ONGOING EVENTS
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. Summer projects include restoring the old trailhead and putting in campsites at the new trailhead for South Colony Lakes Basin in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains August 7-10; and Aug. 30-Sept. 5; and stream restoration work on Ski Creek near the Glen Cove Inn Aug. 8-9. There will be an annual work weekend at Shelf Road Oct 10 and 11. Info: 719-471-7736 or .
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 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Info: ., or call 303-871-5172 for reservations.
Mining club | The Denver Mining Club is a free (except for purchase of lunch) weekly meeting each Monday except on holidays with a mining-related speaker. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Country Buffet Restaurant, 8100 W. Crestline Ave., Littleton. Purchase of buffet lunch is required.
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 to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of each month to guide individuals and families through the free, hands-on experience. Info: 303-730-1022 or .
GPS, map and compass class | On the second Friday of every month through November, there is a free USGS GPS, Map and compass class at Building 810, Federal Center, Lakewood. Class schedule is: Map and Compass from 9 to 11 a.m. and GPS from noon to 4 p.m. Info/register: 303-202-4689 or e-mail gpsworkshops@usgs.gov.
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. Register: 303-739-2428.
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. Info: 303-497-1174 or .
Renewable energy | The U.S. 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. Info: . or 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.
Online ranger talks | Yellowstone National Park is conducting live ranger talks for the online audience. Park Ranger George Heinz will present these programs from Geyser Hill, the location of the greatest concentration of geyers in the world. There will be two programs each Tuesday and Thursday through August 14. At 11 a.m., Ranger George will discuss the history of the area and the historic structures that still survive today, as well as those that have succumbed to time. Historic photos are used to illustrate the buildings that are no longer present. At 2 p.m. the discussion will turn to Yellowstone’s hydrothermal features with a program, “Geysers, Hot Springs and More.” The live programs can be viewed on the Old Faithful Live Streaming Webcam at .
Nature programs | The Starsmore Discovery Center, at the entrance of North Cheyenne Canon at 2120 S. Cheyenne Road, has guided “wildlife tracks and signs” walks at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays on the Columbine Trail. Info: 719-385-6086.
Kids magpie program | Garden of the Gods Park offers a free magpie presentation, “Magpie Players,” at 4:45 p.m. Thursdays. A costumed group of visitor center staff and volunteers present, “A Walk Back in Time,” a half-hour spoof detailing the lives of the colorful characters associated with the Pikes Peak Region. Meet in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Info: 719-634-6666.
Kids nature programs | Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers a “Kids Hour,” program at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Sept. 29. Kids can enjoy fun activities, stories and short nature hikes. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 303-973-3959.
Kids nature program | “AWQUA Tots,” a free program for kids ages 5 and under with puppets, stories and activities, will be at 11 a.m. Thursdays through Aug. 6 at Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Road, Aurora. A $10 per-vehicle entry fee is required at Aurora Reservoir. Info/register: 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. with puppets, stories, activities and outdoor exploration. Info: 303-739-2428 or .
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.
Nocturnal nature program | “Nature at Night,” a free program, is at 6:30 p.m. the third Friday of each month at Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora. Info/register: 303-739-2428.
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 .
Nature presentations | Garden of the Gods Park offers free daily nature presentations. For times and presentation topics, check the information kiosk at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Info: 719-634-6666.
Bat walks | Garden of the Gods Park offers free bat walks Tuesdays at 6 p.m. Meet in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Take water, and wear sturdy shoes and a jacket. Register: 719-219-0108.
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. Info: 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. Info: 970-586-3262 or .
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. Info: 303-492-5002 or .
Public viewing at observatory | The Sommers-Bausch Observatory on the University of Colorado Boulder campus is open to the public for stargazing (weather permitting) every Friday at 8 p.m. Info: 303-492-6732 or .
Self-guided junior ranger program | North Cheyenne Canon Park, is offering a self-guided junior ranger program. Young rangers between the ages of 8 and 12 can earn “Steward Level” badges using Junior Ranger booklets which may be picked up from either the Starsmore Discovery Center, at the entrance of North Cheyenne Canon, 2120 S. Cheyenne Road, (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday) or at the Helen Hunt Falls Visitor Center, 4075 N. Cheyenne Canon Road,(9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Sundays). Young Rangers receive a booklet, pencil, patch and certificate of completion. Cost is $5 per person. Info: 719-385-6086 or .
