VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (ART-RELATED)
Art museum | The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver is hosting summer training for prospective volunteers. For information, contact Becky Wareing at 303-298-7554 or e-mail beckyw@mcartdenver.org.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (SCIENCE/NATURE-RELATED)
Trail/cabin work | Summit Huts needs volunteers the weekend Of July 6-8 to help prepare Janet’s Cabin for its inaugural summer season. Volunteers will hike or mountain bike into the hut from Copper Mountain, five and a half miles on the Colorado Trail. Volunteers may work one day or all three, and are welcome to spend the night at the hut. Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for those who spend the night. To sign up, visit, call 970-453-8583 or e-mail summithuts@colorado.net.
Boulder Green Building Guild | The Boulder Green Building Guild is seeking a volunteer coordinator and 18-20 volunteers to help with its upcoming BGBG Product Fair on July 8. For information, e-mail info@bgbg.org.
Stream cleaning | The Keep it Clean Partnership” needs volunteers for its new StreamTeam program. Program members help protect local waterways through pollution prevention and water conservation activities. For information, visit or call 303-413-7365.
Xeriscape garden | Volunteers are needed at the Aurora Water Xeriscape Garden, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy. For information, contact Abby Schreiber via e-mail at aschreib@ci.aurora.co.us or at 303-739-7356.
Anasazi Heritage Center | The Anasazi Heritage Center, (located three miles west of Dolores), needs volunteers to provide visitor information and to help maintain the museum’s grounds. Volunteers usually work one four-hour shift a week in the morning or afternoon. Benefits include attending field trips, special programs, events and workshops. For information, contact Victoria Atkins at 970-882-5610.
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 or call 720-579-4161.
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
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.
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
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
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 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
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 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. Multi-day projects are scheduled Aug. 19-25 in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness; Sept. 29-30 at Shelf Road; and Oct. 13-14 at Indian Creek, Utah. Regular workdays are scheduled in the 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, or call 303-871-5172 for reservations.
ONGOING
“Eagle Watch” program | Larimer County Parks and Open Lands will be conducting an Eagle Watch program each weekend through this spring. Park rangers will lead a four-mile, round-trip hike through spring flowers and vast panoramas of Eagle’s Nest Open Space to the viewing location. With the aid of a telescope, you will be able to see one of the adults sitting on the cliff face nest hundreds of feet above the North Fork of the Poudre River. Soon, participants will be able to see fuzzy head of the chicks appear as the adults bring the food. In June, you can see the chicks grown larger and change to dark plumage, and even learn to stretch their wings and practice flight. Register by calling Park Manager Charles Gindler at 970-498-5606 or e-mail cgindler@larimer.org. After registering, you will be called or e-mailed with a date and time to meet at the Eagle’s Nest Open Space trailhead for a hike to the viewing site. For more information, visit
Family nature program | Explore Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road, with a backpack full of fun activities and equipment. Activities include “Insect Investigations,” “Stories of the Stars,” “Pond Muck Monsters,” and a “Challenge Hike.” For information, stop in at the Campground Registration office to check out the backpack or call 303-791-1077.
Kids nature program | “Beach Mania,” a program featuring games and crafts on a different theme each week, is offered at 1 p.m. Sundays at the swim beach in Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. Meet under the tent at the swim beach. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. (There will be no “Beach Mania” on June 17 due to the Slocum Cabin Days celebration).
Kids nature program | Fridays through July 27, at 10 a.m. is story time with a park ranger under the cottonwood tree at the Deer Creek Picnic Area in Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. Take a blanket or chair. For information, call 303-979-9115. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Guided flowerbed tours | Denver Parks and Recreation will host five guided flowerbed tours throughout the summer focused on perennials, annuals and new features at City Park. Park horticultural experts will guide the tours. Each tour is $15 for adults, $7 for seniors 60 and older and youth 17 and younger. Tour costs include transportation, refreshments and a small gift. Register for the tours by calling 720-913-0700.
Wildflower tours | The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering free wildflower tours on Mount Goliath Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 19 through Aug. 2, and Saturdays June 30, and July 7 and 28. The hike is a moderately difficult 1.5 mile downhill trek, and is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and leaves from the US Forest Services Clear Creek Visitor Center in Idaho Springs. To register, call 720-865-3533.
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 or call 303-730-1022.
“Wet and Wild Wednesdays” kids nature program | Morrison Nature Center is offering a free plants and animals program for kids ages 6-10 the third Wednesday monthly. June’s event is about Crawdads. To register, call 303-739-2428. For information, visit
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
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
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/.
Nature programs and hikes | “Rox-Revealed,” a program featuring naturalist-led programs and hikes, is at 11 a.m. Saturdays 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 parks.state.co.us.
