School Programs
Educators, we have several locations and opportunities to get your students connected with birds and nature! We offer hands-on, inquiry-based field trips, reverse field trips (where we bring the fun and learning to you) and custom programs throughout the Denver Metro Area, Northern Colorado and in Western Nebraska. Our programs support your learning objectives and are correlated with state based academic standards.
Colorado School Programs
Click below to learn more.
Field Trips
Field trips can focus on birds, biology and outdoor exploration. Students jump into action as a biologist to observe birds and research life in a prairie ecosystem. Need-based scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis upon request. Click here to request a scholarship. See below for program descriptions.
Barr Lake Banding Station Field Trips
Every spring and fall, thousands of birds stop to rest and eat at Barr Lake during their migratory journey. Spend a morning with a Bird Conservancy bird bander at Barr Lake State Park. Your students will get an “up-close and personal” experience with nature while they watch a wildlife biologist place a band on migrating birds captured harmlessly in mist nets. Students will also participate in other migration-related activities and observe wildlife on a hike along Barr Lake.
2025 Dates: August 26 through October 22. Tues – Fri
Time: 9:30 a.m./10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 students
Location: Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Road, Brighton, CO
Program Fee: $8 per student, plus a $10 state park fee for each vehicle.
Meets Colorado Science Standards and NGSS
Pineridge Banding Station Field Trips
Tucked into the foothills, the reservoir and groves of Pineridge Natural Area are draws for migratory birds refueling along their routes. Each spring and fall your class has the opportunity to visit Bird Conservancy’s Pineridge bird banding station and observe wild birds in the hand. Your students start and end their adventure with a short hike along the reservoir trails, learning about birds, their habitats and how we can protect them. In the middle of their excursion, they will stop by the banding station to see real science in action! Your students will experience the magic of seeing wild birds up close, interacting with scientists collecting data, being shown birds’ characteristics and see the birds released to continue on their journeys. Field trips are available Tuesday and Friday mornings.
Spring 2025 Dates: April 26 – May 31st. Tuesdays and Fridays.
Fall 2025 Dates: Sept 2 – Oct 11th. Tuesdays and Fridays.
Time: 9:30 a.m./10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 60 students
Location: North end of Dixon Reservoir within Pineridge Natural Area Fort Collins, CO
Parking lot: 3502 CR 42C, Fort Collins, CO 80526
Program Fee: $8 per student,
Meets Colorado Science Standards and NGSS
Bird Structure & Function
Curious about how birds have adapted to their environments? On this field trip students will dive into the structures and functions of raptors, songbirds, and waterfowl. Through observations and questioning students will be able to identify groups of birds based on their specific adaptations.
Dates: Year round
Time: Morning field trips recommended
Grades: 1st – 5th
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 students
Location: Bird Conservancy’s Environmental Learning Center (14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton, CO 80603)
Program Fee: $8 per student, plus a $10 state park fee for each vehicle
Meets Colorado Science Standards and NGSS
Shortgrass Prairie
Mountains may dominate much of Colorado’s skyline, but the unique shortgrass prairie ecosystem makes up nearly half our beautiful state. Students will be immersed in this vital habitat during their field trip; discovering its incredible biodiversity and the adaptations its inhabitants need to survive. Students will also have the chance to participate in a service learning project to help us restore the shortgrass prairie ecosystem at Barr Lake State Park!
Dates: Year round
Time: Morning field trips recommended
Grades: 3rd – 5th
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 students
Location: Bird Conservancy’s Environmental Learning Center (14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton, CO 80603)
Program Fee: $8 per student, plus a $10 state park fee for each vehicle
Healthy Water, Healthy Ecosystems
Water is both a critical and controversial resource; especially in the dry climate of Colorado. On this field trip, we will explore the oasis that is Barr Lake State Park and discover the birds that depend on it. Students will then take on the role of stakeholders in an imaginary town to figure out “who dirtied the water” and work together to come up with a solution.
Dates: Year round
Time: Morning field trips recommended
Grades: 4th – 8th
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 90 students
Location: Bird Conservancy’s Environmental Learning Center (14500 Lark Bunting Lane, Brighton, CO 80603)
Program Fee: $8 per student, plus a $10 state park fee for each vehicle
Custom Programs
Would you like us to design a program for you? If you are interested in a bird-related topic that is not already offered, we can help you design a program for your students or group. Programs can be unique and tailored to fit your class curriculum. They can be taught either in the classroom or as a field trip.