Junior ranger activity | Colorado National Monument in Fruita is unveiling a new Junior Ranger activity booklet for kids ages 5-12. The booklet is available at the CNM Visitor Center. Once kids have completed the required activities (usually takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours to complete), they can return to the visitor center where a park ranger reviews their work and awards them an official Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Info: 970-858-3617 or .
“Ute days” and activities | An authentic Ute-style tipi will be on display with trained staff and volunteers presenting artifacts and answering questions about the Ute Indians from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 15 at the Starsmore Discovery Center, 2120 S. Cheyenne Canon Road. A tipi-raising workshop is available for group reservations at $8 per person. Recommended for all ages. A Ute activity is planned from 1 to 2 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 15 at Starsmore Discovery Center. Activities may include painting with yucca fronds, beading, making a Ute game or making twine from plant fibers. Cost is $3 per person. Recommended for ages 5-adult. Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 719-385-6086 or .
Kids nature program | “Animal Art and Awesome Activities,” an animal-related art and activity program for kids ages 6-10, is from 10 a.m. to noon on the second Saturday of each month at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Cost is $10/class. There is a $2 discount if registering for at least three sessions. Register: 720-898-7405.
Nature activities | Curecanti National Recreation Area, between Montrose and Gunnison on Highway 50, offers two free programs: “Saturday Night Sky Programs,” featuring astronomy when the moon is small and moonlight hikes at the Dillon Pinnacles when the moon is full or nearly so (Aug. 8 and Sept. 5); and “Junior Ranger” programs for kids every Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Elk Creek Visitor Center. Info: 970-641-2337, ext. 205.
Kids nature program | “Nature Adventures,” a free parent/child program for kids ages 4-6 and parents, is at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Majestic View Nature Center, 7030 Garrison St., Arvada. Nature Center Specialist Dean Bernard tells stories and leads nature activities and games. Register: 720-898-7405.
Mineral group | The Rocky Mountain Micromineral Association, a new mineral group, will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. the second Sunday of each month at the Colorado School of Mines Museum. The group is informal, with no dues, officers or newsletter. Microscopes and free microminerals are available at the meetings. Info: contact Richard Parsons, 303-838-8859 or Richard.parsons@att.net.
Composting classes | Learn the basics of backyard composting by attending one of the free “Learn to Compost” classes through October at the Denver Backyard Composting Demonstration Site in the Gove community Garden at East 13th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard. Classes are sponsored by Denver Recycles/Solid Waste Management, Denver Urban Gardens and the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. Register: . or 720-865-6810.
Guided nature ride | Take a naturalist-guided tour around the Fountain Valley Trail in Roxborough Park in a seven-passenger golf cart at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through October, trail and weather conditions permitting, at Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Guided walks | Garden of the Gods Park, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs, offers free daily guided walks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at the north main parking lot trail head. Take water, and wear sturdy shoes and a jacket. Info: 719-634-6666.
Afternoon hikes | Volunteer naturalist Doug Gantt will lead afternoon hikes at 1 p.m. the second Saturday June through August at Roxborough Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Wildflower tours | The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering free wildflower tours on Mount Goliath Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 6 (and some Saturdays to be determined). Discover the life cycles and lore of alpine tundra on free, guide-led tours on the M. Walter Pesman Trail at Mount Goliath. The hike is a moderately difficult, 1.5 mile downhill trek. Register: 720-865-3539 or e-mail leonl@botanicgardens.org.
TODAY
Ecology program | “Water, Wind, Women and the West,” a program about how the ecology of the prairie greatly influences the plants, animals and people of the West, will be at 10 a.m. at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy. 1/Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Register: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Rock art talk | Rock art scholar Sally Cole will give a free discussion on a new approach to ancient rock art at 1 p.m. at the Anasazi Heritage Center, (three miles west of Delores on State Hwy, 184. Info: 970-882-5600 or .
River tour | The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program is offering a free walking tour of the Cache La Poudre River from 5 to 7 p.m. Meet at Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood St., lower parking lot near the tennis courts. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Native American cultural gathering | The 15th annual Chimney Rock Native American Cultural Gathering will e from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area, near Pagosa Springs. There will be traditional Aztec dancers; three different Hopi dance groups; and singers and dancers from Acoma Pueblo. Andrew Garcia from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo will bring the Tewa Dancers from the North. Zuni flute player Fernando Cellicion and his dance group will perform the Zuni Pottery Dance. There will be an Indian Art Market and food booths. Admission is $10. Take a chair or blanket to sit on. Info: 970-731-4248 or 970-883-5359.
