August 7 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

August 9 (Saturday). Second Saturday Natural History Walk.
Leader: Joann Thomas (970-482-7125). 7:45 to 10:00 a.m. Join us for our yearlong series of nature walks along the Poudre River each month. Meet at Nix Farm Natural Area, 1745 Hoffman Mill Rd. From Lemay (between Riverside & Mulberry), turn east onto Poudre River Dr. just north of the RR tracks. Follow Poudre River Dr. as it curves, changes names to Hoffman Mill Rd., and eventually dead-ends at Nix Natural Area. Our walks and studies will focus on birds, wildflowers, mammals, river morphology, and the effects of time and human habitation on the riparian area. Bring a notebook, binoculars if you have them, and your enthusiasm. Call for details about location and parking. Open to everyone; handicapped accessible; no registration required.

August 28 (Thursday).  7:00 - 8:00 a.m.  4th Thursday Nature Walks at High Plains Environmental Center
Leader:  Joann Thomas.  Topic:  Fall Migration.  Directions:  High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) and Fort Collins Audubon Society Nature Walks.  Address: 2915 Rocky Mountain Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538.  Directions from I-25 North:  Right (west) off I-25 at Hwy 34 (exit 257B) heading west. Right (north) at first signal light (Rocky Mountain Avenue) Continue on Rocky Mountain Avenue through FOUR roundabouts. (Medical Center of the Rockies will be on your right.)  Left at the first left turn after FOURTH roundabout into office complex.  Park in parking lot on right side.  Tour will meet on the trail by the bridge in front of you.  Need help: Call HPEC, Sarah Fox, 970-622-9676 , 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 a.m. M-F.

September 2 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.com.

September 4 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

September 5 (Friday).  Poudre River Tour.  1:00 p.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

September 9 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

September 11 (Thursday).  Poudre River Tour.  8:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

September 11 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Columbine Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).  “Biology and Conservation of the Gunnison Sage-Grouse”  Can too much sex cause extinction?  Dr. Jessica Young, Associate Vice President for Academic affairs, Western State College, has worked with Gunnison Sage-grouse for 20 years and was the lead author on the publication that led to its recognition as a newly designated species in 2000. Jessica’s talk will focus on the role that the species amazing mating system has in causing not only the unique characteristics of the bird, but also may be a factor in its conservation struggles. She will also explore some of the biological and political challenges the species faces in the 21st century.  Dr. Young received her Ph.D. in ecology, behavior and population genetics from Purdue University and is currently a member of the biology faculty at Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado.  Learn more about the Gunnison  Sage Grouse. Join us Thursday, September 11 at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center, Columbine Room starting with refreshments and social time at 7:00 p.m. followed by the presentation beginning at 7:30.

September 13 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural Area Tour. 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Riverbend Ponds.  Exploring nature continues with a new schedule of 2nd Saturday adventures. This year we will explore twelve of Fort Collins’ natural areas. Each tour will be led by a master naturalist who will explain “What’s special about this place?” All tours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  For further information, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or email at jthomas91@aol.com.

September 14 (Sunday). Field Trip. 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Weather Walk, 4:00-6:00 p.m., Nix Natural Area, Fort Collins. Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). Note the unusual start time. If you've wanted to try one of my weather walks, here's your chance! Come along as we interpret the sky conditions that afternoon during a pleasant walk on the paved trail at Nix Natural Area. We'll also explore what makes Colorado weather and climate the way it is, and I'll do my best to answer all your sky-related questions! I plan on offering these walks several times throughout the coming year, but at varying times and days of the week, to accommodate your schedules and allow us to observe a wide variety of weather conditions.

September 16 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

September 19 (Friday).  Poudre River Tour.  1:00 p.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

September 21 (Sunday).  Field Trip.
Beginning Birding, Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. 8:00-11:00 a.m. Leader: Eric DeFonso yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761. If you've been interested in learning more about local area birds, but haven't been sure where to start, then this outing is for you. We'll keep it simple and get you oriented on where to go here in Fort Collins and what to look for. All levels and ages welcome, but emphasis will be placed on the basics, and helping beginners get excited about birdwatching. Contact me if you need directions or have any other questions.

