City of Fort Collins Engage
Welcome to Engage! Engage helps you manage your involvement, either as a participant or volunteer, sponsored by the FC Volunteer Program. Browse the calendar, edit your profile, and get involved!
Natural Areas
Special habitats like prairies, foothills, waterways, and forests are conserved for wildlife and people by the City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department. Everyone is welcome to treasure and steward these beloved outdoor places. Thanks to community-driven sales tax ballot measures, there are 52 conserved natural areas and 114 miles of trail with more being added each year. See the Natural Areas Map (pdf).
Natural Areas Explorer is your guide to free natural area activities, June-October. Register here, by creating or signing in to you account.
Featured Activities
Pollinator Gardens
Fri 05/01, Tue 06/23
Pollinator garden preparation and planting at Water's Way Park
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Pollinator Garden at Lee Martinez Park
Thu 05/14, Wed 06/17, Wed 07/22
We are looking for a small group of volunteers to maintain the pollinator garden at Lee Martinez
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Conservation That Pays
Thu 05/28, Mon 07/20, Tue 07/21
Learn how to save money on your utility bill through behavioral changes and utility programs.
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Waterwise Garden Tour Wheels & Walks
Wed 06/03, Wed 07/01, Mon 08/03, Wed 09/23
Explore waterwise landscapes by bike or on foot! Learn about native plants, pollinators, and the Xeriscape Incentive Program while discovering easy ways to create a low-water yard. Routes are accessible with multiple stops. Sign up today!
MoreUpcoming Activities Calendar
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Let's Explore: Arapaho Bend Natural Area
Tuesday, 12 May 2026 | 05:30 PM | Arapaho Bend Natural AreaWhere: Arapaho Bend Natural Area, parking lot off of Strauss Cabin and E Horsetooth Roads. Approximate address is 4109 E. Horsetooth Rd. When: Tuesday May 12th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Program Description: Discover a special natural area along th... more |
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Old Town Library Explorer Artwork Reception
Thursday, 14 May 2026 | 05:30 PM | Old Town LibraryCome check out the original artwork, poetry, or prose for publication in the 2026 Natural Areas Explorer! Natural areas exist because of community support. Fort Collins artists were encouraged to submit art that reflects their personal or collecti... more |
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Skygazing
Friday, 15 May 2026 | 08:00 PM | Bobcat Ridge Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Where: Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Address: 10184 Co Rd 32C, Loveland, CO 80538. Approximately 35 minutes from Fort Collins. When: May 15th, 8-10 p.m. What to Bring: Dress for temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the actual temperature... more |
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Practice your Nature Photography Skills
Saturday, 16 May 2026 | 07:30 AM | Pineridge Natural AreaWhere: Pineridge Natural Area. Will be walking along Foothills Trail around Dixon Reservoir Activity Description: This program is a follow up to the Nature Photography Workshop on May 6th. It will be an opportunity to practice some of the skil... more |
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Introduction to Nature Journaling
Tuesday, 19 May 2026 | 09:00 AM | Primrose Studio | Registration Required*Registration for this program is required* Where: Primrose Studio. Meet at the studio at 4300 Michaud Lane near Reservoir Ridge. Drive to the back of the parking lot and through the green gate that is normally closed, but will be open for regi... more |
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Wildflower Hike at Pineridge Natural Area
Friday, 22 May 2026 | 09:00 AM | Pineridge Natural AreaWhere: Pineridge Natural Area. Meet in the parking lot. Program Description: Springtime brings an abundance of wildflowers to our local foothills. These wildlife communities host a total of 267 native wildlife and 396 native plant species, inc... more |
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Bike With A Planner
Saturday, 23 May 2026 | 09:00 AM | Fossil Creek ParkWhere: Meet at Fossil Creek Park. Bike through the natural areas found in the Fossil Creek Zone. Activity Description: Spend the morning biking through the Fossil Creek Zone with a Natural Areas planner to learn more about the significant ecol... more |
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Bird Watching for All Level Birders
Saturday, 23 May 2026 | 07:00 AM | Pineridge Natural AreaWhere: Pineridge Natural Area, meet in the parking lot by Dixon Reservoir. Program Description: Enjoy a leisurely walk from the parking area on the west side of Dixon Reservoir around the western and northern sides of the reservoir with natura... more |
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Reservoir Ridge Hike and Primrose Tour
Wednesday, 27 May 2026 | 06:00 PM | Primrose StudioWhere: Primrose Studio. Meet in the parking lot off of Michaud Lane. Program Description: Join volunteer naturalists on a 1-hour nature hike through the beautiful Reservoirs Ridge landscape. Then, walk 0.25 miles from the parking lot to Primro... more |
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Our Neighbors the Prairie Rattlesnakes
Friday, 29 May 2026 | 09:30 AM | Bobcat Ridge Natural AreaWhere: Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Meet in the pavilion. Activity Description: Join Naturalist Lynn Larkin and learn more about our neighbors the prairie rattlesnakes, and her unique experience with these creatures. Did you know that prairie ra... more |
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Get Involved
Accepting Applications for the following Volunteer Types:
- Adopt-A-Natural Area
- BARK Ranger
- Community Science
- Diamond Peak Mountain Bike Patrol
- General Volunteer Application - Stewardship Volunteer
- Nix and Sugar Beet Garden Volunteer
- Photographer
- Volunteer Crew Leader/Trail Steward
- Volunteer Naturalist
- Volunteer Naturalist Assistant
- Volunteer Ranger Assistant
Get Involved!
View Opportunities...Requests
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