8 minute read
NATURE
Please register for programs directly on the website, AuroraGov.Org/Nature. To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please go to: BotanicGardens.org/Plains-Conservation-Center
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. 40162 July 1 • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. 40163 July 1 • Thu., 11 a.m.-noon 40164 July 8 • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. 40165 July 8 • Thu., 11 a.m.-noon 40168 July 15 • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. 40169 July 15 • Thu., 11 a.m.-noon 40171 July 22 • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. 40172 July 22 • Thu., 11 a.m.-noon 40173 July 29 • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. 40174 July 29 • Thu., 11 a.m.-noon
INSECTS OF AURORA – COLLECTING & CREATING A COLLECTION
All Ages Whether they are flying, crawling or burrowing, insects add to the ambiance of any summer experience in the outdoors and are essential components of our wild habitats. Join us this summer at Star K Ranch as we search for, collect, identify, preserve and create a permanent insect collection. 40175 July 3 • Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2 per person
MORNING BIRD WALK
Ages 8 & older Join us to observe what birds are out and about in the wetland and cottonwood forests of Star K Ranch. 40179 July 10 • Sat., 8-10 a.m.
ART IN NATURE: SKETCHING
Ages 12 & older Lines of leaves, colors of wings and textures of the landscape. Join a city of Aurora naturalist for an artistic exploration of nature as we observe, learn and sketch about wetland ecosystems on a guided hike. Materials and tools provided. Participants can take their sketches home. 40180 July 10 • Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $5 per person
NATURE
NATURE AT NIGHT: BATS AT BEDTIME
Ages 2 & older Join us for an evening devoted to the fiction, folklore and facts about our common yet misunderstood bat neighbors. Discover which bats live in Aurora and how they make our lives better. Walk the trails after dark and use echolocation technology to identify which bats are flying through the night sky. 40181 July 16 • Fri., 8:45-9:45 p.m. • $2 per person
JUNIOR NATURALISTS
Ages 6-8 Join us for a fun educational experience in the outdoors as we learn all about the natural environments found in Aurora. THIRSTY PLANTS Did you know that you can only find cattails near water? Or that you can make flour out of cattails? Join us to discover the fascinating world of wetland plants. 40183 July 17 • Sat., 9-11 a.m. • $2 per person
TWILIGHT NATURE WALK
All Ages Experience the magical time in nature after sunset and before complete darkness as we look and listen for wildlife along the trail at Star K Ranch. 40211 July 18 • Sun., 8:30-9:30 p.m. • $2 per person, no charge for children under 2 years old
NATURE AT NIGHT: SUMMER EVENING NATURE WALK
Ages 2 & older Enjoy the sounds, sights and smells during a summer evening nature walk at Star K Ranch. 40217 July 22 • Thu., 8:30-9:30 p.m. • $2 per person, no charge for children under 2 years old
BOOKWORMS: A BOOKCLUB FOR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS
Ages 16 & older Edge of the Map: The Mountain Life of Christine Boskoff Calling all bookworms! Grab a copy of this month’s book club selection (Edge of the Map: The Mountain Life of Christine Boskoff) and join us as we dive into the book’s topic, themes, characters and more. We’ll discuss together and enjoy some time on the nearby nature trails.
IN-PERSON BOOK CLUB @ STAR K RANCH
40218 July 24 • Sat., 3-4:30 p.m.
NATURE
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. 40220 July 2 40221 July 16 40222 July 30 • Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
NATURE AT NIGHT: EVENING WILDLIFE WALK
Ages 2 & older Enjoy the warm nights of summer as we walk the trails at Aurora Reservoir looking and listening for our local wildlife species. 40223 July 8 • Thu., 8-9:30 p.m. • $2 per person, no charge for children under 2 years old
SUNRISE KAYAK ADVENTURE
Ages 12 & older Join us as we look for wildlife & watch the sun rise from a kayak on beautiful Aurora Reservoir. Kayaks, paddles and life jackets provided. 40224 July 17 • Sat., 6-8 a.m. • $5 per person
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: PEST OR PAL: BEAVERS
Ages 9-15 What did the beaver say to the tree? It’s been nice gnawing you. Come get to gnaw- sorry, know the positives of beavers. 40226 July 24 • Sat., 9:30-11 a.m.
SUNSET KAYAK ADVENTURE
Ages 12 & older Join us as we look for wildlife and watch the sun set from a kayak on beautiful Aurora Reservoir. Kayaks, paddles and life jackets provided. 40225 July 30 • Fri., 6:30-8:30 p.m. • $5 per person
NATURE
PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER
To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please visit: BotanicGardens.org/Plains-ConservationCenter
FARM ANIMALS OF THE PRAIRIE
All ages Take a journey back through time and explore the essential role of farm animals to early pioneers on the prairie. Through four different classes, we’ll discover the animals and how they mattered to pioneer families as well as the wildlife they had to contend with in days of old. These unique programs include the class content, a wagon ride to the sod village and an opportunity to feed and interact with live farm animals. $10 per person per class, no charge for children under 2 years old. Join us once or multiple times.
