Celebrate May Day at the Walker Ranch Homestead
Sunday May 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.(come and go; open house format)
Walker Ranch Homestead
Visit the Walker Ranch Homestead this May Day. We’ll make crafts to take home or put on the doorstep of someone you admire. Explore the ranch, watch costumed volunteers prepare food on a wood burning stove and see what the blacksmith is making. You can even participate in chores like churning butter (and then tasting it), doing laundry the way pioneers did and stomping your feet to some old-time tunes. This free event is fun for all ages.
Wildflowers of Boulder County Slide Program
Tuesday May 3, 6-7:30 p.m.
Lafayette Public Library
Join volunteer naturalists for a slide program to kick off the spring wildflower season! You’ll learn about the wildflowers found in Boulder County, where and when to look for them, and some interesting facts about our native plants.
The Mystery of Bird Migration Walk
Saturday May 7, 8-10 a.m.
Registration is limited; meeting location will be provided to registered participants
Join volunteer naturalists Larry Arp and Vicki Braunagel to explore bird watching during migration season! Learn tips for recognizing different types of birds. Be prepared for a slow-paced walk of up to 2 miles. Bring water, walking shoes/boots, and binoculars and a bird field guide if you have them. To register, email lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org, or call 303-678-6214 no later than Thursday May 5.
Mother’s Day Wildflower Hike at Legion Park
Sunday May 8, 10 a.m.-noon
Legion Park Open Space
Join volunteer naturalists for a leisurely stroll at Legion Park. Besides having a great view of the Continental Divide, this park is a wonderful place for early-season wildflowers.
I Spy Beaks and Feet!
Wednesday May 11, 10-11:00 a.m.
Walden Ponds Wildlife Habitat
Birds eat a lot of different foods. Come join volunteer naturalists to learn how a bird’s beak and feet help them find and eat their favorite foods. We will watch for local birds and find out where they live, eat, and have babies. This program is for preschool children and their families. Meet at shelter near Cottonwood Marsh.
Wildflower Hike at Rabbit Mountain
Saturday May 14, 10 a.m.-noon
Rabbit Mountain Open Space
The transitional foothills life zone of Rabbit Mountain is home to Easter daisies, Nuttall’s violets, pasqueflowers, spring beauties, cacti, and more. Join volunteer naturalists for a moderate 2-mile hike in search of early bloomers.
Fossils and Flowers
Sunday May 15, 9:30 a.m.-noon
Registration is limited; meeting location will be provided to registered participants
Join volunteer naturalists Megan Bowes and Sue Hirschfeld for a short, moderately strenuous hike to see fossilized evidence of the Cretaceous seas that once inundated this area, as well as early-blooming wildflowers. Bring water and hiking shoes/boots. To register, email lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org, or call 303-678-6214 no later than Thursday, May 12.
Once in a Blue Moon Astronomy Hike
Saturday May 21, 8-10 p.m.
Registration is limited; meeting location will be provided to registered participants
In honor of Kids to Parks Day, bring your family to a night hike on open space! Discover the background and stories associated with a “blue moon,” and hike 1-2 miles under the full moon. Find Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn in the night sky and brush up on some constellations.
Visit the Assay Museum
Saturday May 21, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
6352 Fourmile Canyon Drive, Boulder
The James F. Bailey Assay Office Museum, located in the historic town of Wallstreet just west of Boulder, helps tell the story of hard rock mining in this area. The assay office was the place where prospectors would take their ore samples to find out whether or not they had potentially “struck it rich.” The determination of the assayer could, and often did, make or break a prospector. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Sunrise Photography Session
Saturday May 21, 5:15 a.m.-9 a.m.
Agricultural Heritage Center
Join us for a sunrise photography session at the Agricultural Heritage Center. We are opening up the center early so people can take photos for the 2017 Land through the Lens Photography Exhibit.
Geology of Rabbit Mountain
Sunday, May 22, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Rabbit Mountain Open Space
Volunteer naturalists Dick Pratt and Roger Myers will lead a moderate 2-mile hike where you will learn about the unusual geology of the area. We’ll also watch for spring wildflowers, soaring raptors, and other wildlife. Bring lunch, water, sunscreen, closed-toed hiking shoes/boots, and binoculars if you have them. This program is geared for adults.
Birding Boulder County through the Seasons
Monday May 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
George Reynolds Branch Library
Join volunteer naturalists to learn about birding year-round. This program will explore where to find and how to identify some of our local birds. You will also learn about challenges birds face and how they adapt.
Hike for Seniors
Thursday May 26, 10 a.m.-noon
Agricultural Heritage Center
Enjoy a nature hike for seniors every month. Programs include information about an area’s history, wildlife and current resource management projects. No registration is necessary, but please call 303-678-6214 in advance if you plan to bring a group so we have enough naturalists at the program.
Junior Ranger Adventures Summer Challenge Opening Ceremonies
Saturday May 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Betasso Preserve
The Boulder County Park Rangers are bringing the Olympic spirit to you this summer with the first ever Junior Ranger Olympics. Join us at the Opening Ceremonies for a torch relay, junior ranger triathlon and more fun Olympic themed challenges.
Wildflower Hike at Bald Mountain
Saturday May 28, 10 a.m.-noon
Bald Mountain Scenic Area
Join volunteer naturalists for a spring wildflower hike in the beautiful foothills west of Boulder. We will hike about 1.5-miles through forest and meadows in search of spring wildflowers, enjoying some beautiful vistas along the way.
Visit the Agricultural Heritage Center
Open April 1 through October 31 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays with tours starting at 11 a.m.
Come to the farm, enjoy the rural setting, and learn about the rich agricultural history of Boulder County. The farm includes two barns with interactive exhibits, a milk house, blacksmith shop, and a furnished 1909 farmhouse. Groups may make special arrangements for tours. Contact Jim Drew at 303-776-8688 or jdrew@bouldercounty.org for more information.
