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 from. 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 help with youth and adult education programs offered by the Museum’s Education Department. Volunteers conduct tours, assist with hands-on activities, teach in the flight simulator lab and conduct our Project Pilot course. Project Pilot is a team-building course in which students learn the basics of flight planning and then fly a mission in the Museum’s Flight Simulator Lab. Wings offers progressive training for all of these volunteer positions. Aviation experience is a plus, but is NOT required. Contact the Education Department at 303-360-5360, ext. 106 or 116, or education@wingsmuseum.org for information.
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
Endangered species week events | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., is giving live animal demonstrations, discussing how people are working to save animals and habitats, and more, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 16-20. Activities are free with admission. For information, call 303-376-4800 or visit denverzoo.org.
Arctic warming program | “Arctic Warming,” a free program, will be at 7 p.m. in the University Memorial Center, 235, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. A reception and booksigning event will be at 5:30 p.m. For information, visit ecenter.colorado.edu/events.
Anthropology program | “Stories of Power: Objects of the Americas,” a free opening reception of an exhibit running April 16-May 1, will be at 5 p.m. in the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, Sturm Hall 102, 2000 E. Asbury Ave. For information, visit du.edu/anthro/museum.htm.
TUESDAY
Café Scientifique | “Lightning! Science and Safety,” a free program by Richard Kithil, Jr., founder and president of the National Lightning Safety Institute, and Robert Gift, Chimney Sweep, will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercantile Room at the Wynkoop Brewery, 1634 18th St. For information, visit cafescicolorado.org.
THURSDAY
Colorado Scientific Society family night | The Colorado Scientific Society is offering a free “family night” at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, 1850 Table Mesa Drive. A tour of NCAR will be at 5:30 p.m., and a talk, “Introduction to Space Weather,” will be at 7:30 p.m. An optional dinner for $13.50 will be at 6 p.m. For information and registration, visit coloscisoc.org/meetings/futuremeetings.html.
Free trees and seeds | The City of Lakewood Urban Parks Division is giving away free trees, perennials and seeds to patrons who visit the booths at the Whole Foods Market Belmar, 444 S. Wadsworth Blvd. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As part of the CommUnity Day Celebration, Mayor Steve Burkholder will greet guests in the store at 11:30 a.m., and Whole Foods will donate five percent of the total April 19 store sales to the City of Lakewood Urban Parks Division. For information, visit lakewood.org.
Boulder Green Building Guild roundtable discussion | BGBG is hosting a roundtable discussion, “Greening Your Rental Home,” at Sherpa’s, 825 Walnut St., Boulder. To register, e-mail info@bgbg.org.
Live astronomer talk | “The Paranormal Universe,” a program by Nahum Arav of the University of Colorado’s Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, 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 .
The program will be repeated at 7:30 p.m. April 20.
FRIDAY
Junior ranger day | Colorado National Monument is offering a “Junior Ranger Program” open house, for students in grades 1-5, with exhibit booths, activities, demonstrations and crafts. The activities will be at 10 a.m. at Devils Kitchen Picnic Area, near the east entrance of the park. Entrance fees will be waived for all students and their families. For additional information, contact Park Ranger Michelle Wheatley at 970-858-3617 ext. 363 or e-mail michelle_wheatley@nps.gov. Free bus transportation will be provided from the East Gate to the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area beginning at 9:45 a.m.
SATURDAY
Outdoor restoration event | Volunteers are needed from projects from planting trees to pond restoration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W. Morrison Road. Mayor Burkholder will welcome volunteers, and an environmental expo will include booths from Dinosaur Ridge and RET. To register to become a volunteers, visit voutdoors.com or call 303-697-6157 for more information.
“Family fun” walk | South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering a “family fun” walk, to view migrating birds, budding plants and early flowers, at 2 p.m. in South Platte Park, 3000 W Carson Drive. Cost is $9 adults, $7 youth, $25 family ($6 adults, $5 youth, $17 family District rate). For information, call 303-730-1022. Register at sspr.org or call 303-347-5999.
Earth Day event | The second annual free Pikes Peak Earth Day event will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Palmer High School, 301 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs. The event includes children’s activities, free organic food, games, crafts, live music, giveaways and interactive presentations and exhibits. For a schedule of events and information, visit pikespeakearthday.org.
