VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Fairmount Heritage Foundation | Volunteers are needed for a gravestone restoration project at Riverside Cemetery. Training is at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the 1890 Gate Lodge at Fairmount Cemetery, 430 S. Quebec St. To register, call 303-322-3895.
Urban Navigator | The first annual Urban Navigator, presented by Adventures For Charity, is a high-energy adventure for numerous teams, who will race around the Denver-metro area competing for prizes on Sept. 15. Volunteers are needed to hand out clues, man checkpoints and stamp passports. Volunteers will receive their specific assignment location on race day, then travel to that location on the light rail or bus system (a day pass will be provided). The event benefits Brent’s Place, a home away from home for children with cancer and their families. Visit .
Railroad museum | The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden needs volunteers for ongoing projects throughout the summer and fall, but especially for “A Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine,” Sept. 15, 16, and 21, 22, 23. Volunteers are also needed to work in the office, on the track crew, in restoration projects in the roundhouse, in the library and as tour guides. Contact volunteer coordinator David Williams at 720 274-5147 or e-mail david@crrn.org.
Elder care | Total Longterm Care, a non-profit that allows elders to live with dignity in the community for as long as possible, needs volunteers for its End of Life program. Volunteers would go into the home or other place of residence and be a companion for an individual who is experiencing end of life. Volunteers are thoroughly trained and given a great deal of support when they get started. Trainings will be October 6 and 13. Call Barb Warner at 720-974-6003 or e-mail bwarner@totallongtermcare.org.
Museo de las Americas | The Museo de las Americas is recruiting and training volunteers for art, programs and events. Contact Kristi Martens at 303-571-4401, ext. 28/ or e-mail Kristi@museo.org.
Retirement community | Allied Jewish Apartments in Cherry Creek needs drivers to take seniors once a month to pick up food provisions. Duties include picking the senior up from their apartment, taking them to the designated pick-up spot, assisting in lifting and carrying the food into the car, driving back and carrying the food to the apartment. Background check required. If you’re interested, call Shelley at 720-382-7813.
Teddy Bear Project | The 9th annual Teddy Bear Project needs volunteers to do independent collections of new and slightly used plush animals, any size, shape or color. Through December 12; the drop-off site is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at 3021 W. University Blvd. For information, call 303-628-0477.
Pumpkin fair | Volunteers are needed for the 19th annual Pumpkin Festival at Denver Botanic Gardens at Chatfield, 8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road. The festival is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 13 and 14. Volunteers are needed for the following duties: pumpkin measuring, children’s activities and games, pumpkin daycare attendants, pumpkin patch or entrance cashiers, soda/water booth attendants and more. Volunteers will receive a free pumpkin and lunch will be provided. Call Karyn Chaffin at 720-865-3565 or e-mail volcoord@botanicgardens.org.
Hike for Youth | Volunteers are needed for the fourth annual Hike for Youth “hike-a-thon,” benefitting five environmentally-focused youth agencies in the Denver/Boulder region. The event is Sept. 15 at Golden Gate State Park. Volunteers will lead hikes, greet guests, prepare the after-hike party and maintain the “Kids Corner” play area. Contact Brenda Porter at 303-996-2748 or e-mail brendaporter@cmc.org.
Learning Source | The Learning Source for Adults and Families, a local nonprofit organization working to educate Metro Denver adults and families needs volunteer tutors for its fall classes – especially for daytime classes in Aurora. Areas of instruction are reading, math, and English language. No prior teaching experience is required. An evening orientation and follow-up training session for volunteer tutors are scheduled in Lakewood Sept. 18 and Sept. 20. For information on session times and locations, contact Tom Oatts, volunteer recruiter, at 303-922-4683 or e-mail tom@coloradoliteracy.org.
Art museum | The Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver is hosting summer training for prospective volunteers. For information, contact Becky Wareing at 303-298-7554 or e-mail beckyw@mcartdenver.org.
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 KeepItCleanPartner . or call 303-413-7365.
Trail building | The Continental Divide Trail Alliance needs volunteers for a trail building project Sept. 15-16. To register, download a registration form at . or e-mail volunteer@cdtrail.org. For information, call 303-838-37601 or 888-909-CDTA.
Raptor program | Rocky Mountain Raptor Program, based in Fort Collins, needs volunteers. 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 Parkway. For information, contact Abby Schreiber via e-mail at aschreib@ci.aurora.co.us or at 303-739-7356.
Trail guides | The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks needs trail guides to visit trailheads and hike trails on OSMP lands six to 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 trail work. August trail work will begin Aug. 1 at Elbert Creek. To sign up for details and weekly trail work reminders, sign up for Trail 2000’s EList at .
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 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@ . for information.
Morrison Museum | The Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colorado 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.
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@wings . for information.
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 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.
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.
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
Guided nature walks | Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, 4075 N. Cheyenne Cañon Road, is offering free guided nature walks on the Silver Cascade Fall Trail at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through mid-September.
Wildlife program | Starsmore Discovery Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Cañon Road, is offering free hands-on wildlife programs led by park interpreters at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The program features mountain lions, black bears, hummingbirds, porcupines, common birds and other wildlife. An optional talk on the Columbine Trail will follow the talk.
Dinosaur tracksite tour | The USDA Forest Service Comanche National Grasslands is offering guided auto tours of Picket Wire Canyonlands, approximately 25 miles south of La Junta in southeast Colorado. Stops on the tour include visits to the largest dinosaur tracksite in North America, prehistoric Native American rock art, and more. Day-long tours are offered Saturdays in September and October. Cost is $15 per adult, $7.50 per child. Due to rough roads, participants must have their own four-wheel drive high clearance vehicle. Call the Comanche National Grassland at 719-384-2181 or visit .