September 23 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

September 20 (Saturday).  Poudre River Tour.  9:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

September 24 (Wednesday).  Poudre River Tour.  9:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

September 25 (Thursday).  7:00 - 8:00 a.m.  4th Thursday Nature Walks at High Plains Environmental Center
Directions:  High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) and Fort Collins Audubon Society Nature Walks.  Address: 2915 Rocky Mountain Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538.  Directions from I-25 North:  Right (west) off I-25 at Hwy 34 (exit 257B) heading west. Right (north) at first signal light (Rocky Mountain Avenue) Continue on Rocky Mountain Avenue through FOUR roundabouts. (Medical Center of the Rockies will be on your right.)  Left at the first left turn after FOURTH roundabout into office complex.  Park in parking lot on right side.  Tour will meet on the trail by the bridge in front of you.  Need help: Call HPEC, Sarah Fox, 970-622-9676 , 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 a.m. M-F.

September 27 (Saturday.  4th Annual Northern Colorado Birding Fair. 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Fossil Creek Reservoir.  Visit http://www.larimer.org/naturalresources/birding_fair.htm for details.

September 30 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

October 2 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

October 3 (Wednesday).  Poudre River Tour.  1:00 p.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

October 7 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

October 9 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Columbine Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).  Prairie Thunder - The Nature of Colorado's Great Plains. Dave Showalter, Colorado-based photographer and author of Prairie Thunder – The Nature of Colorado’s Great Plains, has a lifelong interest in natural history and has been photographing in Colorado and the west for over 15 years. Dave’s photographs and articles have appeared in a number of publications including Outside, Outdoor Photographer, Backpacker, Nature Photographer. Prairie Thunder – The Nature of Colorado’s Great Plains is Dave’s first book. Through photographs and words, he explores the often overlooked beauty of Colorado’s eastern plains, and addresses their legacy and conversation challenges. From the windswept Pawnee Buttes, home to pronghorns and birds of prey, to the Comanche Grasslands area in southeastern Colorado, Dave details the diversity of land and wildlife that makes the area so incredibly special.  Celebrating the beauty of his first book, Dave takes us on an epic journey into the heart of Colorado’s vast grasslands. While the stunning views of the Colorado prairie are the foundation of the book, he also addresses the threats to these most endangered landscapes, and alerts us to the severe reduction in bird populations on the Colorado prairie, as detailed by the Colorado Audubon Society’s recent report, Common Birds in Decline. Many conservation success stories are to be told, generated through partnerships between conservation groups, government agencies and private land owners and Dave includes them in his book also. Join us for an inspiring evening with Dave Showalter. Books will be on sale for $20.00. Dave has offered to donate $3.00 to FCAS from each book sale that evening. For more info on Dave Showalter visit his website at: www.daveshowalter.com.

October 11 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural Area Tour. 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Gateway Park.  Exploring nature continues with a new schedule of 2nd Saturday adventures. This year we will explore twelve of Fort Collins’ natural areas. Each tour will be led by a master naturalist who will explain “What’s special about this place?” All tours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  Directions to Gateway Park: from Fort Collins go northwest on Hwy 287 to Ted's Place, then go west on Hwy 14 for about 5 miles to the entrance to Gateway Natural Area on the right. Proceed to the second parking lot by the water treatment building. We will meet there at 8:00 a.m. For further information, contact Joann Thomas at 970-482-7125 or jthomas91@aol.com.

October 14 (Wednesday).  Poudre River Tour.  8:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

October 14 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

October 17 (Wednesday).  Poudre River Tour.  1:00 p.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

October 21 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

October 23 (Thursday).  7:00 - 8:00 a.m.  4th Thursday Nature Walks at High Plains Environmental Center
Directions:  High Plains Environmental Center (HPEC) and Fort Collins Audubon Society Nature Walks.  Address: 2915 Rocky Mountain Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538.  Directions from I-25 North:  Right (west) off I-25 at Hwy 34 (exit 257B) heading west. Right (north) at first signal light (Rocky Mountain Avenue) Continue on Rocky Mountain Avenue through FOUR roundabouts. (Medical Center of the Rockies will be on your right.)  Left at the first left turn after FOURTH roundabout into office complex.  Park in parking lot on right side.  Tour will meet on the trail by the bridge in front of you.  Need help: Call HPEC, Sarah Fox, 970-622-9676 , 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 a.m. M-F.

