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
NextGenServe MW Cohort 2026
Wed 06/24, Mon 06/29, Wed 07/01, Mon 07/06, Wed 07/08, Mon 07/13, Wed 07/15, Mon 07/20, Wed 07/22, Mon 07/27, Wed 07/29, Mon 08/03
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NextGenServe Pro Cohort 2026
Thu 06/25, Tue 06/30, Thu 07/02, Tue 07/07, Thu 07/09, Tue 07/14, Thu 07/16, Tue 07/21, Thu 07/23, Tue 07/28, Thu 07/30
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Waterwise Garden Tour Wheels & Walks
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!
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Conservation That Pays
Monday, 20 July 2026
Learn how to save money on your utility bill through behavioral changes and utility programs.
MoreUpcoming Activities Calendar
Waitlist
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Light Up the Night
Wednesday, 24 June 2026 | 08:30 PM | Riverbend Ponds Natural Area | Registration Required*Registration for this activity is required and will close on (date) at midnight. Where: Riverbend Ponds Natural Area - Prospect Road Parking Lot. 2856 East Prospect - between Sharp Point and Summitview Roads. Overflow parking is available at... more |
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River birds of Gateway
Thursday, 25 June 2026 | 10:00 AM | Gateway Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Gateway Natural Area, parking will be free for those who attend the program. Meet near Picnic Shelter A to get your parking pass. Program Description: Learn about the birds that make their living from the Poudre and its North Fork. We'll... more |
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Campfire at Coyote Ridge
Friday, 26 June 2026 | 06:30 PM | Coyote Ridge Natural Area | Registration Required*Registration for this program is required* Where: Coyote Ridge Natural Area, meet at the cabin, approximately 1 mile down the trail. It will take approximately 30 minutes to hike to the cabin, so PLEASE plan accordingly so that you are at the ... more |
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Sunset 'Just Be' Yoga and Meditation
Wednesday, 01 July 2026 | 07:15 PM | McMurry Natural AreaWhere: McMurry Natural Area. Park at Shields Street River Access Natural Area, and walk along the river until you see a program in progress sign. Yoga will be led by the river, off of the trail. Program Description: The asana practice of yoga ... more |
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Skygazing
Friday, 03 July 2026 | 08:30 PM | Bobcat Ridge Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Bobcat Ridge Natural Area. Address: 10184 Co Rd 32C, Loveland, CO 80538. Approximately 35 minutes from Fort Collins. When: July 3rd, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. What to Bring: Dress for temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the actual temperature... more |
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Hike with a Planner: Arapaho Bend Restorations
Wednesday, 08 July 2026 | 05:30 PM | Arapaho Bend Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Arapaho Bend, Meet at parking lot off of Strauss Cabin and E. Horsetooth Roads When: July 8th, 5:30-7 p.m. Program Topic: Ever wonder what planners look at when they are developing ways to protect sensitive natural resources and enhan... more |
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Sunrise 'Just Be' Yoga and Meditation
Friday, 10 July 2026 | 05:15 AM | Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural AreaWhere: Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area Program Description: The asana practice of yoga is designed to prepare the body for meditation. Sunrise and sunset are beautiful transitions in nature and allow us to appreciate the world around us and... more |
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Hot Dog! How to Prairie Dogs Survive the Summer?
Saturday, 11 July 2026 | 08:00 AM | Coyote Ridge Natural AreaWhere: Coyote Ridge Natural Area. Meet in the Parking Lot., Activity Description: Hot Dog! It's hot, it's dry and the coyotes are hungry. Let's explore how our native black tailed prairie dogs thrive in the harsh summer prairie where there is ... more |
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Wade the River
Wednesday, 22 July 2026 | 09:30 AM | Lee Martinez ParkWhere: Poudre Trail. Park at the tennis courts at Lee Martinez Park and follow the paved trail west until you come to a small beach on the north side of the trail. When: 9:30am - 12pm. Registration highly suggested, but not required. Only regi... more |
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Drop-in Community Nature Journaling
Thursday, 23 July 2026 | 09:00 AM | Riverbend Ponds - Cairnes Dr. EntranceWhere: Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Park and meet at the parking lot off of Cairnes Drive. Activity Description: A new twist on nature journaling programs! This drop-in style Nature Journaling program will provide opportunity to go nature jou... 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!
Requests
Request a Program for your group: