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June 2020
Lions, Coyotes, & Bears! Oh, My!
What does it take to be a predator in Rocky Mountain National Park? Take a look through the eyes of these mysterious animals. Through adventures in various habitats, the creation of a handmade predator, and other fun activities, kids will learn all about the sneakiest animals in Rocky Mountain National Park and what it is like to walk in their paws. Meets at Trail River Ranch near Grand Lake
Find out more »NEW! Colors & Their Values: Painting for All Levels
Value is the lightness and darkness of color and is the most important consideration in your composition. In this one-day class we will briefly renew our understanding of the color wheel and color relationships. Correct value placement in landscape painting will be discussed as well as the four properties of color: hue, intensity, temperature, value and how both color and value work together to construct a painting. Using “color-finders” and “value-finders” we will be able to interpret the landscape through…
Find out more »July 2020
Hummingbirds: Field Research West of the Divide
Marking individual hummingbirds remains essential to assess population size, migration corridors and survival. Genetic and statistical analyses are complementing and expanding understanding of these important migratory pollinators. Learn about Rocky’s hummingbird populations and their habitats while observing field ornithologists as they safely capture and band these remarkable birds. Visit typical habitats, observe and identify types of food sources, and learn about factors influencing hummingbird survival. Meets at Trail River Ranch near Grand Lake Instructors: Tena & Fred Engelman
Find out more »NEW! Drawing for Painters
A strong drawing is the backbone of a good painting. Early summer is a great time to brush up on your drawing skills to make your paintings stronger and better. Practice your skills and try something new! Relationships of shapes, values and perspective in painting, which determine the strength or weakness of the composition in your work, will be discussed and explored. With plenty of practice time, you will become more confident in drawing and experimenting with edges, shapes, values,…
Find out more »Who Pooped in the Woods? A Mammal Mystery
Who doesn’t love a good mystery? This program will have kids solving real-life mysteries from start to finish. They will learn to recognize different animal signs like scat (a fancy word for poop) and tracks, and make a cast of an animal track to take home. Meets at Trail River Ranch near Grand Lake
Find out more »August 2020
Wild Mushrooms & Fungi of RMNP
Often thought of as something to be avoided, fungi (including mushrooms) represent a vast and diverse group of organisms that play a critical role in virtually every terrestrial environment on the planet. Formerly thought of as plants, it is now know that fungi represent their own kingdom, along with plants and animals. Exemplified by prevalent and often colorful mushrooms, Rocky Mountain National Park has a bountiful and diverse fungal flora. Come learn the basics of mushroom identification, their important role…
Find out more »The History of Moose in RMNP
The present-day story of moose in Rocky Mountain National Park started in 1978. Before 1978, there is some debate if moose were considered residents of the park. We will discuss the debate and learn where the present population came from. We will spend our day exploring various topics such as moose diet, seasonal behavior, predation, impact on willow communities, and radio collaring. We will also discuss the moose’s relationship to other wildlife (such as elk and birds) and why willow…
Find out more »NEW! Hike with a Naturalist: Mount Ida
This hike on the western slope of Rocky Mountain National Park affords panoramic views of the Never Summer Mountains, Gorge Lakes, and both sides of the Continental Divide as participants traverse subalpine and tundra terrain to the top of Mount Ida. Possible sightings of bighorn sheep and elk can be enjoyed from the many lookout points along the way. Meets at Milner Pass Instructor: TBA
Find out more »September 2020
NEW! Rocky Mountain National Park Butterflies: West of the Divide
Butterflies fly in every life zone of Rocky Mountain National Park. This class will begin with an indoor introduction to basic butterfly biology, butterfly behavior, and butterfly diversity. In the field, we will visit several different habitats on the west side of the Park to search for late summer species, such as Rocky Mountain parnassian, Scudder’s sulphur, silver-bordered fritillary, mourning cloak and dark wood-nymph. We will learn to identify these species while discussing their life histories, ecology, host-plant associations, conservation concerns, and the impact of…
Find out more »January 2030
NEW! On-demand East Across the Divide: A Custom Trail Ridge Road Bus Adventure
$400 for up to 4 people, $75 per each additional adult and $45 per each additional child ages 12 and under Various Instructors Rocky Mountain National Park contains breathtaking scenery, ample wildlife viewing, and opportunities to connect with the past as you travel across Trail Ridge Road, the awe-inspiring byway across the Continental Divide. A professional educational guide will provide participants with an overview of the park’s history, flora, fauna, and geology while they view passing landscapes from the comfort…
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