VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
NO DATEAir and Space Museum|Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., needs volunteers to help at the admissions desk, museum store, and in the museum’s collection of artifacts. The museum’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5 on Sundays. For information, call Matthew Burchette at 303-360-5360, ext. 103.
NO DATEDenver Audubon|Audubon Society of Greater Denver needs volunteers to help lead groups of elementary grade school children on field trips at the Audubon Center. Training will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14 and 21. For information, call 303-973-9530cq.
NO DATEXeriscape garden|Volunteers are needed to work in the Aurora Xeriscape Demonstration Gardencq, 15151 E. Alameda Parkwaycq. For information, call Abby Schreiber at 303-739-7356cq or e-mail aschreib@auroragov.org. cq
NO DATEZoo|The Denver Zoocq, 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.
NO DATEDinosaur 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 303-697-3466cq or visit www.dinoridge.org. cq
NO DATEScience Museum|The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd.cq, 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. For information, call 303-370-6419cq.
NO DATEBluff 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 Schafercq at 303-468-3245cq.
NO DATERocky Mountain Field Institute|Volunteers are for service programs in September, October and November at Table Mountain, Shelf Road and Garden of the Gods. Register at least two weeks ahead by calling 719-471-7736cq or e-mail rmfibox@qwest.net. cq
NO DATEPlains Conservation Center|The Plains Conservation Centercq, 21901 E. Hampden Ave.cq, 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 cqor call 303-693-3621cq.
NO DATEButterfly Pavilion|The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave.cq, 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 cqor call Kris Desmaraiscq, 720-974-1868cq.
NO DATEUrban Wildlife Partners|The Urban Wildlife Partners needs 20 volunteers for the second annual “Bioblitz,” from noon Sept. 30 to noon Oct. 1. Volunteer opportunities include helping with family activities, greeting visitors, data entry and counting animals. Three locations need volunteers. For information, call Kris Desmarais at 720-974-1868 or e-mail volunteering@butterflies.org. For information about “Bioblitz,” visit www.allspeciescount.org. cq
TWICE WEEKLY
NO DATETelescope viewing|Chamberlin Observatorycq, 2930 E. Warren Ave.cq, on the University of Denver campus, has astronomy presentations and allows use of the 20-inch Alvan Clarkcq refractor telescope beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For information, visit www.thedas.org, cqor call 303-871-5172cq for reservations.
ONGOING
NO DATEMap and compass class|The U.S. Geological Survey hosts a free map, compass and orienteering class at 1 p.m. Fridays in the map department at the Denver Flagship REI, 1416 Platte St. For information, call 303-756-3100.
NO DATEBird banding station|Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s Education and Bird Banding Station at Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, will be active now through Oct. 21. RMBO biologists will assess the present condition of songbirds, and will gather scientific data by measuring, weighing, identifying, aging and banding the specimens. For information, call 303-637-9220.
NO DATEMini Med School|The University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center is having a free Mini Med School at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays Sept. 14 through Nov. 9 in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Phipps IMAX Theater, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Nine lectures given by CU School of Medicine professors will cover topics like molecular and cell biology, anatomy and physiology, immunology, cancer, virology, and neurology. Registration is required and is on a first-come first-served basis. For information, visit www.uchsc.edu/minimed or call 303-315-8911cq.
NO DATEMesa Laboratory|The Mesa Lab, a working research laboratory at the west end of Table Mesa Drive in Boulder, has a free visitor center that is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekends. Free, guided noon-time tours are offered daily throughout the summer. The visitor center has a climate exhibit, an eclipse telescope, working supercomputers, a gravity well, and hands on demonstrations of lightning, tornados and fluid dynamics. For information, call 303-497-1174cq or visit www.ucar.edu. cq
NO DATERenewable energy|The US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkwaycq, 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 303-384-6565cq.
NO DATEChildren’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 list, call 303-370-8225 or 303-370-8347.
NO DATENature 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 list of events, visit www.sspr.org or call 303-730-1022.
NO DATEWildlife 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.
NO DATENatural history seminars|The Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers a series of outdoor seminars on natural history topics in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado State Parks and other locations. For information, call 800-748-7002 or visit www.rmna.org.
NO DATEKids 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 list of events, call 303-739-2428cq or visit www.auroragov.org.
NO DATEKids dinosaur programs|The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, 201 S. Fairview St., Woodland Park, has summer dinosaur classes for kids in grades k-5. For information, call 719-686-1820cq.
NO DATEAstronomy 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 303-492-5002cq or visit www.colorado.edu/fiske/.
TODAY
(Sept. 11)Bee program|Metro Districts of Highlands Ranch is offering an outdoor education program, “Fascinating Bees,” for kids ages 8 an older (with an adult). The program includes touring a honey house, taste-testing honey and making a beeswax candle. Meet at 1 p.m. at Metro District Parks, Recreation and Open Space Office, 3280 Redstone Park Circle, Highlands Ranch. Cost is $7 resident, $9 non-resident. For information, visit www.highlandsranch.org or call 303-791-2710cq.
