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bird-friendly living

Birding Adventure Camp (Ages 12-13) Copy

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Ages:  12-13
When: June 3-7, 2024. 9 a.m. to 4 pm. Daily
Tuition: $340/week; scholarships are available
Location: Environmental Learning Center, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton, CO

Take your birding to the next level by visiting different birding hotspot locations along the front range. Campers will go on three field trips away from Barr Lake to find new birds to add to their life lists while exploring some of the different ecosystems that birds thrive in. REGISTER HERE on November 1st!

Scholarships are available for all camps
Applications for scholarships can be made through our online scholarship application. Please complete this form BEFORE you register and wait for a reply from a Bird Conservancy staff member.

The Big Week (Ages 10-11)

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Ages: 10-11
When: June 10- 14, 2024. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily
Tuition: $285/week; scholarships are available.
Location: Environmental Learning Center, 14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton, CO

In The Big Week, campers will hone their observational and scientific skills in order to see as many bird species as possible. In 2023, campers saw 31 different species; can you help us top that in 2024? We will explore different habitats and seek out the birds that call them their home. All of our Day Camps strive to balance learning and fun through games, hikes, crafts, scavenger hunts, and structured outdoor play.

REGISTER HERE!

Scholarships are available for all camps
Applications for scholarships can be made through our online scholarship application. Please complete this form BEFORE you register and wait for a reply from a Bird Conservancy staff member.

Birding for All Celebration!

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Celebrate connecting people of all abilities and disabilities to birds and the natural world! It will be a morning of birding, banding, journaling and engaging. We will be leading bird tours, visits to our bird banding station, helping you to create your very own nature journal, and teaching people how to engage with nature in ways that are most comfortable for them.

All activities will be stationed outside of the Nature Center at Barr Lake State Park (13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton, CO 80603). Tours and banding station visits will include crossing a moderately inclined foot bridge and traveling as far as participants are comfortable but no more than a half mile on a hard packed, gravel trail. Benches are available along the way to take a break if needed. We will have binoculars and adaptive equipment available to use. The adaptive equipment helps people with seen and unseen challenges be able to see birds on an iPad rather than have to look through a scope or binoculars.

We will remain flexible throughout the morning and all activities will be available throughout the morning. We will also have Barr Lake State Park’s two track chairs and an ADA shuttle available to assist any visitors experiencing mobility challenges. Accessible bathrooms are available in the Nature Center.

Registration is not required for this amazing opportunity! Grab some friends and join us for an amazing morning out in nature!

Birding for All – Accessible Sunset Birding

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Join us for a guided birding tour at Barr Lake State Park. We will take a leisurely walk that will include crossing a moderately inclined foot bridge and traveling as far as participants are comfortable but no more than a half mile on a hard packed, gravel trail. We will have binoculars and adaptive equipment available. The adaptive equipment helps people with seen and unseen challenges be able to see birds on an iPad rather than have to look through a scope or binoculars.

The tour will meet outside the Nature Center at Barr Lake State Park (13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton CO 80603). There are accessible bathrooms available at the Nature Center and there will be benches along the way to rest if desired.

This birding tour is intended for all ages and abilities. No birding experience is necessary. Come and learn about the magic of birds in a beautiful setting! This program is provided at no cost to participants thanks to the support of Adams County Open Space.

This program takes place at Barr Lake State Park located at 13401 Picadilly Rd, Brighton CO. Please note, a $10 Daily or Annual Colorado State Parks Pass is required for entry into the park at all times.

Our community of practice is to be an organization that welcomes people of all backgrounds, beliefs, colors and creeds to join in, benefit from and contribute to our mission. We strive for inclusivity of all persons regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other status.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY!

Birding for All – Mindful Birding Workshop

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Mindful birding is an inclusive practice for all abilities, all ages, and all needs. It is naturally a comfortable and welcoming environment for underrepresented individuals as well as participants who have physical and mental challenges, and those with special learning needs. There is no level of competition or level of experience expected.

Mindful Birding combines observing birds with mindfulness techniques, creating a practice that incorporates heightened awareness. Labeling or identifying birds is not the primary focus, instead, the intention is slowing down and noticing, using birds as our guides. This style of observation invites self-exploration, reciprocity, and an acknowledgment of our physical and emotional responses while within the practice.

The guiding principles of Mindful Birding are:

  • an awareness of being in the moment with the birds
  • an intention to turn our attention to birds and nature for self-care
  • of being without judgment in order to allow an experience to be what it will be, and not be disappointed by what happens (or doesn’t)
  • an exploration of one’s curiosity, wonder, and openness to experiencing awe

Dr. Barbra Patterson will be leading this Mindful Birding Workshop outdoors at Bird Conservancy’s Environmental Learning Center (14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton CO 80603). This workshop will be held outside, please dress and prepare for the weather. There are mildly sloping ADA hard packed gravel trails around the Environmental Learning Center which will be utilized. There are also ADA accessible indoor and outdoor restrooms available on site.

Registration is required and space is limited!

How Can You Help Pollinators?