TUESDAY
Astronomy program | “Deep Impact,” a “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 10 a.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
Natural area program | “The Nature of Soapstone Prairie,” a program with a 3-mile leisurely trail walk to explore the natural and human history of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, will be at 10 a.m. at Soapstone Prairie. Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy. 1/Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Meet at the north parking lot. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Astronomy program | “Laser: Space Odyssey,” a “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 1 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
WEDNESDAY
Homestead hike | “Hike to a Homestead,” a 5 to 7-mile round trip hike (hike rating is moderate) exploring homestead remains that tell fascinating stories of life on the prairie, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy. 1/Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Wear sunscreen and sturdy shoes; take water and a lunch. Register: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Renewable energy/technology talk | “Technology – Environmentally Friendly By Design?” a free talk, will be at noon at the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Pkwy., Golden. Take a sack lunch if desired. Register: 303-384-6565.
Astronomy program | “Kids in Space,” a family-friendly “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 10 a.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
Evolution film screening | The Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Botanic Gardens invites the public to a screening of “Flock of Dodos: The Evolution – Intelligent Design Circus,” a film exploring the basic aspects of evolution which uses the extinct dodo as a metaphor for what happens to those unable to change with their environment. The screening starts at 7 p.m. in the Phipps IMAX Theater at DMNS, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Use the IMAX Evening Entrance. After the screening, Richard Stucky, curator of evolution and paleoecology will give an update on the ongoing debate and answer audience questions about the volatile issues it raises. Cost is $12 DMNS or Gardens member/student or $15 nonmember. Info: 303-322-7009 or .
Astronomy program | “Stars and Lasers,” a “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 1 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
THURSDAY
Astronomy program | “Moons and Lasers,” a “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 10 a.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
Astronomy program | “Laser: Great Space Chase,” a “matinee” astronomy program, will be at 1 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $5 adults, $3.50 child/senior. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
Alpine research talk | “GLORIA; Global Alpine Research,” a free talk by Isabel Ashton, biologist with the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring Program, will be at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park. Ashton will discuss this international initiative, which assesses, predicts losses in biodiversity and identifies other threats to fragile alpine ecosystems that are under accelerating climate change pressures. Info: 970-586-1206.
Astronomy program | “Colorado Skies: Life after the Space Shuttle with Matt Benjamin,” a live astronomy talk, will be at 8 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $6 adults, free for students with valid ID. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
Wildflower walk | Garden of the Gods Park is offering a free walk in search of wildflowers, led by master gardener Suzanne Jarvinen, at 1 p.m. Meet at Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Take water and a jacket, and wear sturdy shoes and sunscreen. Register: 719-219-0108.
FRIDAY
Astronomy program | “Two Small Pieces of Glass,” will be at 8 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium on the University of Colorado on the Boulder campus. Cost is $6 adults, free for students with valid ID. Info: 303-492-5001 or .
SATURDAY
Weeds talk Volunteer | Naturalist Barb Fritts will give a “patio table” talk on “Beneficial Weeds” at 9 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Naturalist-led hike | “9 a.m. with a Naturalist – Rocks and Flame,” a guided hike with information on how geology and fire have shaped the landscape on the Valley Loop trail, will be at 9 a.m. at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, a Fort Collins natural area located off of County Road 38 C. Meet at the shelter, one-fourth of a mile from the parking lot. The hike is about 4 miles and is rated “easy.” Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Natural area program | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area is offering a free program, at 10 a.m., “What’s So Special About Soapstone Prairie?” Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy. 1/Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Meet at the north parking lot. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Dam day | Celebrate the anniversary of the failure of the Castlewood Dam from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. State Highway 83, Franktown. Volunteers will portray notable historic personalities who will provide their perspectives about the dam and the night of its failure. There will also be activities for kids at the Visitor Center. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-688-5242.
Aug. 2
Historic home open house | Volunteer Naturalists will lead a tour of the Historic Persse Place from noon to 3 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Natural area tour | “Discovering the Lindenmeier Valley,” a program exploring the archaeological site and why people have been there for over 600 generations, will be at 10 a.m. at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy. 1/Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Meet at the north parking lot. Info: 970-416-2815.
To publicize upcoming science events geared toward and open to the public, 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 Scispeak@denverpost.com.
