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Free community Nature Hikes

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Creating Shared Spaces: Backyard Gardens for Birds & Pollinators
Tuesday February 18, 6:30 - 7:30 pm
For 2025, the annual theme for World Migratory Bird Day is “Creating Shared Spaces.” Do you want to do your part to provide habitat for pollinators, baby birds and other critters of all sorts? Do you want to attract wildlife to your backyard? Join veteran naturalist and avid wildlife gardener Dave Sutherland for a slide program about his decades of experience (and making every mistake in the book) in order to maximize your garden’s beauty and benefits to the larger ecosystem. Bonus: get some free native plant seeds collected in Dave’s garden! This free program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and the Lafayette Public Library. Meet at the Lafayette Public Library auditorium. More information: https://lafayettepubliclibrary.libcal.com/calendar/main

The Hawk Walk. PROGRAM FULL
Saturday February 22, 9 -11:30 am
Join naturalist Dave Sutherland to watch majestic winter  migratory birds of prey wheel and hunt over the prairie as we hike near Boulder Reservoir. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes, guidebooks, and any level of experience. Meet at the aptly-named Eagle Trailhead (map search Eagle Trailhead Boulder 80302) just west of Boulder Reservoir, north of Jay Road. Be prepared for cold windy conditions and amazing sights. Please bring strap-on traction for footwear (e.g. micro-spikes or yak-tracks) since the trail may be very slick and icy.  This program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and is free and open to everyone. Birdwatchers of all levels are welcome, but beginners are cherished.  Limit: 15 participants.  Sign up from the Environment for the Americas web calendar here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/ 

Winter Stars & Planets: Telescope Program 

Friday February 21, 7:15 - 9:30 pm OR….

Saturday February 22, 7:15 - 9:30 pm OR….

Sunday February 23, 7:15 - 9:30 pm

NOTE: The program will be offered JUST ONCE on the night with the best weather forecast. Registered participants will get email updates about the night selected. 

Join Naturalist Dave Sutherland for a free trip through the Solar System and beyond. We’ll visit giant Jupiter and its moons, then move on to Mars and Uranus, and finally into the distant reaches of our galaxy where stars are dying and being born….and then millions of light years beyond our own galaxy to see other distant cities of stars. Jaw-dropping views of the Orion Nebula guaranteed. Meet at the Joder Ranch Trailhead, 3 miles north of Boulder. It may be chilly, so definitely dress for the cold. 

Creating Shared Spaces: Backyard Gardens for Birds & Pollinators
Tuesday March 4, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
For 2025, the annual theme for World Migratory Bird Day is “Creating Shared Spaces.” Do you want to do your part to provide habitat for pollinators, baby birds and other critters of all sorts? Do you want to attract wildlife to your backyard? Join veteran naturalist and avid wildlife gardener Dave Sutherland for a slide program about his decades of experience (and making every mistake in the book) in order to maximize your garden’s beauty and benefits to the larger ecosystem. Bonus: get some free native plant seeds collected in Dave’s garden! This free program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and the North BoulderPublic Library. Meet at North Boulder Public Library’s second floor community room. More Info: https://calendar.boulderlibrary.org/event/13658840

The Duck Walk: Waterfowl Watching          
Sunday March 9, 7:30 - 10:30 am (remember Daylight Savings Time!)
If you loved the Hawk walk, just wait for the Duck Walk! When spring springs, thousands of water birds leave their southern homes for the breeding grounds of the north. Many stop over at Walden Ponds. Join naturalist Dave Sutherland for this early morning hike to spy on migrating ducks, geese and shore birds. Meet at Walden Ponds, north of Valmont on 75th St.  (Please don't go to the adjacent Sawhill Ponds!)  Bring gloves, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Birdwatchers of all abilities welcomed, but beginners are cherished. This program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and is free and open to everyone. Limit: 15.  Sign up here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/  

Hooded Merganser in flight - photo by Jack Sasson

Creating Shared Spaces: Backyard Gardens for Birds & Pollinators
Monday March 10, 6 - 7 pm
For 2025, the annual theme for World Migratory Bird Day is “Creating Shared Spaces.” Do you want to do your part to provide habitat for pollinators, baby birds and other critters of all sorts? What does it mean to create truly shared spaces for humans and nature? Join veteran naturalist and avid wildlife gardener Dave Sutherland for a slide program about his decades of experience (and making every mistake in the book) in order to maximize your garden’s beauty and benefits to the larger ecosystem. Bonus: get some free native plant seeds collected in Dave’s garden! This free program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and Friends Farm. Meet at Sister Carmen Community Center, 655 Aspen Ridge Dr in Lafayette. This event has a $10 suggested donation to support Friends Farm future programming but everyone is invited to come regardless of ability to pay!

The Duck Walk: Waterfowl Watching          
Saturday March 22, 7:30 - 10:30 am
If you loved the Hawk walk, just wait for the Duck Walk! When spring springs, thousands of water birds leave their southern homes for the breeding grounds of the north. Many stop over at Walden Ponds. Join naturalist Dave Sutherland for this early morning hike to spy on migrating ducks, geese and shore birds. Meet at Pella Crossing Open Space (In Hygiene, between Lyons and Longmont - directions provided)  Bring gloves, binoculars and a spotting scope if you have one. Birdwatchers of all abilities welcomed, but beginners are cherished. This program is sponsored by Environment for the Americas and is free and open to everyone. Limit: 15.  Sign up here: https://environmentamericas.org/events/  

Birdwatching for Beginners
Sunday March 30, 10 am - noon
Many would-be birders are intimidated by identical little gray birds with similar names. Learn some easy tricks to tell them apart and also tips for picking the best binoculars and bird books. Meet at the Coalton Trailhead for an easy hike along Superior’s Greenway.  Birders of all abilities welcome, but it’s primarily aimed at beginners. Bring binoculars and bird guides if you have them. Be prepared for possibly cold windy conditions and amazing sights. Sign up from the Superior Open Space web calendar here: https://secure.rec1.com/CO/superior-co/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTMzNTIyMTQ