The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds

Night Sky Program: Total Eclipse of the SuperMoon
2015-09-27 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Special Eclipse-Watching Night Sky Program: “Total Eclipse of the SuperMoon!”
Sunday, September 27, 2015 – 7:00-9:30 PM.
Join us for a rare treat: watching the Full Moon turn dark and red as it enters the shadow of the Earth! We will discuss the science behind this Total Lunar Eclipse as we watch it slowly unfold. The eclipse is visible to the unaided ey, but telescopes will be on hand for a closer view. In case that’s not exciting enough, this eclipse also takes place during a “Supermoon,” as the Moon will be at its closest to Earth and appearing slightly larger than usual. This is the fourth and final event of the current tetrad of Total Lunar Eclipses (and the only one to be “super”), so don’t miss it! The next Total Lunar Eclipse is in 2018.

Fee Free Day - National Public Lands Day
2015-09-26 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Celebrate National Public Lands Day by visiting the Pikes Peak region’s closest national park area – Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on Saturday, September 26, 2015. In honor of National Public Lands Day, fees will be waived at Florissant Fossil Beds as well as the 400 plus other national park units across the United States.
Calling all teens! Any teens (13-19yrs) that come to the park this day and complete a hiking challenge (The Hornbek Wildlife Loop, 4 miles round trip) receive a free t-shirt. The teen hiking challenge is part of the Trails4Teens program at Florissant Fossil Beds. This program encourages teens to explore the Monument’s trails through hiking, playing, serving, and working.
Public Lands Day will include the following programs:
10:00 AM Interpretive Talk: Join a Ranger in the amphitheater behind the visitor center for a 25 minute talk about the area’s natural and human history.
10:00AM – 4:00PM Teen Hiking Challenge: Sign up in the visitor center to hike the 4 mile Hornbek Wildlife loop. 2 – 3 hours. Complete the challenge and earn a t-shirt.
11:00 AM Ranger Guided Hike: Learn about the Monument’s trails on a 1 hour guided hike.
1:00 PM Awards Ceremony: Come to the amphitheater behind the visitor center and learn about and celebrate the success of the teens that worked and hiked at the Monument this summer. Cake, fruit, and refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds. 1 hour.
1:00 PM-3:00 PM Fossil Learning Lab: Join a Park Ranger in the Yurt (tent) in the picnic area of the visitor center and see how fossils are discovered in the fragile lake shales of the Florissant valley.
For more information please call the Monument at (719) 748 – 3253 ext 202 or email at flfo_information@nps.gov.
The Monument is located at 15807 Teller County Road#1 in Florissant, CO. The park is approximately 35 miles (1 hour) west of Colorado Springs off of Highway 24.
Follow us on Twitter at @FlorissantNPS and on Facebook/FlorissantNPS or visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/flfo

Aspen Leaf Hike for fourth graders & family
2015-09-13 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
On Sunday, September 13, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will host a special aspen leaf hike for fourth graders and their families. As part of the nation-wide, Every Kid in a Park initiative (www.everykidinapark.gov), the monument will be distributing a free pass for all national parks for any fourth grader and their family.
Fourth Grade Friendly Aspen Leaf Hike:
10:00AM – 12:00PM, This kid-friendly hike will explore the changing colors of the aspen trees. On the hike participants will get to explore small pockets of golden wonder and learn up close about the aspen tree’s natural history. For example, did you know aspens can reproduce from sucker roots underground? Meet at the Visitor Center. Distance: 1–2 miles in length, Rated: Easy.
Reservations are required and participating fourth graders and families will need to download a free, paper pass from the Every Kid in a Park website, before they come.
The Every Kid in a Park pass is available to any fourth grader in the United States and their family, and is not just limited to this hike. Learn more at www.everykidinapark.gov
Space is limited; please call ahead for details at (719) 748 – 3253 ext. 202
Learn more about Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument at (719) 748 – 3253 ext. 122 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/flfo and visit us on Facebook www.facebook.com/florissantnps

Night Sky Program: The Milky Way
2015-09-05 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Night Sky Program: “The Milky Way”
Saturday, September 5, 2015 – 8:00-10:00 PM.
What’s that soft, milky glow stretching across the night sky? It’s the collective light of hundreds of billions of stars in our Milky Way Galaxy, most of which are too far away to see individually with the unaided eye. But don’t take our word for it: check out the Milky Way in our telescopes and see for yourself! Join us as we explore the many star clusters and nebulae that hide amongst countless distant stars in this amazing swath of sky.

FLFO Welcomes 4th Graders
2015-09-01 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument Welcomes 4th Grade Students Through Every Kid In a Park Initiative.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument invites all 4th grade students to visit the park for free as part of the White House’s new Every Kid in a Park program. Starting September 1, 4th grade students can now go to www.everykidinapark.gov to complete an activity and obtain a free annual entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks.
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers a variety of activities that fourth graders and their families can enjoy, including earning a Junior Ranger badge or patch by checking out an Explorer Pack or completing the Junior Ranger activity book, hands-on exhibits in the vistor center, and a chance to see some of the biggest petrified tree stumps in the world on a 1 mile self-guided trail. The Monument also offers ranger guided night sky programs and elk walks which offer a chance to experience the Monument after hours. For more information on programs please call the Monument at (719) 748-3253.

Fee Free Day NPS 99th Birthday
2015-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
The National Park Service will celebrate their 99th Birthday with a fee free day.

Finding Fossils
2015-04-25 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Saturday, April 25, 1:00PM – 3:00PM, Finding Fossils in the Fossil Discovery Lab
Join geologist Dr. Bob Carnein, for a fun, hands-on demonstration to see how paleontologists uncover tiny leaf and insect fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Lyrids Meteor Shower
2015-04-22 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Wednesday, April 22, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, Night Sky Program: “Lyrids Meteor Shower”
Do you like shooting stars? We do! Wednesday is the peak of the Lyrids Meteor Shower, the best shower of the spring season. Join us to learn about the science behind these celestial fireworks, then head outside to watch them streak overhead. We’ll have plenty of targets for our telescopes, too – planets, star clusters, and more – but you might be too busy watching the whole sky for meteors! Meet at the Visitor Center.

Become a Junior Paleontologist
2015-04-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Sunday, April 19, 1:00PM – 3:00PM, Become a Junior Paleontologist
Participate in a hands-on, dirt-digging mini excavation to find fossil replicas of ancient three-toed horse and rhinoceros-like mammals. After the excavation visit the Fossil Discovery Lab, where you can observe fossils up close. All participants can earn their Junior Paleontologist Badge. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Finding Fossils
2015-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Saturday, April 18, 1:00:PM – 3:00PM
Finding Fossils in the Fossil Discovery Lab
Join geologist Dr. Bob Carnein, for a fun, hands-on demonstration to see how paleontologists uncover tiny leaf and insect fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

The Spring Sky
2015-04-11 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Saturday April 11, 8 – 10 P.M.
Meet the constellations of Spring! The Lion, the Crab, and the Many-Headed Serpent are high in the sky, pursued by the hero who fought them all, Hercules. Join us to learn your way around the spring sky, hear some of the mythology behind the constellations, and see some of the telescopic treasures hidden within them. Highlights in the telescopes include star clusters in Cancer and Hercules, distant galaxies in Leo and Ursa Major, and our closer neighbors Venus and Jupiter. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Measuring the Dark
2015-03-14 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Night Sky Program: “Measuring the Dark”
Saturday, March 14, 2015 – 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Florissant Fossil Beds is a great place for stargazing because our sky is DARK! But could city light from Denver and Colorado Springs be starting to invade even our dark park? We need your help to find out! Join us for a citizen science project, counting the stars to measure light pollution in the park, and learn how you can measure your own skies at home. In addition, views through the telescopes include Venus, Jupiter, several star clusters, nebulae, and more.

Hikes for your Health
2015-03-14 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | CO
Ranger’s Choice – 2-4 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meat at the visitor Center. Bring your friends and celebrate your success of two months hiking and enjoying Florissant Fossil Beds.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-03-11 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | CO
Ranger’s Choice – 2-4 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the visitor Center. Bring your friends and celebrate your success of two months hiking and enjoying Florissant Fossil Beds.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-03-07 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Off Trail – 2-3 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. See ancient petrified redwood stumps, and trek through a modern montane ecosystem.

