Friends Annual Business Meeting
2015-10-17 09:30 - 12:30 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
The Friends of Florissant Fossil Beds and Pikes Peak Historical Society
It’s a Double Header on October 17th 2015
And no, it’s not Boys of October playing in the World Series.
It’s time for the Friends’ of the Florissant Fossil Beds annual general membership business meeting and the PPHS annual fundraiser auction. Both will be held on October 17th.
Start the day at 9:30 am in the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Auditorium for the Friends annual Business Meeting. Friends’ president Jeff Proper will recap the last year and discuss the way forward. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Superintendent Michelle Wheatley will highlight the monument’s accomplishments and how the Friends can help during the upcoming year. The formal meeting will end with election of new Board of Directors.
If you’ve ever wanted to be involved in the governance of a charitable organization, now is the time! The Friends are looking to fill several vacancies on the board with enthusiastic volunteers who are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and pitch in. Upon completion of the formal meeting, Monument Paleontologist Dr. Herb Meyer and Trail Coordinator John Schwalbe will lead interested participants on a 45 minute geologic trail walk that will be highlighted by the new interpretive way station signage. The event will culminate in a potluck lunch starting at 11:30.
Continue your day by driving to the Lake George Charter School and attending the annual Pikes Peak Historical Society fundraiser auction. Doors open at noon for preview and the auction begins at 2:00 pm. There will be many gift certificates and miscellaneous items and a snack lunch available for purchase. Payment for items may be made by cash, check or credit card. The proceeds are critical to supporting the PPHS’s museum in Florissant, paying for utilities and the mortgage. Bid early, bid often!!
You do not have to be a member of either organization to participate, but non-members are encouraged to hit a home run by joining on the spot!

Fee Free Day - Veterans Day
2015-11-11 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
The National Park Service will celebrate Veterans day with a fee free day at the parks.

The Fall Sky
2015-11-14 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will host a night sky program entitled “The Fall Sky,” on Saturday, November 14. Join park rangers and members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society as we gaze at Princess Andromeda, Queen Cassiopeia, Pisces the fish, and perhaps view a galaxy (Andromeda Galaxy) that is 3 million light years away. Florissant Fossil Beds is just far away enough from city lights to also provide a chance to see other deep space objects.
Night Sky Programs begin with a short presentation in the Visitor Center, followed by stargazing with telescopes, binoculars, and laser-guided tours of the stars and constellations. Please note that the telescope viewing is weather-dependent, and takes place only if clear. Presentations take place no matter the weather. Dress warmly; nights can be cool even in summer. Bring binoculars or a flashlight if you wish (red-filtered lights only please).
These programs are generously assisted by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. For more information on this partnership, please visit their website: www.csastro.org .

Admission for the program is the regular park entrance fee, which is $5 per adult (16 years and older); children and federal pass holders are free. For additional information, please call (719) 748-3253 or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook at /FlorissantNPS

Fee Free Day at FLFO - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
2016-01-18 08:00 - 17:00 UTC

Fee Free Day at FLFO - National Park Week
2016-04-16 08:00 - 2016-04-24 17:00 UTC

Night Sky Program
2016-05-06 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
On Friday, May 6, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will host a night sky program for the general public. The program will feature a 30-minute indoor presentation followed by outdoor laser-guided constellation tour and telescope observations (weather permitting). Members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will guide us on our celestial voyage as we explore our home – the Milky Way Galaxy.
Members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society will be on hand to share their love of the night sky and provide telescope viewing of the moon, star clusters, nebulae, and other celestial wonders.
The program will be held at the Florissant Fossil Beds Visitor Center from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM.
Please note that the telescope viewing is weather-dependent, and takes place only if clear. Presentations take place no matter the weather. Dress warmly in layers. Bring binoculars or a flashlight if you wish (red-filtered lights only please).
These programs are generously assisted by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. For more information on this partnership, please visit their website: www.csastro.org .
Admission for the program is the regular park entrance fee, which is $5 per adult (16 years and older); children and federal pass holders are free. For additional information, please call(719) 748-3253 or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook at /FlorissantNPS

