The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds

The Stars of Summer
2014-08-22 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
The summer sky is full of wonders. Join us as we explore stars and constellations, the Milky Way at its best, and a host of other treasures for amateur sky-watchers. Special treats tonight include the planets Saturn and Mars, flybys by the International Space Station and other satellites, and many of our favorite star clusters, nebulae, and distant galaxies. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Please dress warmly, as evenings at the park’s high elevation can be cool even in the summer. Bring binoculars or a flashlight if you wish (red-filtered lights only please). Also, please note that viewing is weather-dependent, and takes place only if the sky is clear. Ranger-led talks take place rain or shine.
Admission for the program is the regular park entrance fee which is $3 per adult (16 years and older) children and federal pass holders are free. Please call (719) 748-3253 ext. 202 for more information.

Wildflower Walk
2014-08-17 09:00 - 11:00 UTC, 2014-08-10 09:00 - 11:00 UTC, 2014-08-03 09:00 - 11:00 UTC, 2014-07-27 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago), 2014-07-20 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Join Ranger Shawn and learn about the colorful world of wildflowers. Meet at the visitor center at 9:00 AM. Bring water, snacks, and layered clothing.

Yoga Hike with Ranger Denise Ackart
2014-07-30 09:00 - 10:30, 2014-07-26 09:00 - 10:30, 2014-07-17 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Join Ranger Denise Ackart for 1.5 hour long yoga hikes at Florissant Fossil Beds NM every Wednesday and saturday morning through August at 9:00 AM. Meet at the visitor center. Bring water, comfortable clothes, and shoes with flexible soles.

Family Day at Hornbek Homestead
2014-07-26 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Family Day at the Hornbek Homestead in Honor of Florissant Heritage Day, Saturday July 26, 2014, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Florissant Fossil Beds will be participating in Florissant Heritage day by hosting a family friendly day at the Hornbek Homestead from 10:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Park staff will be conducting tours of the homestead and leading period crafts and activities for kids and families. Participating children can earn their Junior Ranger Badge.
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds will be providing light refreshments. There is no charge for this event beyond the normal park entrance fee of $3 per person over the age of 16.
The Hornbek Homestead is located in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument on Teller County #1 a mile south of the town of Florissant. From Colorado Springs, travel 35 miles west on US highway 24. The Monument visitor center is about a mile south of the Homestead. For more information call 719-748-3253.

School in the Woods
2014-07-24 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Chicago) | School in the Woods, 12002 Vollmer Road, Colorado Springs, 80908, United States
Jonathan Wuerth and Carol Stansfield
Lessons Learned from Creating a Nature Based School.
Description: The two teachers who created Academy School District #20’s School in Woods will share learning experiences inspired by nature which teachers can implement in their classrooms, on their school grounds, or on field trips. Activities will be integrated with state standards in Science, Reading, Writing, and Social Studies. Participants should come prepared to spend an active day outdoors. Please wear appropriate outdoor clothing (no sandals).

Meet at: School in the Woods, 12002 Vollmer Road, Colorado Springs, CO, 80908.
Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Yoga Hikes with Ranger Denise Ackart
2014-07-23 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States

From Pikes Peak to South Park
2014-07-20 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Bud Wobus
Mid-tertiary Volcanism and the Shape of the Land
Late Eocene volcanic activity of vastly different styles produced a variety of products and landforms between Pikes Peak and South Park. They mantled and modified the landscape which had been developed on the Precambrian basement rocks more than a billion years older. Pyroclastic flows from the Sawatch Range blasted across a surface of low relief 36 million years ago, filling valleys with the resistant Wall Mountain Tuff. Lava flows, mudflows, and ash from the Guffey volcanic center created and then buried Lake Florissant about 2 million years later. This seminar begins with an introductory overview at the Monument followed by a 3/4-day field trip to the Guffey area and back via two different routes to visit the rocks produced during these volcanic episodes.

Meet at the Yurt at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Astronomy Program
2014-07-19 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Join Ranger Leo Sack and see the night sky the way it used to look before city lights crowded out the stars. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers an ideal balance between convenient location – an easy drive from Colorado Springs – and a sky dark enough to reveal the countless stars that once lit the night for our ancestors.