October 25 (Saturday).  Poudre River Tour.  9:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

October 25 (Saturday). Field Trip.
Larimer Lacustrines. Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-
1761). 7:30 a.m. to noon. Lacustrines? That's just a 2-dollar word for birds of lakes and reservoirs. We'll look for and study waterfowl (geese, ducks, loons, swans, scoters) in particular, but also note gulls and raptors and anything else in and around various Fort Collins/Loveland area hotspots. Beginners welcome.  We'll meet in the parking area at Fossil Creek Regional Open Space (Reservoir), and drive from there to other areas depending on conditions.

October 28 (Tuesday).  Poudre River Tour.  3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Every Tuesday in September and October, Joann Thomas, Audubon’s Education Chair, will guide Poudre River tours from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  No reservations are necessary. Meet at the parking lot in Lee Martinez Park. Don’t forget sun protection, insect repellant, and rain gear, if necessary. For more information about the Tuesday tours, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or e-mail at jthomas91@aol.

November 1 (Saturday). Field Trip.
Weather Walk, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Nix Natural Area, Fort Collins. Leader: Eric DeFonso (yoericd@yahoo.com or 970-472-1761). Note the unusual start time. If you've wanted to try one of my weather walks, here's your chance! Come along as we interpret the sky conditions during a pleasant walk on the paved trail at Nix Natural Area. We'll also explore what makes Colorado weather and climate the way it is, and I'll do my best to answer all your sky-related questions! I offer these walks several times throughout the year, at varying times and days of the week, to accommodate your schedules and allow us to observe a wide variety of weather conditions.

November 1 (Saturday).  Birds of Prey Class.  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Offered by the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.  Session One – Why Birds Are Cool – Examines bird anatomy and physiology, and why they do what they do. Courtship, breeding, population trends, migration, and environmental issues will be discussed.  Visit http://www.rmrp.org/ for details and to register.

November 6 (Thursday).  Board Meeting. 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Monthly Board Meeting to be held at the National Seed Storage Lab, 1111 S. Mason St. (map).  Read minutes of past board meetings.

November 8 (Saturday).  Second Saturday Natural Area Tour. 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Cathy Fromme Prairie.  Exploring nature continues with a new schedule of 2nd Saturday adventures. This year we will explore twelve of Fort Collins’ natural areas. Each tour will be led by a master naturalist who will explain “What’s special about this place?” All tours are from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  For further information, contact Joann Thomas at 970/482-7125 or email at jthomas91@aol.com.

November 8 (Saturday).  Birds of Prey Class.  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Offered by the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.  Session Two – What Is That Crazy Bird – Explores individual species habitats and identification of hawks (buteos and accipiters), falcons, harriers, eagles, and owls. Photographs and live raptors will help participants identify Colorado’s raptors. Visit http://www.rmrp.org/ for details and to register.

November 13 (Thursday).  Program.  7:00 p.m.
Columbine Room, Fort Collins Lincoln Center, 417 W. Magnolia (maps).  “Global Climate Change” – presented by Gary Graham, Executive Director of Audubon Colorado.

November 15 (Wednesday).  Poudre River Tour.  10:00 a.m.
City Master Naturalists are leading Poudre River tours from September through November.  Tour leaders cover plant identification, lore, and native/alien species. They point out signs of wildlife and share information about wildlife management such as the painted trees that repel beavers and the eastern screech owl boxes at Salyer Natural Area.  Tour participants learn how they can help the river and discover that the water from our streets goes directly into the river, not to a water treatment plant.

November 15 (Saturday).  Birds of Prey Class.  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Offered by the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program.  Session Three – Wow! I Thought I Saw An Eagle! – Features a raptor-watching field trip covering a variety of nesting habitats throughout northern Colorado. Trip focuses on how and where to observe birds of prey and field identification of birds in local areas.  Visit http://www.rmrp.org/ for details and to register.