VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Xeriscape garden|The City of Aurora Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway needs volunteers. Call Abby Schreiber at 303-739-7356, or e-mail aschreib@auroragov.org.
Park weeding and trail maintenance|Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, needs volunteers most Thursdays through October to work with trained crew leaders to maintain trails. Volunteers are needed most Wednesdays through October to work with trained crew leaders to pull, snip and collect noxious weeds. For information, call 303-973-3959.
US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitor Center|School field trip program guides and docents are needed to serve as hosts and conduct programs appropriate for school groups, youth and scouting organizations, senior citizen and civic groups at the US Department of Energy’s NREL Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. For information, contact Ivilina Thornton at 303-384-6566 or e-mail ivilina_thornton@nrel.gov.
Air 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 p.m. on Sundays. For information, call Matthew Burchette at 303-360-5360, ext. 103.
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 must complete required training. For information, call 303-697-3466 or visit www.dinoridge.org.
Science Museum|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. Also, volunteers are needed to help with the BODY WORLDS 2 exhibit. Call the Volunteer Services office for information, 303-370-6419.
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.
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.
Wilderness environmental service programs|The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Colorado Springs, dedicated to the preservation and restoration of wildlands and key natural areas. RMFI accomplishes its mission through environmental service, education and research. RMFI programs are developed around comprehensive, multi-year or long-term projects developed in concert with land management agencies to meet critical preservation and restoration goals. Volunteers are needed to complete alpine restoration projects this summer at Crestone Needle and South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. Four-day programs will be offered July 8-11, Sept. 1-4, and Sept. 8-11.
Other multi-day volunteer projects are scheduled for June , Sept. and Oct.; regular workdays are scheduled in the spring and fall at Garden of the Gods.
A seven-day “volunteer vacation” will be Aug. 20-26 and is run in conjunction with the American Hiking Society. For information, contact RMFI at 719-471-7736 or rmfibox@qwest.net.
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 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. For information, visit www.thedas.org, or call 303-871-5172for reservations.
ONGOING
Bald eagle viewing|Barr Lake State Park Nature Center, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, loans binoculars Wednesdays through Sundays for viewing of newly-hatched eaglets. The view of the eagle nest is best from the Gazebo, a 1.3-mile walk south of the Nature Center. For hours of operation, call 303-659-6005.
Denver flowerbed tours|Denver Parks and Recreations is hosting three park horticulturist guided tours throughout the summer. The tours are $15 for adults, $7 for seniors and youth ages 5-12. Tour costs include transportation, refreshments and a small gift. Adult participants can purchase a discounted ticket packet for all three tours for $40. To register for a tour, call 720-913-0700.
Map and compass class|The US 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.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research|NCAR’s 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. 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 303-497-1174or visit www.ucar.edu.
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 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 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.
Natural 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.
Nature programs|The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a variety of nature programs for children and adults. For a 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
Nature walk|A naturalist will lead a free walk at 9:30 a.m. in the Cooley Lake wildlife area at South Platte Park 3000 W. Carson Drive, Littleton. This area is closed to general public access to protect wildlife. To register, call 303730-1022.
TUESDAY
Forensic anthropology class|”Mummies to Murders: Selected Days in the Life of a Forensic Anthropologist,” a talk by Hugh E. Berryman, professor in the department of sociology and anthropology at the Middle Tennessee State University, will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Phipps IMAX Theater, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $15 member/student, $18 nonmember. For information, visit www.dmns.org or call 303-322-7009.
WEDNESDAY
Green building/cooling system talk|Larry Kinney, president of Synetech Systems Corporation and Dave Emmitt, owner of Direct Drive Services will give a presentation, “Cutting-Edge Cooling and New Energy-Efficiency Rebates,” at 11:30 a.m. in the East Boulder Recreation Center, Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Drive. Cost is free for Boulder Green Building Guild members, $10 nonmembers, $5 students. To register, visit www.bgbg.org/event_registration051706.php.
Evening bird walk|South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering a naturalist-led bird walk at 5:30 p.m. in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive, Littleton. Cost is $9 adult, $7 youth ($6 adult, $5 youth District rate). Combine with two other birding classes to receive a $4 discount on the total cost. To register, call 303-347-5999.
Archaeology talk|”Subsistence Dynamics and Stone Tools at Franktown Cave,” a free talk by University of Denver student Tony King, will be at 5 p.m. in Sturm Hall 451 on the D.U. campus, 2000 E. Asbury St. For information, call 303-871-2543.
Geology hike|Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, is offering a geology hike at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center. Take water, snacks and lunch, dress for changing weather conditions. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-973-3959.
