11 minute read
NATURE PROGRAMS
NATURE
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.
59491 Dec. 1 59493 Dec. 8 59495 Dec. 15 59497 Dec. 22 59499 Dec. 29 59501 Jan. 5 59503 Jan. 12 59505 Jan. 19 59507 Jan. 26 59509 Feb. 2 59511 Feb. 9 59513 Feb. 16 59516 Feb. 23
Thu., 11 a.m.-noon
59492 Dec. 1 59494 Dec. 8 59496 Dec. 15 59498 Dec. 22 59500 Dec. 29 59502 Jan. 5 59504 Jan. 12 59506 Jan. 19 59508 Jan. 26 59510 Feb. 2 59512 Feb. 9 59514 Feb. 16 59515 Feb. 23
WINTER BREAK NATURE CAMP
Ages 6-12 Spend winter break in the crisp fresh air! Practice building shelters, learn about hibernation, track wildlife and investigate the critters that call Star K Ranch home in the winter months. If weather permits, we will also try snowshoeing (snowshoes provided). Choose from one, two, three, or four fun-filled days! 59487 Dec. 27 59488 Dec. 28 59489 Dec. 29 59490 Dec. 30 • Wed., Thu., & Fri., 9 a.m.-noon • $12/per person/per day
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.
JUNIOR NATURALIST: BEING A NATURALIST Aurora’s Naturalists are on the frontlines of nature exploration and help all members of our community connect to Aurora’s natural places. Learn what it takes to be a naturalist and how a life-long love of learning can help impact not only ourselves but the people and world around us. 59466 Dec. 17 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/per person OBSERVATION: TRACKING Where, oh where can Aurora’s wildlife be? Find out through learning the naturalist skill of tracking. Figure out who is leaving the prints in the snow, identify signs of animal activity and learn about the adaptations that make these animals leave their mark. 59467 Jan. 14 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/per person OBSERVATION: ASTRONOMY 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. 59469 Feb. 18 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/per 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 a one-hour-long nature documentary, followed by discussion. Guest speakers, filmmakers and experts to join. “COUNTING BIRDS” DIRECTED BY P. VAUGH FROM COLLECTIVE EYE FILMS Calling all movie buffs! Join us for the fourth meeting of our Nature Film Club in partnership with the Aurora Public Library, featuring “Counting Birds” (directed by P. Vaugh from Collective Eye Films). Learn about the creation and history of the longestrunning animal census in the world, the Christmas Day Bird Count! Dive into the film’s topic, themes, cinematography and more. 59455 Dec. 11 | Sun., 2-4 p.m.
NATURE AT NIGHT: TWILIGHT NATURE WALK
All ages Join us for a walk at twilight as we look for wildlife and discover nature’s winter beauty as the sunsets. 59456 Dec. 9 | Fri., 4:30-5:30 p.m. • $2/per person
NATURE AT NIGHT: WINTER SOLSTICE STORYTIME
All ages As the weather grows colder and the snow begins to fall, a nice cup of hot cocoa and some roasted marshmallows over the fire sound appealing. Spice it up with a little winter solstice storytelling and you’ve got the perfect pour! Cozy up with a naturalist to learn about the true background behind the dawn of winter. 59457 Dec. 17 | Sat., 6-7:30 p.m. • $2/per person
NATURE AT NIGHT: WILDLIFE IN WINTER
Ages 6 & older Join us for stories, lore and hot cocoa as we learn about winter wildlife around the campfire. 59458 Jan. 20 | Fri., 5-6 p.m. • $2/per person
NATURE AT NIGHT: VALENTINE’S DAY NATURE HIKE
Ages 10 & older Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your favorite folks and a walk-in nature and discover what wildlife calls Star K Ranch home. 59459 Feb. 14 | Tue., 5-6 p.m. • $2/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: FORENSIC ENTOMOLOGY – A NATURE SCENE INVESTIGATION
Ages 10 & older Creepy crawlies can both gross us out and teach us many things. Bugs, insects and more can give us insight into how nature works and also help us figure out what might have happened at specific nature scenes. Join us to become a Nature Scene Investigator and learn how to make observations and see how Forensic Entomology works and is used by investigators around the world. 59460 Jan. 8 | Sun., 2-4 p.m. • $2/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: WILDLIFE UNSEEN
Ages 7 & younger Where have all the animals gone, and where are all the leaves? Allow a naturalist to be your hero of answers as we take you deep into the hidden lives of animals we don’t see all season long. 59461 Jan. 14 | Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. • $2/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: WHAT IN MARMOT-ATION?! COLORADO’S GROUND HOG COUSINS & WEATHER FORECASTING CRITTERS
Ages 6 & older Though Punxsutawney Phil might have already made his forecast out East, Colorado has its own furry ground-hog cousin, the western marmot. Join us as we learn about marmots and other Colorado grounddwelling rodents, and also hear tales of other weather forecasting critters. 59462 Feb. 5 | Sun., 1-2:30 p.m. • $2/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: CLAWS, THORNS AND VENOM, OH MY!
Ages 6 & older Spines and thorns. Claws and teeth. Poison and venom. In this interactive program, learn about the ingenious methods species have developed to defend themselves from predators, outsmart their competition and protect themselves from the elements. 59463 Feb. 11 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $2/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: THE MATING GAME
Ages 18 & older For adults only! Discover mating in the wild world through this fun, game show-style program. 59464 Feb. 17 | Fri., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $2/per person
ART IN NATURE: PAINTING COLD CONNECTIONS
Ages 13 & older Not sure how nature survives the harshness of Colorado winter? Snow sweat! Join a naturalist for an immersive art-based experience learning about the amazing adaptations within one of Aurora’s hidden gems through the art of painting. 59465 Feb. 18 | Sat., noon-2 p.m. • $5/per 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 and discovery time on the trails at Aurora Reservoir. Registration required. 59474 Dec. 2 59475 Dec. 16 59476 Dec. 30 59477 Jan. 13 59478 Jan. 27 59480 Feb. 10 59481 Feb. 24 • Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m.
