JEFFERSON COUNTY — Isaac Ho didn’t know about the Audubon Society of Greater Denver until just a few weeks ago when he connected at his church with Kate Hogan, a community outreach coordinator for Audubon.
Always a birder and outdoorsman, Ho decided to sign up for the first “Conservation in Colorado” class and was one of about 15 to attend on Jan. 29.
“I like watching birds, but I had not thought about the Audubon Society,” Ho said. “I like to look and explore and see what’s going on. I never knew this much about burrowing owls.”
The Audubon Society of Greater Denver has regularly offered classes for families and children, but this year the organization is trying to engage a more adult audience to complement its other offerings that include a and classes.
The classes are filling a need, according to Hogan, who said she often sees single adults who come to the Audubon Society looking for programming. But until now, most of the it has been geared toward families, children and seniors.
Hogan started 2016 by launching the “Conservation in Colorado” program, classes that focus on different habitats and wildlife around the state.
“What I’m trying to do is branch into other topic areas that I think adults are interested in learning about,” Hogan said.
The first class on Jan. 29 covered grasslands and the bird species endemic to them, such as the burrowing owl and the mountain plover. The class was led by Angela Dwyer, grassland wildlife coordinator for the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies in Fort Collins.
Dwyer said she is glad to see Audubon put together more adult programming.
“I do think reaching the entire spectrum is important,” Dwyer said.
Tracy Randolph attended the class with her husband, Joe, and said she came because she’s always looking at ways of furthering her education.
“It’s very fascinating,” Randolph said.
The classes are from 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays. On Friday, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will present on the black-footed ferret. On Feb. 12, a representative from the Butterfly Pavilion will address the butterfly monitoring network.
Hogan said the Audubon Society was able to connect with many of its guest speakers because they were recipients of money from the Lois Webster Fund that benefits nongame wildlife research.
A different type of class called “There’s No Sex Like Insects,” on Feb. 19, is taking more of a comical take on environmental education. The guest lecturer from the Butterfly Pavilion will take attendees through the bizarre ways that different insects reproduce. In addition to the evening presentation, attendees get snacks and wine.
More events are scheduled throughout the summer.
Hogan added: “We’re trying to diversify what we offer and get people engaging in programs with us.”
Joe Vaccarelli: 303-954-2396, jvaccarelli@denverpost.com or @joe_vacc
Upcoming audubon society adult classes
What: “Conservation in Colorado”
When: 8 a.m.-noon Friday and Feb. 12
Cost: $10 per class for members, $12 per class for nonmembers
Where: Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield, 11280 Waterton Road, in the Littleton area
What: “There’s No Sex Like Insects”
When: 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 19
Cost: $15 for members, $18 for nonmembers, wine and snacks included; must be 21 or older
Where: Audubon Nature Center at Chatfield
More information: denveraudubon.org