Earth Day event | The Garbage Garage in the Larimer County Landfill, on South Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins, is having an open house event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The open house includes food, games, giveaways, a show of artwork from a student contest, “Reusable Art,” and colorful and educational displays. For information, call 970-498-5772 or visit larimer.org/solidwaste.
Earth Day event | The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, is offering a Earth Day-themed Family Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 21 and 22. Kids can test their animal and nature knowledge against habitat trivia and participate in arts and crafts. Visit the Recycle Room to learn how to transform reusable household items into works of art. Mountain Aire Reptile Rescue and Sanctuary will give a demonstration with live animals. Activities are free with museum admission. Admission cost is $7.95 adults, $6.95 seniors 65 and over, $4.95 for children 2-12 and free for children under age 2. For information, visit thewildlifeexperience.org or call 720-488-3300.
Arbor Day celebration | South Suburban Parks and Recreation is celebrating Arbor Day at several locations. Staff members will guide volunteers in the planting of 47 trees purchased in part with funds from the Colorado Tree Coalition at 8 a.m. in Progress Park, 5100 S. Hickory Street. Pre-register at 303-721-8478. Other free family activities will continue until 2 p.m. in Progress Park, including an appearance by Smokey Bear, a tree piñata and tree-themed competitive events. There will also be booths with tree information.
Free tree seedlings will be offered to Englewood and South Suburban residents from 9 to 11 a.m. at Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca Drive.
South Suburban is partnering with the City of Lone Tree and will kickoff Arbor Day with Mayor Jack O’Boyle reading an Arbor Day Proclamation at 9 a.m. at the Lone Tree Recreation Center, 10249 Ridgegate Circle. Attendees will receive professional planting and water conservation tips and take home free seedlings. There will also be activities for children.
Astronomy Day | Fiske Planetarium and Sommers-Bausch Observatory on the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus, will have free events, including interactive exhibits, from noon to 10 p.m. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Parent/child nature program | Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., is offering a free nature program for kids ages 4-6 and parents, with nature activities, stories and games, at 11 a.m. To register, call 720-898-7405.
Earth Day event | The 18th annual free Mountain Area Earth Day Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Evergreen Lake and Lake House, 29614 Upper Bear Creek Road. Over 50 federal, state and local agencies, nonprofit organizations and businesses will share an array of information in a hands-on format. A few of the scheduled exhibitors are: the Colorado Divisions of Wildlife Bear Aware program, the National Eagle and Wildlife Repository, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the US Forest Service with Smokey the Bear. HawkQuest will present life birds of prey. For information, visit dipper.org.
Earth Day celebration | The second annual Pikes Peak Earth Day Celebration will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Palmer High School, 301 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs. There will be information, exhibits, live entertainment, art, games, crafts, activities, food and more. For information, visit pikespeakearhday.org.
Saturday Physics Series program | “Mystery of Mass,” a free program by Research Associate Stephen Wagner of physics, will be at 2 p.m. in Duane Physics room G1B30 on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. For information, call 303-492-4318 or visit .
Hawk program | Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road, is offering a free program about hawks with live birds from the Raptor Education Foundation. For information or to register, call 303-739-2428.
Astronomy event | The University of Denver’s historic Chamberlin Observatory, 2930 E. Warren Ave., is having an “Earth Night” celebration with a program including viewing with telescopes and information on environmental and light pollution at 8 p.m. For information, call 303-871-5172.
Party for the planet | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., is teaming up with other AZA-accredited zoos to host a nationwide celebration to help visitors discover ways to connect to the local environment to make a collective difference in conservation on a national and global level, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-22. For information, call 303-376-4800 or visit denverzoo.org.
April 22
Earth Day field trip | USGS geologist Pete Modreski will lead a geologic and natural history tour and hike on Lookout Mountain near Golden. Meet at 11 a.m. in the parking lot of the Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, on Lookout Mountain Road. Visit buffalobill.org. For information or questions in case of inclement weather, contact pmodreski@usgs.gov, or call 303-202-4766 or 720-205-2553.
Sunset stroll | Morrison Nature Center is offering an evening walk at 7:30 p.m. along the shore of Aurora’s Quincy Reservoir, 18350 E. Quincy Ave. For information or to register, call 303-739-2428.
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.
Denver Botanic Gardens free day | Colorado residents with valid identification are admitted at no cost from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. For information, call 720-865-3500.
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.
