PLEASE NOTE: You must register for this field trip (limit: 7 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. Other requirements are described below.

Walk the Wetlands begins at the Denver Audubon Nature Center. The group ventures along the South Platte River through open fields and deciduous woodland, and by ponds and marshes. The walk itself is about three miles and takes about 3.5 hours, the time varying mostly due to weather conditions.

The winter months afford the opportunity to see our resident birds as well as both regular and interruptive migrants from the north. Chatfield State Park is one of the largest staging areas for migrating and breeding songbirds in Colorado. Consequently, spring, fall, and much of the summer offers great looks at both migrating and breeding songbirds and waterfowl.  Walk is lead by Audubon Master Birders.

By registering for and attending this field trip, you agree to the following:

-Per CDC guidelines, we encourage high risk individuals to stay at home. High risk people are defined as those 65 or over and those with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable. Refer to the CDC guidelines for further information on these conditions.
-Advance registration, including signing of the liability waiver is required. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed.
-You will self-screen for covid symptoms and use common sense. If you have any covid symptoms or even suspect you could have COVID symptoms, do not sign on for this trip.
-You are responsible for bringing and wearing a mask at all times that covers your nose and mouth, and is preferably NOT a bandana or neck gaiter.
-We require 6 foot social distancing on all parts of the trip. This means that you need to maintain a 6 foot distance between yourself and other trip participants as well as any others that may be using the trails..
-Hand hygiene – bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer for your personal use. Be careful not to get this near your optics as it could affect the protective coatings on optics.
-Please arrive independently. Denver Audubon does not encourage carpooling at this time

PLEASE NOTE: You must register for this field trip (limit: 8 people) and complete the liability form when you register. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed. Other requirements are described below.

This is an easy to moderate trip with flat and well-packed trails taking us to a place where Bald Eagles and other raptors are congregating and nesting. There is a plethora of waterfowl including Geese, Shovelers, Pintails, Goldeneyes, Buffleheads, and Mergansers. There is also a nice variety songbirds.

We'll meet at the Visitor Center at Barr Lake at 9:30 a.m. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Roark, the field trip leader, at roark9@gmail.com or 303-319-9404.

Be prepared for chilly weather as the breeze coming off of the lake can be stiff. Other items: water, snacks, and binoculars are all helpful.

Check out Denver Audubon’s new program Birding Without Barriers.

By registering for and attending this field trip, you agree to the following:
-Per CDC guidelines, we encourage high risk individuals to stay at home. High risk people are defined as those 65 or over and those with certain underlying medical conditions that make them more vulnerable. Refer to the CDC guidelines for further information on these conditions.
-Advance registration, including signing of the liability waiver is required. Walk-up or impromptu participants will not be allowed.
-You will self-screen for covid symptoms and use common sense. If you have any covid symptoms or even suspect you could have COVID symptoms, do not sign on for this trip.
-You are responsible for bringing and wearing a mask at all times that covers your nose and mouth, and is preferably NOT a bandana or neck gaiter.
-We require 6 foot social distancing on all parts of the trip. This means that you need to maintain a 6 foot distance between yourself and other trip participants as well as any others that may be using the trails..
-Hand hygiene – bring alcohol-based hand sanitizer for your personal use. Be careful not to get this near your optics as it could affect the protective coatings on optics.
-Please arrive independently. Denver Audubon does not encourage carpooling at this time.

Bald Eagle photo by Dick Vogel.

Conservation in Colorado Lecture Series. Suggested Donation: $5 per person. Registration closes 2 p.m., March 10.

Learn more about what causes urban bird collisions and how to prevent them. Alex Halverson will go into detail discussing Denver’s three-pronged efforts to reduce collisions and then will discuss how the scientific community, municipalities, and conservation organizations are working together to address the issue on a national scale. Bryan Lenz will share practical actions you can take to prevent window strikes in your home or office and share resources from the new American Bird Conservancy collisions website.

Presented by Alex Halverson and Bryan Lenz. Alex Halverson (former administrator of Lights Out Denver, Denver Parks and Recreation) brings a conservation background to the intersection of business and sustainability.

An email with meeting details will be sent prior to the event. Please add suzy@denveraudubon.org to your contacts to ensure delivery. If you don't see the email within 45 minutes prior to program start time, check your Junk/Spam folders, then contact Suzy at 303-949-3077.

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay.

Advocating for bird-friendly legislation is one of the most impactful ways to help birds and the environment, but without an understanding of the process, it can seem daunting. Getting Green Laws is a free webinar training on how to make your voice heard by legislators on upcoming environmental laws in Colorado.

During the webinar, Jen Boulton, Audubon’s lobbyist in Colorado, will walk you through strategies for contacting your representatives and improving your ability to influence them. She’ll also explain bills that the Colorado legislature is considering right now that will impact birds and their habitats, as well as how you can help shape them.

Register for this free training to greatly increase your ability to impact the causes you care about.

Organized by Audubon Rockies and Denver Audubon. Co-sponsored by the Audubon Colorado Council.

Photo: Dave Wilson/ Audubon Photography Awards