It’s springtime and time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors (as soon as the hail is cleared off the roads).  There are lots of fun and free things coming up in the Jeffco region via Lookout Mountain Nature Center.  Here’s just a sampling:

Saturday, May 1
Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Day
9 am – 3 pm Dinosaur Ridge
Nature Center naturalists will be at one of the stops on the fantastic walking tour of Dinosaur Ridge. Bring family and friends to spend the day learning about Earth resources. Registration is not required for this drop-in event. All ages.

Saturday, May 8
International Migratory Bird Day Hike
7 am Crown Hill Park
Each year, birders around the globe celebrate by taking part in birding hikes on the second Saturday in May. Join this global observance of birds with an easy naturalist-guided hike around
the lake and into the restricted access Kestrel Pond refuge. All birding abilities welcome. This walk can accommodate strollers. All ages.

Saturday, May 15
Observatory Open House
8:30 – 10:45 pm William Baehr Observatory at Pine Valley Ranch Park
Make the moderate 1/3-mile hike up to the historic observatory for a special evening of stargazing. Ages 10 – adult.

Saturday, May 22
Ralston Buttes Special Access Hike
8 am  Meeting place TBD
Ralston Buttes is one of the crown jewels of Open Space and is only accessible during special Open Space events. Join naturalists and natural resource specialists to explore the area.
Registration is required, and space is limited. Ages 12 – adult. Call Lookout Mountain Nature Center for registration information.

Friday, May 28
Memorial Day Campfire
6:30 pm  Lair o’ the Bear Park
Memorial Day is a celebration of our forefathers. Join this old-fashioned campfire program to learn the story of  tribes and families that once lived in Bear Creek Canyon and the plants and
animals that shaped their lives. The program concludes with the ever-popular roasting of marshmallows. Ages 6 – adult.

Saturday, May 29
Kids’ Nature Art: Sketching Birds in Ink and Watercolor
9 am  Crown Hill Park
Spring is the time for birds, and sketching is a great way to learn about their plumage and habits. We will use binoculars and field guides to study birds in the Crown Hill refuge, and then draw
our findings in ink and watercolor. Art supplies are provided. Please bring water, a snack, sunscreen and a sun/baseball cap. Kids ages 6 – 10 with an adult.

Registration is required for all programs unless noted.
Register for programs online. Visit lmnc.jeffco.us and click the Register button, or call (720) 497-7600. Summer hours are 10 – 4, Tuesday – Friday and 9 – 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Call at least two days before a program.

And that’s just a sampling of what’s going on during May 2010!  For many more great activities, take a look at the Spring 2010 Program Schedule.