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/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.
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. 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 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 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 .
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 .
Guided hikes Cheyenne Mountain State Park, 410 JL Ranch Heights, Colorado Springs, offers personalized naturalist-guided hikes for any age group. Pick the date, time and topic and they’ll do their best to accommodate your request. Please have a minimum of six participants in your group and consider a donation to the Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park to support programming efforts. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 719-576-2016.
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 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.
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. Following the hike, join participants for free snacks and beverages in the Garden Cafe and an educational conversation about the Park. Dress for the weather; wear sturdy shoes, and take water, hat and sunscreen. Reservations are required. Register: 719-219-0108. Info: 719-634-6666 or .
Weekly family-friendly nature programs James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park, 361 – 32 Road, Grand Junction, offers weekly family-friendly nature programs. “Friday Fruita Family Nights,” at 8 p.m. Fridays at the Fruita Section of the park and explores the natural world surrounding the park and the Colorado River; “Hanging with the Family in the Canyon” is at 8 p.m. Saturdays at the Island Acres Section of the park; and “Sunday Pack-Up Fun Day” is at 10 a.m. Sundays at the Island Acres Section of the park. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 970-858-9188, colorado.river.park@state.co.us or .
Energy Master program Five Colorado State University Extension offices across the state are offering a new Colorado Energy Master program to educate Coloradans and support volunteers interested in energy issues. Participants can take one or more 3-week courses on Energy and the Environment, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Courses include hands-on learning experiences and short field trips. Each course offers Continuing Education credits through both the Green Building Certification Institute and the Colorado Real Estate Commission. spiring Colorado Energy Masters take all three courses at a reduced cost and can volunteer in a number of ways – from conducting basic home energy assessments to educating neighbors and friends. Info: visit or contact Karen Crumbaker at 970-498-6003.
Volunteer park video-journalist Colorado Parks and Wildlife is accepting applications for the Youth Ambassador Program, sponsored by America’s SState Parks. The Youth Ambassador Program provides young adults, ages 18-24, an opportunity to promote awareness of state parks through video blogs, online articles, photo essays, social media networking and multi-media training. The Colorado Youth Ambassador serves in a year-long volunteer position, which involves visits to state parks; writing, researching and producing video content; photography projects; and working with Colorado State Parks and America’s State Parks’ staff to highlight the recreation opportunities in state parks. Youth Ambassadors also work with other young ambassadors from states across the US to promote state parks and outdoor recreation, and encourage young people to experience and connect with the outdoor world. Interested applications can submit the following materials by Dec. 2 to Colorado Parks and Wildlife for consideration: a 500-word maximum essay about yourself and why you’re applying; a 3-minute video (can be a link to YouTube or other site) explaining what you hope to do as a Youth Ambassador; and three references who speak to your abilities and qualifications. For information, visit . Send applications to parksweb@state.co.us.
TODAY
Museum free day Thanks to funding from Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, admission will be free from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Info: or 303-370-6000.
TUESDAY
Environmental talk The Green Toolbox: Strategies for Conservation, Restoration and Sustainability in the Pikes Peak Region,” a free panel discussion with local environmental groups, including Palmer Land Trust, Rocky Mountain Field Institute and Catamount Institute, will be at 7:30 p.m. in Gates Common Room, third floor of Palmer Hall, Colorado College campus, Colorado Springs. Info: 719-389-6607 or visit .
Indigenous film series film screenings “A History of the Inupial 1961: The Duck-In,” and “Seal Hunting with Dad,” short films focusing on culturally significant subsistence resources in Indigenous communities, will be shown at 7 p.m. in Gates Hall at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Following the films will be a discussion, led by Merv Tano, president of the International Institute for Indigenous Resource Management, about the impact of climate change on these resources and their cascading effects on Indigenous communities. Admission is free; however, donations are accepted to support public programming at the IIIRM and Denver Botanic Gardens. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Info: 720-865-3585 or .
Nature art class Naturalist Phyllis Vandehaar will give a class, “Design and Composition,” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roxborough State Park, 4751 Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. For reservations and a list of materials needed, call 303-973-3959.
Garden of Gods program “Wildlife in the Park,” a free program by Garden of the Gods Lead Naturalist Bret Tennis, will be at 11:30 a.m. in the Red Rocks Room at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center, 1805 N. 30th St., Colorado Springs. Register/info: 719-219-0108.
Human/bird interaction program “Look Who’ Moved into the Neighborhood: Human/Bird Interaction in Boulder County and Beyond,” a discussion with a panel of birders and climate scientists discussing how human activities are affecting birds, which birds like to live where humans do and why, and the effects urbanization and climate change are having on bird behavior and habitat, will be at 7 p.m. at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History on the CU Boulder campus. Info: or 303-492-6892.
WEDNESDAY
Mammoth/cloning program “How to Clone a Mammoth,” a talk by DNA researcher Beth Shapiro, will be at 7 p.m. at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $12 members, $15 nonmembers. Info: or 303-370-6000.
THURSDAY
Adult musem event “Science Lounge: Rex, Drinks, and Rock & Roll,” a program for ages 21 and up, with cocktails, entertainment, dinosaurs and science, will be at 6:30 p.m. at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd. Cost is $8 members, $10 nonmembers. Tickets will be available at the door if tickets are sold out online. Info: or 303-370-6000.
Café Botanique talk “Endangered Plant Species in the Furniture Industry,” a talk by Carol Benson Goldstein, will be at 6:30 p.m. at the Denver Botanic Gardens, 1007 York St. Admission is free; however, donations are accepted to support public programming at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Info: 720-865-3585 or .
SATURDAY
Gem and mineral silent auction The Littleton Gem and Mineral Club Annual Silent Auction will be from noon to 5 p.m. at Columbine Hills Church, 9700 Old Coal Mine Ave., Littleton. There will be minerals, gems, jewelry, fossils, books and much more. Food and drinks will be provided by the club and its members. Info: e-mail info@littletongemandmineralclub or call 303-840-1177.
Guided hike Naturalist Deb Wright will lead a 3-mile round trip hike at 9:30 a.m. up South Rim Trail in Roxborough State Park, 4751 Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. Dress appropriately for the weather; take water and a snack. The hike is rated “moderate.” A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Nature hike Naturalist Bob will lead a hike in search of eagles at 10 a.m. at River Bluffs Open Space, located just west of the I-25/Windsor interchange off of County Road 32E. Dress appropriately for the weather and take water. Info: contact Heather at 970-679-4489.
Nature hike Naturalist Lee Heflebower will lead a tour of the “wonders of Roxborough State Park” with an emphasis on using your visual senses and imagination, at 10 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. Dress appropriately for the weather; take water and a snack. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Nov. 20
Geology talk “Rox Talk,” a free geology program led by Naturalist Mary Taylor, will be at 11 a.m. on the patio at Roxborough State Park, 4751 Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. A $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
Guided birdwatching hike Take your bird book and binoculars on a birdwatching hike led by Doris Cruze at 8 a.m. in Roxborough State Park, 4751 Roxborough Park Drive, Littleton. Dress appropriately for the weather; birders of all ability levels are welcome. $7 daily State Parks pass is required for all vehicles entering the park. Info: 303-973-3959.
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.
