Nature notes club The Larimer County Natural Resources Nature Notes Club is accepting new members throughout the spring. 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 full 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 Tuesdays at 9:30 and 11 a.m. year-round at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Cost is $10 per class for members, $12 per class for non-members. Pre-registration is required and class size is limited. 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; a “Stories in Action” program at 10 a.m. Thursdays; and “Family Fun Nights” the fourth Friday of each month April through October. 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 .
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.
Fort Collins Natural Areas activities “Tracks and Trails,” a guide filled with free summer activities sponsored by the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program, is now available in print and online. Activities begin June 1 and continue through October. To pick up a print guide, visit Natural areas trailhead brochure boxes; the City of Fort Collins Natural Resources Department office, 215 N. Mason St. (Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program office, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road,(Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); or visit a Fort Collins-area libraries. To view the guide online, go to . Some activities require registration. To register, visit or call 970-416-2815. Info: .
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 and 11 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 .
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 $7 adults, $5 students with valid I.D., and $3.50 for children and seniors. Saturday family shows are $6 adults, $3.50 children and seniors. Laser shows are $7. Info: 303-492-5002, or e-mail fiske@colorado.edu.
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 $7 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 “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 $7 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.
Native plant tours The Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St., offers “Rocky Mountain Native Plant Tours” through October. The tours can be schedules for groups of 10 or more with three-weeks advance notice. Drop-in tours are available Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. (included with admission, dependent on guide availability). Info: 720-865-3585.
Eagle viewing tours View nesting eagles by taking a 2.5-mile walk to the gazebo at Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. If you cannot make the walk, the “Eagle Express” runs on Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon through September. Reservations are strongly recommended. Register: 303-659-6005 or .
Kids nature programs Highline Lake State Park, 1800 11.8 Road, Loma, is inviting kids age 8-12 to get outdoors with the “Summer of Outdoor Fun” programs offered Wednesdays June 8 through Aug. 3. There will be a different outdoor activity each week. A few of the activities and programs planned include: a star party; “Leave No Trace” ethics; owls and their nests; how to keep bears away from your campsite; all abut bats; Highline Lake’s Junior Ranger program; water ecology; and crafts. Dates, times and programs vary; check the Colorado State Parks calendar of events at for specific information. Choose the calendar link or choose Highline Lake; the activity calendar is on the right side of the Highline Lake home page. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-858-7208 or highline.park@state.co.us.
TODAY
Bicycle tree tour The City of Colorado Springs is hosting a free tour of Colorado Springs trees via bicycle at 2:30 p.m. The ride is suitable for “beginners” and will cover about 6 miles. It begins in the Monument Valley Park parking lot, 170 W. Cache La Poudre St. and concludes a block away at the Cornerstone Arts Center in time for the 5 p.m. World Environment Day celebration at Colorado College. Attendees should take their own bicycles, helmets, weather gear and water. Info: visit or contact Sustainability Coordinator Carrie McCausland at 719-385-2746.
Guided wildlife hike A hike that will focus on tracking wildlife will be at 10 a.m. at Navajo State Park, 1526 County Road 982, Arboles. Take binoculars and meet at the Watchable Wildlife Pavilion. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-883-2208 or .
Navajo tradition talk “Cultural Preservation Through Indigenous Agriculture,” a free talk by Navajo elder James Peshlakai, will be at 1 p.m. at the Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Colorado 184, Dolores. Info: 970-882-5600 or .
Family-friendly hike A free, easy 3 to 4-mile hike on the Valley Loop Trail or Eden Valley Spur will be at 4 p.m. at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Directions: from Fort Collins, take Harmony Road west, it turns into County Road 38 E. Follow County Road 38 E to Masonville. Go left (south) at the Masonville Mercantile onto County Road 27. Follow County Road 27 about 1 mile to County Road 32 C, head west about 1 mile to the Bobcat Ridge parking lot. From Loveland, go west on Highway 34 about 4.5 miles west of Wilson Avenue. Turn north on County Road 27 by Big Thompson Elementary and drive 4.5 miles. Turn left on County Road 32C and go 1 mile west to the Bobcat Ridge parking lot. Meet at the parking lot. Info: 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com.
MONDAY
Guided plant walk Take a walk with volunteer naturalists to observe and identify plants at 9 a.m. in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. Meet at the Visitor Center. Take sturdy hiking shoes, water and a camera. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 719-576-2016.
Kids nature camp Cherokee Ranch & Castle, 6113 N. Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, is hosting a day-camp for youth ages 8-11, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 6-10. Campers will hike, learn to identify and record physical features of the land, track animals and to cast tracks. Skills learned include map reading, outdoor etiquette, hiking efficacy, land preservation, field observation, wildlife protection, animal tracking and more. Reservations: 303-688-4600. Info: .
TUESDAY
Animal program The “Jungle Lady” will show off a live tortoise and hedgehog and discuss their habitats and behaviors at 2 p.m. at the Armory at Brighton Cultural Center, 300 Strong St., Brighton. Info: 303-659-2572.
Energy program US Energy Undersecretary for Science Steven Koonin will make a public address on America’s energy challenge at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Main Chapel on the University of Colorado Boulder campus. Koonin will discuss the technology, policy and economic levers to use to transform the energy system while enhancing US competitiveness in the global economy. The event is sponsored by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Renewable Sustainable Energy Institute, a joint institute of CY Boulder and NREL focused on advancing renewable energy research.
Science program “Captain Vic the Science Wizard,” a free program for all ages with hands-on experiments and science demonstrations, will be at 10 a.m. at Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton. The program will be repeated at 1 p.m. Info: 303-405-3200 or .
Workshop on saving energy Learn about low-cost, energy-saving actions you can take to save money on energy at a free brown bag workshop hosted by the City of Aurora at 6 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center’s Aurora Room, 15151 E. Alameda Pkwy. The workshop is open to Aurora residents and non-residents; light refreshments will be served. Attendees will also receive a free compact fluorescent light bulb. Register: call 303-429-5792 or e-mail bgoebel@coipl.org. Specify workshop date and number attending.
WEDNESDAY
Robot program “Robot Races,” a free program for tweens and teens in grades 6-12, will be at 2 p.m. at Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton. Participants will learn the laws of robotics and create their own robots to race against others for prizes. Register: 303-405-3200 or .
Kids nature program “Wet and Wild Wednesday: Insects and Spiders,” a free program for kids ages 6-12, will be at 9:30 a.m. at Aurora Reservoir, 5800 S. Powhaton Road, Aurora. There is a $10 per vehicle entry fee at Aurora Reservoir. Info/register: 303-739-2428.
THURSDAY
Robot program “Robot Races,” a free program for tweens and teens in grades 6-12, will be at 3 p.m. at Anythink Brighton, 327 Bridge St., Brighton. Participants will learn the laws of robotics and create their own robots to race against others for prizes. Register: call 303-659-2572 or visit .
Kids nature program “Pre-School Trail Adventure,” a program for kids ages 3-5 (and their parents/guardians), with a sensory exploration hike, will be at 9:30 a.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. Meet at Camper Services in the campground. Plan and dress appropriately for an all outdoor excursion. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 719-576-2016.
FRIDAY
Junior ranger day A “Junior Ranger Adventure Day,” an event for kids ages 7-10, with a hike, lunch and information on what rangers do, will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lory State Park, 708 Lodgepole Drive, Bellvue. There will be a small fee to cover supplies. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 970-493-1623 or e-mail Linda at lory.park@co.state.us.
SATURDAY
National Get Outdoors Day event Enjoy a festive atmosphere with free hands-on activities and demonstrations on backpacking, kayaking, bird watching, and trail running sponsored by local businesses and organizations from noon to 4 p.m. at Spring Canyon Park, 2626 W. Horsetooth Road. Take a picnic and enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Info: 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com.
National Get Outdoors Day event The 2011 National Get Outdoors Day Denver, in City Park, will have 10 free activity zones that offer a variety of outdoor experiences to participants, including: Outdoor Connections; Get Into the Outdoors; Take a Family Fishing; Junior Ranger Camp; Cultural Connections; The Health Zone; The Farmers Marketplace; and Greening Go Day. The “Fit for Colorado” walk, a 3-mile walk sponsored by CBS Channel 4, will start from GO Day’s center stage at 9:30 a.m. For info and a complete schedule of events, visit . To volunteer, contact Becca Summer at 303-715-1010, Ext. 111 or e-mail becca@voc.org.
GPS/geocaching program “Introduction to GPS and Geocaching,” a program teaching the basics of operating a GPS and chances to practice finding geocaches hidden in the park, will be at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. Meet at Camper Services in the campground. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 719-576-2016.
Southern Plains/Bent’s Fort history field trip Mark Gardener will lead a full-day program about 19th-century Colorado with a field trip to the Arkansas Valley that features tours of Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site, the historic settlement of Boggsville, and the collections of the Koshare Indian Museum. Meet at 8 a.m. in front of Tutt Library. Cost is $85; tickets are available at the Colorado College Summer Programs Office. Info/register: or call 719-389-6098.
Squirrel program “The Purpose of a Squirrel,” a free program about gray squirrels , will be at 8 p.m. at Boyd Lake State Park, 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland, at Cottonwood Campground at the campfire ring between loops A and B. Take a chair or blanket to sit on. An $8 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-669-1739.
Wildflower hike A Master Naturalist will lead a free, easy walk in search of spring wildflowers at 9 a.m. in Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area, located in Fort Collins approximately 1 mile south of Harmony Road on the west side of County Road 17 (Shields Street from Fort Collins / Taft Avenue from Loveland). Info: 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Bluebird program “The Bluebird Trail at Castlewood Canyon State Park,” a program for ages 12 and up, led by Naturalist Kathy Dressel, will be at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center in Castlewood Canyon State Park, 2989 S. Highway 83, Franktown. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register/info: 303-688-5242.
Junior Ranger program Pick up a Junior Ranger Training Booklet at the Visitor Center or Camper Services at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs, to start your “junior ranger” training. Children ages 7-12 can earn a Junior Ranger badge and/or colorful patch depending on levels completed. A Junior Ranger program will be at 10 a.m. at Camper Services. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 719-576-2016.
Coyote talk and hike “Wiley Coyotes,” a program and easy nature hike led by Naturalist Bob, will be at 9 a.m. at Red Mountain Open Space, located 25 miles north of Fort Collins off of County Road 15. Dress appropriately for the weather and take plenty of drinking water. Info: contact Heather at 970-679-4489.
Trail safety program “Gear Up for Summer,” a free program (and hike) on packing your hiking or backpacking pack, what to take with you on a hike and how to stay safe on a trail, will be at 9 a.m. at Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, located just west of Fort Collins on County Road 38E. Take water, your hiking gear, and dress appropriately for the weather. A $6 per vehicle entrance permit is required. Info: contact Heather at 970-679-4489.
Dinosaur Discovery Day “Dinosaur Discovery Day – National Get Outdoors Day,” will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison. There will be tours of the geology and fossil sites along the Ridge; and special activities including gold panning and fossil sieving. Admission and hiking the trail are free; an optional shuttle bus is $3 with ages 4 and 5 half-price and free for ages 3 and under. The Dinosaur Ridge Visitors Center is located just west of the C-470 exit at Alameda Pkwy. Info: .
June 12
Thoreau program “A Morning with Thoreau,” a free program on seeing nature through the works of naturalist Henry David Thoreau, will be at 9 a.m. at Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood St. Meet at the parking lot by the tennis court. Info: 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Wildflower festival The free annual “Wildflower Festival” will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lookout Mountain Nature Center, 910 Colorow Road, Golden. There will be crafts and puppet shows for kids, wildflower hikes, and native plants for sale. There will be many information stations to attend as well. Info: 720-497-7600.
Family mystery hike A naturalist will lead a “Family Mystery Hike” at 1 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. The hike challenges a family to solve a puzzle, riddle or mystery as they walk and search for hidden clues along a one-mile, easy trail. For ages 5 and up. Meet at the Visitor Center. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Register: 719-576-2016.
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.