Dates: Any time of year
Time: Any time of day
Grades: 1 – adult
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: Varies
Location: Varies
Programs can be designed to fit into multiple grade-level standards. Costs will vary.
Reverse Field Trip Programs
Bird Conservancy’s reverse field trip programs can be a follow-up program or pre-trip program for schools attending field trips, or a stand-alone program for schools that do not attend a field trip. Reverse field trip programs take place at your school! Our goal is to get your students outside on your school grounds for these programs, however these can also be done inside a classroom. Reverse field trips are designed to increase students’ understanding of science, math, geography, art and language arts by using birds as the context for learning.
Reverse field trip programs are available September through April. Sessions run 45 minutes to 1 hour and cost $6/student. Sessions are limited to 35 students, but multiple sessions can be scheduled for the same day. A teacher or chaperone is required to be present during programs. Need-based scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis upon request. Click here to request a scholarship. For programs 75 miles or more round-trip from our site, a mileage fee of $0.70/mile over 75 miles will be charged. See below for program descriptions.
Demo Bird Banding
Students become the bird banders in this hands-on activity. Students take turns moving through the bird banding process by extracting, measuring, identifying and banding model birds. These model birds have been created to match to proportions and field marks of real bird species so that students have the opportunity to work through the process of identifying their birds. This program is a great indoor alternative to the live banding demonstration.
Recommended grade levels: 3-9
Topics addressed: STEM careers, migration, bird banding, scientific process
Schoolyard Nature Exploration
No matter whether your school is in an urban, suburban or rural setting nature can be found everywhere! Students will see their schoolyard from a whole new perspective by observing, exploring, and asking questions. From using scientific tools to nature journaling, students will have a chance to get out, get curious, and get connected to the world around them.
Recommended grade levels: K – 12
Topics addressed: inquiry, observation, reflection, ecosystems
Beautiful Birds
Students explore the unique features and adaptations of birds through observation and art. Students create a habitat drawing and make a model clay bird, and then have the opportunity to report out to their peers about where their bird lives, what it eats, and what adaptations help it survive in its habitat. Creativity is encouraged!
Recommended grade levels: 1-6
Topics addressed: adaptations, habitat, art, birds, niche
Feathers and Flight
Discover the wonders of feathers! Students will explore the structure and function of feathers while learning how birds use this unique adaptation. Utilizing critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity students will then design their own wing that is best suited to their chosen habitat.
Recommended grade levels: K – 3
Topics addressed: adaptation, habitat, observation, critical thinking, creativity
Not a Still Life
Join Bird Conservancy of the Rockies Environmental Educators as they show you that nature is not just a still life! Students will learn about bird adaptations and identifiable features through the lens of scientific illustration. They will be introduced to the concept of art as a tool for education as they create their very own piece of art. No prior art skills are needed!
Recommended grade levels: 5-12
Topics addressed: adaptations and anatomy, scientific illustration, species identification, art and education
Migration Mapping
Students’ understanding of migratory patterns and geography will be enhanced while they discover the factors that drive bird migration. Students will use bird banding data to map the migratory routes of several bird species and analyze and graph the migratory data of bird species banded at the Bird Conservancy Banding Station.
Recommended grade levels: 3-9
Topics addressed: mapping, geography, teamwork, migration, habitat needs, graphing, data analysis
Water Conservation Community Meeting
Through a simulation, students participate and explore how a community can deplete and damage a local water resource. After learning how that ecosystem was damaged students work in stakeholder groups to brainstorm how they, as members of the community, can restore that ecosystem for future generations. Students will present their groups ideas to the class.
Recommended grade levels: 5-8
Topics addressed: ecosystems, stakeholders, community, conservation, critical thinking, teamwork
Colorado Water
Water is a vital resource that all animals, including humans depend on. Students will learn about the hydrologic cycle and the different states of matter water is found in on earth. Students will then collaborate to see how humans can dirty the water in a community’s watershed. After, they will discuss steps they can take to mitigate this issue and help protect birds and their habitats.
Recommended grade levels: 3 – 5
Topics addressed: water, conservation, community, habitats
Afterschool Nature Clubs
Information coming soon!
For More Information on Colorado Programs:
Denver Metro:
Nellie Boyd-Owens
School Programs Coordinator
(303) 659-4348 x 99
Northern Colorado:
Stephanie Wheeler
Education Manager
(970) 482-1707 x 40
Nebraska School Programs
Click below to learn more.
Field Trips
Field trips can focus on birds, biology and outdoor exploration. Students jump into action as a biologist to observe birds and research life in a prairie ecosystem. Need-based scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis upon request. See below for program descriptions. Programs provided at no cost to participants through generous support from partners & sponsors.