Moonlight Hike
2015-03-05 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Moonlight Hike on the Boulder Creek Trail
Thursday, March 5, 2015 – 7:30PM – 9:30PM
Join us for a guided 3-mile hike on the Boulder Creek Trail, by the light of the Full Moon. See the park the way the nocturnal animals see it. Please wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress warmly. Bring a flashlight for safety, but do not expect to need it if the sky is clear – the moon should provide all the light we need! Participants must be 10 years or older.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-03-04 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Off Trail – 2-3 mile roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. See ancient petrified redwood stumps, and trek through a modern montane ecosystem.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-28 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | CO
Shooting Star – 3.2 mile roundtrip. Meet at the Visitor Center. Explore the Monument’s ancient rocks and work up a sweat!

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-21 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | CO
Sawmill Trail & Hans Loop – 4.1 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. Learn to leave a smaller footprint while enjoying the great outdoors & discuss Leave No Trace with a ranger.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-18 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-14 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Boulder Creek & Hornbek Wildlife Loop – 5 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. View wildlife tracks and make some of your own. Observe scat n’ tracks of local wildlife along the Florissant valley’s floor.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2015-02-14 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
COME JOIN THE 4th ANNUAL GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT AT THE FLORISSANT FOSSIL BEDS NM on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015
Whether you are a bird lover or a love bird, come to the Florissant Fossil Beds NM to learn more about birds and join the 18th National Great Backyard Bird Count (3rd International) and help with the annual 4 day Citizen Science bird count. Last year over 135 nations counted well over 17 million individual birds which represented 4,296 species. The event will start at 9 AM and end at 3 PM. We will have 3 separate start times: 9 AM, 10:30 AM and 1 PM. There will be other activities for visitors that day including activities based in the Visitor Center and the Yurt. There will be bird crafts for children, a special bird film in the theater and of course the count for all those interested. More info will be out at we get closer to the day. Please mark this important day on your calendar and join us for a great day at the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on Valentine’s Day.
We have 3 wonderful partners this year: Catamount Institute, Aiken Chapter of the National Audubon Society, and Wild Bird Centers in Colorado Springs who have given us some great items for the drawing that we will have at noon.
We are looking for volunteers who can help, especially in the morning with the count as we are expecting 100 students with their teachers to be there. If you can help, please call Sally at 687-9204. Thank you for considering this opportunity to help get children outside and have a great experience.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-11 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Boulder Creek & Hornbek Wildlife Loop – 5 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the visitor Center. View wildlife tracks and make some of your own. Observe scat n’tracks, of local wildlife along the Florissant valley’s floor.

Hikes for your Health
2015-02-07 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Shooting Star & Twin Rock Trail, Off Trail – 6 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at Visitor Center. Winter offers a rare opportunity to feel as if you have the park all to yourself. Take time to hike and reflect in this magical white landscape.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-02-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Shooting Star & Twin Rock Trail, Off Trail – 6 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at Visitor Center. Winter offers a rare opportunity to feel as if you have the park all to yourself. Take time to hike and reflect in this magical, white landscape.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-01-31 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Hornbek Wildlife Loop
3.8 miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. Tour the Hornbek Homestead, then embark on a hike across multiple landscape zones.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-01-28 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Hornbek Wildlife Loop
3.8 Miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center
Tour the Hornbek Homestead, then embark on a hike across multiple landscape zones.

Hikes for Your Health
2015-01-24 10:00 - 13:00, 2015-01-21 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Boulder Creek Trail – 2.8 Miles roundtrip, varied terrain. Meet at the Visitor Center. Hike through an area traversed by the Ute on their annual pilgrimage to Pikes Peak.

Stories in Stone
2015-01-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
10:00AM – 11:30PM Join Ranger Whitney for a family friendly interpretive hike along the Petrified Forest Trail and explore the story of ancient volcanos, towering redwood trees, and three-toed horses. Meet at the Visitor Center. Be prepared for a 1 -2 mile hike. Dress for winter hiking.
1:00PM – 3:00PM Join geologist Dr. Bob Carnein, for a fun, hands-on demonstration to see how paleontologists uncover tiny leaf and insect fossils at Florissant Fossil Beds. Meet in the visitor center any time between 1:00PM and 3:00PM.
