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Walks & Talks
Return to News & Special Events
Colorado National Monument in partnership with the Colorado National Monument Association presents:
Spring 2009
Walks & Talks Series
Come join us at Colorado National Monument for our Spring 2009 Walks and Talks. The public is invited to learn more about this beautiful area through participation in our free programs. These exciting programs cover such diverse topics as John Otto, Astronomy, CCC, Geology Talk & Hikes, Cacti & Ecology Walks, Birding, and a Musical Concert.
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
***Mesa State College - New Classroom Building (ACB) Room 111***
JOHN OTTO - A MAN OF MANY LETTERS: Historian Alan Kania will present an inside look at the legendary hero of Colorado National Monument. Kania has spent 30 years researching and learning about John Otto. Most recently Kania published an updated edition of John Otto: Trials and Trails and a new publication, Images of America: Colorado National Monument, which pictorially portrays Otto’s accomplishments. Autographed book signing following presentation.
The New Classroom Building is located on the southeast corner of Houston Avenue and Elm Avenue. Due to construction and road closing, the best route to the New Classroom Building is via Cannell Avenue. (Cannell runs north/south between Orchard and North). Take Cannell to Elm Avenue, go one block east and turn right (south) to find parking in the area. (Currently there is no sign on the building; look for our signs.)Saturday, April 4, Dusk to 10:00 p.m.
MONUMENT UNDER THE STARS: Join Hank Schoch and the Western Colorado Astronomy Club for a “Galileo Evening Under the Stars.” Club members will set up telescopes for night sky viewing as well as a special scope that projects a digital image of the sky on a monitor. A highlight of the evening is the opportunity to gaze at the stars through a replica of the telescope that Galileo built and used to explore the heavens exactly four hundred years ago. Got a scope of your own? Bring it along, set it up, and share your favorite views with others. Meet at the Saddlehorn picnic area parking lot at dusk.Thursday, April 16, 6:30 p.m. & Saturday, April 18, 3:00 p.m.
FLASH FLOODING AT COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT: Join Professor Gigi Richard from Mesa State College for a 1-hour Powerpoint presentation. Richard will discuss physical aspects of the Monument and how they contribute to flash flooding and what this means for a growing community at the base of the Monument. She will also talk about her ongoing research of the history of flash flooding in the last one hundred years in the Monument accompanied by photos of flood damage. Meet at the Visitor Center.Saturday, April 25, Dusk to 10:00 p.m.
SPRINGTIME GALAXIES: Western Colorado Astronomy Club will present a short outdoor video and have telescopes available for a tour of the night sky. Weather permitting, you will see Venus and Saturn, springtime galaxies, star forming nebulas, and star clusters. Meet at the Saddlehorn picnic area parking lot at dusk.Thursday, April 30, 10:00 a.m. & Saturday, May 2, 6:00 p.m.
HARD DRIVE: THE CCC, THE WPA, AND THE GRITTY CONSTRUCTION OF RIM ROCK DRIVE — A PORCH TALK: Noted local historian Dave Fishell will regale you with stories of the hard working men of the Great Depression …. how the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration put young men to work to build the 23 mile scenic Rim Rock Drive. Meet at the Visitor Center.Thursday, May 7 & Saturday, May 9, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
ECOLOGY STROLL ALONG BLACK RIDGE TRAIL: Join biologist John Moore for an interpretive ecology walk. Moore will make several stops along the way to give you a close up look at the native trees, flowers, birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects that live in the “Pygmy Forest.” Call for reservations and starting point: 858-3617, 364.Thursday, May 14 & Saturday, May 16, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
CACTUS WALK ALONG THE OLD GORDON TRAIL: Join the “Cactus Man” for a favorite annual walk led by Don Campbell. Learn how to identify a variety of cacti, succulents, and other desert plants. Approximately 2 miles round trip with an estimated 500 ft. elevation gain. Call for reservations and starting point: 858-3617, 364.Sunday, May 17, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. *** Note New Location***
CENTENNIAL BAND CONCERT AT DEVILS KITCHEN PICNIC AREA
Bring your lawnchairs and picnic suppers to the Devils Kitchen Picnic Area (just inside the East Entrance Gate) for a spring concert in this natural red rock amphitheater. Due to very limited parking, a shuttle service will be provided. ** Park at Wingate Elementary School located at 351 South Camp Road. Shuttles will start at 4:30 p.m. and run every 15 minutes until 7:30 p.m. Disabled access only: parking will be available at Devils Kitchen Parking Lot.Thursday. May 21 & Saturday, May 23, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
HIKE THROUGH THE LAYERS OF TIME IN WEDDING AND MONUMENT CANYONS: Travel a little known route through Wedding Canyon to the base of the park’s well known icon, 450 foot tall Independence Monument, with geologist Don Regan. On this moderately strenuous 6.5 mile loop, Regan will point out geologic features, identify examples of climate change preserved in the rocks, and discuss implications of future climate change. Call for reservations and starting point: 858-3617, 364.Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 – 9:00 a.m.
BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS: Naturalist Dave Price will demonstrate basic techniques for using field guides and recommend tips for bird identification. Afterwards, Price will lead a short hike along lower No Thoroughfare Creek and provide assistance for putting into practice those newly learned birding skills. Bring binoculars. Call for reservations and starting point: 858-3617, 364.
Hikers, please dress appropriately with sturdy hiking boots and bring rain gear or additional layers. Bring water and snacks/lunch as needed.
For pre-registration or questions call (970)858-3617 x364 or email: Annie_Williams@nps.gov.
All events are sponsored by the National Park Service at Colorado National Monument. Support is provided by the Colorado National Monument Association, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit educational organization which helps support educational, scientific, historical and research projects at Colorado National Monument. The CNMA is a membership organization. All programs are open to the public and are free of charge. There is an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle to Colorado National Monument. Dates and times are subject to change. Please call 858-3617 ext 306 for further information.
The Colorado National Monument Association can be reached by mail at:
CNMA
Colorado National Monument
Fruita, CO 81521
Phone: (970) 858-3617 ext. 308
Fax: (970) 858-0372
E-Mail: COLM_CNMA@nps.gov
Except where noted, all contents © 2003-2008 Colorado National Monument
Association.
All rights reserved.