The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds

Hike for Your Health
2016-03-13 10:00 (America/Chicago), 2016-03-09 10:00 UTC, 2016-03-06 10:00 (America/Chicago), 2016-03-02 10:00 UTC, 2016-02-28 10:00 UTC, 2016-02-24 10:00 UTC, 2016-02-21 10:00 UTC, 2016-02-17 10:00 (America/Chicago) and 5 more dates | Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, CO, United States
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to Host “Hikes for Your Health Program”
Hikes for Your Health will run every Wednesday and Sunday from Jan 24 to Wednesday, March 16, 2016. Hikes will begin at 10.00 AM.
These Ranger-led hikes will vary in length from 2-5 miles. Depending on conditions, the hikes may either be on foot or by snowshoe. Participants must provide their own snow shoes and safety gear such as layered clothing, appropriated footwear, water, food. It is recommended to check with your physician before beginning any fitness program.
Participants must be 10 years or older.. the fee for the program is $5.00 per adult (16 years or older) or free with one of the many federal land passes.
For additional information, please call (719) 748-3253 or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on facebook at /FlorissantNPS.

Night Sky Program
2016-02-13 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago)
Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument to Host Night Sky Program, “A Love Story…Written in the Stars” February 13.
On Saturday, February 13 join us for a Valentine’s celebration beneath the starry skies of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument! This program will feature an indoor ranger presentation followed by outdoor laser-guided constellation tour and telescope observations. 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 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Please note that 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.

Backyard Bird Count
2016-02-13 09:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago)
Florissant, CO: The Friends of Florissant Fossil Beds along with Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument will host the 19th annual Great Backyard Bird Count on Saturday, February 13, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way for people of all ages and backgrounds to connect with nature and make a difference for birds. Counting birds is a fun, free, family friendly way to discover and help the birds in your community and take part in a nationwide science project.
This is the sixth year the event has been held at the Monument. If you are interested in participating in the bird count, meet at the visitor center at 9:00 AM. There will also be other activities, such as crafts for kids, taking place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM in the Fossil Discovery Lab (Yurt) near the visitor center.

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

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 - 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.

Friends Annual Business Meeting
2015-10-17 09:30 - 12:30 UTC
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!

Night Sky Program: Total Eclipse of the SuperMoon
2015-09-27 19:00 - 21:30 UTC
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
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
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
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 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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
