11 minute read
NATURE PROGRAMS
Please register for programs directly on the website, AuroraGov.Org/NaturePrograms. To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please go to: BotanicGardens.org/Plains-Conservation-Center. Please note that if participants plan on bringing a walker or wheelchair, need special accessibility accommodations or dietary considerations, they must notify the Morrison Nature Center at 303.326.8445 when they register to ensure accommodations are met.
MORRISON NATURE CENTER AT STAR K RANCH
Time slots are available on a limited, firstcome, first-served basis. Programs are free unless otherwise specified.
STAR K KIDS
Ages 5 & younger Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, interactive activities and discovery time on the trail. Registration required.
Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
47340 March 3 47345 March 10 47348 March 17 47352 March 24 47360 March 31 47363 April 7 47365 April 14 47368 April 21 47370 April 28 47372 May 5 47375 May 12 47378 May 19 47380 May 26
Thu., 11 a.m.-noon
47344 March 3 47346 March 10 47350 March 17 47358 March 24 47362 March 31 47364 April 7 47366 April 14 47369 April 21 47371 April 28 47374 May 5 47377 May 12 47379 May 19 47381 May 26
JUNIOR NATURALISTS
Ages 6-8 Join us for a fun, educational experience in the outdoors as we learn about the natural environments found in Aurora.
WHERE OH WHERE CAN I BE: ORIENTEERING FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS Winter may bring cold weather, but local Explorers have depended upon map and compass skills to aid their travels and adventures for centuries. After an introduction to map and compass use, explorers will have fun and get first-hand experience using teamwork and their new skills to navigate through a beginner’s orienteering course. 47384 March 19 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person HELPING HANDS: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS Through fun exploration and activities, learn what it takes to care for the environment and what naturalists do to manage our wildly beautiful ecosystems. 47385 April 16 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person GREEN THUMBS UP: GARDENING FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS This Junior Naturalist program is meant to really grow on you. What makes a garden good? Have fun and learn how to grow plants in Aurora soil and plant a garden that creates great pollinator habitat. 47386 May 21 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person
NATURE PROGRAMS
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: WILDLIFE SAFETY AND COEXISTENCE
Ages 8 & up With all the varieties of Aurora wildlife, it can be tough to tell what is truly dangerous, what is beneficial and what is just plain cool to look at. This presentation introduces us to our wild neighbors and lets us know the best ways to coexist with them in ways that are safe and beneficial for everyone. 47388 March 4 | Fri., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $2/person
NATURE FILM CLUB
Ages 13 & older What do warm popcorn and nature have in common? Both make watching movies a great experience. Join the Aurora naturalist team for our Nature Film Club in conjunction with the Aurora Public Libraries. This program includes a screening of an hour-long nature documentary, followed by some discussion about the topic covered in the film. Guest speakers, filmmakers and experts to join. “Nature: What Plants Talk About” directed by Erna Buffie & Merit Jensen Carr Calling all movie buffs! Join us for the first meeting of our Nature Film Club with our first selection “Nature: What Plants Talk About” (directed by Erna Buffie & Merit Jensen Carr). Join us as we dive into the film’s topic, themes cinematography and more. 47440 March 18 | Fri., 6-8 p.m.
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: I HEARD NATURE FOOLED YOU: NATURE MYTH TRIVIA NIGHT
Ages 18 & older Did you hear about...? Did you know that...? I read on the internet... Ever stop to really ponder those “nature facts” you know for certain? Come join the Aurora naturalist team and some fellow fact-finders for a fun night of nature trivia all about the common myths, urban legends and click-bait stories we’ve learned over the years. We’re not fooling you and neither should nature! 47389 April 1 | Fri., 7-8:30 p.m. • $2/person
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: SQUIRRELS - AURORA’S NUTTY NEIGHBORS
Ages 6 & older Do you love squirrels? Or do you chase them from your yard every chance you get? Check out these amazingly smart, adorable and frustrating critters that we have a love/hate relationship with. 47390 April 10 | Sun., 1-2:30 p.m. • $2/person
Ages 6-12 years Learn about wildlife adaptations, meet some animal ambassadors and create your own wildlife superhero! Join a COA naturalist to explore Aurora’s wildlife and ecosystems and craft a comic book creature of your own to take home! Materials provided. 47561 May 14 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person
NATURE PROGRAMS
LARPING ADVENTURE: WESTERN STYLE
Ages 13-18 years The Rodent Gang have discovered the sheriffs plans to move the goods out on the next rail, and the sheriff has asked for a posse to hunt down the notorious gang before they can steal the town’s resources. Help track down the goods before they’re gone! 47441 May 22 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person SENAC CREEK NATURE CENTER AT AURORA RESERVOIR
While attending programs at Senac Creek Nature Center, reservoir entry is free for the time of the program.
