VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to work in the Aurora Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. For information, call Abby Schreiber at 303-739-7356cc or mail aschreib@auroragov.org.
Colorado State University’s Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, of CoCoRaHS, needs volunteers to monitor precipitation and help provide detailed drought, water supply and other water decision-making information to municipalities, home owners, industry, agriculture, utility providers, resource managers and educators. Training meetings are held in early May in several Front Range locations. For information, visit www.cocorahs.org or call 970-491-1196.
The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., needs volunteers to assist with special events, to assist zookeepers and to work in the zoo’s membership, education and administration departments. For information, visit www.denverzoo.org or call 303-376-4894.
The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge needs volunteers to lead guided tours. Volunteer tour guides teach people about the paleontological, geological, natural resources and history of Dinosaur Ridge. Applicants must be at least 18 and must complete required training. For information, call 303-697-3466 or visit www.dinoridge.org.
Community Resources, Inc. needs volunteer judges for science fairs in April and May at several locations in Denver Public Schools. For information, call Debbie Turner at 303-782-0975 or e-mail Debbie_Turner@dpsk12.com.
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks needs volunteers for its bat monitoring program. Volunteers use bat detectors to locate areas of high bat activity, and to observe and record activity, working two to three evenings a month from June through September. All new volunteers must attend two nights of training in early May, followed by field training. Applications are available at www.osmp.org or by calling 303-441-3440.
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., needs volunteers to work with visitors in the Museum’s diorama halls, galleries and activity areas. Also needed are volunteers to be guides, interpreters, collections assistants and classroom prep assistants. Call 303-370-6419.
Bluff Lake Nature Center, East 30th Avenue and Moline Street, needs volunteer naturalists to work with kids, using games, science experiments and hands-on activities to teach them about nature. No experience is required. For information, call Sue Schafer at 303-468-3245.
Rocky Mountain Field Institute needs volunteers to do trail work in the Beaver Creek Wilderness Study Area near Penrose Memorial Day Weekendcq. Volunteers will do strenuous work building steps and other rock structures, and will camp for two nights. Volunteers must be at least 16 and supply a tent and personal camping gear. Register at least two weeks ahead with Liz Nichol at 719-471-7736 or rmfibox@qwest.net.
The Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora, needs volunteer “citizen scientists” to work with PCC naturalists gathering, compiling and mapping information about prairie residents. Survey work will take place on the first Saturday of each month. Training is provided. To register, e-mail Fran Blanchard at fblanchard@plainscenter.org or call 303-693-3621.
The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, needs volunteers to work with visitors and to help in its tropical butterfly conservatory, tide pool, touch cart, and garden areas. For information, visit www.butterflies.org or call Kris Desmarais, 720-974-1868.
Children’s workshops|The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.cq, has many children’s workshops and events for children in kindergarten through sixth grade. For a complete list, call the Children’s Workshop coordinators at 303-370-8225cq or 303-370-8347cq.
Nature activities|South Suburban Parks and Recreation naturalists lead many outdoor, nature and environmentally related activities and events at Carson Nature Center, 3000 W. Carson Drivecq, Littleton. For a complete list of events, visit www.sspr.org cqor call 303-730-1022cq.
Wildlife refuge programs|The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refugecq, East 56th Avenue at Havana Streetcq, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.cq Saturdays and Sundayscq. There are various exhibits at the Visitor Center, and free nature programs and refuge tours. Call 303-289-0930cq for times and reservations, or visit http://rockymountainarsenal.fws.gov. cq
Kids nature programs|The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranchcq, 16002 E. Smith Roadcq, Aurora, offers a variety of nature programs for kids. For a full list of events, call 303-739-2428cq or visit www.auroragov.org. cq
Astronomy events|Fiske Planetariumcq, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, has a variety of astronomy shows, talks, and family matinees. The evening talks and shows are $6 adultscq, $5 students with valid I.D.cq, and $3.50 for children and seniorscq. Saturday family shows are $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. Laser shows are $5cq. For more information, call 303-492-5002cq or visit www.colorado.edu/fiske/.
TUESDAY
Fossilized poop talk|”The Paleobiological Implications of Vertebrate Coprolites,” a free lecture by Karen Chin, assistant professor and curator of paleontology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. For information, visit www.wipsppc.com or call 303-663-5868.
WEDNESDAY
Oil and natural gas discussion|”The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream,” a documentary, will be shown at 6:30 p.m. at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden, and a panel discussion, featuring Dan Chiras and Dave Wann of the Sustainable Futures Society and Rich McClintock of the Livable Communities Support Center, will follow. Cost is $10 adults, $5 students. For information, visit www.sustainablecolorado.org or www.postcarbon.org or www.livablecenter.org. or call Amara Whitney at 303-638-6829.
THURSDAY
“Leave No Trace” talk|A free talk on the principles of “Leave No Trace” will be at 7 p.m. at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden. A hands-on field course in conjunction with the free talk will be at 8 a.m. Saturday May 7 in Golden Gate State Park. Cost for the class is $10 for Colorado Mountain Club members, $15 nonmembers. To register, visit www.cmc.org or call 303-279-3080, ext. 2.
SATURDAY
Roxborough State Park events|A video presentation on the Lamb Spring archeological site will be shown at 9 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. After the video, participants can tour the Lamb Spring site. Naturalist Roger Dowell will lead a hike and discuss geology at 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park. Volunteers are needed to work with trained crew leaders performing trail building from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Roxborough State Park. For reservations, call 303-973-3959. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
“Family Fun” day|The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, is having a Family Fun day with activities including a presentation on polar bears, storytelling, and arts and crafts. For admission prices and hours, visit www.thewildlifeexperience.org or call 720-488-3300.
To publicize upcoming events geared toward and open to the public, please mail complete details at least two weeks in advance to Scientifically Speaking, The Denver Post, City Desk, 1560 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202, or email to Scispeak@denverpost.com.
