On Saturday, August 17th, 800 Colorado State University students will be hiking through Maxwell Natural Area. This "Hike to the A" is an annual tradition for new, first year students. Students are welcomed by Natural Areas staff and volunteers who brief them on Leave No Trace principles. 

Visitors may want to choose to visit another natural area while this event is taking place. 

There will be construction along the Poudre Trail at Arapaho Bend Natural Area through September 2024, due to a section of the trail being built to increase trail connectivity.   Construction will impact access to paved trails and social trails. 

Nature in the City would like to help you and your community create more access to nature and improve wildlife habitats throughout Fort Collins! Dream It Up Planning Grants (up to $8,000) will be available to help cover design costs for your project!  Applications will be available Sept 1 and due by Oct 20, 2024. Learn more and share this opportunity: Nature in the City website. 

Do you love connecting the public with the natural world? Volunteer Naturalist Assistant applications are now open!

Naturalist Assistants assist with group management, props, and activities. It’s a great way to take an active role in education programs and gain experience in interpretation, natural history, and group management.

Naturalist assistants will also be able to take supplemental training to help with eagle watch programs, school field trips, outreach tables, and youth summer programs.

Training is limited to 20 participants. All applicants will receive a screening interview.

Read more about the position here. 

Applications will be accepted through September 30, 2024.  

Hike with a Planner on Tuesday, August 13th at 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. at  Arapaho Bend Natural Area. 

"Just Be"' Yoga and Meditation Retreat/"Simplemente ser" retiro de yoga y meditación on Sunday August 18th at 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Primrose Studio. 

Nature Lovers Adventure Series: Pollinators on August 21st at 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Sugar Beet Park (registration through Poudre Libraries, sign up here). 

Stewardship Behind the Scenery: Grazing on August 27th at 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area. 

Nature Photography with a Smartphone on Saturday August 24th at 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Prospect Ponds Natural Area. 

A Colorful History of the Poudre River on August 30th at 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Old Fort Collins Heritage Park. 

Natural Areas staff and volunteers look forward to seeing you there! 

Natural Areas News is published on the first Tuesday of the month with occasional special editions. Newsletter comments are welcome. Please contact Zoe Shark, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Public Engagement Manager, 970-221-6311 or zshark@fcgov.com. 

To learn more about Natural Areas, visit our website.