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Wildflower Bonanza on Goshawk Ridge
Sunday April 27, 9 am – 1 pm
The Goshawk Ridge trail winds through one of the most beautiful and pristine parts of our Open Space. Its pine forests and lush, wet meadows are thick with wildflowers and a haven for wildlife. At this time of year, we may see more Pasque flowers than you ever imagined in one place! Explore this trail with naturalist Dave Sutherland. Due to sensitivity of the habitat, space is limited to 15. 4 miles, 700’ elevation gain. This hike is sponsored by the City of Boulder's Cool Boulder program and is free. Reserve spaces using this link:
Lafayette Birds! First Sunday Bird Watching
Sunday May 4, 1 - 3 pm
All, including beginning birders and families, are invited to experience the fun and discovery of bird watching at Waneka Lake and the Greenlee Wildlife Preserve in Lafayette on the first Sunday of each month. Join Naturalist Dave Sutherland and other experienced bird watchers, who will be on hand to lead small observing groups and assist in the fun of spotting and identifying birds in their natural habitats. These events are free for everyone and don’t require a reservation - just show up. Groups meet at “The Shack,” the little nature center on the west side of Waneka Lake. You can park at the main lot, then stroll around the trail to the west to arrive at the meeting point.
WMBD Celebration in Lakewood CO (Bear Creek Lake Park)
Saturday May 10, 10 am - 2 pm
I’ll be at in Lakewood to celebrate all things bird! WMBD is celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere on the second Saturday in May as birds return to their nesting sites for the summer. l’ll be at a table with Environment for the Americas, along with other Colorado organizations that work closely with bird conservation and education. There will be activities, crafts, and live birds! Stop by and learn about migratory birds here in Colorado and what you can do to protect them. More information here: https://www.lakewood.org/Government/Departments/Community-Resources/Parks-Forestry-and-Open-Space/Park-Programs-and-Events/Migratory-Bird-Day
WMBD Celebration in Superior CO (Purple Park)
Saturday May 17, 9 am - 1 pm
Join us in Superior for World Migratory Bird Day, hosted by the Open Space Advisory Committee! This year's theme is "Creating Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities." Enjoy interactive booths and activities, and learn how to advocate for bird-friendly practices and landscapes in our area. You can also join a bird walk with Naturalist Dave Sutherland and other bird nerds around Riverbend Pond to explore local bird species and their habitats. This event is free and will take place in Purple Park (1310 S. Pitkin Ave.) For more information, please visit https://www.superiorcolorado.gov/Community/Calendars/Events/2025-World-Migratory-Bird-Day
WMBD Celebration in Boulder CO (Walden Ponds)
Saturday May 17, Guided Bird Walk 7:30 am
Activities and Organization Tables 9 am - 1 pm
Join a fun-filled day celebrating the incredible journeys of migratory birds and learning how we can all make a difference for bird conservation. This year’s theme, "Shared Spaces: Building Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities," focuses on simple, actionable ways to protect birds—like sustainable urban planning, preventing collisions, reducing pollution, and conserving key habitats. There will be a special ceremony recognizing Boulder as an official Bird City by the Bird City Network; a live bird-of-prey showcase; guided bird walks (available in English and Spanish); bird identification games & hands-on activities for all ages. Educational stations will be hosted by amazing organizations like the Butterfly Pavilion, Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Boulder Audubon Society, Harlequin’s Gardens, and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. For more information, please visit https://environmentamericas.org/event/world-migratory-bird-day-in-boulder/
Native Gardens for Birds & Pollinators - GARDEN TOUR
Thursday May 22, 5:30 - 7:30 pm. REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 9 at 6 pm
You can support native insects – and thereby migratory birds – right at home by growing native plants. Naturalist and gardener Dave Sutherland will give you a tour of his 28-year old native xeriscape in central Boulder and share tips for creating backyard bird habitat so you can enjoy Boulder’s native ecosystem in your own yard. Be prepared to receive handouts, free native plant seeds, and a couple of transplants dug out of Dave’s garden. Dave will share 27 years of successes and failures – and some hilarious mistakes. You can grow these plants yourself and attract migratory birds and pollinating insects to your yard. Location provided when you register. This tour is sponsored by the City of Boulder's Cool Boulder program and is free. Sign up here: https://www.coolboulder.org/cool-boulder-partners-events
Wildflower Bonanza on Shanahan Ridge
Friday May 23, 9 am – 12 pm REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 9 at 6 pm
The Shanahan Ridge trails loop through one of the most beautiful parts of Open Space. The pine forests and lush, wet meadows are thick with wildflowers and a haven for wildlife. Join a flower treasure hunt with naturalist Dave Sutherland to seek out blue penstemons, lavender iris, yellow cinquefoils and orange wallflowers – plus butterfly sightings guaranteed at no extra charge! We may also meet some of the cattle grazing the property to control invasive plants and protect the flowers. We will meet at 1903 Leigh Street in Boulder; free parking is available along neighborhood streets. Limit: 15. Register from the Boulder Public Library event calendar ____. Registration opens on May 9. Sign up here: https://www.coolboulder.org/cool-boulder-partners-events
Wildflower Bonanza at Standley Lake
Saturday May 24, 9:30 am – 11 am REGISTRATION LINK WILL BE POSTED SOON
The Standley Lake trails loop through prairies thick with spring wildflower! Join a flower treasure hunt with naturalist Dave Sutherland to seek out blue flax, yellow violets, white sand lilies and scarlet globe mallows – plus butterfly sightings guaranteed at no extra charge! Bring binoculars too (or borrow some from us), since we may see some spring birds! Limit: 20. We’ll meet at Standley Lake in Westminster - precise location will be in the confirmation email.
Jungle Birds of Boulder
Sunday June 8, 7:30 – 10:30 am REGISTRATION OPENS MAY 26 AT 6 PM
Why fly to Belize or Costa Rica when their birds will come to us? Join naturalist Dave Sutherland for an easy hike into a local birding hot-spot to search for colorful migratory songbirds newly arrived from the steamy jungles of Latin America. Bring binoculars, cameras or a spotting scope if you have one, and books, (we will use Birds of Costa Rica as our guide book in the field. - no joke). Limit: 20 people. This hike is sponsored by the City of Boulder's Cool Boulder campaign and is free. Sign up here: https://www.coolboulder.org/cool-boulder-partners-events
Destination: Ice Age
Thursday June 19, 5 – 8 pm REGISTRATION OPENS JUNE 2 AT 6 PM
Twelve thousand years ago, mammoths lumbered through Boulder’s cool deciduous forests. As glaciers melted, the climate dried up and the ancient forests vanished . . . except for a few rare hidden pockets. Travel back with naturalist Dave Sutherland to a botanical time capsule, one of the last remnants of the Ice Age forest in Colorado, where natural marvels await. Due to sensitivity of the habitat, space is limited to 15. Meet at the parking lot at Realization Point on Flagstaff Road. This hike is sponsored by the City of Boulder's Cool Boulder campaign and is free. Sign up here: https://www.coolboulder.org/cool-boulder-partners-events