Yoga Hikes with Ranger Denise Ackart
2014-07-19 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Fens, Forests, and Flowers (Day 2)
2014-07-12 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Doug Coleman
The flora and ecosystems of the South Park Valley and the Florissant region show many fascinating connections with cool late Pleistocene climate and glacial distribution. Neither does one have to venture far to find species from warmer climates on dry south facing slopes and rock faces. With adequate snow fall creating much needed moisture, this year’s wildflower bloom promises to be spectacular, likely yielding bloom that has not been seen in recent years. Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers associated with their natural community types will be the class theme. This is a two day seminar. Day 1 will be primarily at Florissant Fossil Beds. Day 2 will be a trip to the Fen in the South Park near Fairplay. If participants can only do 1 day, the first day is recommended.
Meet at: TDB

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Fens, Forests, and Flowers (Day 1)
2014-07-11 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Doug Coleman
The flora and ecosystems of the South Park Valley and the Florissant region show many fascinating connections with cool late Pleistocene climate and glacial distribution. Neither does one have to venture far to find species from warmer climates on dry south facing slopes and rock faces. With adequate snow fall creating much needed moisture, this year’s wildflower bloom promises to be spectacular, likely yielding bloom that has not been seen in recent years. Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers associated with their natural community types will be the class theme. This is a two day seminar. Day 1 will be primarily at Florissant Fossil Beds. Day 2 will be a trip to the Fen in the South Park near Fairplay. If participants can only do 1 day, the first day is recommended.

Meet at the Yurt at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Flammulated Owls
2014-07-10 17:00 - 2014-07-11 01:00 (America/Chicago) | Manitou Experimental Forest, Pike National Forest, CO, 80863, United States
Brian Linkhart
The Natural History and Ecology of Flammulated Owls
Flammulated Owls, tiny raptors that hide in the shadows of ponderosa pines by day and fly as silently as a breeze on starlit summer evenings, were little known for more than a century. The results of more than 30 years of study have shed light on the ecology and habitat of the sensitive owl, with the aim of assisting in the development of conservation plans for forest ecosystems containing this and other sensitive animals. Participants in the field-based course will learn about the natural history and ecology of the owl, and will participate in a nocturnal adventure into territories of owls in an attempt to hear whispers of its territorial song, observe its nesting behaviors, and possibly attempt captures of adult owls. Participants should be prepared to take short to moderate hikes over steep, forested terrain, in a landscape illuminated only by soft starlight (and your headlamp), and may have the opportunity to experience close encounters with several forest creatures, including owls. Previous knowledge of ecology and bird identification is helpful but not mandatory.
This course is especially suitable for science teachers or those with an
interest in ornithology, ecology, or field biology.
Meet at Manitou Experimental Forest

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Yoga Hikes for Your Health
2014-06-28 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago), 2014-06-25 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago), 2014-06-21 09:00 - 10:30 UTC, 2014-06-18 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago), 2014-06-14 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago), 2014-06-11 09:00 - 10:30 UTC | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
A walk in the woods has measurable benefits for brain and body! Try a hike with a trained yogi (not the bear type) at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Many hikers suffer from tight hamstrings, calf and quad muscles, while many yoga pratictioners could use more aerobic conditioning. These hikes will help with both.
Hikes will be Wed and Sat at 9:00 AM and last for 1 to 1.5 hours starting Wed, May 21st and continuing through Sat, June 28th

Discovering South Park's Native American Past
2014-06-26 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Susan J. Bender
Discovering South Park’s Native American Past
Join with archaeologist, Dr. Susan Bender of the South Park Archaeology Project, to learn how ongoing archaeological research is revealing the story of Native American settlement in the area. Participants will learn the outlines of this intriguing history, as well as have the opportunity to ask questions, handle artifacts, and visit an archaeological site that is at least 5,000 years old. Issues of how to protect South Park’s fragile archaeological legacy will be discussed, and an opportunity to join the cadre of volunteers who are active in uncovering and protecting South Park’s archaeology will be offered. Dr. Bender will be joined by two long-term project volunteers.

Meet at: South Park, Address TDB

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

From Planets to Quasars
2014-06-24 16:00 - 2014-06-25 00:00 (America/Chicago) | Sanborn Western Camps, 2000 Sanborn Business Line Rd, Florissant, CO, 80816, United States
Shane Burns
From Planets to Quasars: Our Place in the Universe
For centuries, humans have looked up at the heavens and wondered about the origin and fate of the universe. Did the universe have a beginning? If so, how old is the universe? In the last 75 years we have learned the answers to many of these questions. The universe seems to have begun 13.7 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since. However, the answers to these questions have inspired new questions. Will the universe expand forever or will gravity someday stop the expansion and reverse it—leading to a “big crunch?” We think we know the answer to this question as well. In 1998 two rival teams of astronomers discovered that the expansion is actually accelerating! We know how the universe is expanding but we don’t understand why. The 2011 Nobel Prize was awarded to the leaders of these teams for their discovery. The “stuff” that causes accelerated expansion has been dubbed dark energy. Understanding the nature of dark energy is likely to shake the very foundations of our conception of the physical world. During our time together, we will see the latest images and data from the Hubble Space Telescope, the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe and other modern telescopes and discuss what we know about the universe and what is still a mystery.
Meet at the Nature Place – Sanborn Western Camps
Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Summer Solstice Storytelling
2014-06-21 20:30 - 22:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day and shortest night of the year! We’ll explore the importance of the seasons to the historical inhabitants of the area, and celebrate by sharing some of the star and constellation stories told by native peoples. In the telescope, we’ll see Mars, Saturn, and some of the best star clusters, nebulae, and other deep-sky treasures of the summer. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Following the program, we’ll step outside for 60-70 minutes of stargazing with telescopes, binoculars, and laser-guided tours of the stars and constellations.
Please dress warmly, as evenings at the park’s high elevation can be cool even in the summer. Bring binoculars or a flashlight if you wish (red-filtered lights only please). Also, please note that viewing is weather-dependent, and takes place only if the sky is clear. Indoor presentations take place rain or shine.
Admission for the program is the regular park entrance fee which is $3 per adult (16 years and older) children and federal pass holders are free. Please call (719) 748-3253 ext. 202 for more information.

Wildfire in Colorado's Ponderosa Pine
2014-06-20 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Manitou Experimental Forest, Pike National Forest, CO, 80863, United States
Paula Fornwalt
Wildfire in Colorado’s Ponderosa Pine-Dominated Forests: Friend or Foe to Plants?
It’s hard to believe that twelve years have passed since the Hayman Fire charred nearly 140,000 acres on the Pike National Forest. In this talk, Paula will provide us with an overview on her research examining how plant communities within the fire perimeter have changed during the first post-fire decade. She will also discuss how attributes of some common plant species (for example, ability/inability to sprout from below ground parts, ability/inability to disperse seeds long distances on the wind) in these communities influenced their post-fire response.

Meet At: Manitou Experimental Forest

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Nature Drawing
2014-06-18 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Toni Ratzlaff
Everybody takes pictures of what they see, but haven’t you always wished you could draw it instead? Come learn about how to draw using negative space, shadows, and basic shapes. Try different drawing styles and enjoy the experience! We will draw both inside and outside using pencils and crayons. If we have time, we might add a bit of color, as well. Bring your favorite sketchbook and pencils, or use what is provided.

Meet at the Yurt at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument.

Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00

Making and Using Journals
2014-06-12 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Toni Ratzlaff
This seminar will give you an opportunity to make several journals from common, readily available materials. We will make journals and talk about their various uses. We will take a guided hike with a ranger during which and after we will use the journal to show in some way what we experienced on the hike. We will discuss what can be added to the journals in addition to drawings and words. This seminar shows how we can introduce recycling items to our students/friends. We will learn how to create fun books for journals, photo albums, memory books and gifts.
Meet at the Yurt at Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
Cost:
Friends Members: $15.00
Non-Members: $25.00
