August 2011
Naturally Yours
10 Free Outdoor Activities in August
Are you looking for fun things to do this month? Here are ten suggestions for free guided outdoor activities sponsored by the Natural Areas Program. We organized them by activities for kids, ways to explore by bike or horse, fun nighttime activities and ways to lend a hand. Now the hard part is deciding what to do! Want to plan ahead? Tracks and Trails is the Natural Areas Program's guide to free activities and events now through October.
For Kids and Families
1. Nature
Nuggets—Amazing Insects, Wednesday, August 3, 10-11 a.m.,at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, meet at the picnic
shelter. Exploration and interactive fun for children ages 3-7 and accompanying
adults. No registration required.
2. Family
Night Walk, Saturday, August 13, 7:45-9:45 p.m. at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, meet at the parking
lot. Explore a natural
area after dark and experience the sounds, sights and smell of the night as you
learn about nocturnal animals. More interactive than adult walk held
simultaneously at Coyote Ridge. Dress
warmly. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Go to www.fcgov.com/webtrac
(79903-06) or call 970-416-2815.
3. Nature Nuggets—Amazing Insects, Wednesday, August 17, 10-11 a.m.,Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, meet at the program shelter. Exploration and interactive fun for children ages 3-7 and accompanying adults. No registration required.
Outdoors by Bike or Horse
4. Nature
by Bike, Saturday, August 6, 9:00-11:30 a.m.,meet at parking lot
on north side of Drake Road
at Dunbar Ave.
(west of Shields). Take a bike ride on
the Spring Creek Trail with stops to look for everything from birds and foxes
to raccoons and beavers. Bring bicycle, water and snacks. 10 miles, easy. No
registration required.
5. Cavalry Ride on Horseback, Saturday, August 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.,at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, meet at the south parking lot. Experience history as you ride! Learn about Lt. Col. William Collins and the 11th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry and see history unfold in real life. Bring your own horse, lunch and water. REGISTRATION REQUIRED (limited to 30 riders). Go to www.fcgov.com/webtrac (79906-01) or call 970-416-2815.
Lend a Hand to Nature
6. Volunteer
Trail Maintenance
Project, Saturday, August 13, 8 a.m.-11 a.m.at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Get your hands
dirty and give back to the natural places you love! Trail work will prevent erosion and promote
trail sustainability. No experience necessary. REGISTRATION REQUIRED,
email naturalareas@fcgov.com or 970-416-2815.
7. Poop-de Doo #2, Saturday, August 27, 9 a.m. to noon,Spring Canyon Park. Help your parks and natural areas by picking up dog poop! It will keep pets and wildlife healthy and we all like a clean area too. Poop pick-up followed by games and prizes for canines and humans. Sponsored by Bones Du Jour Dog Treat Bakery and City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Program. Info at 970-290-8874 or bonesdujour@msn.com .
Natural Areas After Dark
8. Stargazing, Friday, August 12, 8:30-10:30 p.m.,Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space, meet in the parking
lot. View stars, planets
and other celestial objects through telescopes provided by the Northern
Colorado Astronomical Society. Dress
warmly and bring something to sit on. No registration required.
9. Adult Night Walk, Saturday, August 13, 7:45-9:45 p.m. at Coyote Ridge Natural Area, meet at the picnic shelter. Designed for adults and children 12 and older. Explore a natural area after dark and experience the sounds, sights, and smell of the night as you learn about nocturnal animals. More reflective than family walk held simultaneously at Bobcat Ridge. Dress warmly. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Go to www.fcgov.com/webtrac (79903-05) or call 970-416-2815.
10. Starry Nights: Moons and Rings, Thursday, August 25, 7:30-10 p.m., at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, meet at the picnic shelter. Learn about the satellites and debris that orbit planets in this brief program followed by stargazing in the parking lot with telescopes. Dress warmly. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Go to www.fcgov.com/webtrac (89901-01) or call 970-416-2815.
Plug In To Nature
The Natural Areas Program is part of Plug in to Nature, a comprehensive analysis to determine effective
ways to connect people to the outdoors in Larimer County. Funded by
Great Outdoors Colorado (state lottery proceeds), this project will engage the community (you!) to determine the
current level of connections families feel for nature on conserved lands
and parks. During the project there will be
many ways you can participate and lend your perspective. Check the Plug in to Nature website for updates on meetings, the project schedule, and other ways to
get involved.
Thanks for reading! Natural Areas News is published on the second Tuesday of the month with occasional mid-month updates. Newsletter comments are welcome. Please contact Zoe Whyman, Natural Areas Community Relations Manager, 970-221-6311 or zwhyman@fcgov.com
