Experience the vibrant beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park's montane and subalpine wildflowers as they bloom in stunning array. This field-based class will take you through lush meadows and forested slopes, where you'll explore a diverse range of wildflower habitats. Hone your identification skills while learning about the fascinating adaptations these plants use to thrive […]
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of alpine wildflowers, where beauty and resilience meet. This field-based class will take you to the windswept tundra of Rocky Mountain National Park, a landscape bursting with vibrant blooms that thrive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. Learn to identify delicate alpine species and discover the incredible […]
Join us to learn about the edible and medicinal plants found in Rocky Mountain National Park! Not only are Rocky’s plants diverse and beautiful, but many species were part of the grocery store and pharmacy of earlier peoples and are still used today. We will explore these edible and medicinal species with a focus on […]
Explore Rocky's high country and the animals who make their home there. What adaptations allow them to live in this harsh environment? What relationships tie the alpine world together, making it possible for life to thrive? Learn all about the amazing critters of the tundra in this course! Who: Participants ages 16 and up. Program […]
Join us for this exclusive chance to get to know the trees and forests of Rocky Mountain National Park! With hands-on exploration, we'll learn about both the diverse tree species in each area and the wildlife that can be found in each. Climate change and wildfire bring challenges to all of these forests - we'll […]
The riparian communities – willow, aspen and their associated wildlife species – in Moraine and Horseshoe parks have changed greatly since the implementation of the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan began in 2009. We’ll spend some time inside the fences, one of the major components of the Plan, to see those changes first hand, and […]
Did you know that butterflies fly in every life zone of Rocky Mountain National Park? This introductory-level interactive field class will begin with a brief introduction to basic butterfly biology, including patterns of butterfly behavior, diversity, and important habitats in the park. We will learn to observe and identify butterflies, while discussing conservation concerns, the […]
In this course, bat ecology expert Jeremy Siemers will introduce participants to the evolution, ecology, behavior, anatomy, threats, and population status of Colorado’s bats in an illustrated lecture, complete with video and acoustic materials. Participants will also learn about the various types of survey equipment used to monitor bat populations across Colorado. After the classroom […]
Explore the incredible world of mushrooms in this introductory-level course in Rocky Mountain National Park. This class features a two-hour lecture covering the basics of fungal biology, ecology, and identification, followed by a guided field foray to observe mushrooms in their natural habitats. This program focuses on appreciating fungi rather than foraging, making it perfect […]
If you've ever been curious about the natural forces that sculpted Rocky's dramatic landscapes, this course is for you! Participants in this full-day course will travel up the famous Trail Ridge Road, stopping at popular overlooks to view and discuss the geology of Rocky Mountain National Park. You will have a chance to examine ancient […]
Learn the basics of outdoor climbing and try top-roping outdoors with other women in the stunning Estes Valley! If you have climbed in a gym before and are ready to make the move to climbing outdoors, this might be the perfect day, and one you will never forget! Designed for beginner climbers or gym climbers […]
Learn how to snap stunning landscapes, set up your camera on the fly, and be in the right place at the right time for amazing shots! Landscape photography blends the joys of photography and hiking into one adventure-filled outing. This two-day course will take a look at how to plan landscape destinations, how to predict […]
