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NATURE PROGRAMS
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.
Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
45620 Jan. 6 45627 Jan. 13 45630 Jan. 20 45632 Jan. 27 45634 Feb. 3 45638 Feb. 10 45640 Feb. 17 45653 Feb. 24
Thu., 11 a.m.-noon
45624 Jan. 6 45629 Jan. 13 45631 Jan. 20 45633 Jan. 27 45635 Feb. 3 45639 Feb. 10 45641 Feb. 17 45645 Feb. 24
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 trails at Star K Ranch. 45649 Jan. 7 | Fri., 4:45-5:45 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old.
MORNING BIRD WALK
Ages 8 & older From blue jays to bald eagles, a morning bird walk never disappoints. Join us as we explore the trees, grasses and creekside trails of Star K Ranch in search of avian species big and small. 45678 Jan. 8 | Sat., 8-10 a.m.
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.
WINTER WILDLIFE Winter may bring cold weather, but local wildlife knows how to stay warm. Join us as we make snow, experiment with blubber and explore how animals stay alive during our coldest months. 45652 Jan. 15 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person DESTINATION: SPACE This Junior Naturalist program is taking off to the dark skies of the galaxy as we explore gravity, stars, planets and the impact of space on the natural world here on Earth. 45656 Feb. 19 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/person
Ages 6 & up Aurora is home to some cool wildlife! Just how cool are they? Enjoy the afternoon learning how wildlife prepares for winter, investigate their pelts and skulls and hear amazing stories about their unique behaviors and adaptations. 45661 Jan. 22 | Sat., 1-2 p.m. • $2/person
NATURE PROGRAMS
ART IN NATURE: DORMANCY AND HIBERNATION
Ages 8 & 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, sketch and learn about hibernation and dormancy on a guided hike. 45665 Jan. 29 | Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old.
NATURALIST NATURE WALKS & PROGRAMS: THE SUPERPOWERS OF OWLS
Ages 6 & older With their precision hearing, night vision, silent flight and sharp talons, owls are outfitted with some remarkable superpowers. Join us as we take flight and learn about the owls that call Aurora home. 45666 Feb. 5 | Sat., 1-2:30 p.m. • $2/person
Ages 6 & up Animals don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day, but some go to great lengths to impress one another. Join a city naturalist and learn about the courtship rituals of Aurora’s wildlife! You’ll also get to take home some nature inspired jewelry and trinkets to gift to a loved one or friend! 45667 Feb. 12 | Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. • $2/person
NATURE AT NIGHT: EVENING WILDLIFE WALK
All Ages There are unique wildlife species to be found after the sun goes down. Join us as we walk the trails at Star K Ranch in search of crepuscular and nocturnal creatures. 45669 Feb. 25 | Fri., 5:45-7 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old.
Ages 8 & older Have you ever seen a mushroom pop up in your garden overnight and wondered where it came from? Learn about the interconnected underground web they are a part of and some of the unique mushrooms we have in Colorado and around the world. 45670 Feb. 26 | Sat., 1-2:30 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. 45671 Jan. 14 45672 Jan. 28 45673 Feb. 11 45674 Feb. 25 • Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
NATURE PROGRAMS
SENAC SCIENTISTS
Ages 6-12 BLACK BEAR PLUNGE Which bears call Colorado home and how do they survive the cold temperatures of winter? From bear dens to bear diets, we’ll discover just how amazing bears are. 45675 Jan. 8 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/person WESTERN MONARCH DAY Celebrate Western Monarch Day with a City of Aurora Naturalist. We will explore what makes Monarch butterflies so special – metamorphosis, migration, poison, patterns, mimics and more! 45676 Feb. 5 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/person
FULL MOON HIKE
Ages 8 & older WOLF MOON Give a hearty howl in celebration of a new year and a new lunar wonder during this guided moonlit hike! The first full moon of 2022. 45677 Jan. 17 | Mon., 5-6 p.m. • $2/person
MORNING BIRD WALK
Ages 8 & older Join us to observe what birds are out and about this winter. Beginner bird watchers welcome! 45681 Feb. 12 | Sat., 8-10 a.m.
NATURE AT NIGHT: GREAT HORNED OWLS
All ages With big tufts atop its head, large yellow eyes and perpetual scowl, the great horned owl is a master of the night and an Aurora resident. February is a good time to spot these owls in the wild – join a naturalist as we walk the trails in search of these silent flyers. 45682 Feb. 18 | Fri., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $2/person, no charge for children under 2 years old.
PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER
To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please visit: BotanicGardens.org/Plains-ConservationCenter or call 720.865.3500.
STORIES AROUND THE FIRE: TALES OF WINTER
Become enthralled by winter tales of survival, history and beauty, past and present, on the high plains of Aurora while enjoying hot cocoa and toasting marshmallows. Jan. 21 | Fri., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $5/person
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.
WINTER WILDLIFE Winter may bring cold weather, but local wildlife knows how to stay warm. Join us as we make snow, experiment with blubber and explore how animals stay alive during our coldest months. Jan. 16 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $8/person DESTINATION: SPACE This Junior Naturalist program is taking off to the dark skies of the galaxy as we explore gravity, stars, planets and the impact of space on the natural world here on Earth. Feb. 20 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $8/person
NATURE PROGRAMS
FULL MOON HIKE
Ages 8 & older WOLF MOON @ PCC Give a hearty howl in celebration of a new year and a new lunar wonder during this guided moonlit hike! The first full moon of 2022. Jan. 17 | Mon., 5-6 p.m. • $5/person SNOW MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the February Snow Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. This full moon has other nicknames that are equally dark and icy – Storm Moon and Hunger Moon. Feb. 16 | Wed., 5:30-6:30 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.