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Banding Station Field Trips
Every fall, thousands of birds stop to rest and eat at Wildcat Hills during their migratory journey. Spend a morning with a Bird Conservancy bird bander and educators at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Your students will get an “up-close and personal” experience with nature while they watch a wildlife biologist place a band on migrating birds captured harmlessly in mist nets. Students will also participate in other migration-related activities and observe wildlife on a hike within Wildcat Hills.
2025 Dates: August 28 through October 9. Tues – Fri
Time: starting between 8:30 a.m./10 a.m.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 45 students
Location: Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, 210615 NE 71, Gering, NE 69341
Program Fee: No Cost, thanks to generous sponsors.
Meets Nebraska Science Standards
Chadron State Park Banding Station Field Trips
Every fall, thousands of birds stop to rest and eat at Chadron State Park during their migratory journey. Spend a morning with a Bird Conservancy bird bander and educators at Chadron State Park. Your students will get an “up-close and personal” experience with nature while they watch a wildlife biologist place a band on migrating birds captured harmlessly in mist nets. Students will also participate in other migration-related activities and observe wildlife on a hike within Chadron State Park.
2025 Dates: August 28 through October 9. Tues – Fri
Time: starting between 8:30 a.m./10 a.m.
Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: 45 students
Location: Chadron State Park, 15951 Gold Rush Byway, Chadron, NE 69337
Program Fee: No Cost, thanks to generous sponsors.
Meets Nebraska Science Standards
Custom Programs
Would you like us to design a program for you? If you are interested in a bird-related topic that is not already offered, we can help you design a program for your students or group. Programs can be unique and tailored to fit your class curriculum. They can be taught either in the classroom or as a field trip.
Dates: Any time of year
Time: Any time of day
Grades: K – adult
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Maximum Number of Participants: Varies
Location: Varies
Programs can be designed to fit into multiple grade-level standards.
Reverse Field Trip Programs
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies’ Nebraska office offers Reverse Field Trip programming for students of all ages in the Nebraska Panhandle. Due to our generous funding we are able to offer these classes at no cost to participants. Our Reverse Field Trip programs feature interactive lessons, small group investigations, hands-on exploration, and curriculum-aligned content. See our current offerings below as well. Sessions run 45 minutes or 1 class period and are limited to 35 students, but multiple sessions can be scheduled for the same day. A teacher or chaperone is required to be present during programs. For ease of scheduling, we ask that you register at least 2 weeks before your desired date. Please visit the Submit a Reservation Request below to register for a class.
Reverse field trip programs are available September through April. Sessions run 45 minutes to 1 hour and are provided at no cost. Sessions are limited to 35 students, but multiple sessions can be scheduled for the same day. A teacher or chaperone is required to be present during programs. More information about each of the in-class programs can be found below.
Science of Migration
Take a deep dive into the phenomenon of migration through the lens of bird banding. Taking on the role of a scientist, students will gather banding data and analyze the data to understand how bird banding helps us understand bird migration.
Recommended grade levels: 4 – 9
So Fly!
This class is all about birds! Learn about avian adaptations as well as the challenges our feathered friends face.
Recommended grade levels: K – 5
Schoolyard Nature Exploration
No matter whether your school is in an urban, suburban, or rural setting, nature can be found everywhere! Students will see their schoolyard from a whole new perspective by observing, exploring, and asking questions. From using scientific tools to nature journaling, students will have a chance to get out, get curious, and get connected to the world around them.
Recommended grade levels: K – 12
Custom
Would you like us to design a program for you? If you are interested in a bird-related or Nebraska wildlife topic that is not already offered, we can help you design a program for your students or group. Programs can be unique and tailored to fit your class curriculum. They can be taught either in the classroom or as a field trip.
Recommended grade levels: K – 12
Afterschool Nature Clubs
The After School Nature Club is a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly student program that creates excitement about the outdoors, provides hands-on conservation education and deepens connections to the natural world. Nature Club’s provide support to aftercare programs at elementary schools and expands on students’ science knowledge and critical thinking skills. Lessons and activities are based on students’ interests and creating excitement about their local schoolyard environment.
After School Nature Club is open to any school in the Panhandle and can be done in-person or virtually. Sound like a program your students or school would want to participate in? Contact the Education Manager to join the waitlist for an Afterschool Nature Club at your school. Programs provided at no cost to participants through generous support from partners & sponsors.
For More Information on Nebraska Programs:
Delanie Bruce
Education Manager
(308) 633-1013
