ONGOING EVENTS
Winter nature program “Critter Scene Investigation,” a program for kids and adults, led by Volunteer Naturalists, will be on select snowy mornings when conditions are good for tracking animals at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space and Eagle’s Nest Open Space. Participants will receive e-mail notification the night before a program is to be held with details on where to meet and what to bring. This interactive program explores animal behaviors and basic tracking skills. Register: e-mail Rob Novak at rnovak@larimer.org or call 970-679-4561.
Nature notes club The Larimer County Natural Resources Nature Notes Club is accepting new members during the winter season. Join current members already journaling in the style of John Muir and Aldo Leopold with Volunteer Naturalist Lisa. The club will have several outings throughout the county’s open space system, allowing members to immerse themselves in the rull range and scope of what the Open Spaces have to offer. Club members will receive basic instruction on sketching, ecology, geology, wildlife and other natural sciences. Club members can participate in all session or just a few, whatever fits their schedule. Info/register: contact Rob Novak at rnovak@larimer.org or call 970-679-4561.
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: ~rstencel/Chamberlin/, 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 .
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.
Nature/arts seminars Rocky Mountain Nature Association offers field-based, hands-on seminars in Rocky Mountain National Park. Seminar topics include: wildflowers, mammals, birds, cultural history, outdoor skills, photography, painting and writing. There are also Summer programs for kids. Info/register: call the Field Seminar Center at 970-586-3262 or visit .
Nature/science programs The Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, 200 Matthews St., Fort Collins, has many activities, programs and events for children and adults, ranging from lectures to stargazing to hands-on science labs. Also, the Museum offers free admission every third Sunday of the month. Info: or 970-221-6738.
Seedling classes for preschoolers Seedling Classes offer a hands-on way for young children (ages 3-5, with an adult) to explore the plant world with nature walks, hands-on explorations, stories and projects Wednesdays through Dec. 8 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Cost is $10 per class for members, $12 per class for non-members. A discounted package rate is available if you register for all classes. Register/info: or 720-865-3580.
Children’s nature programs There are a variety of programs available for children at the Mordecai Children’s Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. There are free drop-in programs available every weekday; “Exploration Stations” to visit from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; “Sensory Stations” to visit from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays; and a “Stories in Action” program at 10 a.m. Thursdays. Info: or 720-865-3585.
Children’s nature/science programs The Children’s Museum of Denver, 2121 Children’s Museum Drive, has several science and nature activities for kids. Super Science Sundays at 3 p.m. on Sundays gives children a chance to try their hand at chemistry by mixing up and engineering their own toothpaste. Bubble Brigade at 11 a.m. on Sundays teaches kids about pressure with an explosive science experiment. Info: 303-433-7444 or .
Plant exploration classes for kids “Plant Explorers,” a class for children ages 6-10, with each session exploring a different aspect of the plant world, with garden explorations, activities and projects to take home, will be Wednesdays through Dec. 15 at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Cost is $12 per class for members, $15 per class for non-members. Register for all classes to receive a discounted package rate. Register: or 720-865-3580.
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.
Birding trail routes on Internet The Colorado Birding Trail has expanded to the west. Colorado’s southwest region, which includes the San Luis Valley, has been incorporated into the Colorado Birding Trail website. This trail features 13 new routes and more than 200 sites that provide wildlife viewers and birders with opportunities to see unique species in some of Colorado’s most spectacular environments. Info: .
Family nature activity Twenty-five Colorado State Parks now have “Family Activity Backpacks” that can be checked out free of charge at the park visitor center or office for day use. The backpacks include: two large bug boxes, magnifiers, various guide books (covering insects, birds, wildflowers and pond or tree life depending on the park), binoculars and a nature journal. Backpacks can be found at the following state parks: Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area; Barr Lake State Park; Boyd Lake State Park; Castlewood Canyon State Park; Cheyenne Mountain State Park; Crawford State Park; Eldorado Canyon State Park; Golden Gate Canyon State Park; Highline Lake State Park; James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park; Lathrop State Park; Lake Pueblo State Park; Lory State Park; Mancos State Park; Mueller State Park; North Sterling State Park; Ridgway State Park; Rifle Gap State Park (and Rifle Falls); St. Vrain State Park; Stagecoach State Park; Steamboat Lake State Park; Sylvan Lake State Park; Trinidad Lake State Park; Vega State Park; and Yampa River State Park. Info: .
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 Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free program, “Star K Kids,” for children ages 5 and under every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.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 .
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 .
