Natural Selections

Nature Hikes and Programs

Natural Selections is our ongoing series of educational programs on topics including ecology, wildlife, local history, night hikes, children’s  programs, plus many more. All programs are free and open to the public. Please do not bring dogs.

Do you want Natural Selections sent to you by e-mail? Join our mailing list! Follow this link to subscribe. In the drop-down menu, choose "Natural Selections." You will automatically receive notice whenever a new nature hike schedule comes out. 

 Teachers, scout troops and community groups can obtain free individual programs from Open Space and Mountain Parks naturalists. Follow this link to learn more.

  Download the Natural Selections September 2008 Schedule

September

Little Bikes on the Prairie
Sat Sept 6        9 – 11 am
Join naturalist Dave Sutherland for an easy family mountain bike trip along South Boulder Creek. We’ll cycle slowly through rare tallgrass prairie and see how it changes color, and we’ll watch for late summer wildflowers and migrating birds. Meet at the Bobolink Trailhead. Six flat miles round trip.

Note: We'll be taking the route that we recommend as our September Hike of the Month.  

Attack of the Pine Beetles
Sun Sept 7      2 – 4 pm
The mountain pine beetle has dominated news stories in Colorado, killing vast expanses of mature lodgepole pine in the high country. Will it come to Boulder, or is it already here? Enter the bizarre world of the beetle with naturalist Dave Sutherland to learn about the strange habits of this little insect with a huge impact. Meet at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage for a fairly easy hike. 1.5 miles, 400’ elevation gain.

ReWilding Minds: Living By Instinct
Sat Sept 13   9 - 11:30 am
What is instinct?  Do humans still have it?  Join Life Coach Margot Smit and Naturalist Lynne Sullivan in observing instinct as it exists in wild nature. This observation will help us reawaken awareness of our own instinctual minds, which can guide us towards a balanced way of being in these challenging modern times.  Recommended for adults.  Meet at South Boulder Creek West trailhead, on the west side of Broadway, off Marshall Rd.

Adapative Mountain Bike Clinic
Sat Sept 13   
7:30 am – noon (morning session)
12:30 – 5 pm (afternoon session)
Get ready to hold on tight and try two types of adaptive hand-driven bikes, Downhill and Off-Road hand cycles (oneoffs) provided by Crested Butte Adaptive Sports and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. Snacks and beverages will be provided. You must pre–register (follow this link for instructions). Directions and trail provided when you register.

Where Are the Bears?
Sun Sept 14   2 - 3 pm
What are the bears doing? It’s late in the year, so they’re stuffing themselves before a long winter nap. Naturalist Dave Sutherland will lead kids ages 5 and up and their parents on a short 1/2 mile but rocky hike around the Chautauqua area to look for bears and learn about their habitat. Taste bear food (and if you’re really brave) sniff some bear scat! Meet at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.

Full Moon Night Hike for Women
Mon Sept 15   6:45 - 9:15 pm
Join other women in an experiential exploration of the dark in Open Space and Mountain Parks. What is it like out there at night? What is evoked for you?  Walk with naturalists Margot, Thyia and Lynne and find out what goes on under the light of the moon in our wild places. Meet at South Mesa Trailhead.

Magnification Hike
Tue Sept 16    4:30 - 5:30 pm
Join outreach specialist Ellen Orleans to examine your Open Space in a whole new way! From tree bark and lichen to insects and grasses, we'll use magnifying glasses to explore the hidden world of Chautauqua's meadows and mountains. Activities include "Ant's Eye View" and "Human Camera" with lots of time to explore together. Great for kids and families, but nature fans of all ages welcome. Magnifying glasses provided. Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.

Save Enchanted Mesa!   NEW
Wed Sept 17      5:30 - 7 pm
The year is 1962. A Boulder land owner plans to build a subdivision and luxury hotel on Enchanted Mesa. Citizens vow to stop him and save the mesa as a public natural area. An epic battle ensues, involving lawyers, a bond election and a special benefit dance. Join historian Cailyn Plantico and naturalist Dave Sutherland to hear the inspiring tale of how community action saved this popular hiking area for you and future generations. Meet at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. 

For a Change of Pace, Walk on Open Space!
Tue Sept 16     5:30 - 7 pm
Do something different this week by visiting OSMP.  Leave your hectic work day behind as you ease into the evening with a slow-paced, uplifting walk in our nearby foothills.  Naturalist Suzanne Michot will lead an introductory hike to learn about the wildlife, plants, geology, and history of the area.  Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage. 

Jewels of the Night Sky
Fri Sept 19   8 – 10:30 pm
Join naturalist Dave Sutherland and an 8 inch telescope to peek into the vast reaches of the night, including a stellar smoke ring, the planets Jupiter and Neptune, and the huge spiral galaxy in Andromeda. Bring a jacket. Meet at Boulder Valley Ranch - Sage Trailhead (end of Longhorn Rd about 1 mile N of Boulder on Hwy 36). Note: if it’s cloudy, we’ll reschedule for the same time and place on Sat Oct. 16.

