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Activities for 2008 - 2009
See the Ptarmigan
for more details.

August 2008
 |
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 2008
 |
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.
|
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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 2008
 |
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 2008
 |
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. |
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