Natural Selections

Nature Hikes and Programs

Natural Selections is our ongoing series of educational programs on topics including ecology, wildlife, local history, night hikes, children’s programs, plus many more. All programs are free and open to the public. Please do not bring dogs.

Do you want Natural Selections sent to you by e-mail? Join our mailing list! Follow this link to subscribe. In the drop-down menu, choose "Natural Selections." You will automatically receive notice whenever a new nature hike schedule comes out.

Teachers, scout troops and community groups can obtain free individual programs from Open Space and Mountain Parks naturalists. Follow this link to learn more.

Do you have questions about the plants, animals, rocks, or history of Open Space & Mountain Parks?   Ask Coyote Bob!

Dog Poop - The Music Video featuring Jeff Kagan - Hilarious! (streaming video, 3 minutes)

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OSMP regrets that it has had to cancel its popular Dehaunting Wild Things and Holiday Tree Cutting programs for 2009. More Information.

November

Dancing with Jupiter’s Moons
Thu Nov 12    6:00 –  9:30 pm 
What’s that huge cream-colored “star” in the southern sky? It’s Giant Jovian Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system! Jupiter’s four large moons perform a graceful ballet with the planet, constantly changing their alignment and interacting with each other. Join Naturalist Dave Sutherland and a telescope to watch the dance, then marvel at more distant starry splendors. Meet at Boulder Valley Ranch - Sage Trailhead (follow this link for a map). Tonight’s Show: About 6:30 pm, Io “pops out” of its eclipse in Jupiter’s shadow, then passes behind Europa and vanishes for several minutes. Europa gradually closes in on Jupiter's disk, and appears to vanish at 9:15 as it begins to cross in front of the planet.

 

Dancing with Jupiter’s Moons - Take 2!
Fri Nov 13    6:30 –  9:00 pm 
Join Naturalist Dave Sutherland and a telescope to watch Jupiter's moons, then marvel at more distant starry splendors. Meet at Boulder Valley Ranch - Sage Trailhead (follow this link for a map). Tonight’s Show: Ganymede's shadow crosses Jupiter until 7:30 pm. Then Ganymede chases Io for several hours, finally overtaking and passing in front of it around 11 pm (but we may not stay out that late). We may also see Jupiter's famous Red Spot!

 

Bald Eagles in Your Backyard
Mon Nov 16           6 - 7 pm
Did you know that there are bald eagles living in your neighborhood? Join Ranger Erin O'Leary at Heatherwood Elementary for an entertaining slide program to learn all about these amazing raptors. You'll see how bald eagles live, raise their young, and how you can help protect them. Meet in the Heatherwood Elementary Cafeteria (from 75th Street, turn east on Heatherwood Drive, north on Ashfield Drive, and east on Concord Drive). Bring the whole family!

 

Nature for Kids & Parents
Sun Nov 29 1-3 pm
If you are very still, patiently looking in all directions-above, below and at eye level-chances are you will see an assortment of wildlife. If you look and listen carefully, you will see evidence of wildlife in their home where they find shelter, water, food, and raise their young! Listen to nature with Early Childhood Educator, Debora Martin/Volunteer Naturalist. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for an easy hike on Bluebell-Baird-Mesa trail. Ages 6 and up.

 

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December

Nature for Kids & Parents
Sun Dec 27            1-3 pm
Explore the lives of the "copers," the animals that stay here and cope with winter. How do they find food, where do they live?  Take a walk into the wild and learn some fun activities with Early Childhood Educator, Debora Martin/Volunteer Naturalist.  Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for an easy hike on McClintock-Enchanted Mesa Trail. Ages 6 and up.

 

                            

 

                                                                                 

 

 

 

                                                                                  

Sawhill Ponds Boulder Valley Ranch - Sage Trailhead Chautauqua Ranger Cottage South Boulder Creek West Bobolink Doudy Draw Gregory Canyon Marshall Mesa Realization Point NCAR  South Mesa Trailhead Wonderland Lake arts

Last Updated on Thursday, 05 November 2009 08:28