FCNC Programs

El Paso County’s Fountain Creek Nature Center and Bear Creek Nature Center announce the events and activities for April 2018 which includes: The Great American Clean Up, Girl Scout Day, flowers, birds and rabbits.

Fountain Creek Nature Center

320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817

719-520-6745, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com

Nature Adventures: Rascally Rabbits

April 5, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Children, ages 3-6 with an adult, will enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows or stories, crafts, and a hike. $3 per person including adults & siblings. Prepaid reservations required 719-520-6745, limit 24 participants.

Owling and Hawking with Fountain’s Bird Whisperer

April 7, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

Prowl the Nature Trail and Regional Trails with Doug Harling, Fountain’s Bird Whisperer, to hunt for nests, learn respectful do’s & don’ts of viewing ethics, and a few photography tips for capturing the beautiful raptors of Fountain Creek Regional Park on film. For ages 12-adult. Reservations required. Limit 24 people. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember.

2’s & 3’s Outdoors: Hooray for Hatchlings

April 12, 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

Share the joy of your 2 or 3 year-old child’s discovery as he or she enjoys a story and an exploration hike outdoors. $3 per person including adults & siblings. Prepaid reservations required 719-520-6745. Limit 24 participants.

Tackle the Teasel

April 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Learn about native and invasive plant species while helping to restore the wetlands to their native condition! Remove invasive plants that “steal” water from native plants and help with other projects too. Tools provided, bring work gloves. Limit of 40 people. Free!

S’mores Quest

April 20, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Solve puzzles and complete challenges around the nature trail to earn s’mores supplies. Then enjoy gourmet s’mores around a campfire. Pre-registration and pre-payment required. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember.

Great American Clean-up

April 21, 9:00 a.m.

Join the community in this effort to complete cleanup projects at parks, trails, creeks, and roadways. To volunteer, please visit www.gacppp.com. All ages welcome!

Girl Scout Day

April 28, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadets register for fun, hands-on sessions to meet badge requirements for the following badges:

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Daisies – Buddy Camper

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. – Brownies – Cabin Camper

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Brownies – Outdoor Adventurer

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Juniors – Eco Camper

1:00 – 3:00 p.m. – Cadets – Outdoor Survival

Daisies $4, Brownies, Juniors & Cadets $5 per badge activity. Limit of 30 per session. Prepaid reservations required.

Volunteers Needed

Fountain Creek and Bear Creek Nature Centers are taking applications for volunteers. Volunteers support El Paso County Parks by serving as information receptionists at nature centers, leading interpretive programs, participating in special events, conducting community outreach programs, and engaging in special projects. Active members must complete interpretive volunteer training and contribute a minimum of 40 hours of volunteer service annually. Learn more about volunteer opportunities by contacting Paula Megorden, volunteer consultant, at 719-520-6387 or bcfcvolunteers@gmail.com.

Bear Creek Nature Center

245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

719-520-6387, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com

Kid’s Night Out: Campfire Burritos and Astronomy Hike

Friday, April 6, 5:00-8:30 p.m.

Drop your kids off for an evening of campfire cooking and space exploration. Grades 1-6. Prepaid reservations required. $10 per member child, $15 per nonmember child.

Tree Dynamics

Saturday, April 14, 10:00 a.m.

Learn about the unique relationship trees have with their surroundings and experience first-hand how they make everything better. Be an active participant in a tree-focused walk with Mike Till, a forester from the Colorado State Forest Service. $3 per member, $4 per nonmember

Aiken Audubon Monthly Program: Butterflies and Moths

Wednesday, April 18, 7:00 p.m. Social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

Butterflies and Moths 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.

Nature Explorers: SkeleTONS of fun!

Thursday, April 19, 9:00-10:30 a.m. & 1:00-2:30 p.m.

Children, ages 4-5 with an adult, will enjoy hands-on activities, puppet shows or stories, crafts, and a hike. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Great American Clean-up

Saturday, April 21, 9:00 a.m.

Join the community in this effort to complete cleanup projects at parks, trails, creeks, and roadways. To volunteer, please visit www.gacppp.com. All ages welcome!

Earth Day Family Stroll at Bear Creek

Saturday, April 21, 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.

Join us for a family-friendly hike to enjoy earth’s beauty at Bear Creek. Create a take-home craft using recycled materials. No fee but preregistration is required. Space is limited.

Little Wonders: Springtime Flowers

Thursday, April 26, 9:00-10:15 a.m. & 1:00-2:15 p.m.

Discover the world of nature with your 2-3 year-old. Interactive activities and a short hike make this the perfect introduction to the outdoors for your child. Child must be accompanied by an adult. $3 per person including siblings and adults. Preregistration and prepayment required.

Active Adult Series: Geology of Bear Creek and the Pikes Peak Region

Saturday, April 28, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Join geology professor Mark Izold as he discusses geology of the Bear Creek area then leads us on a hike to look for fossils and interpret Bear Creek’s geologic history. Prepaid registration is required. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember