Nature and Outdoor Events in and around Boulder County
√ This Icon Denotes a Staff Favorite √For more outdoor events, see listings under Sports Events. Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Formerly called Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, this organization, 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, or to register for upcoming programs, visit www.birdconservancy.org. Boulder County Audubon Society BCAS offers monthly nature programs, field trips, bird counts and other events around the county. www.boulderaudubon.org. Dec. 18: 75th Annual Christmas Bird Count Boulder County Parks & Open Space Programs Boulder County Parks & Open Space offers free nature programs, hikes and cultural-history events. See listing below for Sunset Hikes; see listing under Senior Events for Senior Hikes. 303-678-6214; www.bouldercounty.org/openspace. Jan. 29: Winter Heritage Day at Walker Ranch Homestead, 8999 Flagstaff Road, 1-3pm April 21: Senior Fish-Off, Walden Ponds, 6:30-10am Boulder County Parks & Open Space Sunset Hikes Slow-paced hikes begin at 6:30pm and conclude at sunset, and volunteer naturalists interpret each park’s history, geology, ecosystems, plants and wildlife. Children are welcome with adults, but no pets, please. Check www.bouldercounty.org/openspace for the schedule. Butterfly Pavilion See listing under Animal Affairs. City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks Natural Selections is the city’s ongoing series of free educational programs on wildlife, ecology, local history and children’s programs. All events are open to everyone, but please leave dogs home. For upcoming events, see www.naturehikes.org. 303-441-3440. Colorado Mountain Club CMC offers thousands of activity options, including adventure travel, service projects, and classes/seminars that cover everything from climbing, skiing and avalanche preparedness to wild plants, birds and geology. Many programs are at the American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St., Golden, but some are at the Boulder office in Table Mesa. 303-554-7688; www.cmc.org. ‘Dances with Branches’ Recreational Tree Climbs Ages 7+ can climb safely on ropes into the crown of a tall tree to connect with nature from on high. Instruction and equipment are included at these tree-climbing events, sponsored by the city of Lafayette. 12:30-3pm at Waneka Lake Park. Find upcoming dates and register at www.cityoflafayette.com/recreation. Dinosaur Ridge Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison comprises a visitor center and two trails with interpretive signs and exhibits, like 150-million-year-old dinosaur bones encased in sandstone and hundreds of 100-million-year-old dinosaur tracks. Ongoing programs include Walk with a Geologist and TriceraTOTS. 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, just west of Denver. www.dinoridge.org. Jan. 3: Holiday Celebration Flatirons Mineral Club Annual Gem & Mineral Show Dec. 9-11: Local gem, rock, mineral, jewelry and lapidary equipment dealers display their unique wares and gifts for all ages at this annual event, held in conjunction with the Boulder Model Railroad Exposition (see listing under Just for Fun). 10am-5pm daily at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road in Longmont. www.flatironsmineralclub.org REI Boulder Classes See listing under Classes. Thorne Nature Experience Boulder-based Thorne has been connecting youth to nature through hands-on experiences for nearly 60 years. Find out about programs at www.thornenature.org. Vela Adventures Founded by two busy moms who wanted to add adventure to their lives, Vela offers all-inclusive adventure outings just for women, like whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, archery and “indoor skydiving.” www.velaadventures.com. 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; scied.ucar.edu/exhibits. Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center Wild Bear is a nonprofit nature center offering affordable after-school programs, and adult and family workshops. It maintains an information center at 20 Lakeview Drive in Nederland, and also has property at Mud Lake. www.wildbear.org. April, TBA: Wild Earth Day