Adult nature hike|Meet at 8 a.m. at Carson Nature Center at South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive to ride to hiking location, Aldefer Three Sisters. The naturalist-led hike for ages 18 and up includes transportation and naturalist leadership. Trip will return at 4 p.m. Cost is $19 ($15 District rate). To register, call 303-347-5999.
THURSDAY
Continental Divide program|”Backbone of America: Exploring the Continental Divide,” a talk by Frank Clifford, environmental editor at the Los Angeles Times and Bob Julyan, Tom Till and Scott Bischke, trail guides and authors of Continental Divide guidebooks, will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $12 member, $15 nonmember. For information, visit www.dmns.org.
Kids nature event|”Critter Tales The Fire That Saved The Forest,” a naturalist-led event for children ages 3-6, with a parent, will be at 10 a.m. in the Visitor Center at Castlewood Canyon State 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.
Spring tree walk|A free spring tree walk will be at 5 p.m. on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Alan Nelson, Grounds Manager, will lead the walk and give information about the over 45 different types of trees on the campus. Meet at the south entrance of the CU Museum of Natural History. A reception will follow the walk at the CU Heritage Center. For information, call 303-492-6892 or visit http://cumuseum.colorado.edu.
FRIDAY
Wildflower walk|Volunteer Naturalist Kay Malcomb will lead a wildflower walk at 10 a.m. on the fully-accessible Canyon View Nature Trail. Wheelchairs, walkers and lawn chairs welcomed. Meet at the Visitor Center in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. Wear long sleeved shirts and pants, and good hiking shoes.A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Naturalist-led hike|Volunteer Naturalist Dennis Cook will lead a hike at 4 p.m. in the East Canyon Preservation Area, which is accessible only on guided hikes. Meet at the Visitor Center in Castlewood Canyon State 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.
Guided evening walk|The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch is offering a free guided sunset stroll at 8 p.m. at the Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Road. For meeting location and to register, call 303-739-2428.
“Zip A De Do” event|The 7th annual Zip A De Do at the Zoo will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St. Activities include a scavenger hunt, entertainment, dancing, face painting, crafts food and more. Tickets are $25 adult members, $15 children members, $35 nonmember adults, $25 nonmember children. For tickets, call 303-376-4860 or visit www.denverzoo.org.
SATURDAY
Children’s nature program|”Jr. Naturalist Archaeology Detecrives, a naturalist-led program for children ages 7-12, will be at 1 p.m. Meet in the Visitor Center in Castlewood Canyon State 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.
Flowering plant talk|Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch is offering a free program, ‘Botanical Birds and Bees,” at 10 a.m. Delaney Farm, 170 S. Chambers Road, Aurora. For ages 12 and over. To register, call 303-739-2428.
Wildflower hike|Naturalist Betty Timson will lead a hike and discuss wildflowers at 2 p.m. in 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.
Migratory bird celebration|Volunteer naturalists will have an open house style celebration of migratory birds from 2 to 4 p.m. on the patio in 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.
Kids wildlife program|”Roxy Puppet Theater,” a program about Roxborough Wildlife for kids ages 11 and younger, accompanied by an adult, will be at 10 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.
Star party|Lookout Mountain Nature Center Astronomy team members are offering an interactive astronomy program at Pine Valley Ranch Open Space Park. Participants can use star wheels to find constellations, tour the Pine Valley Ranch Observatory, use modern and historic telescopes and more. The program includes a very steep ½ mile hike to the observatory. Call 720-497-7600 to register and get meeting location and time.
May 21
Family walk|South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering a family walk, “Awesome Ants,” to walk and watch ants in action, at 2 p.m. in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive, Littleton. Cost is $9 adults, $5 youth ($6 adults, $4 youth District rate). To register, call 303-347-5999.
Homestead tour and family hike|A naturalist-led tour of the Lucas Homestead and a family hike will be at 11 a.m. in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. Meet at the Lucas Homestead Parking Lot on the Westside, accessed via Highway 86. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Guided bird walk|Naturalist Doris Cruze will lead a birdwatching excursion at 8 a.m. in 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.
Geology hike|Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, is offering a geology hike at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Visitor Center. Take water, snacks and lunch, dress for changing weather conditions. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-973-3959.
Archaeology Day celebration|The Denver Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society is partnering with Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, for an Archaeology Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be demonstrations of prehistoric arts and crafts. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For information, call 303-973-3959.
Wildflower program|Naturalist and author Pamela Irwin will discuss Roxborough’s 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. To register, call 303-973-3959.
To publicize upcoming events geared toward and open to the public, please mail 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.
