Renewable Energy Laboratory|The U.S. 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. Mondays through Fridays. The visitors center features an interactive exhibit hall and DOE public reading room. For more information, go to 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 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, go to www.sspr.org or call 303-730-1022.
Wildlife refuge |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 or go to 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 children. For a list of events, call 303-739-2428 or go to www.auroragov.org.
Astronomy events|Fiske Planetarium at the University of Colorado at Boulder has a variety of astronomy shows, talks and family matinees. The evening talks and shows are $6 adults, $5 students with valid ID, 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 go to www.colorado.edu/fiske/.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
University student mentors |The 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 more information, e-mail info@ic-ast.org or go to www.ic-ast.org.
Xeriscape garden|Volunteers are needed to work in the Aurora Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway. For more 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, or CoCoRaHS, needs volunteers to monitor precipitation and help provide detailed drought, water supply and other water decision- making information to municipalities, homeowners, industry, agriculture, utility providers, resource managers and educators. Training is in May at several Front Range locations. For more information, go to www.cocorahs.org or call 970-491-1196.
Dinosaur Ridge|Volunteer tour guides are needed to teach people about the paleontological, geological and natural resources and history of Dinosaur Ridge. Applicants must be 18 or older and must complete required training. For more information, call 303-697-3466 or go to www.dinoridge.org.
Bluff Lake Nature Center|The 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 more information, call Sue Schafer at 303-468-3245.
Rocky Mountain Field Institute|Volunteers are needed for multi-day environmental service programs focusing on repairs and trail restoration at Crestone Needle and South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The programs will include education on the ecology and natural history of the area. Call 719-471-7736 or e-mail rmfibox@qwest.net.
Plains Conservation Center|The center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora, needs volunteer “citizen scientists” to work with 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.
TWICE WEEKLY
Telescope viewing|Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Ave., on the 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 more information, go to www.thedas.org, or call 303-281-9052 for reservations.
SUNDAY
Denver Field Ornithologists |DFO leader Karleen Schofield is leading a birdwatching excursion in Lair o’ the Bear Park. To carpool, meet Schofield at 7 a.m. at the RTD park-n-Ride at West Fourth Avenue and Union Boulevard. Bring water and snacks. For more information, call 303-936-8661.
Medicinal plants hike|Volunteer naturalist and herbalist Gary Schroeder will lead a hike into Castlewood Canyon at 1 p.m. to identify and discuss medicinal plants. Meet at the Event Facility Shelters. Call 303-688-5242 to reserve a place on the hike.
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 a hiker. To register, call 303-973-3959.
TUESDAY
Energy efficient homes talk|Colorado Energy Science Center is presenting a seminar, “New Energy Efficient Home Choices,” at 6 p.m. at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. Cost is $10. To register, go to www.energyscience.org or call 303-216-2036.
WEDNESDAY
Wolf talk|”Wolves and Stewardship in the New West,” a free presentation by Rob Edward, carnivore restoration director for Sinapu, will be at 7 p.m. at the REI Denver Flagship Store, 1416 Platte St.
THURSDAY
Genetics talk|Marilyn Coors of the Center for Bioethics and Humanities at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, will give a talk, “Genetic Enhancement: Custom Kids and Chimeras,” at 4 p.m. in F.W. Olin Hall, Room 205, on the University of Denver campus, 2190 E. Iliff Ave.
SATURDAY
Birdwatching event|Volunteer naturalist Dave Rhoades is leading a birdwatching excursion at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Bring a lunch and water. For more information, call 303-424-8633.
Guided hikes|Naturalist Susan Dunn will lead a sunrise hike on the Elk Valley Trail in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Bring a snack and water. Naturalists Helen Angel and Betty Timson will lead a hike and discuss wildflowers at 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park. A $5 daily state parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For time and meeting location, call 303-973-3959.
Guided hike|Interpreter Ron Claussen will lead a hike 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. Colorado 83, Franktown. A $5 daily state parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
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 e-mail to Scispeak@denverpost.com.