FARM ANIMAL 101 Come meet the PCC farm animals, learn about their breed, history and uses while feeding and learning to care for them. 40393 July 2 • Fri., 5-6:30 p.m. 40395 July 28 • Wed., 5-6:30 p.m. 40396 July 30 • Sun., 9-10:30 a.m. • $10 per person per program WORK AND PLAY ON THE PRAIRIE What was life like as a pioneer on the prairie? Dress up in costume (optional) while doing chores, including feeding the farm animals and playing games. 40397 July 7 • Wed., 5-6:30 p.m. 40398 July 9 • Fri., 5-6:30 p.m. 40399 July 11 • Sun., 9-10:30 a.m. • $10 per person per program
SURVIVOR: PRAIRIE PIONEERS EDITION What did it take to survive as a pioneer on the prairie, and how did farm animals play into that? Learn about water access and conservation, reliance on the land, sustainable farming techniques and more. Recommended for young adults and adults. 40407 July 14 • Wed., 5-6:30 p.m. 40408 July 16 • Fri., 5-6:30 p.m. 40409 July 18 • Sun., 9-10:30 a.m. • $10 per person per program
WELL-ADAPTED WILDLIFE VS. DURABLE DOMESTIC ANIMALS: WHO IS BETTER SUITED FOR LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE? How did livestock compare to wildlife and how did pioneers deal with both? Learn what made domestic animals suited for life on the plains and how they compared with local wildlife. 40410 July 21 • Wed., 5-6:30 p.m. 40412 July 23 • Fri., 5-6:30 p.m. 40413 July 25 • Sun., 9-10:30 a.m. • $10 per person per program
NATURE
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. THIRSTY PLANTS Did you know that people have been using plants as food and medicine for years? Or that on the dry prairie, the presence of water welcomes different plants? Learn about prairie plants and their human and wild uses. 40185 July 11 • Sun., 9-11 a.m. • $8 per person
NATURE AT NIGHT
Ages 5 & older STORIES BY THE FIRE: STORIES OF SUMMER RITUALS Become captivated by stories of nature and summertime rituals of people around the world as we roast marshmallows around the campfire. 40187 July 11 • Sun., 8:30-9:30 p.m. • $5 per person
SUNDAY MORNING STROLL
All Ages Immerse yourself in the subtle beauty and intriguing history of the high plains shortgrass prairie during this guided nature hike. 40188 July 25 • Sun., 8-9:30 a.m. • $5 per person, no charge for children under 2 years old
FULL MOON HIKE
Ages 8 & older BUCK MOON AT PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the full moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. 39809 July 23 • Fri., 7:30-9 p.m. • $5 per person
BUTTERFLY WALK
Ages 8 & older Join us as we discover local butterflies. Learn how to identify common butterfly species found in Aurora and the plants they rely on. Bring your camera, binoculars, and your enthusiasm for butterflies! 40414 July 23 • Fri., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $5 per person
NATURE
LARPING ADVENTURE
Ages 8-12 LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAY (LARP): COWBOY LARP FOR TWEENS The Rodent Gang have discovered the sheriffs plans to move the plant-made goods out on the next stage. The Sheriff of PCC has asked for a posse to hunt down the notorious gang. Armed with tools fashioned from the town’s natural resources, the deputies must put a stop to the Rodent Gang before they steal the town’s export. Join us for a cowboy adventure to learn about the flora and fauna of Plains Conservation Center and how it applies to us today. Costumes are encouraged! 40459 July 18 • Sun., 9-11 a.m. • $5 per person
NATURE CENTERS
Morrison Nature Center
Plains Conservation Center
21901 E. Hampden Ave. 303.326.8380 Mon.-Thur., 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fri., 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. Sun., 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Senac Creek Nature Center
OPEN SPACE PROGRAMS
Time slots are available on a limited, firstcome, first-served basis. Programs are free unless otherwise specified.
NATURE HISTORY SERIES: BISON OF THE GREAT PLAINS
Ages 18 & older Take a hike and learn about the natural history of the bison and where they are today. 39807 July 8 • Thu., 8-9:30 a.m. • Pronghorn Natural Area • $2 per person
BUTTERFLY WALK
Ages 8 & older Join us as we discover local butterflies. Learn how to identify common butterfly species found in Aurora and the plants they rely on. Bring your camera, binoculars and your enthusiasm for butterflies! 40186 July 16 • Fri., 10:30 a.m.-noon • Pronghorn Natural Area • $2 per person