SENAC SCIENTISTS
Ages 6-12 WINTER CRAFTS Take a walk on the winter side. See what the reservoir has to offer on a sleepy December day. Warm up by making crafts inspired by what we saw. 59473 Dec. 3 | Sat., 2-3:30 p.m. • $2/per person OLD ROCK DAY! It’s National Old Rock Day. Make your own fossil. Eat the different types of rocks and learn what makes a rock old. 59479 Jan. 7 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/per person SOMETIMES, NATURE SUCKS... What is a vacuum? Why are they important? Let’s find out why this phenomenon is so cool and create one of our own. 59484 Feb. 4 | Sat., 10:30 a.m.-noon • $2/per person
ART IN NATURE: SCULPTURE
Ages 6 & older Tap into your creativity and unwind by the water at Aurora Reservoir! Admire and learn about the winter beauty of nature while you create your own unique sculptures to take home and liven up your space. 59486 Dec. 11 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $5/per person
ART IN NATURE: MIXED MEDIA
Ages 6 & older Get inspired by the winter landscape and learn about the flora and fauna that call the reservoir home. Let your imagination run wild as you experiment, explore and get messy with different mediums! 59485 Jan. 8 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $5/per person
UNIQUE PROGRAMS: WINTER RAPTORS 101
Ages 10 & older Discover which birds of prey spend winters in Aurora and how to identify them through this interactive presentation, followed by a hike to look for raptors. 59483 Jan. 31 | Tue., 10-11:30 a.m. • $2/per person
CROCHET YOUR WAY TO NATURE: USING RECYCLED MATERIALS
Ages 8 & older Help reduce our footprint. Crochet with recycled materials. This class is for folks with previous crochet experience. We will be building our knowledge and learning to read simple patterns. The end goal is to make a simple tote or flowerpot/basket. 59482 Feb. 5, 12, & 19 | Sun., 1-3 p.m. • $15/per person for all three sessions
PLAINS CONSERVATION CENTER
To register for programs happening at the Plains Conservation Center, please go to: BotanicGardens.org/PlainsConservation-Center.
SPECIAL EVENT: SANTA WAGON RIDES
All ages Experience the wild of the prairie and listen to tales of long ago from the jolly man himself. Registration for this event is required and multiple time slots are available each day. Dec. 4 | Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10 | Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • $10/per person (no charge for children under 2)
NATIVE AMERICANS OF THE PLAINS
FULL MOON HIKES
Ages 8 & older COLD MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the December Cold Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. Dec. 7 | Sat., 4-5 p.m. • $5/per person WOLF MOON @ PCC Discover Aurora’s true nature under the light of the January Wolf Moon and learn a little about its history through this guided nature hike. Jan. 6 | Fri., 4:30-5:30 p.m. • $5/per 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. Feb. 5 | Sun., 5:30-6:30 p.m. • $5/per person
SCFD FREE DAY
All ages Join us for wagon rides on the prairie to see resident wildlife, tours of the 1890’s homestead village and presentations by HawkQuest with live eagles, owls, falcons and more during our SCFD free days. Dec. 15 | Thu., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Hawkquest presentation starts at 11 a.m. Ages 6 & older Discover what daily life was like for native peoples living on the great plains. Dec. 17 | Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. • $5/per person Feb. 25 | Sat., 1-2:30 p.m. • $5/per person
WINTER SOLSTICE WALK
Ages 5 & older Celebrate the winter solstice with a walk on the prairie and discover the beauty of the prairie during the darkest time of year. Dec. 19 | Fri., 4:30-5:30 p.m. • $5/per person
PRAIRIE BIRDING SAFARI RIDE
Ages 8 & older From western meadowlarks to bald eagles, a morning birding adventure never disappoints. Join us as we search for avian species big and small on a leisurely safari ride across the prairie at the Plains Conservation Center. Jan. 7 | Sat., 10-11:30 a.m. • $5/per person
LIVING MORE SUSTAINABLY
Ages 10 & older Living sustainably can often be challenging in the hustle of day-to-day life but striking a balance between living your life and conserving natural resources can be done. Come learn some tips, tricks and practices to help you get started in the new year! Jan. 21 | Sat., 1-3 p.m. • $5/per person
NATURE CENTERS
Morrison Nature Center
Plains Conservation Center
21901 E. Hampden Ave. 303.326.8380 Gate Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Visitor Center Mon.-Fri., noon-4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Senac Creek Nature Center
OPEN SPACE
MORNING BIRD WALK
Ages 8 & older Join us to observe what birds are out and about this winter. Beginner bird watchers welcome! 59470 Dec. 10 | Sat., 8-10 a.m. • Ponderosa Preserve 59471 Jan. 14 | Sat., 8-10 a.m. • Jewell Wetlands 59472 Feb. 11 | Sat., 8-10 a.m. • Coal Creek Arena
HABITAT CLEAN UP DAY
Ages 5 & older Give back to nature by participating in one of our Habitat Clean Up Days! Removing trash from open spaces and waterways is essential for healthy communities, water and environments. Jan. 14 | Sat., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. • West Toll Gate Creek between Hampden Ave. and Quincy Ave. starting at Hampden Run Park • Registration is on AuroraGov.org/OSNRVolunteers