MONDAY
(Sept. 12)Denver Region Exploration Geologists Society meeting|”The Bulk Rock and Melt Inclusion Geochemistry of Bolivian Tin Porphyry Systems,” a free talk by Andreas Dietrich of the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines, will be at 7 p.m. at the Consolidated Mutual Water Company, Lower Level, 12700 W. 27th Ave., Lakewood. For information, visit www.dregs.org.
MONDAY (Sept. 12)Archaeology talk|Archaeologist Jeannie Tanaka will give a free talk about Yellow Jacket, an Anasazi Indian site in Montezuma County, at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. For information, call 303-988-5549.
MONDAY (Sept. 12)University of Colorado Sustainable Energy Forum|The CU solar Decathlon Team will present their new building design for the international competition from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Discovery Learning Center, room 1B70 on the CU Boulder campus. The event is free and pizza will be provided. For information, call 303-492-5127 or e-mail dorank@colorado.edu. cq
TUESDAY
(Sept. 13)Astronomy talk|”Astronomy of the Ancient Puebloans,” a free lecture by Kim Malville, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and Science at the University of Colorado, Boulder, will be at 7 p.m. at Fiske Planetarium on the CU campus. For information, call 303-492-6892 or visit http://cumuseum.colorado.edu. cq
WEDNESDAY
(Sept. 14)Map and compass class|”Map and Compass Basics,” a clinic covering the basics of understanding map symbols, orienting the map and compass, triangulation, declination adjustment and reading terrain features, will be at 7 p.m. at the Boulder REI, 1789 28th St., and at the Lakewood REI, 5375 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
WEDNESDAY (Sept. 14)Guided bird walk|A naturalist will lead a birdwatching excursion at 8:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. Take water, binoculars, a bird book and a jacket and a snack. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For information, call 303-973-3959 or visit www.parks.state.co.us.
WEDNESDAY (Sept. 14)Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show|The Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14-17, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Holiday Inn, 4849 Bannock St., Denver. Admission is free. For information, visit www.mzexpos.com/colorado_fall.htm.
THURSDAY
(Sept. 15)Map and compass class|”Map and Compass Basics,” a clinic covering the basics of understanding map symbols, orienting the map and compass, triangulation, declination adjustment and reading terrain features, will be at 7 p.m. at the Englewood REI, 9637 E. County Line Road, and at the REI Flagship store, 1416 Platte St.
FRIDAY
(Sept. 16)Denver Gem and Mineral Show|The Denver Gem and Mineral Show will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 17 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 E. 58th Ave. Cost is $5 adults, $3 teens and seniors, children under 13 free with an adult. For information, visit www.denvermineralshow.com/.
SATURDAY
(Sept. 17)Bear Creek festival|Naturalists from Jefferson County Open Space and Lookout Mountain Nature Center are having a free “Bear Creek Festival,” with information about watersheds, arid climates, aquatic insects and fish, safety near water sources, the historic uses of Bear Creek, and its conservation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lair o’ the Bear Park. (From I-70, take exit 259, the Morrison exit. Go south on Colo. 26 into the town of Morrison, turn right onto Colo. 74 and head west for about 8 miles. The park is 1 mile west of Idledale on the south side of the road.) For information, call 303-526-0594.
SATURDAY (Sept. 17)Parent/child nature program|Majestic View Nature Center is offering “Nature Adventures,” a free program with nature activities, stories and games, for children ages 4-6 years, with an adult, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. For location and registration information, call 720-898-7405.
Kids environmental awareness event
|REI staff will give a hands-on program for kids, focusing on the environment, outdoor recreation and Leave No Trace principles at 11 a.m. at Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For information, call 303-973-3959 or visit www.parks.state.co.us.
SATURDAY (Sept. 17)Full moon hike|Metro Districts of Highlands Ranch is offering a moonlight hike for ages 6 and older on Dad Clark Trail. Meet at 6:45 p.m. at Red-tail Park, 2674 Pemberly Ave., Highlands Ranch. For information, call 303-791-2710 or visit www.highlandsranch.org. cq
SATURDAY (Sept. 17)Fall birding festival|The Annual Fall Birding Festival is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory in Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. Events include guided bird walks, optics demonstration, kids crafts, and a free continental breakfast and BBQ lunch. Cost is $2 per person or $5 per vehicle. For information, call 303-659-6005.
SATURDAY (Sept. 17)International Map Fair|The fifth annual Rocky Mountain Antique Map Fair is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 at Denver Central Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway, Vida Ellison Gallery, Level 7. Cost is $5 per person. For information, visit www.rmmaps.org or e-mail mcguirk1492@pol.net.
Sept. 18
Guided bird walk|A naturalist will lead a birdwatching excursion at 8 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. Take water, binoculars, a bird book and a jacket and a snack. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For information, call 303-973-3959 or visit www.parks.state.co.us.
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.