Guided flowerbed tours | Denver Parks and Recreation is hosting guided flowerbed tours this 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 or visit .
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 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. For information, call 303-739-2428 or visit .
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 Sunday every 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 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 .
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 . 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.
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 .
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 .
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 .
TODAY
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 .
Geology program | Colorado geologist and guide/instructor is leading a hands-on geology program about the San Juan Mountains at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the Telluride Fitness Center, at Base of Coonskin Lift. For information, visit . or call 970-708-7736.
Grandparents day | Guests ages 65 and older will receive free admission to the Denver Zoo, 2300 Steel St., when accompanied by a child age 3-11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be live animal demonstrations and volunteers stationed throughout the zoo. Activities are free with admission. For information, call 303-376-4800 or visit .
Guided hike | A guided hike to St. Mary’s Falls will start at 1 p.m. at the Starsmore Discovery Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Canon Road, Colorado Springs. Take water, rain gear, a hiking stick (optional) and a snack. Wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots. Register by calling 719-385-6086.
Guided nature walk | South Suburban Parks and Recreation is offering a free naturalist-guided walk at 9:30 a.m. in the Cooley Lake wildlife area at South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive. The area is normally closed to general public access to protect wildlife. To register, call 303-730-1022.
MONDAY
Archaeology program | “Time, Trees and Prehistory: Tree-ring Dating and North American Archaeology 1914-1950,” a free talk by Steve Nash, Chair and Curator, Department of Anthropology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, will be at 7 p.m. in DMNS’s Ricketson Auditorium, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Enter through the west (Leprino Atrium) entrance. For information, contact Red Couts at 303-752-4044 or visit .
WEDNESDAY
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 . or call 303-376-4886.
Mineral and fossil show | The Colorado Mineral and Fossil Show will be Sept. 12-16 at the Holiday Inn – Denver Central, 4849 Bannock St. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 12-15; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Admission is free.
THURSDAY
Museum open house | The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History on the CU Boulder campus will have a free open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Learn about unique and interesting objects from the museum’s collection, including examples from anthropology, paleontology, botany, entomology and zoology. For information, call 303-492-6892 or visit .
Astronomy program | “Colorado Skies: Celestial Mechanics,” will be at 7:30 p.m. at Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder Campus. Cost is $6 adults, $3.50 child/senior, free for students with valid ID. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Lunch lecture | “Global Warming,” a free class featuring librarians discussing how to conduct research within a different discipline, will be at noon in the Weber Center at Arapahoe Community College’s Main building, 5900 S. Santa Fe Driver. Take a lunch. For information, call 303-797-5726 or visit .
FRIDAY
Astronomy program | “Searching for Distant Worlds,” will be at 7:30 p.m. at Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado Boulder Campus. Cost is $6 adults, $5 student with valid ID, $3.50 child/senior. For information, call 303-492-5001 or visit .
Fossil exposition | The Colorado Fossil Expo will be Sept. 14-16 at the Denver Merchandise Mart, Plaza Annex, 58th Avenue and Washington Street. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 15; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $5 adults, and includes admission to the Denver Gem and Mineral Show.
Gem and mineral show | The 40th annual Denver Gem and Mineral Show will be Sept. 14-16 at the Denver Merchandise Mart – Expo Hall 451 East 58th Ave. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 14; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 15; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16. Tickets are $5 adults, $3 seniors/teens, children under 13 free with adult. Ticket price includes admission to the Colorado Fossil Exp at the Denver Merchandise Mounts.
SATURDAY
Colorado Astronomy Day events | “Innovative Science Education at the University of Colorado,” a free interactive discussion with Doug Duncan, director of the Fiske Planetarium, will be at 1 p.m. in the Fiske Planetarium on the CU Boulder campus.
“Space Storm,” a free star show, will be at 2 p.m. in the planetarium.
“Tormental Espacial,” a free star show in Spanish, will be at 3 p.m.
Other activities include watching “Science on a Sphere,” playing with interactive exhibits and learning about Friends of CU Astronomy. For information, call 303-492-5002 or visit .
Parent and child science/nature program | A parent/child program with free nature activities, stories and games designed for children, will be at 11 a.m. at Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St. For information, call 720-898-7405.
Family fun walk | “Water Bug Exploring,” a “family fun walk” in which participants will explore the river, lakes and wetlands in search of water bugs and crawdads, will be at 11 a.m. in South Platte Park, 3000 W. Carson Drive. Take water shoes. Cost is $9 adults, $7 youth, $25 family, ($6 adults, $5 youth, $17 family District rate). Call 303-730-1022 for information. Register at . or call 303-347-5999.
Trail maintenance Day | Volunteers (Ages 14 to adult) are needed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help with trail maintenance at North Cheyenne Canon Park in Colorado Springs. Lunch will be provided. Take sunscreen, water, gloves a hat, insect repellant, sturdy shoes and long pants. To register, call 719-385-6086.
Wild animals program | “Tracks and Signs,” a free program about “reading” the signs left behind by wild animals, will be at 4 p.m. at Morrison Nature Center, 16002 E. Smith Road. For information, call 303-739-2428 or visit .
Sept. 16
Burn-area hike | The Sierra Club is sponsoring a hike at 8 a.m. in the Mason Gulch Burn area in Beulah. The area burned in a fire that began July 6 in a rugged area known as Mason Gulch and burned over 11,000 acres of forestland north of Beulah. The hike is free; donations are accepted. Call 719-582-0249 for information.
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.
