VOLUNTEERS NEEDED (ART/ENTERTAINMENT-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)
Sustainability event | Volunteers are needed to assist at the EarthWorks Expo 2007, July 27-29 at the Denver Merchandise Mart. Volunteer positions available include greeter, kids garden, ticketing, gala set-up, gala event help, farmers market, zero waste, EarthWorks Store and Workshop AV and usher. Download an application from or call 720-276-4420.
Boulder Creek Watershed Initiative | BCWI needs volunteers to help with forums, to work on StreamTeams to protect local waterways, to write articles and take photographs, to help with general clerical duties and more. For information, visit or call 303-413-7365.
Raptor program | Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, based in Fort Collins, needs volunteers to work Saturdays and Sundays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The hospital is full and construction delays have slowed the completion of the flight reconditioning building. Take a water bottle, sunscreen and a cordless drill if you have one. RMRP encourages preservation of our environmental and cultural resources through excellence in raptor rehabilitation, community education and research. For information, call 970-484-7756 or e-mail info@rmrp.org.
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 through August and work events are from a single day to a week-long. For information, visit .
Trail work | Trails 2000 builds and maintains trails and educates trail users. Volunteers are needed to do trailwork. Trailwork dates scheduled in July are: July 18, 20, 21 and 22. August trailwork will begin Aug. 1 at Elbert Creek. 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
Colorado Trail Foundation activities | Colorado Trail Foundation is having summer workshops in July and August. “Learning Your Wildflowers,” is July 22-28 near Lake City at the CTF Education Center. “Hike and Climb with the Best,” is Aug. 12-18. To register, call 303-526-0809 or visit .
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.
River table | Visit South Suburban Parks and Recreation’s Carson Nature Center in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive, the first Saturday of each month and manipulate a river in the 12-foot stainless steel river table. The table is filled with plastic sand and recirculating water powered by pumps that can be controlled by participants. Visitors can create a city landscape and see how natural river actions affect their creation. Naturalists are on hand from 2-3 the first Saturday of each month to guide individuals and families through the free, hands-on experience. For information, call 303-730-1022 or visit .
Wildflower tours | The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering free wildflower tours on Mount Goliath Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Aug. 2, and Saturday and July 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. To register, call 303-739-2428. For information, visit .
Kids nature program | Story time with a park ranger is at 10 a.m. Fridays through July 27 under the cottonwood tree at the Deer Creek Picnic Area in Chatfield State Park, 11500 N. Roxborough Park Road. Take a blanket or chair. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park.
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.
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.
ART/ENTERTAINMENT-RELATED ANNOUNCEMENTS
Opera ushers | Central City Opera needs help locating its past Ushers for its 75th Birthday Celebration on July 16 in Central City. Contact Sara Knowles at 303-292-6500, ext. 117.
SCIENCE/NATURE-RELATED EVENTS
TODAY
Insect festival | The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, presents the second day of a hands-on, “Insectival,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15. There will be bug safaris along the Pavilion’s nature trail, lady bug releases, an insect Olympics, cockroach racing, face painting, a pollination relay game, live music performances and guest appearances by The Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Botanic Gardens, Project InSECT and others. Admission is $7.95 adults, $5.95 children ages 3-12. visit . for information.
MONDAY
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.
TUESDAY
Astronomy program | “Space Storm,” 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.
WEDNESDAY
Astronomy program | “Space Primer,” a program about space, 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
Family astronomy show | “Adventures Beyond the Solar System,” 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.
Titanic program | “Titanic, A Filmmaker’s Personal Journey,” a program by Gary Hines, president of Boomtime Media and an award-winning documentary producer, will focus on the special teams that came together from all over the world to create a floating city of scientists, engineers, historians and producers on the waterline above Titanic. The program is at 7 p.m. in the Denver Museum of Nature & Science’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Tickets are $12 members, $15 nonmembers. For information, call 303-322-7009 or 800-925-2250.
Live astronomer talk | University of Colorado’s Stuart Robbins is giving a talk, “The Apollo Moon Hoax: Why we did NOT not go to the Moon,” at 8 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the CU Boulder campus. Robbins will explore the photographic, environmental and technological arguments, along with some of the psychology behind hoaxes. 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.
The program will be repeated at 8 p.m. July 20.
FRIDAY
Lichen program | “Lichens of the Rocky Mountains, a free program and hike, will be at 1 p.m. at Ranger Lake Amphitheater in State Forest State Park near Walden. Take sunscreen, bug repellent, water and appropriate clothing in case of inclement weather.
SATURDAY
Cheetah presentation | The Wildlife Experience, 10035 S. Peoria St., Parker, is having a live cheetah demonstration in conjunction with the “Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs,” and “Paws and Reflect: The Art of Canines” exhibits, running respectively now through Oct. 7 and through Oct. 14. For information and hours, call 720-488-3300 or visit .
Bee program | A Metro District of Highlands Ranch Park Ranger and a bee keeper will give a program on honey bees and display a real beehive at 6:30 p.m. at Cheese Ranch Natural and Historic Area Windmill, 9191 Sugarstone Circle. Cost is $6 residents, $7 non-residents. To register, call 303-791-2710 or visit .
Zoo family night | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., is hosting a family event from 6:30 to 9 p.m., with animal myths and facts about creatures from popular fairy tales and fables. There will also be crafts and games. Kids can dress as characters from their favorite animal fairy tale and could win a prize. Admission is to be determined. Pre-register at 303-376-4894 or visit .
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.
