the counter.
• Put away tables/chairs and restore all facilities to their condition prior to the event.
• If you borrowed anything from NBNC, return it to the front desk.
• Lock yurt with key provided and return as instructed.
• Leave any keys borrowed for your event as instructed.
• Lock the doors, following the instructions for locking ADA doors as directed.

Safety and Considerations

• The maximum capacity of the Maxham Room is 99 people and must not be exceeded.
• Please be careful on the NBNC property, and be courteous to others who use the space, leaving it as
  clean as it was when you arrived.
• No decorations or paper may be affixed to the walls.
• The buildings should not be left unlocked when not in use.
• Do not adjust the settings of any climate controls.
• Familiarize yourself with the locations of fire extinguishers and emergency exits prior to the start of your event. A fire extinguisher is attached to the wall to the left of the main entrance door.
• Children should not be left unsupervised at any time.
• Trails are always open to the public. Events must not block trails, inhibit public access to the trails, or negatively impact the experience of other visitors.
• Picking wild plants from the property is not permitted without permission. Wildlife should not be disturbed.
• Trails are open to non-motorized access only.
• Smoking and the use of candles (other than electric candles) is not permitted.
• Outdoor fires are only permitted in our fire pit with advance permission. We do not supply wood.
• Trail use and swimming are at your own risk.
• Please notify us as soon as practical about any spills or other damages that occur.