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El Paso County’s Fountain Creek Nature Center and Bear Creek Nature Center announce the events and activities for May 2018 which includes: Pikes Peak Birding & Nature Festival, Family Day, bears, yoga and turtles.

Fountain Creek Nature Center

320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817

719-520-6745, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com

Nature Adventures: Playful Prairie Dogs

May 3, 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.

Fountain Creek Family fun Day Festival

Saturday, May 5, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Explore over 20 outdoor activity stations including live animals, dinosaur fossils, bug sweeps, kite making, pond critters, crafts, wagon rides, and more. Free slice of pizza for all participants courtesy of Papa Murphy’s Pizza of Fountain. $4/member, $5/nonmember. FREE to active duty military families with I.D. No reservations required.

2’s & 3’s Outdoors: Trusty Turtles

May 10, 9:00 a.m. – 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 adults and siblings. Prepaid reservations required 719-520-6745, limit 24 participants.

Spring Bird Count

Saturday, May 12, 7:00-11:00 a.m.

Beginning to advanced birders count and record the numbers of bird species and populations found in Fountain Creek Regional Park during the height of spring migration. $5/participant for bird seed.

Fourth Annual Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival

Friday-Sunday, May 11-13.

Discover new birds when you register for the local festival that promotes conservation and education, building upon the natural and agricultural heritage resources of the Pikes peak Region. Choose from over 30 field trips and activities. Preregistration required at www.pikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.org.

Junior Docent Training

Thursday, May 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Fountain Creek Nature Center seeks motivated teens who want to develop public speaking experience, learn about nature, earn community service hours and who can work at least four 3-hour shifts during the summer. Written application, interview and training required. Contact Nancy Bernard at nancybernard@elpasoco.com for an application.

Women’s Nature Retreat

Saturday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Finally a local nature retreat for women! Indulge in a day for yourself savoring easy hikes, luscious landscapes, yoga, massage, and art. Lunch included. Prepaid reservations required by May 24. Thanks to our partners Yoga Journeys, Secret of Life Massage Therapy, Absolute Relief Therapeutic Massage & Cupping, and Hands for Healing. $50/member, $55 per nonmember. Limit 15.

Bear Creek Nature Center

245 Bear Creek Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906

719-520-6387, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com

Volunteer Morning at Bear Creek Nature Center

Saturday, May 5, 9:00-11:00 a.m.

Help us work on outdoor projects to keep Bear Creek Nature Center healthy! Ages 5+. No fee but preregistration is required.

Aiken Audubon Monthly Program: TBD

Wednesday, May 16, 7:00 p.m. Social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m.

Free monthly Aiken Audubon meeting and educational program. Free and open to the public. Call 719-520-6387 for topic.

Active Adults Series: Spring Birding Photography Workshop at Fountain Creek

Saturday, May 19, 7:00-9:00 a.m.

Spring is a wonderful time to view birds. Join award-winning photographer, Mike Pach, as he helps you capture photos of spring migrants. All skill levels welcome. Bring your camera and tripod (optional). We will meet at Fountain Creek Nature Center. Limit 15 participants. Prepaid registration required. $20 per person

Nature Explorers: Keep Bears Wild

Thursday, May 24, 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.

Family Outdoor Yoga with Yoga and Brews Founder Melanie Kuhn-Reynolds

Saturday, May 26, 9:30-11:00 a.m.

No brews, just yoga and nature. All ages welcome! Take a leisurely hike to warm up those muscles before a fun 60 minute yoga session outside. In the case of inclement weather, yoga will start inside and end with a hike. No experience necessary. Laughing with yoga instructor encouraged. Please bring mat and water bottle. Limited number of mats provided to those who do not own one. Sponsored by Yoga and Brews. $10 per member, $15 per nonmember

Little Wonders: Big Bear Lunch

Thursday, May 31, 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.