The Rocky Mountain Conservancy-Field Institute offers a wide range of scheduled learning adventures for all ages. From hiking to bus tours, our premier educational experiences have something to offer for everyone. Can’t take a class or tour on a day that we have scheduled? The Rocky Mountain Conservancy-Field Institute offers a variety of classes and tours at your convenience, based on days you have available to explore. Flexible scheduling is available for most classes and tours, so check out the list of options below for ideas about customizing your educational experience. Call us at 970-586-3262 to book your adventure!
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May 2019
Birds at Twilight
Twilight marks the transition time when nocturnal birds become active. While many daytime species still can be located, Wilson’s snipes, owls, common nighthawks and common poorwills start their nightshift hunting at dusk. Explore the haunts of these elusive birds, and discuss their natural history and ecology as we visit, search and listen. Meets at the Field Institute Instructor: Jeff Maugans
Find out more »NEW! Beginning Digital Photography: Learning the Basics
In this highly interactive and fun 2-day course, you will learn the basics and beyond. You will learn about those dials and buttons on your camera; those mysterious menu items; f/stops, shutter speeds, exposure and how they all work together; ISO and White Balance; different types of lenses; and composition. You will also learn about the #1 solution to the #1 problem in photography; and much more!! You will spend one day in class and the second day out in…
Find out more »NEW! Estes Valley: History & Historic Sites
This course will provide an overview of the region’s past by mixing brief lecture-and-discussion format with visits to historical sites of significance. Site visits will range from an ancient Indian battlefield to early homesteads, from stately resorts to deserted cabins. The course will examine numerous historical sites in the Estes Valley to discover the outlines of settlement and change. This class is intended to be more than just an historical tour. Participants are urged to sample the bibliography listed below…
Find out more »June 2019
NEW! Early Wildflowers of RMNP
Some of the park’s early blooms are the loveliest, from tiny alpine forget-me-nots to colorful Calypso orchids. Search out these beauties with former Rocky Mountain National Park interpretive naturalist Leanne Benton as we explore from high alpine ridges to lower montane meadows depending on what is blooming. Participants will get up-close with the mountain flora to discover their adaptations for survival and interesting stories behind their beautiful faces. Identification techniques will be honed, and participants will gain confidence using a…
Find out more »NEW! North American Eagles
Colorado has both North American eagle species, as does Rocky Mountain National Park. The evolution, ecology, behavior, anatomy and population status of both the bald and the golden will be discussed using a highly professional illustrated lecture. In addition, a beautiful live female golden eagle, with a 7’ wing span, will be used to reinforce the lecture’s content. After lunch, we will travel to nearby nests to see what kind of habitat is needed for reproduction. We will drive as…
Find out more »Journey to the Top! A Trail Ridge Road Bus Adventure
One of the premier attractions of Rocky Mountain National Park is Trail Ridge Road, the nation’s highest continuous paved highway. Trail Ridge Road meanders through various life zones on its way through the park and over one of the largest, most pristine stretches of alpine tundra in the lower 48 states. Participants receive a unique overview of the park’s history, flora, fauna and geology while viewing landscapes from the comfort of a 14–passenger mini-bus or 12–passenger van, with opportunities for…
Find out more »Kids’ Fly-fishing & Stream Ecology
Fly-fishing is a sport that dates back centuries, and it draws beginners and seasoned anglers alike to Rocky Mountain National Park. Kids have a unique opportunity here to learn what fly-fishing is about — what lives in the riparian ecosystem, the aquatic food web, fly-casting techniques — and, finally, to dip their lines. (All fly-fishing gear will be provided.) Entrance into Rocky Mountain National Park is included in the registration fee. Ask for details when you register. Meets at Moraine…
Find out more »Journey to the Top! A Trail Ridge Road Bus Adventure
One of the premier attractions of Rocky Mountain National Park is Trail Ridge Road, the nation’s highest continuous paved highway. Trail Ridge Road meanders through various life zones on its way through the park and over one of the largest, most pristine stretches of alpine tundra in the lower 48 states. Participants receive a unique overview of the park’s history, flora, fauna and geology while viewing landscapes from the comfort of a 14–passenger mini-bus or 12–passenger van, with opportunities for…
Find out more »Sketchbook Journaling: Wilderness, Wildlife & Wonder in Watercolor
Toss your sketchbook and some simple tools into your daypack, and explore Rocky Mountain National Park! Through guided exercises and free exploration, create a record of personal, authentic interaction. Learn (or sharpen) some basic sketching and observation skills; then go to various locations in the park to put these skills to work. Approaches will include simple sketching with pencil, ink, and colored pencil or watercolor. Guided activities for observing, sketching, and some (brief) writing will help participants discover the many…
Find out more »Edible & Medicinal Plants of the Rockies: Plants for Hunger & Health
Explore the flora of the park with a former RMNP interpretive ranger and Master Herbalist. Focus on plants that have been used historically as food and medicine and those in current use by Native American tribes. Herbal remedies based on popular traditions, herbal lore and cultural customs will be complemented with knowledge of therapeutic value discovered by scientists for a holistic portrayal of medicinal plants found in the Rocky Mountains. Discover the edible plants, their pharmacology, identification, conservation and ethics…
Find out more »Sunset Safari: An Educational Adventure by Bus
Take a sunset safari over Trail Ridge Road to experience the changing light, active wildlife, and the calmness of dusk with an ascent in elevation from 7,522 feet in Estes Park to more than 12,090 feet. Along the way, a professional education guide will lead interpretive walks and talks to discuss geology, flora, fauna and the cultural history of Rocky at a number of pullouts, before arriving at Rock Cut to view the sunset over the Never Summer Mountains. Participants…
Find out more »NEW! Untangling the Mystery of RMNP Native Orchids
What is an orchid? The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is the largest family of flowering plants, about 35,000 species. Surprisingly there are about 26 species native to Colorado with many growing in the montane and subalpine zones of RMNP. Our day includes learning the characteristics of the orchid family, orchid terminology, their symbiotic relationship to other plants, history of uses, and looking at specific orchid species found in RMNP. We will see how many species we can find and identify in…
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