Junior naturalist program Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers a “junior naturalist” program for children. Kids ages 7-12 will use their artistic skills and gain knowledge of the outdoors in this program. Pick up a Junior Naturalist booklet at the visitor center. Kids must participate in at least two naturalist-led programs and complete all activities in the booklet to earn a certificate of completion and an official Junior Naturalist Patch. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Junior rangers program Rifle Falls State Park, 5775 Hwy. 325, Rifle is offering a Junior Ranger program for children ages 6-12 who want to discover the park’s wildlife, geology, ecosystems, history and environment through the eyes of a ranger. Participants can pick up a Junior Ranger activity book in the Rifle Falls campground entrance station on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Hours may vary. Participants should complete the activity book and return it to the campground entrance station to receive a signature noting completion and a Junior Ranger badge. Participants may also have their picture taken for display at the Rifle Gap Visitor center once a photo release form is signed. Info: 970-625-1607 or rifle.gap.park@state.co.us.
Junior rangers program The Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch, 16002 E. Smith Road, Aurora, offers a free junior rangers program for kids ages 6-12 at 1:30 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month. Registration is required! For information or to register, call 303-739-2428.
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 .
Green Building Group discussion group “Talking Green,” a Steamboat Springs Green Building Group, meets for educational discussions at 5:30 p.m. the 4th Tuesday of every month at Harwigs/L’Apogee, 911 Lincoln Ave. Info: 970-879-7529.
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. Register: 720-898-7405.
Kids nature program Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton, offers a “Kids Hour” with naturalist-led activities, geared for kids ages 2-7, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays Oct. through December. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
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. The program includes stories and nature activities, crafts, short hikes 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.
Self-guided homestead tours Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown, has a new one-fourth-mile trail and self-guided booklet that takes visitors on a tour of Park’s old homestead and its out-buildings. The trail booklet is available at the homestead and the Visitor Center. Info: 303-688-5242.
GPS, map and compass class On the second Friday of selected months (subject to staff availability), there are free USGS GPS, Map and compass classes at Building 810, Federal Center, Lakewood. Class schedule is: “Map and Compass” sessions are from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and “Using GPS and Topo Maps” sessions are from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Info/register: 303-202-4689 or e-mail gpsworkshops@usgs.gov, or visit .
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.
Roxborough Ride Naturalist-guided tours in a seven-passenger golf cart around the Fountain Valley Trail are offered at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $6 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Reservations are required for the rides; donations are accepted for vehicle maintenance. Register: 303-973-3959.
Rocky Mountain Raptor Center tours RMRP is offering behind-the-scenes tours of their treatment room, food prep room and pantry, and a chance to meet Education Ambassadors, raptors that are non-releasable due to their injuries. Tours are free and are limited to the first 20 who RSVP. Tour dates are Nov. 20 and Dec. 3. Register: e-mail info@rmrp.org with your preferred date, contact information and number of people in your party.
TODAY
Climate change talk “Secrets of Colorado’s Past Climate Change,” a free talk by Robert Thompson and Laura Strickland from the US Geological Survey, will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Lookout Mountain Nature Center, 910 Colorow Road, Golden. Info/register: 720-497-7600 or .
Historic Persse Place open house Step off the Fountain Valley Trail and into the early 1900s with Volunteer Naturalists and tour the nationally registered historic home of Henry Persse during an open house event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
MONDAY
Forest health talk “The White is Turning Red: Case Study of the White River National Forest,” a free talk by Jan Burke, Forest Health Coordinator for the White River National Forest, and Tony Dixon, Deputy Regional Forester of the Rocky Mountain Region, will be at 7:30 p.m. at Colorado College, Gates Common Room, third floor of Palmer Hall, 1025 N. Cascade Ave. Info: 719-389-6607 or .
TUESDAY
Nature photography program “Photo Ops Seldom Seen,” a free program by Paul de Berjeois, professional Garden of the Gods Photographer, will be at noon in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register: 719-219-0108.
USGS Central Region Seminar Series talk “The Geochemical Landscaper of the Prairie Potholes Ecosystem,” a talk by Marty Goldhaber of the USGS, Denver, will be at 10:30 a.m. in Foord Lecture Room (B-1409), Building 20, Denver Federal Center, Kipling Street south of 6th Avenue, Lakewood. Enter the Federal Center via the Main Gate (Gate 1) on Kipling Street just north of Alameda; park in the lot at the northwest corner of Building 20, and enter the building via the west side entrance door W-3 at the security guard’s station.
Boulder Green Building Guild Residential Brown Bag Series talk “Green Building, Healthy Building: Exploring Congruencies and Contradictions,” a talk by Shelley Kawamura, LEED AP,Director of Outreach and Education for the Institute for the Built Environment at Colorado State University, will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Community Room at REI, 1789 28th St., Boulder. Take a sack lunch if desired. Cost is free for BGBG members, $20 for nonmembers. Register: .
