VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Mentors needed|International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology, a Golden-based nonprofit, needs volunteers with technical or business expertise to mentor university students on local projects. For information, e-mail info@ic-ast.org or visit www.ic-ast.org.
Xeriscape garden|Volunteers are needed to work in the Aurora Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. For information, call Abby Schreiber at 303-739-7356 or e-mail aschreib@auroragov.org.
Precipitation monitoring|Colorado State University’s Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (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 will be in May at several Front Range locations. For information, visit www.cocorahs.org or call 970-491-1196.
Denver Zoo|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.
Dinosaur Ridge|Volunteer tour guides are needed to teach people about the paleontological, geological, natural resources and history of Dinosaur Ridge. Applicants must be at least 18 and complete required training. For information, call 303-697-3466 or visit www.dinoridge.org.
Denver Museum of Nature & Science|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 for information.
Bluff Lake Nature Center|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|Volunteers are needed 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.
Volunteers are also needed for multi-day environmental service programs focusing on repairs and restoring trails at Crestone Needle and South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sange de Cristo Wilderness. The programs will include education on the ecology and natural history of the area. Food and most outdoor equipment will be provided.
Plains Conservation Center|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.
Butterfly Pavilion|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.
TWICE WEEKLY
Telescope viewing|Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Ave., University of Denver campus, has astronomy presentations and allows use of the 20-inch Alvan Clark refractor telescope beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For information, visit www.thedas.org, or call 303-281-9052 for reservations.
MAY
Renewable energy|The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Visitors Center features an interactive exhibit hall and DOE public reading room. For information, visit www.nrel.gov/visitors_center/ or call 303-384-6565.
Children’s workshops|The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., 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 303-370-8225 or 303-370-8347.
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 Drive, Littleton. For a complete list of events, visit www.sspr.org or call 303-730-1022.
Wildlife refuge programs|The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, East 56th Avenue at Havana Street, is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There are various exhibits at the Visitor Center, and free nature programs and refuge tours. Call 303-289-0930 for times and reservations, or visit http://rockymountainarsenal.fws.gov.
Kids nature programs|The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a variety of nature programs for kids. For a full list of events, call 303-739-2428 or visit www.auroragov.org.
Astronomy events|Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, has a variety of astronomy shows, talks, and family matinees. The evening talks and shows are $6 adults, $5 students with valid I.D., and $3.50 for children and seniors. Saturday family shows are $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. Laser shows are $5. For more information, call 303-492-5002 or visit www.colorado.edu/fiske/.
TODAY
Science and religion discussion|Holmes Rolston, distinguished professor of philosophy at Colorado State University and a Presbyterian minister, will give a free talk about ethical issues related to the environment at 7 p.m. at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St. For information, visit http://lamar.colostate.edu/~rolston/bionote.htm or call 303-237-8100.
Wildflower walk|Volunteer naturalist Kay Malcomb wil lead a walk and discuss identifying wildflowers in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Visitor Center. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Guided bird walk|Naturalist Doris Cruze will lead a birdwatching excursion at 7:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. Take water. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
MONDAY
Botanic Gardens free day|Admission to the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., Denver, is free from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Colorado residents with valid I.D. For information, visit www.botanicgardens.org or call 720-865-3500.
Also at the Botanic Gardens, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 16 through 20, there will be workshops, lectures and educational activities for “Celebrating Wildflowers Week.”
Egyptian Study Society meeting|Roman Roads in Egypt,” a lecture and slide presentation, will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is free for ESS members, $2 nonmembers.
TUESDAY
Colorado Café Scientifique|”Quantum Dots and Programable Matter,” a free discussion by engineer and journalist Wil McCarthy, will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercantile Room at the Wynkoop Brewery, 1638 18th St. For information, visit http://cafescicolorado.org.
Renewable energy presentation|The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, is hosting a presentation, “Designing a Zero Energy Habitat Home,” at noon. Take a lunch. To register, visit www.nrel.gov/visitors_center/.