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If you had to name one pollinator other than a honeybee, what would be your first guess? More bees? Well, you wouldn’t be wrong, nearly every species of bee pollinates flowers and food crops. But what about beetles? Certain birds? The winged night terrors we call bats? While there are no denying honeybees are crucial to our environment and provide us with an excellent service, the fact is, they are not native to North America.

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Fall Birding Festival at Barr Lake State Park

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Fly over to Barr Lake State Park to celebrate fall bird migration, an experience worth sharing with others! Be entertained at this festive community event filled with fun for all ages!

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, 7 a.m. – 12 p.m.
​Location:
Barr Lake State Park Nature Center ($10/vehicle Daily Entrance Fee or an Annual State Park Pass is required for entry) – 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603.

2023 Fall Birding Festival Schedule

*Spanish translation available at event

Guided Bird Tours *
7:00a (60 min); 8:00a (60 min); 9:00a (60 min); 10:00a (60 min)
Toddler Story Time
9:30a (20 min); 10:00a (20 min)
Meet in the Eagle’s Nest outside the Nature Center
Nature Journaling Workshop *
9:00a (30 min); 11:00a (30 min)
Mindful Birding Walk *
10:00a (60 min); 11:00a (60 min)
Birding Photography 101: Tips and Tricks for taking great bird photos *
8:00a (2 hours)
Banding Station Tours *
7:30a (45 min); 8:15a (45 min); 9:00a (45 min); 9:45a (45 min); 10:30a (45 min)
Kids Activity Zone, Face Painter, Vendors and Informational Booths
9:00a-12:00p All around the Nature Center!
Pancake Breakfast to benefit Friends of Barr Lake: $2 per plate
8:30a-10:30a Inside Nature Center
*Sign up at the Bird Conservancy booth day of, spaces are limited!

Thank you to our sponsors:

A Night for the Birds

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Friday, October 6 from 6 – 9 p.m.

Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ annual fall fundraiser celebration is our most anticipated event of the year! A Night for the Birds attracts hundreds of bird lovers, philanthropists, and conservation and community leaders from across the Front Range and beyond. Guests enjoy wonderful food and drinks, vie for the highest bids in the silent and live auctions, compete for prizes in exciting games, and learn about our programs from special guest speakers. The best part of it all, proceeds go to Bird Conservancy’s cutting edge, impactful bird conservation work!

This event is sold out! If you would still like to attend please contact Joe Pettit at [email protected] or (303) 659-4348 x 12


Thank you to our Event Host:

Thank you to our sponsors!

Barr Lake Banding Station Programs

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Visit our Bird Banding Station located at Barr Lake State Park this fall for an up close and personal experience with birds! You will have a unique opportunity to experience science in action and observe a wildlife biologist banding and collecting important scientific data on live, migrating birds. You will also learn about specialized bird adaptations and behavior, annual migration, crucial habitat requirements, and key conservation issues. Bird banding data increases our knowledge and understanding of birds and is often utilized in management and conservation projects!

The Banding Station is open from August 25th – October 22nd, 2023 and one hour programs are available Tuesdays – Fridays from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., and 10-11 a.m. (closed Mondays). Registration is required for all timeslots. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Schedule is weather permitting. Station is closed during rain or high winds, and may close early during very hot weather and open later if very cold.

Programs are limited to a total of 15 participants to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff, and volunteers.

Access to the Banding Station requires a short walk on a gravel trail. Please let us know if we can offer any accommodations or assistance to help you get to the Station. Parking is available at the Barr Lake State Park Nature Center Parking lot ($10/vehicle Daily Entrance Fee or an Annual State Park Pass is required for entry) – 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603.

Scholarships are available!  Please fill out our SCHOLARSHIPS FORM to apply. Scholarships cannot be applied after registration is complete.

Barr Lake Banding Station Programs

By | | No Comments

Visit our Bird Banding Station located at Barr Lake State Park this fall for an up close and personal experience with birds! You will have a unique opportunity to experience science in action and observe a wildlife biologist banding and collecting important scientific data on live, migrating birds. You will also learn about specialized bird adaptations and behavior, annual migration, crucial habitat requirements, and key conservation issues. Bird banding data increases our knowledge and understanding of birds and is often utilized in management and conservation projects!

The Banding Station is open from August 25th – October 22nd, 2023 and one hour programs are available Tuesdays – Fridays from 7:30-8:30 a.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 8-9 a.m., 9-10 a.m., and 10-11 a.m. (closed Mondays). Registration is required for all timeslots. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Schedule is weather permitting. Station is closed during rain or high winds, and may close early during very hot weather and open later if very cold.

Programs are limited to a total of 15 participants to ensure the safety of all visitors, staff, and volunteers.

Access to the Banding Station requires a short walk on a gravel trail. Please let us know if we can offer any accommodations or assistance to help you get to the Station. Parking is available at the Barr Lake State Park Nature Center Parking lot ($10/vehicle Daily Entrance Fee or an Annual State Park Pass is required for entry) – 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO 80603.

Scholarships are available!  Please fill out our SCHOLARSHIPS FORM to apply. Scholarships cannot be applied after registration is complete.