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3. Natural Areas

City of Fort Collins Engage

Welcome to Engage!  Engage is a new system for the City of Fort Collins that helps you manage your involvement, either as a participant or volunteer, sponsored by the FC Volunteers Program. Browse the calendar, edit your profile, and get involved!

Natural Areas are naturally yours! You are welcome to explore and help care for these special places. The City's Natural Areas Department manages 41 sites and over 36,000 acres locally and regionally, so there is likely a natural area near you!

• Natural Areas Map (PDF 14.5MB)

Most Fort Collins natural areas are open for your enjoyment and recreation from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. except for Bobcat Ridge Natural Area, Gateway Natural Area , Reservoir Ridge Natural Area and Soapstone Prairie Natural Area which are open from dawn to dusk.

Upcoming Activities -   Calendar

Waitlist	Astronomy & Skygazing   08/26/2017 Saturday |   08:00 PM | Bobcat Ridge Natural Area |  Registration Required Enjoy a brief family-friendly astronomy program at Bobcat Ridge. Skygazing follows with telescopes provided by the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society for your viewing pleasure. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Please arrive...  more
Sign Up	Naturalists at Soapstone Prairie   08/26/2017 Saturday |   10:00 AM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Enjoy a day of learning about the wonders of Soapstone Prairie. Topics will include the 1) bison herd and wildlife ecology , 2) homesteading history, 3) geology and plant life and 4) story of the Lindenmeier Archaeology Site.Stop by any time and s...  more
Waitlist	Black-Footed Ferret Exploration   08/29/2017 Tuesday |   06:00 PM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area |  Registration Required Explore one of North America’s rarest animals in this unique opportunity. We will journey together to Soapstone Prairie for a presentation about the black-footed ferret and then we will hike and search for this elusive resident. 1-2 miles; moderat...  more
Register	Loren Eiseley: Scientist, Poet and Time Traveler   09/03/2017 Sunday |   10:00 AM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area |  Registration Required Learn how Loren Eiseley, an anthropologist and writer, made a key discovery in the 1930s at the famed Lindenmeier Site. Be inspired by selected passages from the works of a man described as a "poet wearing the fox skins of a scientist." 0.25 m...  more
Register	Senior Sensory Roll and Stroll   09/06/2017 Wednesday |   09:30 AM | Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area |  Registration Required This program is accessible and meant to be enjoyed by seniors with limited mobility. The program will move at a slow pace and is accessible for wheel chairs and walkers. Shade and/or an indoor facility is available. Experience the wonders of na...  more
Register	Science Behind the Scenery - Amphibian Decline: Global to local, a view from the trenches   09/06/2017 Wednesday |   07:00 PM | Nix Office, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road |  Registration Required Amphibian Decline: Global to local, a view from the trenches Amphibian decline may seem like an exotic issue, but here in the Front Range of Colorado, some frogs are in trouble. Dr. Erin Muths will introduce a variety of amphibians and detail som...  more
Register	The Story of the American Bison   09/07/2017 Thursday |   04:00 PM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area |  Registration Required See American Bison in their natural habitat, the shortgrass prairie! Observe the herd and learn of their story from Master Naturalists. 0.25 miles; easy. Please note: The bison are constantly on the move and we cannot guarantee that they will ...  more
Register	Adult Night Walk   09/08/2017 Friday |   07:15 PM | Bobcat Ridge Natural Area |  Registration Required Explore a natural area after dark! Discover all aspects of the night on a short walk with multisensory activities. This program is designed for adults and will provide a longer, quieter walk for more information and time for reflection than th...  more
Register	Environmental Stewardship Project for Teens   09/09/2017 Saturday |   09:00 AM | |  Registration Required Get your hands dirty and spend a day with your friends outside! This is an opportunity to actively participate in the restoration of our natural areas. Participants will play a role in choosing a project and site once registered.  more
Register	Skygazing   09/09/2017 Saturday |   08:00 PM | Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area |  Registration Required Each month volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes for your viewing pleasure and share their knowledge about stars, planets, galaxies, and more. Dress warmly and bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Meet in the...  more