NATURE

Please register for programs directly on the website, AuroraGov. org/NaturePrograms

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 and younger

Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, interactive activities and discovery time on the trail. Registration required.

Junior Naturalists

Ages 6-10

Join us for a fun, educational experience in the outdoors as we learn about the natural environments found in Aurora.

Insect Extravaganza

Grab your net, bug boxes and bug spray! Explore the trails at Star K Ranch as we learn what all the buzz is about with our six-legged friends. Test your skills with different insect collecting strategies and see how many you can catch.

67132 June 17

• Sat., 1-3 p.m.

• $2/per person

Unbe-leaf-able

Want to get to the root of why plants are so cool? Spend an afternoon getting to know the local flora of Aurora and learn about their exceptional adaptations, how people and animals use plants and build your own terrarium to take home.

67134 July 15

•

Creatures Of The Creek

Want to know what lurks in the depths of Sand Creek? Or what critters stop by when no one is looking? Find out as we spend an afternoon searching for the mysterious creatures, big and small, that call the creek home.

67135 Aug. 19

• Sat., 1-3 p.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAM: NERDS IN NATURE- THE HUNT FOR THE CHUPACABRAE

Ages 8 and older

Nature is filled with so many fun facts, though there are many things we still don’t know. Some of these mysteries are the most fun to explore. Is the Chupacabra a myth or reality? Join a naturalist and explore Star K Ranch to see if we can find our resident cryptid.

67136 June 4

• Sun., 9-11 a.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAM: SNAKES ON A SATURDAY

Ages 6 and older

Summer means sun, but also snakes! Slither over to the Morrison Nature Center and explore the scaly side of these important reptiles. There will be live snakes on hand to help us face our fears, show spectacular snake adaptations and help us better understand these important wild neighbors.

67140 June 17

• Sat., 10-11:30 a.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAMS: POLLINATOR PATROL –BUTTERFLY WALK AT STAR K RANCH

All ages

A fluttering there and flittering here. Enjoy the beauty and mystery behind many people’s favorite kind of bug: butterflies! Enjoy time outside as we stroll along butterfly habitat in search of these winged insects, learn about their life cycle, ecology and how to support them in your home gardens.

67133 June 18

• Sun., 10-11:30 a.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAMS: MUDBUG MONDAYS – CRAWDAD FISHING AT STAR K RANCH

Ages 6 and older

With the summer sun shining on us, what better way to cool off than by getting wet and muddy! Mudbugs, also called crawdads or crayfish, are fascinating creatures. Have fun and connect with nature while we fish for crawdads at one of Aurora’s open spaces. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet!

67130 July 10

• Mon., 1-3 p.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAMS: FINDING FROGS AND SEARCHING FOR SALAMANDERS

Ages 6-12

Come on down to the creek to hunt for frogs and toads! We will be on the hunt for amphibians and reptiles. Be sure to wear clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet!

67124 July 16

• Sun., 9-10:30 a.m.

• $2/per person

UNIQUE PROGRAM: TURTLE-Y COOL DUDE

Ages 7 and younger

Developed for our youngest community members, this program teaches participants about the amazing life of a box turtle! Using classic stories, time outside, fun games and interaction with a live turtle, kids will have the opportunity to get curious, make new friends and broaden their understanding and confidence around turtles.

67141 July 29

• Sat., 9-10 a.m.

• $2/per person

ART IN NATURE: PAINTING BY THE TREES

All ages

Enjoy a relaxing afternoon surrounded by cottonwood forest. Get inspired by nature and paint your very own masterpiece to take home.

67137 Aug. 13

• Sun., 1-2:30 p.m.

• $5/per person, no fee for children under 2 years of age

MONARCH TAGGING –COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECT

The monarch butterfly’s migration is still as mysterious as it is amazing to scientists and butterfly fans alike. These beautiful butterflies need our help, and one way to do this is by joining us in the Monarch Watch project. This is a community science program run across the country to track the monarch migration. Learn about monarchs before going out into the field to catch, tag, and release them. No experience required. Register at AuroraGov.org/OSNRvolunteers

• Aug. 23

• Wed., 10 a.m.-noon

• Free

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 and younger

Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, interactive activities and discovery time on the trails at Aurora Reservoir. Registration required.

Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m.

67076 June 2

60789 June 9

67077 June 16

67090 June 23

67078 June 30

67091 July 7

67079 July 14

67092 July 21

67080 July 28

67093 Aug. 4

67081 Aug. 11

67094 Aug.18

67082 Aug. 25

RIDING ROUND THE RESERVOIR: EVENING NATURE BIKE RIDE

Ages 8 and older

Discover wildlife, the warming air and a gorgeous sunset on this bike ride around beautiful Aurora Reservoir. Bring your own bike or borrow one of ours. Helmets are also available upon request.

67095 June 16

• Fri., 7:30-9 p.m.

67096 July 14

• Fri., 7:30-9 p.m.

67098 Aug. 18

• Fri., 7-8:30 p.m.

• $5/per person

Kayaking With A Naturalist

Ages 6 and older (Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult in a tandem kayak) There’s no better way to enjoy Aurora Reservoir’s aquatic ecosystems than by paddling through them. Clear your mind and get a workout as you join a City of Aurora Naturalist on a guided kayaking tour. We will point out birds, search for aquatic critters and spend time engaging our senses as we enjoy quiet moments on the water together.

• 67088 June 26

• 67101 July 24

• 67110 Aug. 7

• Mon., 10 a.m.-noon

• 67087 June 9

• 67097 July 7

• 67113 Aug. 25

• Fri., 5:30-7:30 p.m.

• $15/per person