Nature center facility rental

We are currently accepting rental requests for 2022-2023
Please make your rental request at least 2 weeks prior to your event. ​

online reservations

Policies & FAQ

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Ruby Rupner Auditorium Rental 
If you are looking for a place to hold a special occasion (graduation, wedding, holiday or birthday party, conference, reunion, anniversary, prom dinner, or memorial), consider renting the Ruby Rupner Auditorium!

• The fee for rental of the auditorium is $55.00 an hour (rental fee is $40/hour, and security fee is $15/hour on the day of) with a $100.00 damage deposit.
• Rental fees include set up and clean up time. This means your rental contract will run from the time you arrive to set up to the time you leave from clean up.
• There is an additional fee for the use of our projector and sound system of $25.00. Please schedule a time to test your computer with our tech, so you may acquire an adapter if needed.
• ​There is also a fee if you are serving food or beverages of $20.00.

Interpretive Building Rentals
Interested in renting a room or two in the new building?

• The Gordon Lonning Resource Room can seat up to 20 people and is perfect for hosting a small meeting or conference. The rental fee is $20.00 per hour with a $50.00 damage deposit.
• The classrooms are also available for rent, on a limited basis, at a rate of $30.00 per hour (per room) with a $100.00 damage deposit.
• A security person is required with all rentals at an additional rate of $15.00 per hour.
• The use of technology in the resource room or classrooms requires an additional $40.00 fee. Please schedule a time to test your computer with our tech, so you may acquire an adapter if needed.
• If food or beverages are being served, it is an additional $20.00.
• If the rental occurs during business hours, the restrooms will be shared with public visitors.
• Rentals occurring after business hours will only have access to the rental space and restrooms.

• All rental fees (not including security staff fees) are to be paid in full when you make your rental reservation. 
• You must go through the City of Austin's website to request and pay for your reservation. 
• Preferred method of payment is credit card. 
• Damage deposits will be refunded if no damage has occurred during your rental. If damage occurs during your rental, Nature Center staff will asses the damage and contact you.
• If you need to cancel there will be a cancellation fee of $100 for the Auditorium and $50 for Gordon Lonning applied to your account. All other money will be refunded. 
• If you need to change the date of your rental, you may do so without penalties  before 90 days of your rental. After 90 days before your rental date, a change of date fee of $100 for the Auditorium and $50 for Gordon Lonning will be applied to your account. 
• Time adjustments may be made by calling Nature Center staff up to 7 days preceding your rental.  
• Smoking and alcohol are not permitted.
• Facility renters may use the log cabin with advance notice.
• Non-profit organizations will receive half off the rentals fees except for the security fee.

For more information regarding rentals, please call Meredith or Nature Center staff at 507-437-7519.