WEDNESDAY
Astronomy talk “Colorado Skies,” an event with science, stories and stars, led by astronomer Larry Sessions, will be at 7 p.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $8 members, $10 nonmembers, $5 child ages 3-12. Info/register: or 303-322-7009.
Guided bird walk Naturalists Paul and Phoebe Thayer will lead a bird walk, for birders of all ability levels, at 9 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Take water, a bird book and binoculars; wear sunscreen; and dress appropriately for the weather. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
THURSDAY
John Fielder slideshow and book signing “Ranches of Colorado,” a program by author/photographer John Fielder, will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1401 E. Dry Creek Road, Centennial. A slideshow will be at 7:30 p.m.; book signing will occur before and after the presentation. Photographs of the Willow Creek property will be shown and guests will have an opportunity to ask questions. Friends of Roxborough State Park is hosting this fundraising effort to help purchase the 60-acre Willow Creek inholding in the park. Donations will be accepted. Info: 303-973-3959.
Astronomy talk “Space Rocks from the Bottom of the World,” a live talk, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 child/senior, free for students with valid ID. Info: 303-495-5001, fiske@colorado.edu or .
FRIDAY
Astronomy talk “Space Rocks from the Bottom of the World,” an astronomy talk, will be at 7:30 p.m. at the Fiske Planetarium, on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Cost is $7 adults, $3.50 child/senior, $5 for students with valid ID. Info: 303-495-5001, fiske@colorado.edu or .
SATURDAY
Kids nature program “Circle of Life: From the Big to the Very Small” a program for kids ages 7-12, led by Naturalist Sarah McKelvey, will be at 10 a.m. at Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. Kids will learn about how the tiniest organisms, predators and everything in between come together at Roxborough to create the circle of life. Weather permitting, there will be a short hike in search of signs of life. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Guided bird walk Morrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch is offering a free guided bird walk for birders of all ability levels, ages 10 and over, at 8:30 a.m. at Quincy Reservoir. Directions will be given upon registration. Register: 303-739-2428. Info: .
Turkey event The first annual “Turkey Tout,” will be from 10 a.m. to noon at Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory’s Old Stone House, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane. The outdoor event will “educate and entertain with gobbler-related activities including learning and practicing turkey call, acting like turkeys, learning how to identify five types of wild turkeys, hiking, and more. Cost is $5 per family. Register before Nov. 11 at 303-659-4348, ext. 15 or e-mail cassy.bohnet@rmbo.org.
Bear info/guided hike “Bear Necessities,” a free guided hike by Naturalist and former veterinarian Bob, will be at 9 a.m. at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located west of Loveland on Hwy. 34. During the hike, Bob will discuss local bears and how they prepare for winter. Dress appropriately for the weather and take drinking water. The program is free and no registration is required. The hike is rated “easy.” Info: contact Rob Novak at 970-679-4561 or rnovak@larimer.org.
Geology program Naturalist Mary-Margaret Coates will lead a program on the origins of the Lyons Formation at Roxborogh at 1 p.m. on the sandstone patio at Roxborough State Park, 4751 N. Roxborough Drive, Littleton. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 303-973-3959.
Museum reopening celebration The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History on the CU Boulder campus is reopening at 10 a.m. Nov. 13. To celebrate the reopening, there will be hands-on science and art activities for the whole family, including: a natural history scavenger hunt; mask making; sun-catcher mobile design; clay pot building; genetic trait bracelets and more. Admission is free. Info: 303-492-6892 or .
Food ecology talk “Giving Thanks,” a free program exploring how food choices impact the environment, how to shop greener, reduce packaging and use energy-saving cooking techniques, will be from 10 a.m. to noon at the Garbage Garage Education Center at the Larimer County Landfill, 5887 S. Taft Hill Road, Fort Collins. The program is geared towards ages 12-adult. Register: 970-498-5775, 970-498-5772 or e-mail mmcarthy@larimer.org. Info: .
Nov. 14
Free day at Museum The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., is offering free general admission all day for Colorado residents. Separate fees for IMAX films and Planetarium shows still apply. Info: 303-322-7009 or .
Archaeology program Nicole Branton, North Zone Archaeologist for the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests will discuss how five old logging towns located in the Larimer River Valley disappeared without a paper trace. She will discuss how they were rediscovered and what was found in them at this free talk at 2 p.m. at the LoDo Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1628 16th St. Info: .
For more Scientifically Speaking, go to .
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.
