Critter Scene Investigations

Two sets of tracks dot the fresh snow leading into a gully.  Suddenly the tracks trail off into an area of disturbed snow, and only one set of tracks leaves the area.  What happened there?  Join volunteer naturalists on snowy mornings to investigate animal behaviors using basic tracking skills during this fun interactive program. Programs will be held when conditions are good for tracking at Devil’s Backbone Open Space, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, and Eagle’s Nest Open Space.  You will receive email notification the night before a program is to be held with details on where to meet and what to bring.  This is an excellent program for kids! If you are interested please email Heather Young at hyoung@larimer.org or call (970) 679-4489.

Nature Notes Club

Larimer County Natural Resources Nature Notes Club is accepting new members throughout the winter.  You can join current members already journaling in the style of John Muir and Aldo Leopold with Volunteer Naturalist Lisa.

The club will have several outings throughout the County’s open spaces system, allowing members to immerse themselves in the full range and scope of what the open spaces have to offer.  Club members will receive basic instruction on sketching, ecology, geology, wildlife, and other natural sciences to enhance the experience.  Club members can participate in all sessions, or just a few, whatever fits their schedules.

Meetings this month will be held on February 8, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and February 22, from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Please email Heather Young at hyoung@larimer.org or call (970) 679-4489 for more details and to sign up.

Guided Hikes and Programs

• Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. “Moon Over My Open Space” Join Naturalist Bob for a moonlit walk at River Bluffs Open Space, located just west of the I-25/Windsor interchange off of CR32E, to look out for nighttime critters and learn about owls.  Approximately 2-hour hike.  Hike rating: easy.  Program is free.  Go to www.larimer.org/naturalresources/registration for required registration.  Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring along some water to drink.  Direct questions to Heather at (970) 679-4489.

• Saturday, February 11, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. “Wildlife Valentines”  Love is in the air for humans, so what better time to take a look at the way wildlife woo one another.  Join Naturalist Heather for this tongue-in-cheek look at some interesting mating habits of local critters at the Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located just west of Loveland off of Hwy. 34.  Approximately 1-hour program.  Hike rating: easy.  Program is free.; no registration required. Please wear layers and appropriate footwear and come with water and snacks for the trail.  Please direct questions to Heather at (970) 679-4489.

• Saturday, February 18, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. “Tracks in the Snow”  Join Naturalist Bob to search for wildlife tracks at the Devil’s Backbone Open Space, located just west of Loveland off of Hwy. 34.  Winter is a great time to track in the mud and snow, and the Devil’s Backbone has plenty of wildlife to track.  Approximately 2-hour program.  Hike rating: easy.  Program is free.; no registration required.  Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring along water for the trail.  Please direct questions to Heather at (970) 679-4489. 

To learn more about Larimer County’s parks and open spaces,

visit our website at www.larimer.org/naturalresources

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