August 4, 2020 – The Bear Creek Nature Center and Fountain Creek Nature Center have announced their calendar of events for August and September. The classes and programs are listed below by location. You can also visit the Nature Centers website for more information. You can register for any of the following classes and workshops here.
August & September Nature Center Events
Happy at Home Happy Trails
Friday, August 21, 6:00 p.m.
Support your El Paso County Nature Centers with an evening of Buffalo Gals tri tip BBQ dinner and wine delivered to your door. $150 includes dinner for 2-4 people. Reserve by Aug. 18. Call 719-520-6388 or visit Eventbrite.com & search ‘Happy at Home Happy Trails.’ RSVP by August 18
Night Sky Milky Way Photography Workshop at the Paint Mines
Friday, August 21, 10:00 p.m.- Saturday, August 22, 6:00 a.m.
This guided overnight photography workshop led by Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography & Design will include how to photograph the Milky Way and the stars as points of light, how to photograph star trails, light painting techniques and how to post-process your images in Photoshop and Lightroom. $250 per person. Limit 6 participants. Prepaid registration required. For detailed information visit https://3peaksphoto.com/paintminesworkshops.html
To register call 719-520-6388
Honey Harvest Extraction Demonstration
Saturday, August 29, 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Watch beekeepers harvest honey from hives, see bees in action in their observation hive, and learn about the importance of bees and other pollinators. Activities, craft, samples of honey and local honey available for purchase. $1 per person donation suggested. Limited space. Preregister for specific start times.
Home-school Field Trip Day: Incredible Insects
Wednesday, September 9, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Introductory activities including a puppet show familiarize students with insect adaptations and life cycles. During a guided hike students will catch, identify, and release live insects. Geared towards grades 1-3. $5 per person, 10 participants minimum; participants can join with other home-school groups. Prepayment required.
Be Bear Aware!
Saturday, September 12, 9:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
Join us for an interactive presentation and hike to learn how to peacefully coexist with bears. Brush up on your bear awareness or learn something new about the beautiful black bears of Colorado. Prepaid registration required. Limited space. $4 per member/ $5 per nonmember.
Nature Explorers- Terrific Towhees
Wednesday, September 16, 9:00-10:30 am & 1:00-2:30 pm
Thursday, September 17, 9:00 a.m.- 10:30 a.m.
Discover the world of nature with your 4 or 5 year old. Outdoor exploration and theme-related activities. $3 per person including siblings and adults.
Webelos Scout Day
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Register for interactive sessions led by trained guides to earn badges for:
Arrow of Light Adventures
9:00-11:00 Into the Woods
11:00-1:00 Into the Wild
1:30-3:30 Earth Rocks!
$4 per badge per scout. Limited space and limited group sizes. Prepaid registration required.
Little Wonders- Sway and Dance with Animals and Plants
Wednesday, September 23 & Thursday, September 24, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Discover the world of nature with your 2 or 3 year old. Outdoor exploration and theme-related activities. $3 per person including siblings and adults.
Night Sky Milky Way Photography Workshop at the Paint Mines
Thursday, September 24, 9:00 p.m.- Friday, September 25, 6:00 a.m.
This guided overnight photography workshop led by Mike Pach of 3 Peaks Photography & Design will include how to photograph the Milky Way and the stars as points of light, how to photograph star trails, light painting techniques and how to post-process your images in Photoshop and Lightroom. $250 per person. Limit 6 participants. Prepaid registration required.
For detailed information visit https://3peaksphoto.com/paintminesworkshops.html. To register call 719-520-6388.
About the Trout of Bear Creek
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Join Colorado Parks & Wildlife Aquatic Biologist and Bear Creek naturalist to learn about the fish and aquatic life of Bear Creek. This all-ages program will include a hike to Bear Creek and an electro-fishing demonstration that will give an up-close look at some of the fish in the creek! Limited space. $5 per member/ $6 per nonmember. Prepaid registration required.
Home-school Field Trip Day: Discover Bear Creek
Wednesday, September 30, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
A puppet show introduces the five senses and the ways animals use their specialized senses to interpret the world around them. Children will then fine-tune their own senses on a discovery hike on the trails of Bear Creek. Geared towards Pre-K and Kindergarten. $5 per person, 10 participants minimum; participants can join with other home-school groups. Prepayment required.
Dog Appreciation Day
Saturday, August 1, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
The Nature Center Staff will come down to Fountain Creek Regional Dog Park to celebrate your canine companions! Drop by for prizes, treats, fun, and info on local wildlife. Free!
Pickling
Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
Learn to preserve vegetables using research-based techniques to safely pickle vegetables; covers water bath canning basics. Workshop is hands-on and you will take home your own jar of pickles. Participants 16+. Prepaid registration required. $12/person. Limit 12.
Twos & Threes Outdoors: Ladybug & Friends
Thursday, August 13, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
$3 per person including siblings and adults. Explore nature with your 2 or 3 year old through interactive activities, a story, and a short hike.
Nature Adventures: Sweet Snakes
Thursday, August 20, 9:00-10:30 a.m.
$3 per person including siblings and adults. Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on activities, and discovery time on the trail.
Jr. Bird Club-Bluestem Prairie Open Space
Saturday, August 22, 8:00-11:00 a.m.
Nature lovers ages 8-17, join us to enhance your bird ID skills. This time, we’ll explore a new ecosystem – the prairie – and the unique birds there. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, and water! Prepaid registration required. $5 per meeting or $25 for 6 meetings. See map for directions.
Monarch Magic
Saturday, August 29, 10-11:30 a.m.
Discover the magical mystery of the monarch migration to Mexico. See an indoor presentation, make a craft, search for caterpillars and adults to tag and release for research. Prepaid registration required. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember.