VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Trail guides | The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks needs trail guides to visit trailheads and hike trails on OSMP lands six-10 hours per month, providing visitors with information on area features, seasonal changes and local and natural history. Free classroom and field training is provided in four sessions. For information, visit osmp.org or call 720-579-4161.
Bat monitors | The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks need volunteers for its bat-monitoring program. Volunteers use bat detectors to locate areas of high bat activity, and monitor sites throughout the summer month. Monitors work two to three evenings a month June through September, performing visual and auditory counts and completing and submitting observation record forms. New volunteers must attend a two-night training in May, followed by field training. For information, call 720-564-2014 or visit osmp.org.
Animal sanctuary | The Denkai Sanctuary in Carr needs volunteers to help with fencing repairs, barn clean-up, brushing horses, walking dogs and building privacy fencing on April 3 from 11 a.m. until dark. For information on this and other volunteer opportunities at Denkai Sanctuary, e-mail info@denkaisanctuary.org, volunteer@denkaisanctuary.org or call 970-897-3122.
Plant conservation | The city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Department needs volunteers to help the Native Plant Conservation Team. Volunteers work together with OSMP staff on Friday mornings, assisting with a variety of plant related projects. The program starts in April. For more information or to apply for the program, visit osmp.org or call 720-564-2012 or 720-564-2084.
Raptor monitors | The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department needs volunteers for the raptor monitor program at Boulder Reservoir. Monitors should be able to work independently and should own binoculars. 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.
Trail work | The Colorado Trail Foundation needs volunteers to do trail work and other volunteer tasks. Trail work happens from June to August and work events are from a single day to a week long. For information, visit coloradotrail.org.
Bird observatory | The Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory needs volunteers to teach educational programs at Barr Lake State Park and Dinosaur Ridge through June. Training will be provided in specific program-content and teaching techniques. Programs are approximately 2 hours in length and occur in the morning. Eligible volunteers should be able to commit to 20 hours between now and June. Contact Amanda Morrison, Assistant Education Director at 303-659-4348, ext. 6# or via e-mail at Amanda.Morrison@rmbo.org.
Transportation safety expo | Volunteers are needed for a special event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 21 at The Forney Museum of Transportation, 4303 Brighton Blvd. The Museum is hosting a variety of safety agencies at a Transportation Safety forum. Volunteers will be giving directions, counting, answering questions, and manning booths during lunch breaks. Lunch will be provided. One two-hour training session is required prior to the Expo. Call Beverly weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 303-297-1113.
Trail work | Trails 2000 builds and maintains trails and educates trail users. Volunteers are needed to do trailwork. To sign up for details and weekly trailwork reminders, sign up for Trail 2000’s EList at trails2000.org.
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 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.
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 thedas.org, or call 303-871-5172 for reservations.
ONGOING
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 .
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/.
Field ecology internship | Colorado State University’s Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory will host a field ecology internship for high school science teachers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 18-29. The focus of the workshop will be ecological complexity. Participating teachers will work with Colorado State scientists on an authentic research project that can be transferred into high school classrooms. Participants will receive a $750 stipend. To apply, send your name, address, phone number, home and school e-mail addresses and a list of the current subjects you teach. Include a brief statement of how this training will be used in your classroom. Information must be on school letterhead; limit the application to one page. Send the application information to Kim Melville-Smith, NREL, 1499 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, 80523-1499. Deadline for registration is May 18. For information, contact Melville-Smith at 970-491-7715 or e-mail Kimberly.Melville-Smith@colostate.edu.
MONDAY
Archaeology program | “Archaeological Excavations at the Reuter-Hess Reservoir,” a free program by Erik Gantt of Centennial Archaeology, Inc., will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Enter through the west (Leprino Atrium) entrance. For information, contact Red Couts at 303-752-4044 or visit coloradoarchaeology.org/Denver/index.htm.
State of the Rockies conference | The fourth annual Colorado College State of the Rockies Conference will be April 9-11 on the Colorado College campus in Colorado Springs. This year’s “State of the Rockies Report Card,” which is written by student researchers at Colorado College will focus on issues of water sustainability; forest health; energy development; and growth in the Rockies. Each topic will be bolstered by keynote speakers and panels of experts. The conference is free; register at events. For information, visit stateoftherockies.com or call 719-389-6607.
TUESDAY
Space ethics program | “Environmental Ethics of Exploring and Living in Space,” the first in a four-part lecture series titled, “Beyond Earth: Ethical and Political Choices in Space,” will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Phipps IMAX Theater, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Panelists for the April 10 lecture include retired astronaut Russell “Rusty” Schweickart; science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson; historian Patty Limerick; and Robert Frodeman, chair, Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, University of Northern Texas. Cost is $12 for Museum members, $15 nonmembers. Tickets for the entire four-lecture series are $40 for Museum members, $48 nonmembers. For tickets, call 303-322-7009 or 800-925-2250.
WEDNESDAY
Book talk | Co-authors Kari Foster, Annette Stelmack and Debbie Hindman will discuss their book, Sustainable Residential Interiors, at 7:30 p.m. at the Tattered Cover Bookstore, LoDo, 1628 16th Street. The event is free.
THURSDAY
Live astronomer talk | “Colorado Skies: Galaxies,” a program by Matt Benjamin of the University of Colorado, 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 ID, $3.50 for child/senior. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Spider-Man program | “Spider-Man Demystified,” an in-depth look at the science behind the Marvel Comics superhero, will be at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Panelists include: Paula Cushing, president of the American Arachnological Society and chair of the Museum’s Department of Zoology; Randy Lewis, a professor of molecular biology at the University of Wyoming; Todd A. Blackledge, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Akron; and Rick Vetter of the department of biology at the University of California, Riverside. Tickets are $12 for DMNS member, $15 nonmembers.
FRIDAY
Star show | “The Milky Way: A City of Stars,” a program about the Milky Way and its galactic neighbors including nebulae and clusters, 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 ID, $3.50 for child/senior. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Dinosaur-related fireside chat | “Dinosaurs From the Ridge,” a fireside chat, will be at 7 p.m. at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center, 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Cost is 25 cents.
Lightning Data Center meeting | “The Fundamentals and Physics of Lightning,” a presentation, will be at noon, following a 11:30 a.m. roundtable, at St. Anthony Central Hospital, Auditorium A, 4231 W. 16th Ave., Denver.
GPS, map and compass classes | The USGS offers a free map and compass class from 9-11 a.m. and a free GPS class from noon to 4 p.m. in the Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Lakewood. Call 303-202-4689 or e-mail gpsworkshops@usgs.gov for reservations or directions. For information, see cr.usgs.gov/gpsworkshops/index.html.
SATURDAY
Kids nature program | “African Animals,” a program for kids ages 6-10, focusing on different animals and their habitats, will be at 10 a.m. at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. Kids also get to make a project to take home. Cost is $10. To register, call 720-898-7405.
Mining museum tour | Curator Terry Girouard is offering a tour of the Colorado Rockhounding Exhibit at 1 p.m. in the Western Museum of Mining and Industry, 225 North Gate Blvd., Colorado Springs. To register, call 719-488-0880. For information, visit wmmi.org.
Lake George Gem and Mineral Club meeting | “Pegmatites of Colorado and the World,” a slide presentation, will be at 9 a.m. in the Lake George Community Center, on the north side of US 24, on the east edge of Lake George. The building is shared with the Park County Highway Shops. For information, contact Andy Weinzapfel at acwein@gmail.com or 719-748-3356.
Zoo volunteer open house | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., needs volunteers for various zoo activities. Volunteers must be 18 and older and can attend an open house event from 9 to 11 a.m. to learn more about the volunteer program and to meet current zoo volunteers. For information, visit denverzoo.org or call 303-376-4886.
Wetland restoration project | Wildlands Restoration Volunteers needs 90 volunteers to help restore shoreline habitat at Coot Pond in St. Vrain State Park. Volunteers will plant native shrubs and trees and stabilize 1,800 feet of shoreline with willow plantings. To register or for information, call 303-543-1411, e-mail info@wlrv.org or visit wlrv.org and click on “Projects.”
Family star show | “Deep Impact,” a program about how the Deep Impact mission was designed, will be at 2 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adult, $3.50 for child/senior. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Guided bird walk | Morrison Nature Center is offering a guided bird walk at 8:30 a.m. at Quincy Reservoir, 18350 E. Quincy Ave. To register or for information, call 303-739-2428.
Guided dinosaur hike | Adrian Hunt, of the New Mexico Museum of Nature and Science, will lead a free hike to historic bone quarries in Morrison. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor’s Center, 16831 W Alameda Pkwy., Morrison.
Archaeology program | “An Archaeological Overview of West Bijou Creek, a program by Jonathan Kent, Professor of Archaeology at MSCD, highlighting many previously unknown prehistoric and historic sites that he and his students have recorded and described along West Bijou Creek in Elbert County, will be at 11 a.m. at the Plains Conservation Center, 21901 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora. Kent will also discuss suggestions for continued systematic archaeological research and resource management on Plains Conservation Center properties. Cost is $5 for non-members. To register, e-mail info@plainscenter.org or call 303-693-3621.
To publicize upcoming events geared toward and open to the public, please mail details at least two weeks in advance to Andrea Labak, Scientifically Speaking, The Denver Post, City Desk, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail to Scispeak@denverpost.com.