Boulder Creek Watershed forum|Greg McCabe of the U.S. Geological Survey will speak about “the decadal to multidecadal climate variability and the profound effects that climatic fluctuations have on water resources in the western United States,” at 7 p.m. at the Boulder Public Library Auditorium, 1000 Canyon Boulevard. For information, call Sheila Murphy at 303-541-3023 or Eric August at 303-527-0191.
WEDNESDAY
Guided bird walk|Naturalist Mary Hafner will lead a birdwatching excursion at 6 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. Take water. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
THURSDAY
Spring tree walk|Alan Nelson, grounds manager, will lead a walk and discuss the 45 types of trees that are on the University of Colorado campus. Meet at 5 p.m. at the south entrance of the CU Museum of Natural History on the CU Boulder campus. For information, visit http://cumuseum.colorado.edu/ or call 303-492-6892.
Naturalist-led hike|Volunteer naturalist Linda Pohle will lead a hike and discuss elk, raptors and wildflowers in Castlewood Canyon State Park’s East Canyon Preservation Area, which is accessible only on naturalist-led hikes. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center in the Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. Take binoculars and walking sticks, and wear older footwear to wade across the stream. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
SATURDAY
Archaeology Day celebration|The Denver Chapter of the Colorado Archeological Society is joining with Roxborough State Park to provide activities including flint knapping, ceramics, and other “prehistoric” arts and crafts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Guided hike|Interpreter Ron Claussen will lead a hike in Castlewood Canyon State Park and discuss waterfalls, pools and grottos. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center in the Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Denver Field Ornithologists event|DFO leader Ed Holub is leading an all-day birdwatching excursion at 7 a.m. in Chatfield State Park. Meet at the fee station inside the west entrance of the park, south of C-470 on South Wadsworth Boulevard. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Take water and a lunch. For information, call 303-979-2194.
Wildflower hike|Naturalists Betty Timson and Helen Angel will lead a hike and discuss wildflowers at 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
GPS class|”Basic GPS,” a lecture and field course on using a global positioning system, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden. Cost is $15 for Colorado Mountain Club members, $25 nonmembers. To register, visit www.cmc.org or call 303-279-3080, ext. 2.
Birding hikes|The Audubon Society of Greater Denver is having two free hikes at 7 and 9 a.m. at the Audubon Center in Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. The Audubon Center includes a bird-banding station. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For information, call 303-973-9530.
Stargazing Event|”Search the Night Sky,” a Jefferson County Open Space program for individuals and families with children ages 10 and above, will be at Pine Valley Ranch Open Space Park. From US 285 at Pine Junction, turn southeast onto Pine Valley Road (County Road 126). Continue 5.8 miles toward the town of Pine, then follow the signs to the park. There is a steep .5 mile hike to the observatory. Activities include using star wheels to find constellations, and using binoculars and telescopes to view stars. For reservations and information, call 303-526-0594.
University of Colorado Wizards show|”Speed,” a free presentation by Nobel laureate and adjoint physics professor Eric Cornell, will be at 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30 on the CU Boulder campus. For information, call 303-492-6952 or visit www.colorado.edu/physics/Web/wizards/cuwizards.html. May 22
Denver Field Ornithologists event|DFO leader Karleen Schofield is leading a birdwatching excursion in Lair o’ the Bear Park. To carpool, meet at 7 a.m. at the RTD Park-n-Ride at West Fourth Avenue and Union Boulevard. Take water and snacks. For information, call 303-936-8661.
Medicinal plants hike|Volunteer naturalist and herbalist Gary Schroeder will lead a hike in Castlewood Canyon State Park and discuss how to identify plants and how they might be used medicinally. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Event Facility Shelters in the Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Moonlight hike|Naturalists will lead a moonlight hike at 7 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Cost is $7.50 per hiker. To register, call 303-973-3959.
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.
