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Natural Areas Department Offers Free Activities in May
Released on Thursday, April 19th, 2012
Contact Information
Zoë Whyman, Natural Areas Community Relations Manager, , 970-221-6311
Everyone is invited to get involved by volunteering, learn bird watching skills, discover geology and enjoy the night skies! These activities are led by staff and volunteers from the City’s Natural Areas Department and Northern Colorado Astronomical Society-- thank you! To learn more call 970-416-2815 or email .
Volunteer Master Naturalist Assistants Needed
Applications due Thursday, May 3
Master Naturalist Assistants help out with field trips on a wide variety of natural areas. The training is free: Wednesday, May 9, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Friday, May 11, 9:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. You must attend both days. Class size is limited for this popular program. A background check is required. Learn more and apply online at http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/, the application deadline is May 3.
Seeking Volunteer Bird Monitors
Applications due Friday, May 4
Citizen scientists are needed to help understand bird life at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Intermediate to advanced birding skills required. Volunteers are needed May 21-June 30, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., minimum of one day per week for five weeks. Learn more and apply online at http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/, the application deadline is May 4.
Bird Appreciation Walk
Saturday, May 5, 8-10 a.m.
Arapaho Bend Natural Area, meet at the parking lot at the east end of Horsetooth Road.
Look for birds commonly seen in natural areas and learn about their habitat and food needs on this introductory walk for all ages. Free, no registration required.
Walk the Geology Gangplank
Tuesday, May 8, 9 a.m.-Noon
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, meet at the north parking lot.
Hike to the landform known as the gangplank and discover geological secrets of this beautiful landscape. 5-6 miles, moderate. Free, no registration required.
Bird Appreciation Walk
Saturday, May 19, 8-10 a.m.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area, meet at the Cairnes St. parking lot off Timberline Road.
Look for birds commonly seen in natural areas and learn about their habitat and food needs on this introductory walk for all ages. Free, no registration required.
Starry Night—Harry Potter Skies
Thursday, May 24, 8:15-10:30 p.m.
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, meet at the picnic shelter.
Discover which stars and constellations provided names for many of the Harry Potter characters, and view these objects and the moon through telescopes. Please arrive by 8:15 p.m.—gate will close. Dress warmly. For weather cancellation notices, go to http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas. Free, no registration required.
Skygazing
Friday, May 25, 9-11 p.m.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space
View the stars, constellations, moon, galaxies and more through telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Dress warmly and bring something to sit on. For weather cancellation notices, go to http://www.ncastro.org. Free, no registration required.
Poudre River Clean-up
Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m.-noon
Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood Street
Pitch in and help clean-up along the Poudre River! All you need is gloves, sunscreen, and the desire to make a difference! Organized by Mountain Whitewater Descents and sponsored by the Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. Volunteers with bikes and trailers are also needed to transport trash. Free, no registration necessary.
Volunteer Master Naturalist Assistants Needed
Applications due Thursday, May 3
Master Naturalist Assistants help out with field trips on a wide variety of natural areas. The training is free: Wednesday, May 9, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and Friday, May 11, 9:00 a.m.– 2:00 p.m. You must attend both days. Class size is limited for this popular program. A background check is required. Learn more and apply online at http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/, the application deadline is May 3.
Seeking Volunteer Bird Monitors
Applications due Friday, May 4
Citizen scientists are needed to help understand bird life at Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Intermediate to advanced birding skills required. Volunteers are needed May 21-June 30, 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., minimum of one day per week for five weeks. Learn more and apply online at http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/, the application deadline is May 4.
Bird Appreciation Walk
Saturday, May 5, 8-10 a.m.
Arapaho Bend Natural Area, meet at the parking lot at the east end of Horsetooth Road.
Look for birds commonly seen in natural areas and learn about their habitat and food needs on this introductory walk for all ages. Free, no registration required.
Walk the Geology Gangplank
Tuesday, May 8, 9 a.m.-Noon
Soapstone Prairie Natural Area, meet at the north parking lot.
Hike to the landform known as the gangplank and discover geological secrets of this beautiful landscape. 5-6 miles, moderate. Free, no registration required.
Bird Appreciation Walk
Saturday, May 19, 8-10 a.m.
Riverbend Ponds Natural Area, meet at the Cairnes St. parking lot off Timberline Road.
Look for birds commonly seen in natural areas and learn about their habitat and food needs on this introductory walk for all ages. Free, no registration required.
Starry Night—Harry Potter Skies
Thursday, May 24, 8:15-10:30 p.m.
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, meet at the picnic shelter.
Discover which stars and constellations provided names for many of the Harry Potter characters, and view these objects and the moon through telescopes. Please arrive by 8:15 p.m.—gate will close. Dress warmly. For weather cancellation notices, go to http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas. Free, no registration required.
Skygazing
Friday, May 25, 9-11 p.m.
Fossil Creek Reservoir Regional Open Space
View the stars, constellations, moon, galaxies and more through telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society. Dress warmly and bring something to sit on. For weather cancellation notices, go to http://www.ncastro.org. Free, no registration required.
Poudre River Clean-up
Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m.-noon
Lee Martinez Park, 600 N. Sherwood Street
Pitch in and help clean-up along the Poudre River! All you need is gloves, sunscreen, and the desire to make a difference! Organized by Mountain Whitewater Descents and sponsored by the Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. Volunteers with bikes and trailers are also needed to transport trash. Free, no registration necessary.