Looking for Something to Do?

Visit Your Natural Areas!  Take advantage of these free education programs.  No registration is required unless noted.

Phantoms of the Prairie, Thursday September 2, 215 North Mason Community Room, 7 p.m.  Learn about the most endangered mammal in North America, the black-footed ferret and other prairie wildlife.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED, call 970-416-2815 or email naturalareas@fcgov.com with your program choice and contact information.

Archaeology of Soapstone Prairie, Saturday, September 4, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, North Parking Lot, 10 a.m.  0.5 miles, easy.  No registration required.

Sundays at Soapstone: Its Not Just Grass, Sunday, September 5, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, 10 a.m.  Meet in the south parking lot.  Explore the wonders of the prairie.  1.5 miles, easy.  No registration required.

A Morning with Thoreau, Monday, September 6, Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, 10 a.m.  Meet in the north parking lot.  See nature through the eyes of famous naturalist Henry David Thoreau.  2 miles, easy.  No registration required.

Voice your opinion! Have you attended an educational program?  Please complete an evaluation and share your feedback.

Natural Areas Along the Cache La Poudre River

The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program is updating the management plan that applies to the 19 natural areas along the Cache La Poudre River (between Overland Trail Road and Harmony Road).  Citizens are invited to share their thoughts and feedback through a 20 question online survey which will help planners determine management of the natural areas along the Poudre River for the next 10 years. Questions focus on what residents like and think could be improved about the natural areas along the river and associated trails.  Specific questions ask about access, recreation, ecological features, education/outreach, safety, restoration and amenities.

Funds Available for Enhancement of Natural Areas

The Natural Areas Program encourages stewardship of all natural areas.  Financial assistance is available for projects designed to enhance or restore private or public natural areas in Fort Collins.  Examples of projects might include native tree and shrub plantings, removal of exotic pest trees, wetland restoration, or native grassland revegetation.   Project proposals from private citizens, neighborhood groups, nonprofit organizations, school groups, and corporations are encouraged. More information >>> 

Your Guide to Free Natural Area Activities

Tracks and Trails is your guide to free natural area programs and events now through October.  Copies are available here, at natural area trailheads, at 75 local buisinesses and at local libraries. 

We have discovered a mistake in Tracks and Trails and other publicity materials:

• Northern Colorado Birding Fair is on Saturday, September 25 (not Sunday, September 26).

We are sorry for the confusion!  If you find other errors or have questions, please contact us, 970-416-2815 or naturalareas@fcgov.com.

GeoCache la Poudre

Explore natural areas, learn new facts and unravel mysteries!  GeoCache La Poudre is a virtual geocache course with one traditional cache along the Cache La Poudre River.  Complete 10 questions on the brochure and return it to be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift card to downtown Fort Collins.  Tread lightly!  All the questions can be answered by staying on the trails.

Children's Summer Programs at Bobcat Ridge

Looking for something to do with the kids?  The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program offers children's programs at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area:

Bobcat Tales (for ages 3-7 and accompaying adult):  The last one of the season will be Wednesday September 15, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Picnic Shelter. No registration required.

Check Tracks and Trails for program topics and more details. For more information, contact Bobcat Ridge Educator Deborah Price at 970-217-3075 or dprice@fcgov.com.

Northern Colorado Birding Fair

Save the date, the Birding Fair will be Saturday, September 25 at Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space.  Check out the Birding Fair website >>>