Nature/Outdoor Events
Boulder County Hikes, Nature and Outdoor Events
Audubon Society
4th Tuesdays: BCAS offers nature programs once a month, with refreshments and socializing at 6:45pm, followed by the presentation at 7:15pm. Programs are at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, 5001 Pennsylvania Ave. The group also hosts field trips, nature programs, bird counts and other events around the county.
Boulder County Parks & Open Space Programs
Boulder County Open Space offers free nature programs, hikes and cultural-history events. Check the website for the updated schedule, including Sunset Hikes and Hikes for Seniors. 303-678-6214.
- Jan. 29: Winter at the Walker Ranch Homestead, 1-3pm
- April 27: Senior Fish-off, 6-10am at Walden Ponds
- April 29: Spring at the Walker Ranch Homestead, 10am-4pm
- May 20: Crafts and Trades of Olden Days, 10am-4pm at the Agricultural Heritage Center in Longmont
Butterfly Pavilion
“Tropical Odyssey,” the Butterfly Pavilion’s premier exhibit, is back by popular demand. It’s an interactive, bilingual adventure with games, active play elements, interactive learning and a larger-than-life playscape. Sunset Strolls through the conservatory take place monthly; check www.butterflies.org for the 2012 calendar. 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster. 303-469-5441.
City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
Natural Selections is the city’s ongoing series of educational programs on wildlife, ecology, local history and children’s programs. All events are free and open to everyone, but please leave dogs home. Check the website for fall events or call 303-441-3440.
Colorado Mountain Club
CMC celebrates 100 years in 2012 with a special series of backcountry events, conservation and recreation for both members and nonmembers; check online for updates about the big kickoff celebration on Feb. 11. CMC’s activity catalogue features 3,000 options, including adventure travel, service projects, and classes and seminars that cover everything from how to hike, climb or ski to wild plants, birds and geology. Most programs are at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden. 303-554-7688.
Colorado Mycological Society
Members of CMS have diverse interests, plus an important common bond—the desire to learn about wild mushrooms. Visit the website for information on monthly meetings and other events.
Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides
Professional tour guides lead participants on adventures like “Snowshoeing in Rocky Mountain National Park” and “Guided Winter Fly Fishing.” 720-242-9828.
Flagstaff Summit Nature Center
The center, open beginning in May, is a great place to familiarize yourself with the wildlife, plants and history of Open Space and Mountain Parks. Interactive games and activities challenge the child in everyone, and volunteers are on hand to answer questions. Open 10:30am-4pm weekends. On Flagstaff Summit Road, about 3.5 miles west of Boulder on Baseline Road. 303-441-3440.
REI Boulder Events
The Boulder REI store, 1789 28th St., offers classes, lectures and workshops on outdoor topics such as “Gear Drive for Inner City Outings” and “How to Climb a 14er.” Check the website for schedule and details or call 303-583-9970.
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory
RMBO, headquartered at Barr State Park near Brighton, is dedicated to conserving birds and their habitats. To learn about educational opportunities in the field or in the classroom, visit the website.
Sunset Hikes
Boulder County Parks & Open Space offers weekly sunset hikes that are slow-paced and guided by naturalists who interpret each park’s history, geology, ecosystems, animals and plants. Walks begin at 6:30pm and conclude at sunset; they are suitable for all ages, but parents must accompany children, and pets are not permitted. Each involves about two hours of easy to moderate hiking. Check the website for the full schedule. 303-678-6214.
Walk on the Wild Side: Walkathon for Conservation
May 19: Two courses around the ponds (1k and 5k) let participants learn about habitats, birds and other wildlife at education stations. There’s also live birds of prey, food and prizes. 8am-noon at Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat, near Jay Road and N. 75th Street. 970-393-1193.
Walter Orr Roberts Weather Trail
This self-guided tour introduces you to the weather and climate surrounding NCAR’s Mesa Lab beside the Flatirons. The half-mile loop extends west, connecting to the Boulder Mountain Parks system. 303-497-1174.
Wild Earth’s Children
Lyons-based organization offers hands-on nature and survival classes for all ages. Programs include Teen Survival Skills, Homeschool Earth Adventures and Coyote Mentoring. See program schedule online or call 303-823-0875.
Winter Trails Day
Jan. 14: Annual event lets participants try showshoeing and attend winter safety seminars and a Challenge Clinic sponsored by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Free, but park entrance fees apply. 10am at the Park & Ride lot near Glacier Basin in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Women’s Wilderness Institute
For the rest of the year, the wilderness-based courses at this institute will focus on girls 8-18, teaching things like backpacking, rock climbing and outdoor skills in a fun, “girl-positive” manner. 303-938-9191; see the website for complete schedule and registration information.
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