LITTLE NATURALISTS
Ages 5 & younger Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, interactive activities & discovery time on the trails at Aurora Reservoir. Registration required. 47336 March 11 47337 March 25 47339 April 8 47341 April 22 47342 May 6 47343 May 20 • Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
SENAC SCIENTISTS
Ages 6-12 NATIONAL CHEESE DOODLE DAY: WHY WE DON’T FEED WILDLIFE. What happens when we feed the wildlife? Find out why your favorite picnic snack is unhealthy for the wildlife – and let’s face it, for us, too – no matter how yummy it might be. 47349 March 5 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/person NATIONAL PB & J DAY: CELEBRATING WILD NUTS & BERRIES Also known in the nature world as “Nuts, Seeds and Berries Day.” What kind of nuts, seeds and berries can we expect to find in certain ecosystems? Please let us know of any allergies. 47354 April 2 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/person BEAUFORT (WIND) SCALE DAY How is wind speed measured? Is it different on land than water? What are the possible effects of wind? Keep your fingers crossed for a windy day so we can have fun finding out. 47357 May 7 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/person
SPRING BREAK NATURE ADVENTURES
Ages 6-12 years Spend spring break exploring the Aurora Reservoir and all its unique habitats! We’ll get our hands dirty with nature activities, learn about springtime wildlife, play in the snow and explore the trails. Each day will focus on a specific nature skill. Choose from one, two, three or four fun-filled days! 47450 March 15 47459 March 16 47460 March 17 47461 March 18 • Tue., Wed., Thu., & Fri. 9 a.m.-noon • $10/person/day
NATURE PROGRAMS
CROCHET YOUR WAY TO NATURE: A THREAD SERIES
Ages 7 & older Interested in learning a new skill? Join us for a crochet series inspired by nature! Participants will learn and practice the four basic crochet stitches that can be combined to create a multitude of projects. Projects will be inspired by nature through color and texture. Materials will be provided. 47359 March 6, 13 & 20 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $15/person for all three sessions
Ages 10 & older Do you ever wonder why there are so many gaggles of geese in Aurora? Come take a gander at a presentation and go on a nature walk to learn about the history of Canada Geese on the front range. 47564 March 25 | Fri., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $2/per person
CROCHET YOUR WAY TO NATURE: A COTTON SERIES
Ages 7 & older Interested in learning a new skill? Join us for a crochet series inspired by nature! Participants will learn and practice the four basic crochet stitches that can be combined to create a multitude of projects. Projects will be inspired by nature through color and texture. Materials will be provided. 47367 April 17, 24 & May 1 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $15/person for all three sessions
EARTH DAY CELEBRATION @ AURORA RESERVOIR
All ages, inclusive to all abilities Celebrate Earth Day at Aurora Reservoir. Enjoy guided nature hikes, bird walks, planting in the native plant garden, special presentations of LIVE raptors by HawkQuest, nature crafts and local earth-friendly organizations and vendors! Learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities and ways to be involved and engaged within your parks and open space. Entrance to Aurora Reservoir is FREE for those coming to the celebration. Check in at Senac Creek Nature Center upon arrival. April 23 | Sat., 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
NATURE AT NIGHT: EVENING NATURE WALK
All Ages Enjoy an evening walk as we enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of spring at beautiful Aurora Reservoir. 47373 April 26 | Tue., 7-8 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old
NATURE AT NIGHT: AN EVENING WITH THE WILDFLOWERS
All Ages Join us for an evening walk as we check out which spring flowers are blooming in Aurora open space. 47376 May 20 | Fri., 6:30-7:30 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old
NATURE PROGRAMS
PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER
To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please visit: BotanicGardens.org/Plains-ConservationCenter or call 720.865.3500.