TODAY
Nature walk | South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering a free naturalist-guided walk in the Cooley Lake wildlife area at South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive. The wildlife area is closed to general public access to protect wildlife, except for naturalist-guided walks. To register, call 303-730-1022.
Guided hike | Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is offering a free guided hike up South Table Mountain to Castle Rock. Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor’s Center, 16831 W Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Take a picnic lunch and water. To register, call 303-697-3466.
Flower hike | “A Rose is a Rose&,” a wildflower hike guided by Volunteer Naturalist Josetta Mastra, will be at 11:30 a.m. in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 89, Franktown. Meet at the information kiosk near the Canyon Point Parking Lot. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Geology hike | Volunteer Naturalist Peter Laux will lead a 4-mile hike and discuss rocks, cliffs and creek, and the forces at work now and in the past creating the geology in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 89, Franktown. Meet at the 9 a.m. at the Event Facility Shelters. A $5 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. To register, call 303-688-5242.
Dinosaur event | The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is celebrating its three-year anniversary with special events. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can take in your fossils from home for a staff paleontologist to identify. At 2 p.m., there will be a talk, “Dinosaur Mummies, Not Daddies!” You can also enter to win a free family membership. The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is located “At the Palms,” at 201 S. Fairview in downtown Woodland Park. Hours are on June 10 are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 719-686-1820 for information.
MONDAY
Archaeology program | “Exciting Archaeology in Yellowstone National Park,” a free program by Ann Johnson, Yellowstone national Park, 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, call Red Couts at 303-752-4044 or visit
TUESDAY
Family astronomy show | “Moons and Lasers,” an astronomy program, will be at 1 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
Space ethics lecture | “A New Space Race? Chinese and American Plans for War and Peace in Orbit and Beyond,” the second lecture 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. Cost is $12 members, $15 nonmembers. For information, visit
Denver Café Scientifique | “The Arctic’s Shrinking Sea-Ice Cover,” a free talk by Mark Serreze, Senior Research Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center, will be at 6:30 p.m. in the Mercantile Room at the Wynkoop Brewery, 1638 18th St. For information, visit
WEDNESDAY
Family astronomy show | “Kids in Space,” an astronomy program, will be at 10 a.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
THURSDAY
Astronomy program | “Stars and Lasers,” a family astronomy show, will be at 1 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
Live astronomer talk | “Colorado Skies: Summer Skies,” an astronomy program, will be at 8 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $6 adults, free for students with valid ID, $3.50 children and seniors. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
Full moon hike | The Metro District of Highlands Ranch is offering a full moon hike at 8:30 p.m. along the High Line Canal Trail. Meet at the Tennis Center in Redstone Park, 3280 Redstone Park Circle. Cost is $6 residents, $7 non-resident. Three of more family member will receive a $1 discount per person. To register, call 303-791-2710 or visit
Wildflower walk | “Wildflowers at Dusk,” a free guided walk with naturalist Jim Borland, will be at 7 p.m. at Paul A. Hentzel and Babi Yar Parks, East Yale Avenue west of South Havana Street. There will be free refreshments and materials on Denver’s Natural Areas Program. For information, call 303-455-1623 or search for “Natural Areas” at
FRIDAY
Live astronomer talk | “Black Holes,” a program by University of Colorado professor Andrew Hamilton, about black holes, will be at 8 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the CU Boulder campus. Cost is $6 adults, $5 students (with valid ID), $3.50 children and seniors. (Thursday shows only, tickets are free for students with valid ID). For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit http://fiske.colorado.edu.
Living history event | Living history re-enactors will tell stories from the 1800s in period costume at 8 p.m. as part of the Slocum Cabin Days celebration in the amphitheater at Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. For information, call 303-979-9115. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
SATURDAY
University of Colorado Wizards show | CU Professor Andrew Hamilton will present, “Black Holes,” a program geared toward students in grades five through nine, at 9:30 a.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the CU Boulder campus. For information, call 303-492-5011 or visit Colorado.edu/physics/Web/wizards/cuwizards.html.
Living history event | Living history re-enactors will conduct a council fire and flag retirement ceremony at 8:30 p.m. as part of the the Slocum Cabin Days celebration in the amphitheater at Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. For information, call 303-979-9115. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
Bat event | A free program on bats will be at 8 p.m. at Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. For information or to register, call 303-739-2428. Visit
Guided hike | “Secrets of the Devil’s Backbone,” a two-hour hike at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, west of Loveland, will be at 6 p.m. Wear comfortable clothes and take water and cameras. Meet at the trailhead off of Hidden Valley Drive. The hike is rated easy to moderate. For information, contact Ann Dewey at 970-679-4561.
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.
