Looking for Something to Do?

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

9 AM With a Naturalist: Investigate Insects, Saturday, July 31, 9 a.m., Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.  Meet at the picnic shelter. Kids ages 4-12 and their parents can learn to be insect detectives by exploring some basic facts about insects and spiders and going on a bug hunt. No registration required.

Archaeology of Soapstone Prairie, Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m., Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.  People have continuously occupied the Fort Collins area for over 12,000 years!  Explore human connections to the local landscape.  0.5 miles, easy.  No registration required.

Sundays at Soapstone: Archaeology, Sunday, August 1, 10 a.m., Soapstone Prairie Natural Area.  People have continuously occupied the Fort Collins area for over 12,000 years!  Explore human connections to the local landscape.  0.5 miles, easy.  No registration required.

Become a Master Naturalist Assistant!

Master Naturalist Assistants (MNAs) serve as an important aid to Master Naturalists. MNAs assist with group management, props and activities.  This is a good way for volunteers take an active role in the Natural Areas Education Program without the time commitment or specialized training required of Master Naturalists.  This is also a great way to gain experience in interpretation, natural history and group management.  Applications are due August 20.  Learn more >>>

Volunteer Ranger Assistant Training

Do you dream of being outdoors, chatting with visitors, enjoying wildlife and helping the environment?  Perhaps you'd like to become a Volunteer Ranger Assistant (VRA)!  Applications are being accepted now for the August VRA training which will be August 24 and 26 (6-9 p.m.) and Aug 28, 9 a.m. -2 p.m.  This is the perfect volunteer position if you want a flexible schedule and volunteers are especially needed on the weekends. Applications are due July 30. Learn more here >>>

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 few mistakes in Tracks and Trails and other publicity materials:

• Northern Colorado Birding Fair is on Saturday, September 25 (not Sunday, September 26).
• Trail Savvy Dog scheduled for Aug 8 has been postponed to Aug 22, 10 am.

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 this summer?  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):  On Wednesdays-- August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15.  10:00-11:00 a.m. at the Picnic Shelter. No registration required.

Jr. Bobcats (for ages 8-12 and accompanying adult):  On Thursday August 5.  9:00-11:30 a.m.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  Call 970-416-2815 or email naturalareas@fcgov.com with the program name and your contact information.

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 >>>