El Paso County’s Fountain Creek Nature Center and Bear Creek Nature Center announce the events and activities for March 2019 which includes: birds, kites, reptiles, beetles, gardening, photography, and volunteers training
Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
719-520-6745, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com
Building for the Birds
Saturday, March 2, 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Build a nesting box for common backyard birds, learn who they are and their nesting habits. An adult able to handle nails, hammers, etc. must accompany children. Materials provided. $10 per box per member, $12 per box per nonmember. Prepaid reservations required. Limit 24 people.
Nature Adventures – Let’s Go Fly a Kite!
Thursday, March 7, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on activities, and discovery time on the trail. $3 per person including siblings and adults.
Homeschool Fridays—Walk the Wetlands
Friday, March 8, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Use your senses to explore the wetland and learn about the animals that live here. Enjoy a puppet show, animal inquiry activity, and guided hike. Geared towards grades K-2. $4 per person, 15 participants minimum; participants can join with other homeschool groups. Prepayment required.
Reptiles and Amphibians Up-close & Personal
Saturday, March 9, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Join Pikes Peak Community College Zoo Keeping students for an up-close and personal visit with live reptiles and amphibians. Sponsored by PPCC’s “The Wild Things Out There” volunteers. $2 per member, $3 per nonmember.
Twos & Threes Outdoors-Animals That Lay Eggs
Thursday, March 14, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Explore nature with your 2 or 3 year old through interactive activities, a story, and a short hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults.
“A Garden Experience” Film
Saturday, March 16, 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Watch the gardeners, hear their stories. Local filmmakers crafted this short film about the Community Garden run by the Bear Creek Garden Association. Learn gardening tips and build community. Barbra Gibb of Pikes Peak Urban Gardens will share information about the new Duckwood Community Garden in Fountain Creek Regional Park. Free.
Volunteer Field Trip Leader Training
Thursday & Friday, March 21, 22, 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Train to become a field trip leader at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Learn techniques and programs for connecting students to the wetlands and surrounding ecosystems. Application and interview process and commitment to lead field trips is required. Contact Paula at 719-520-6387 or befcvolunteers@gmail.com.
Storytime at Fountain Creek
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m.
Join a naturalist to hear special wildlife stories and then enjoy the trails on your own. Geared towards a pre-school audience. Free.
Summer Nature Camps open for registration
www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com or 719-520-6745.
Contact nancybernard@elpasoco.com for more info.
Bear Creek Nature Center
245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
719-520-6387, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com
Film: “A Garden Experience”
Saturday, March 2, 2:00 p.m.
Watch the gardeners, hear their stories. Local filmmakers Nancy Bentley and John Atkinson crafted this short film about the Charmaine Nymann Community Garden, run by the Bear Creek Garden Association in Bear Creek Park. Gardeners describe how they build relationships, learn, and grow vegetables to share with the community. Conversation with gardeners after the film. Light refreshments. FREE. Please RSVP.
Go for the Gold Kids’ Morning at Bear Creek!
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Drop your kids (ages 6-11) off for the morning at Bear Creek where they will hunt for “gold” and nature’s treasures, play traditional Irish games and make a craft. Lunch included. $15 per member child/ $20 per nonmember child.
Volunteer Field Trip Leader Training
Tuesday & Wednesday, March 19 & 20, 8:30 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Train to become an Environmental Education leader for school field trip programs at Bear Creek Nature Center. After application and interview, learn our techniques and programs for connecting students to the foothills and surrounding ecosystems. Contact Paula at 520-6387 or bcfcvolunteers@gmail.com
Aiken Audubon Monthly Program: Colorful Colorado…Beetles
Wednesday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. Social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
Beetles program by Eric Eaton, natural history writer and illustrator, principal author of the Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Free and open to the public.
Full Moon Photography Hike & Workshop at Bear Creek
Wednesday, March 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Join Mike Pach for a guided photo shoot to capture the full moon rising over the city. Bring your camera, tripod, telephoto and wide-angle lenses. $20 per person, limited space. Prepaid registration required.
Nature Explorers: Hoppers, Waddles & Walkers, Oh My!
Thursday, March 21, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Children, ages 4-5 with an adults, will enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows or stories, crafts, and a hike. Accompanying siblings under 2 free.
Sustainability Series: Organic Vegetable Gardening for Success
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Taught by experienced gardeners from Bear Creek Garden Association. Topics: starting vegetable plants indoors; best vegetable varieties; organic pest control and fertilizers; square foot gardening. For information about the community garden in Bear Creek Park, see: www.bearcreekgardens.org. $3 per member, $4 per nonmember.
Little Wonders: Who Hoots?
Thursday, March 28, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Discover the world of nature with your 2 or 3 year-old. Interactive activities and a short hike make this the perfect introduction to the outdoors for your child. $3 per person, including siblings & adults.
Discover Bear Creek on Horseback
Saturday, March 30, 10:00 a.m.-Noon. Alt. weather date April 6.
For equestrians with their own horses. Join Nancy Bernard on a ride through Bear Creek Park. Meet at Penrose Equestrian Center, Hampel Horse Boarding area for a leisurely ride to learn about local history through the natural landscape. Limit 10 horses and riders. For more information, call Nancy Bernard at 520-6765. $10/ person; prepaid reservations required by March 28. Adult riders only.
Junior Naturalist Day!
Saturday, March 30, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
We’re celebrating our new Junior Naturalist program with a day of exploration! Join us for guided hikes, touch tables and educational exhibits. Junior naturalist field journals are $2 and come with a badge when you complete the requirements! Recommended for children ages 7-12 and their families. Free to attend. Guided hikes offered every hour, limited number of spots available.
