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. 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.
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 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 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 | Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park offers a free program for Junior Rangers, “Black Canyon Wildlife Olympics,” between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. Saturdays at the South Rim Visitor Center. Info: 970-249-1914, ext. 423.
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.
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 .
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; 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.
TODAY
River tour | The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program is offering a free walking tour of the Cache La Poudre River at 9 a.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.
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.
Smart Energy workshops | The Smart Energy Living Alliance is partnering with the Colorado Renewable Energy Society to offer a day of Consumer workshops at the Colorado School of Mines in the Green Center, 924 16th St., Golden. Schedule of workshops: “Emerging Green Technologies,” and “Water Conservation In and Around Your Home,” from 9 to 10:30 a.m.; “Retrofit Energy Inefficient Homes,” and “Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Basics,” from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; “Wind and Geotehermal Energy,” and “Do-It-Yourself Energy Auditing and Improvements,” from 1: 15 to 2:45 p.m.; and “Careers in Green Jobs,” and “Zero-Energy Homes,” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per workshop. Register: contact Karen Rich at 303-216-2026, ext. 105. Info: visit .
WEDNESDAY
LEED talk | “What is new with LEED?” a program about the LEED V3 Roll Out, will be at 11:30 a.m. in the community room at REI, 1789 28th St. Cost is free for Boulder Green Building Guild members, $20 nonmembers. Take a sack lunch if desired. Register: .&eventId=65001&EventViewMode=EventDetails.
Guided bird walk | Birder Charlie Campbell will lead a morning stroll to view bird activity at 9 a.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Meet at the Visitor Center; take binoculars and drinking water and wear sturdy hiking shoes. If you do not have an annual State Parks Pass, take exactly $6 to purchase a daily pass at the self-serve station next to the entrance booth. Info/reservations: 719-576-2016.
THURSDAY
Moonlight hike | Friends of Roxborough State Park are offering a naturalist-led “Falling Leaf Moon” hike at 6 p.m. After the hike, enjoy refreshments, a telescopic view of the moon and other “celestial delights.” Cost is $7.50 per hiker. Send check with phone number payable to: The Friends of Roxborough, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, 80125 to reserve your space. Non-refundable tickets for your confirmed hike will be sent to you. Info: 303-973-3959.
Botonist talk | “Darwinians in the Rockies: Three Great 19th Century Botanists Explore Colorado,” a talk by Steve Ruskin, will be at 7 p.m. at Gates Hall at Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St. The talk will discuss how Asa Gray, Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker and Alfred Russell Wallace explored Colorado and found important evidence in the native flora for the theory of evolution, and how the press and citizens reacted to evolution and the story of a “missing link” hoax perpetrated in Pueblo. Cost is $10. Info: 720-865-3500.
FRIDAY
Astronomy event | A free evening of star and planet gazing will begin at dusk at The Bunyan Observatory in the backyard of Berthoud’s Little Thompson Valley Pioneer Museum, 226 Mountain Ave., Berthoud. The observatory will open after sunset, weather permitting. Info: 970-532-2167.
Full moon hike | A guided hike exploring moonlit landscapes with chances to listen for owls and other night creatures, will be at 7:30 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Meet at the Campground Amphitheater; take drinking water and wear sturdy hiking shoes. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/reservations: 719-576-2016.
SATURDAY
“Junior Naturalist” program | A “Junior Naturalist” hike to Willow Creek will be at 9:30 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Kids will get a chance to see the varied types of trees as they get closer to the water, and learn how the trees define and dictate the changes of everything else that is part of the riparian ecosystem. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Kids science program | “Junior Scientists Program: Scatologists Really Know Their Stuff,” a program for kids ages 6-years and older, will be at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. There will be an excursion along the trails to see animal poop and discuss “who left what behind.” Afterward, kids will craft samples of animal scat from clay to take home. Meet at Camper Services. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the Park. Info/reservations: 719-576-2016.
Kids nature program | “Tales and Trails,” a program by Douglas County Library, Spellbinders, and Roxborough Volunteer Naturalists, will be from 1 to 4 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. There will be hiking and wildlife stories. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Bird watching and geology hike | The Front Range Birding Company and Roxborough State Park Naturalists are offering a bird watching and history hike at 8 a.m. Take binoculars, water and snacks for this easy, slow-paced hike. Children ages 10 and older are welcome. To register and for meeting location: call 303-973-3959.
“Stress buster” hike | A guided hike aimed at helping participants “forget about life’s travails,” will be at 9 a.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. The hike is tailored to the group’s ability and covers 2 to 5-miles. Meet at the Camper Services; take drinking water and wear sturdy hiking shoes and sunscreen. If you do not have an annual State Parks Pass, take exactly $6 to purchase a daily pass at the self-serve station next to the entrance booth. Info/reservations: 719-576-2016.
Pelt program | Volunteer Naturalists Deb Wright and Tricia Lebens will give a program, “Pelts on the Patio,” 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.
Sept. 6
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.
“Family Mystery” hike | A naturalist-led hike which challenges families to solve a puzzle, riddle or mystery as they walk and search for hidden clues along a 1 to 2-mile easy trail, will be at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs. Meet at the Visitor Center; take drinking water and wear sturdy hiking shoes and sunscreen. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/reservations: 719-576-2016.
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.