Roll and Stroll Bird-watching
Sat Sept 20     8 - 10 am
Boulder County Audubon Society and OSMP will lead a bird-watching trip for people who use walkers, strollers, wheelchairs, canes, or just plain legs. We may view flycatchers, warblers, and fall migrants like Sage Thrashers and Piñon Jays. An accessible, paved trail goes a half-mile up the draw to a shaded picnic area. Bring binoculars if you have them, though some will be available to share. Meet at Doudy Draw Trailhead.

Journaling through the Seasons: Fall
Sat Sept 20    9 am - noon
Take the time to explore the seasons as they change the landscape! Learn how to create a personal journal of your own experiences, impressions, and feelings about the land in which we live. Join naturalist and artist Damaris Methner on this moderate hike focusing on your unique relationship with the land as we enjoy fall on the prairie. This is the third of a four part series exploring the seasons on OSMP. Feel free to attend one or all of the programs. Space is limited and reservations are required, 720-564-2083.

Geology of the Boulder Mountain Parks
Sat Sept 20      8 am -  2 or 3 pm
Join OSMP volunteer naturalist Ray Bridge to explore the geology of our mountain front. Meet at the South Mesa Trailhead for a moderate hike. Bring lunch and adequate water for the day. Ray is the author of The Geology of Boulder County and the forthcoming Geology of the Denver Area.

Fishing for Kids
Sun Sept 21     3 - 6 pm
Ranger Jerry Katopodes will lead this fishing trip at Wonderland Lake to show kids how to hook the big one! All ages welcome. Some fishing equipment will be provided, but bring what you have. Parents will get advice on equipment, how to help youngsters fish, and where to go. Please call 303 441 3440 for reservations and meeting location. Limit: 12 children, ages 5 and up.

Tallgrass Colors
Sat Sept 27   1-5 pm
Fall colors aren’t just for trees. The grasses of the tallgrass prairie turn lovely shades of tan, rust, wine and maroon. Fall wildflowers add to the blaze of glory. Explore the botanical fireworks in a rare, isolated stand of tallgrass prairie with OSMP naturalist Dave Sutherland. Meet at the South Boulder Creek West trailhead along Highway 93. 4 miles, 400’ climb.

Sawhill Ponds Photography Hike
Sun Sept  28  3 - 5 pm
Capture the fall colors with outreach specialist Ellen Orleans at Sawhill Ponds. During this tromp through Boulder's best wetlands, you'll have a chance to photograph water, reflections, the wide sky, changing leaves, and, if we are lucky, a bird or two. Bring your own camera, extra batteries, and plenty of film or digital memory. This is not a technical photo hike, but instead one that focuses on composition and experimentation. Open to all ages and experience levels. Meet at the picnic tables near the Sawhill Ponds parking lot off 75th Street.

Evening Hike to Wood’s Quarry
Tue Sept 30    5 – 7 pm
Unwind after a busy day by taking a fun evening hike to Woods Quarry.  Follow naturalist Suzanne Michot to one of the historic stone quarries on Open Space Mountain Parks.  Find out about this unique place on Open Space and the interesting flora & fauna that surrounds it.  Approx. 2.5 miles.   Meet at the Chautauqua Ranger Cottage.

October

Boulder’s Open Space and Colorado’s Great Plains:
Slides by Photographer Dave Showalter
Wed  Oct 1    7 - 8:30 pm
Join Dave Showalter, professional photographer and author of Prairie Thunder, as he explores the seasons of the Colorado prairie and the vital role this ecosystem plays in the larger context of an increasingly endangered shortgrass prairie. Through his images we will journey into the heart of the prairie. For those attending Dave’s workshop on 10/4, there will be a 30 minute meeting after this presentation. Meet at Chautauqua Community House, 301 Morning Glory Drive (located in Chautauqua Park).


Boulder’s Open Space and Colorado’s Great Plains:
A Day in the Field with Photographer Dave Showalter
Sat Oct  4          9 am – 2 pm  SIGN UP NOW
Join Dave Showalter, professional photographer and author of Prairie Thunder, for an inspiring day in the field. On this easy hike, we will explore the beautifully fragile prairie, learning to “see” and create photographs in our own unique ways, while treading lightly. This workshop is designed for any level of photographer, but please be familiar with the use of your camera. This workshop will include time at the end for Dave to review your images and provide feedback. Space is limited and reservations are required, 720-564-2083.

Bobolink Trailhead Chautauqua Ranger Cottage Cherryvale OSMP administration building Cottonwood Trailhead Crown Rock Doudy Draw Trailhead Eagle TrailheadEnchanted Mesa - McClintock Flagstaff SummitFlatirons Vista Trailhead Foothills Trailhead Foothills Nature CenterGreenbelt Plateau Gregory Canyon Left Hand Trailhead Marshall Mesa Trailhead NCAR N. Teller Farms Trailhead Realization Point Sanitas Trailhead Boulder Valley Ranch - Sage Trailheadpikestaff Settlers Park/Red Rocks Sawhill Ponds  Sombrero Marsh South Boulder Creek West South Mesa TrailheadTeller Farms Wonderland Lake