VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Raptor monitors | The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department needs volunteers for the raptor monitor program at Boulder Reservoir. Monitors should own binoculars and be able to work independently. Skilled birders are preferred, but some identification training will be provided for beginners. Responsibilities include monitoring, observing, and documenting nests, wildlife closures, and surrounding areas for birds of prey, reporting significant events, and assisting with educating the public. Commitment is flexible but would preferably be from one to four hours on a weekly basis, through September. For more information, call Volunteer Coordinator Mary Malley at 303-413-7245 or visit bouldercolorado.gov/parks-recreation.
Morrison Museum | The Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colo. Highway 8, needs volunteers to teach about local fossils and rocks using hands-on exhibits and interactive demonstrations. Training and mentorship provided. Volunteers are also needed to assist with reptile collection care, fossil molding and casting, and information desk/gift shop operations. Call 303-697-1873 or visit mnhm.org.
Park weeding and trail maintenance | Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, needs volunteers to work with trained crew leaders to pull, snip and collect noxious weeds and help maintain the hiking trails. 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 greet patrons in the Welcome Center, serve as sales staff in the Museum Store,help in Facilities Maintenance with upkeep on the WWII-era hangar, instill in kids of all ages the thrill of aviation and flight as a tour guide,and to work on restoring the aircraft collection.For more information, visit wingsmuseum.org, or contact Volunteer Coordinator Susan Darigo at volunteer@wingsmuseum.org or 303-360-5360, ext. 111.
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 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 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. 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.
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 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. Regular workdays are scheduled in the spring and fall at Garden of the Gods. Contact RMFI at 719-471-7736 or e-mail rmfibox@qwest.net for information.
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks | Volunteers naturalists are needed to lead interpretive nature hike for children. OSMP provides 70 hours of core training focused on interpretive techniques, local ecosystems, flora and fauna, geology, history and safety issues. Volunteer naturalists make a minimum commitment to lead seven hikes within one year. Training will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Tuesday Feb. 6 through April 24, (except March 27). Download an application at bouldercolorado.gov/osmpvolunteers or call 720-564-2058.
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 information, visit thedas.org, or call 303-871-5172 for reservations.
ONGOING
Kids nature program | “Nature Adventures,” a free child/parent event for kids ages 4-6 and parents, features nature activities, stories and games, and is at 11 a.m. the third Saturday monthly, through March, at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. Different topics are taught each month by Nature Center Specialist Dean Bernard. To register, call 720-898-7405.
Kids wildlife storytime | Volunteer Naturalists will read wildlife stories for children ages 2 years and older at 10:30 a.m. Fridays, Jan. 12, 19, and 26; February 2, 9, and 23; and March 2, 16, 23 and 30, in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-973-3959.
Nature movies | Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road, offers a free nature movie, popcorn and hands-on projects at 2 p.m. the 3rd Sunday monthly. To register, call 303-739-2428.
Kids nature programs | Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free program for kids ages 5 and under every Thursday with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. The same topic is covered at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., choose which time works best for you. For information, call 303-739-2428.
Kids nature programs | Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free program for kids ages 6-10, “Junior Rangers,” which meets the second Thursday and Sunday of the month at 1:30 p.m. To register, call 303-739-2428.
Science open house | The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, offers a free open house with hands-on science activities from 1 to 4 p.m. on the third Sunday of the month. To register, call 303-739-2428.
Map and compass class | The US Geological Survey hosts a free map, compass and orienteering class at 1 p.m. the first and third Fridays monthly 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 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 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 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. For information, call 970-586-3262 or visit 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 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 colorado.edu/fiske/.
Environmental internship | The Rocky Mountain Field Institute is offering internships to select undergraduate students to participate in its Earth Corps program. The 2007 internships will provide key support for the completion of high-altitude restoration projects on Pikes Peak and near the summits of Crestone Needle and Crestone Peak. The internships will be 30 days in length. At the completion of the internship, each student will receive 4 hours of credit from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. To apply, contact RMFI at 719-471-7736 or e-mail rmfibox@qwest.net. Application cost is $25, non-refundable. Deadline for submittal is April 7; however outstanding applicants will be awarded internships in advance of the deadline. Final decisions will be announced by April 14.
TODAY
Winter wildlife hike | City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Naturalist Betty Naughton will lead a hike and discus how animals and plants cope with the cold. Meet at 1 p.m. at Realization Point, 3.5 miles up Flagstaff Road. For information or directions, call 303-441-3440 or visit osmp.org.
TUESDAY
Land use and subsurface water program | “Impacts of Changing Land Use on Subsurface Water Resources in Semiarid Regions,” a program by Bridget Scanlon, University of Texas at Austin, will be at 1:30 p.m. at the USGS Central Region Colloquium, Foord Lecture Room, Building 20, (Entrance W3) Denver Federal Center.
THURSDAY
Climate change talk | “Climate Change: What is Really Going on and What Can we do About it?” a free discussion with Bob Hen son, author of “The Rough Guide to Climate Change,” and “The Rough Guide to Weather,” will be at 8:30 a.m. at Boulder County Clerk and Recorder’s Houston Room, 1750 33rd Street. For information, visit bouldereast.org or call Tracy Foster at 303-319-3069.
Live astronomer talk | “CSI Solar System: Using Computer Models to Investigate the Nature of Comets and Asteroids,” a live astronomer talk, will be at 7:30 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $6 adult, $5 student with valid I.D., $3.50 for children and seniors. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
The program will be repeated at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9.
SATURDAY
Guided bird walk | Morrison Nature Center is offering a free guided bird walk to look for raptors at Coal Creek Arena, 21000 E. 6th Ave. For information or to register, call 303-739-2428.
Weather and wildlife walk | A Metro District park ranger will lead a walk through the Marcy Gulch Natural Area and discuss wildlife winter survival techniques, winter plant survival and more. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Redstone Park Tennis Center Shelter. Cost is $6, ($7 non-residents). Dress for the weather. To register and for directions, call 303-791-2710 or visit highlandsranch.org.
Family astronomy-related program | “Star Storm,” a program about the Sun/Earth connection, will be at 2 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adult, $3.50 child/senior. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
Geology and history hike | Volunteer Naturalist Peter Laux will lead a easy to moderate hike and discuss Roxborough State Park’s geology, ecosystems and history at 1 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-973-3959.
Wildlife hike | Volunteer Naturalist Helen Angel will lead a short walk at 1 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-973-3959.
Feb. 11
Museum free day | The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2201 Colorado Blvd., is offering free admission to Colorado residents with valid ID. Paleopuppeteer, “Mr. Bones” will be in the Museum from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Secrets of the Dioramas” tour is at 12:30 and 2 p.m. A scavenger hunt is taking place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Separate admission fees to Phipps IMAX Theater and the Gates Planetarium remain in effect. For information, call 303-322-7009, 800-925-2250, or visit dmns.org.
Guided nature walk | A South Suburban Parks and Recreation naturalist will lead a free nature walk at 9:30 a.m. in the Cooley Lake wildlife area at South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive. The Cooley Lake wildlife area is closed to general public access except for on naturalist-led tours. To register, call 303-730-1022.
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, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail to Scispeak@denverpost.com.
