El Paso County’s Fountain Creek Nature Center and Bear Creek Nature Center announce the events and activities for May 2019 which includes: Fifth Annual Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival, wild food, arthropods and more birds.
Fountain Creek Nature Center
320 Pepper Grass Lane, Fountain, CO 80817
719-520-6745, www.ElPasoCountyNatureCenters.com
Fountain Creek Family Fun Day Festival
Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Explore over 20 outdoor activity stations including puppet shows, dinosaur fossils, bug sweeps, kite making, pond critters, crafts and more. Free slice of pizza for all participants from Papa Murphy’s. $4 per member, $5 per nonmember. FREE to active duty military families with I.D. No reservations required.
Homeschool Fridays–Awesome Arthropods
Friday, May 10, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Not “bugs”—arthropods! Learn about insects, spiders, and their relatives with a puppet show, arthropod activity, and guided hike to catch arthropods. Geared towards grades K-2. $4 per person, 15 participants minimum; participants can join with other homeschool groups. Prepayment required.
Spring Bird Count
Saturday, May 11, 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 per participant.
Fifth Annual Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival
Friday-Sunday, May 17-19
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. Register at www.pikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.org.
Junior Docent Training
Thursday, May 30, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Seeking 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 application.
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
Saturday Morning Birding Stroll
Saturday, May 4, 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Let’s see what birds we can see or hear on the trails of Bear Creek and discuss their behaviors and adaptations. Bring binoculars if you have them (limited number available to borrow). Ages 5 and up. $3 per member, $4 per nonmember. Prepaid registration required.
Nature Quest Scavenger Hunt at Bear Creek
Saturday, May 11, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Fun challenges in nature! Teams will visit stations along trails to complete fun, quirky, and educational activities (like tracking ID, “flower pollination” and water testing). Enjoy the outdoors, strengthen teamwork and connect to the resources of Bear Creek! Awards ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Lunch included. Team size 2-5 people. Great for families! Minimum age 5. $8 per member/$10 per nonmember. Prepaid registration required.
Aiken Audubon Monthly Program: Birds of the Ancient World
Wednesday, May 15, 7:00 p.m. Social and refreshments at 6:30 p.m.
Program by Kelsey Mazur. Kelsey is with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and will provide a historical perspective of Birds of the Ancient World. Free and open to the public.
Nature Explorers: Eggcellent Eggs!
Thursday, May 16, 9:00-10:30 a.m. & 1:00-12:30 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 & adults. Accompanying siblings under 2 free.
Fifth Annual Pikes Peak Birding and Nature Festival
Friday-Sunday, May 17-19
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. Register at www.pikespeakbirdingandnaturefestival.org.
Little Wonders: TREEmendous Trees!
Thursday, May 23, 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 and adults. Accompanying siblings under 2 free.
Wild Food Foraging
Saturday, May 25, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
What edible wild plants grow nearby? Join us for a tour of wild edibles and practical food uses by the experienced forager and teacher, Wild Food Girl. If we’re lucky, we’ll find enough to forage and sample. For ages 10 and up. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. $20/person. Prepaid registration required.