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 Garden at Lee Martinez Park
We are looking for a small group of volunteers to maintain the pollinator garden at Lee Martinez
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Upcoming Activities Calendar
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An Introduction to Nature Photography: Challenges and Techniques
Thursday, 02 October 2025 | 06:30 PM | Nix Office, 1745 Hoffman Mill Road | Registration RequiredWhen: Thursday October 2nd, 6:30-8 p.m. Where: 1745 Hoffman Mill Road - NIX Farm Natural Areas Office Activity Description: This program will offer an introduction to nature and wildlife photography with special emphasis on photographing s... more |
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Black Footed Ferret Exploration
Tuesday, 07 October 2025 | 05:00 PM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Soapstone Prairie - . Meet at the museum. When: Tuesday October 7th, 5:00p.m. - 10:00p.m., meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for van transportation. (activity time includes travel to and f... more |
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Forest Therapy
Wednesday, 08 October 2025 | 01:00 PM | Gateway Natural Area | Registration Required*Registration for this program is required* Where: Gateway Natural Area. When: Wednesday, October 8th, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Program Description: Experience the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku on this guided nature walk. Learn to unplug, s... more |
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Skygazing
Friday, 10 October 2025 | 06:30 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: Friday, October 10th, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. What to Bring: Dress for temperatures 20 degrees cooler than the a... more |
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Fall Marvelous Migration
Saturday, 11 October 2025 | 07:30 AM | Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area When: Saturday, October 11th 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Accessibility: Activities take place along an accessible trail. A short hike (less than 1.5 miles) along a wide dirt trail is optional. Accessible park... more |
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Photography Hike: Practice your Skills!
Friday, 17 October 2025 | 07:30 AM | Riverbend Ponds Natural AreaWhen: Friday October 17th, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. Where: Riverbend Ponds. Meet at large parking lot off of Prospect Road. Activity Description: This program will offer an opportunity to use acquired photographic skills to photograph migrating wi... more |
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Black Footed Ferret Exploration
Friday, 17 October 2025 | 05:00 PM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area | Registration Required*Registration for this program is required and closes 10/25 at midnight* Where: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Soapstone Prairie - . Meet at the museum. When: Friday October 17th, 5:00p.m. - 10:00p.m., meet at the Fort Collins Museum ... more |
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Homesteaders of Soapstone Prairie
Saturday, 18 October 2025 | 10:00 AM | Soapstone Prairie Natural Area | Registration RequiredWhere: Soapstone Prairie - Approximately a one-hour drive from Fort Collins. More complete directions can be found at https://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/soapstone. When: Saturday, October 19, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This activity meets ... more |
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Bird Watching for Novice and Intermediate Birders
Sunday, 19 October 2025 | 07:00 AM | Arapaho Bend Natural AreaWhere: Arapaho Bend Natural Area. When: Sunday, October 19th, 7:00- 9:30 a.m. Program Description: The program involves a leisurely walk north along the Arapahoe Bend Natural Area ponds from the parking area near Rigden Reservoir. Meet at ... more |
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Meet the Boo Crew
Saturday, 25 October 2025 | 01:30 PM | Gateway Natural Area | Registration Required*Registration for this activity is required and will close on 10/24 at midnight. Where: Gateway Natural Area, parking will be free for those who attend the program. Meet near Picnic Shelter A to get your parking pass. When: Saturday, Octobe... 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
Request a Program for your group: