Nature notes club The Larimer County Natural Resources Nature Notes Club is accepting new members. 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 Heather Lindsey at hlindsey@larimer.org or call 970-679-4489.
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 Ranger programs The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area, in conjunction with the Salida and Buena Vista Summer Recreation Programs, is offering a series of free Junior Ranger programs for kids ages 5-11. Salida’s Junior Ranger programs will be at 10 a.m. Wednesdays at Riverside Park in Salida, (the June 15 program will be at Alpine Park). Buena Vista’s Junior Ranger programs will be at 1 p.m. Thursdays at the Community Center on East Main St. in Buena Vista. Info: 719-539-7289.
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 A “Junior Ranger” program for children continues through July at Jackson Lake State Park, 26363 County Road 3, Orchard. Children may earn the Junior Ranger badge by attending 10 or more interpretive programs or by completing the independent study course. Both require completion of a scavenger hunt in the park. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: Contact Ranger Martin for details at 970-645-2551 or jackson.lake@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 .
Self-guided junior ranger program A self-guided Junior Ranger Program is offered by the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Cost is $2. Info: 719-634-6666 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 .
Outdoor recreation program for teens The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area is offering a variety of outdoor recreation activities for teens ages 12-17 on Fridays throughout summer. Programs include: horseback riding, geo-caching with a map and compass, hot springs swimming and river rafting. Registration is required; a small activity fee may be charged. Transportation from the AHRA Visitor Center in Salida will be provided. Register: 719-539-7289.
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 birdwalks Boyd Lake State Park, 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland, offers a family-friendly, guided birdwalk at 9 a.m. Sundays through Labor Day weekend at the Heinricy parking area southwest of the Cottonwood Campground, where the Loveland Recreational Trail. Take binoculars, drinking water and a bird book. An $8 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-669-1739, boyd.lake@state.co.us, or .
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” from May 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 .
Guided wildflower tours The Denver Botanic Gardens is offering guided wildflower tours on Mount Goliath will be Tuesdays, Thursdays and some Saturdays late June through early August. Hikes begin at 9 a.m. Allow time to travel to the meeting location. Directions and instructions are available upon registration. Tours are open to adults and children ages 10 and older; reservations are required and must be made at least a week in advance. Register/info: 720-865-3585 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.
Weekly nature program Naturalists lead a “bat walk” at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays through the end of August at Garden of the Gods Park. Meet in the Red Rocks Room of Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Reservations are required. Register: 719-219-0108. Info: 719-634-6666 or .
Weekly nature program Campfire programs are offered every Saturday evening during summer at Mancos State Park, 42545 County Road N, Mancos. Meet at the park amphitheater in the main campground. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-882-2213, or mancos.park@state.co.us.
Weekly nature/fitness walk Take a fitness walk at 9 a.m. Wednesdays year-round at Garden of the Gods Park. Meet in the lower foyer of the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Reservations are required. Register: 719-219-0108. Info: 719-634-6666 or .
TODAY
Pre-Independence Day celebration There will be educational and fun ongoing programs and activities during a Pre-Independence Day Celebration starting at 10 a.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. A Fort Carson fireworks display will be at 9:30 p.m. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Mining history program Learn about Steamboat Lake’s mining history and the techniques used to find gold during a hands-on program at 2:30 p.m. at Steamboat Lake State Park, 61105 County Road 129, Clark. Meet on the swim beach. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-879-3922, or e-mail steamboat.lake@state.co.us.
Snake program “Snakes Alive!” a free, hands-on program, will be at 7 p.m. at the Amphitheater in Reverend’s Ridge Campground, Golden Gate Canyon State Park, 92 Crawford Gulch Road. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-642-3856 or .
MONDAY
Snake program Park Manager Julie Arlington will host a detailed program about snakes, “Snakes Alive!” at 1 p.m. at Steamboat Lake State Park, 61105 County Road 129, Clark. A daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-879-3922, or e-mail steamboat.lake@state.co.us.
TUESDAY
Summer nature camp Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is offering a kids summer nature day camp, “Young Naturalists,” for ages 4 and 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. every Tuesday in July at RMBO’s Old Stone House at Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. Campers will learn about nature through hands-on discovery crafts, games and hikes. For information on costs, registration and scholarships, contact Cassy Bohnet at cassy.bohnet@rmbo.org or 303-659-4348, ext. 15.
“Junior Naturalist” program “Junior Naturalist: Trees of the Park,” a naturalist-guided program for kids in second through sixth grade, will be at 1 p.m. at Mueller State Park, 21045 State Hwy 67, Divide. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a Junior Naturalist booklet. Participation in at least two naturalist-led programs and completion of the booklet earns a Junior Naturalist patch. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-687-2366 or .
Family discovery day “Discovery Day: Predators of the Park,” an interactive environmental education program for families, features activities including: hands-on education stations, arts and crafts, and a reading/puppet corner. Education Rangers are also on available to answer visitor questions. Hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Moraine Park Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park, on Bear Lake Road, 1.5 miles from the Beaver Meadows Entrance. A $20 seven-day pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-586-1206.
Evening hike Junior Ranger program: Take an evening hike from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. Meet at the Visitor Center parking lot. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Preschool nature program “Pre-School Trail Adventure,” a program for 3-5 year-olds and their guardians, will be at 9:30 a.m. in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. Meet at Camper Services; dress appropriately for an all-outdoor excursion. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Animal programs “The Jungle Lady,” a free program for all ages, with live reptile and other animals, and information about their habitats, will be at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120th Ave., Thornton. Info: 303-405-3200 or .
Mesa Verde program “An Inside View of Mesa Verde,” a talk by Cliff Spencer, Superintendent of Mesa Verde National Park, will be at 7 p.m. at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Spencer will discuss present projects at the park, 2010 accomplishments and an update on the new Visitor and Research Center being built at the park entrance. Info: contact Bob Bernhart at 970-739-6772.
WEDNESDAY
Nature program “Nature Nuggets – Animals After Dark,” a free program for children ages 3-7 (and their guardians) to explore nature with hands-on activities and stories, will be at 10 a.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 Picnic shelter. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
“Adventure Cub” program “Adventure Cub: Busy, Busy Spiders,” a naturalist-guided program for kids in preschool through first grade, will be at 10 a.m. at Mueller State Park, 21045 State Hwy 67, Divide. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick up an Adventure Club booklet. Participation in at least one naturalist-led program and partial completion of the booklet earns an Adventure Cub button. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-687-2366 or .
Nature hike Rocky Mountain National Park is offering a moderate-to-difficult hike for ages 18 and up on the Michigan Ditch trail from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dress in layers and take a daypack with water, lunch and rain gear. Meet at the Senior Center. Cost is $19. A $20 entrance fee is required for all vehicles entering RMNP. Info/register: 970-586-1206 or visit .
Photography hike “Shooting Landscapes through the Lens of Jim Digby,” a free program on how to shoot the landscape of Devil’s Backbone Open Space, will be at 7 p.m. at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located west of Loveland off Hwy. 34. The 1-hour program includes an easy hike. Info: contact Heather Lindsey at 970-679-4489.
Summer nature camp Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is offering a kids summer nature day camp, “Nature Investigators,” for ages 6 and 7 from 9 a.m. to noon every Wednesday in July at RMBO’s Old Stone House at Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. Campers will participate in hikes, scavenger hunts and games while learning how habitats provide for animals needs. For information on costs, registration and scholarships, contact Cassy Bohnet at cassy.bohnet@rmbo.org or 303-659-4348, ext. 15.
THURSDAY
Summer nature camp Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory is offering a kids summer nature day camp, “Habitat Explorers,” for ages 8 to 10, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday in July at RMBO’s Old Stone House at Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton. Campers will explore habitats that make wonderful homes for Colorado Wildlife. For information on costs, registration and scholarships, contact Cassy Bohnet at cassy.bohnet@rmbo.org or 303-659-4348, ext. 15.
Kids story program “Indiana Bones!” combines archaeology, action, adventure, ancient legends, Indy thrills, mythology and folklore in a story-telling program for kids ages 1-12 years old. The program will be at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Durango Public Library, 1900 E. 3rd Ave. Info: .
FRIDAY
Animal program “What Animal is That?” a family-friendly program where an audience member is “dressed up” to look like an animal inhabitant of the park, will be at 7 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. A craft will follow the program. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Astronomy program “Starry Eyed,” a star-gazing event for all ages, presented by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society, will be from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Cottonwood Campground at Boyd Lake State Park, 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland. An $8 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Dress in warm clothing; program is “weather permitting.” Info: 970-669-1739, boyd.lake@state.co.us, or .
Final shuttle mission program The Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., is commemorating the 135th and final shuttle mission with special programming and a direct HD NASA TV feed of the launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The event begins at 8:45 a.m. and is free with Museum admission. Reservations are recommended. Info/register: or 303-370-6000.
Wildflower hike Rocky Mountain National Park is offering a wildflower hike for ages 18 and above from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the Senior Center. Cost is $19. Take a reference guide to help identify wildflowers, dress in layers and take a daypack with water, lunch and raingear. A $20 entrance fee is required for all vehicles entering RMNP.
SATURDAY
Natural area program “What’s So Special About Soapstone,” a free program exploring the natural environment, archaeology and history of Soapstone Prairie Natural Area. Meet at 9 a.m. at the north parking lot. Soapstone Prairie is 25 miles north of Fort Collins. From Fort Collins, take Hwy 1/ Terry Lake Road to County Road 15 north (towards Waverly). From County Road 15, turn north onto Rawhide Flats Road and continue north to the entrance station. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Noxious weeds program “Converge on the Spurge,” an education program about the impacts of noxious weeds, will be throughout-the-day at the Big Thompson Campground at Carter Lake in Larimer County. Receive assistance identifying myrtle spurge and other noxious weeds, tips on proper removal techniques, free trash bags for bagging weeds, educational brochures, vegetation management tips and more. Citizens can also drop off bags of weeds for disposal. Info: contact Ellen Nelson, Weed District, 970-498-5768 or .
Fish rearing program A presentation on fish rearing, led by Brian Egloff of the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Wray Fish Hatchery, will be at 7 p.m. at the Cove Amphitheater at Jackson Lake State Park, 26363 County Road 3, Orchard. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-645-2551, Jackson.lake@state.co.us or %20lake%20main.aspx.
Fire program/marshmallow roast A Park Ranger will teach participants how to build a campfire, what role fire plays in the environment and how to be “fire safe” at 8 p.m. at the campfire ring in the Cottonwood Campground between loops A and B at Boyd Lake State Park, 3720 N. County Road 11-C, Loveland. There will be marshmallows to roast; 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, boyd.lake@state.co.us, or .
Kids nature program “Hanging with Bats,” a program with hands-on activities, for kids ages 4-8, accompanied by a guardian, will be at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center in Lake Pueblo State Park, 640 Pueblo Reservoir Road. Dress in weather-appropriate clothing, take water, sunscreen and bug spray. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-561-9320, or e-mail lake.pueblo.park@state.co.us.
Stargazing program View stars, planets and other celestial objects through telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, on Carpenter Road/ County Road 32, approximately one mile west of I-25, or two miles east of Timberline on the north side of Carpenter Road. Meet at 9 p.m. in the parking lot. Info: 970-416-2815 or e-mail naturalareas@fcgov.com.
Raptor program/hike “Falcons, Masters of the Air,” a free program led by Naturalist Bob, will be at 8 a.m. at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located west of Loveland off Hwy. 34. The program includes an easy, 2-hour-long hike. Info: contact Heather Lindsey at 970-679-4489.
Animal sense program “Animal Senses,” a program about which senses are most developed in the bear, raccoon, deer, snake and skunk, will be at 7 p.m. at Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Junior Ranger program Pick up a Junior Ranger Training Booklet at the Visitor Center or Camper Services in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs, and take the class and/or complete the booklet to earn a Junior Ranger badge and/or colorful patch depending on levels finished. Meet at Camper Services at 2 p.m. for a Junior Ranger program. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Guided hike The City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services is teaming up with the Trails and Open Space Coalition, Friends of the Peak and Colorado Springs Utilities to provide opportunities for citizens to explore the South Slope of Pikes Peak through guided hikes. The South Slope is not yet open to the general public. Meet at the main parking lot of Red Rock Canyon, (Hwy. 24 and Ridge Road, just past 31st Street) and caravan to the South Slope. Hikes are $12 per participant; reservations are required. All participants must be prepared to hike 7-miles at high altitude. Participants must be ages 12 years or older, and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Dogs are not allowed. To register, call the Trails and Open Space Coalition at 719-633-6884 to register and for meeting time.
Dinosaur Discovery Day The topic of July’s Dinosaur Discovery Day is reptiles. There will be live reptiles on display, hands-on activities at the Visitor Center and guides stationed along the Ridge Trail to answer questions. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinosaur Ridge is at 16831 W. Alameda Pkwy., Morrison. Info: or 303-697-3466.
July 10
Family mystery hike This naturalist-led hike challenges families to solve a puzzle, riddle or mystery as they walk and search for hidden clues along a one-mile, easy trail. Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Visitor Center in Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights Road, Colorado Springs. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info/register: 719-576-2016.
Ant program Bret Tennis will give a presentation on honey ants at 11:30 a.m. in the Red Rocks Room at Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Info: 719-634-6666 or .
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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.