JUNIOR NATURALISTS
Ages 9-12 Join us for a fun, educational experience in the outdoors as we learn all about the natural environments found in Aurora.
WHERE OH WHERE CAN I BE: ORIENTEERING FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS Explorers have depended upon map and compass skills to aid their travels and adventures for centuries. After an introduction to map and compass use, explorers will have fun and get first-hand experience using teamwork and their new skills to navigate through a beginner’s orienteering course. March 13 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $8/person HELPING HANDS: ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS Through fun exploration and activities, learn what it takes to care for the environment and what naturalists do to manage our wildly beautiful ecosystems. April 17 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $8/person GREEN THUMBS UP: GARDENING FOR JUNIOR NATURALISTS This Junior Naturalist program is meant to really grow on you. What makes a garden good? Have fun and learn how to grow plants in Aurora soil and plant a garden that creates great pollinator habitat. May 15 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $8/person
FULL MOON HIKE
Ages 8 & older WORM MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the March Worm Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. This Full Moon has other nicknames and is seen as the harbinger of Spring since it is the closest to the Spring Equinox. March 18 | Fri., 7:30-8:30 p.m. • $5/person PINK MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the April Pink Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. April 16 | Sat., 7:30-8:30 p.m. • $5/person FLOWER MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the May Flower Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. This Full Moon has other nicknames and signals the start of the major growing and planting seasons. May 15 | Sun., 7:45-8:45 p.m. • $5/person
NATURE AT NIGHT: SPRING EQUINOX WALK
Ages 6 & older It’s time to celebrate the official start of spring! Enjoy an evening walk at the beautiful Plains Conservation Center as we talk about spring in nature and in the past on the prairie. March 21 | Mon., 6:30-7:30 p.m. • $5/person
PRAIRIE BIRDING SAFARI RIDE
Ages 8 & older From blue jays to bald eagles, a morning bird walk never disappoints. Join us as we search for avian species big and small on a leisurely walk through Plains Conservation Center. March 26 | Sat., 8-9:30 a.m. • $8/person
NATURE PROGRAMS
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: FROM LADIES’ HATS TO THRIVING EAGLES – A HISTORY OF CONSERVATION IN COLORADO
Ages 10 & older What do women’s hats have to do with conservation? Come find out! Join a COA naturalist for a presentation and wagon ride to learn about conservation and its history in Colorado and beyond. April 29 | Fri., 5:30-7 p.m. • $10/person
CAMPFIRE PROGRAM: STORIES OF SPRING
Ages 6 & older Relax and enjoy an evening at Plains Conservation Center as we tell stories of springtime’s renewal and roast marshmallows around the fire. May 13 | Fri., 7:30-8:30 p.m. • $5/person
NATURE CENTERS
Morrison Nature Center
Plains Conservation Center
21901 E. Hampden Ave. 303.326.8380 Gate Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Visitor Center Closed Mon. & Tue. Wed.-Fri., noon-4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Senac Creek Nature Center
BLOOMS ON THE PRAIRIE THROUGH THE SEASONS
Ages 8 & older Discover what is blooming on the prairie at different times of year while learning about native and non-native plants. This guided nature hike caters to novice wildflower lovers as well as seasoned plant enthusiasts interested in exploring the changing blooms of the prairie. May 28 | Sat., 1-2:30 p.m. • $5/person OPEN SPACE
MORNING BIRD WALK
Ages 8 & older From blue jays to bald eagles, a morning bird walk never disappoints. Join us as we search for avian species big and small on a leisurely walk. 47382 March 12 | Pronghorn Natural Area 47383 April 9 | Ponderosa Preserve 47387 May 14 | Coal Creek Arena • Sat., 8-10 a.m.
NATURE AT NIGHT: SPRING SUNSET NATURE WALK
All Ages Join us as we celebrate greening grasses, singing birds and budding blooms with an evening walk at Red-tailed Hawk Park in southeast Aurora. 47462 April 15 • Fri., 7-8 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old • Red-tailed Hawk Park