Ribbon Cutting - New Geology Trail
2016-06-04 09:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Saturday, June 4, National Trails Day: Ribbon Cutting and Hike on the New Geology Trail Join community members, park staff, and paleontologists as we cut the ribbon and lead a hike on the new Geology Trail.
9:30 AM – Ribbon Cutting, meet behind visitor center 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM – guided hikes with park paleontology staff, meet behind visitor center, 1 mile round trip, 1.5 hours

Wildflower Walk
2016-06-05 09:00 - 11:00, 2016-06-12 09:00 - 11:00, 2016-06-19 09:00 - 11:00, 2016-06-26 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago)
Wildflower Walks, Every Sunday, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Join Ranger Shawn for a weekly look at blooming flowers. This may be a 1 – 2 mile hike. Meet at the visitor center.

Yoga Hike
2016-06-06 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-06-13 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-06-20 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-06-27 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-07-04 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-07-11 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-07-18 09:00 - 10:15, 2016-07-25 09:00 - 10:15 (America/Chicago) and 5 more dates
Yoga Hikes Every Monday through August 29, 9:00 AM – 10:15 AM Join a certified yoga instructor and a Park Ranger for a 1 hour and 15 minutes, 1 mile yoga hike. This will be a hike interspersed with standing yoga poses. This program is geared for beginner to intermediate yoga enthusiasts. Meet at the visitor center.

Night Sky Program
2016-06-24 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago)
Night Sky Program, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM Join park staff and members of the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society for a look at the dark skies above Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Fee Free Day at FLFO - National Park Service Birthday Weekend
2016-08-25 08:00 - 2016-08-28 17:00 (America/Chicago)

Plein Air Art Event
2016-08-27 08:00 - 2016-08-28 17:00 (America/Chicago)
Friends of the Fossil Beds Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument 100th Centennial Celebration of the NPS Plein Air Art Event & Sale
After more than a year of planning, the Friends of the Fossil Beds and the Florissant Fossil Beds are pleased to be partnering with Ken Shanika, Director of the Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters, to host the 1st Annual Plein Air Art Event & Sale, as part of the 100thCelebration of the National Park System. The theme of the event is, “Paint Your Park.” The event will be held August 27 & 28 at the Monument. Artists will be able to paint anywhere on the park property, and will have until August 27, at 4 pm to complete their work. All of the art will be displayed in the Visitor Center, and will be for sale. Portions of the proceeds will go to the Friends of the Fossil Beds, and the Pikes Peak Plein Air Painters.
In addition, Plein Air artists will also be giving art demos and speaking on the subject in the amphitheater during the two day event.
The FOFB Plein Air Committee is currently seeking volunteers and sponsors for the event. Please contact Patty Glatfelter at 719 689 3174, or Karen Ports at 719 426 2918, if you can help out.

Fee Free Day at FLFO - National Public Lands Day
2016-09-24 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)

Fee Free Day at FLFO - Veterans Day
2016-11-11 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago)

Fine Arts Festival
2017-08-12 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds is holding the 2nd annual Fine Arts Festival at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument August 12th and 13th from 8 am to 6 pm. World renowned artists and regional artists will have art for sale to support refurbishing the Fowler education center at the Monument. Meet some artists throughout the weekend .There will be special kid art activities and all usual Monument hikes and educational opportunities throughout the weekend. Park admission is $5 per adult 16 and over. Children are always free.
We are honored to have world reknowned artist Mort Solberg as our featured artist. Ken Shanika, nationally recognized and local artist, has assisted in the development of the art festival which started last year for the National Park Services’ Centennial Celebration. Works will include oils, watercolor and pastel representations of the Monument and the greater Pikes Peak region.
The refurbishing of the Fowler Educational Center is of particular importance to the Monument this year. The approximately $8,500 needed to restore the septic and water system will allow the building’s use for youth education programs, home base for elk walks and adult education programs as well as a staging area for fire crews when needed.
As the federal budget tightens and the National Park Service needs to prioritize the most critical needs maintenance projects, our local Monument needs assistance from the Friends to improve and maintain the infrastructure that is nonessential to Monument function. By purchase of artwork and your attendance at the Monument you support the ongoing mission of the National Park Service and our local Monument to preserve, protect and educate.
