Colorado State’s Environmental Learning Center Raises Conservation Awareness in Earth Fest April 16-26
Believing that Earth Day should be celebrated more than one day per year, the Environmental Learning Center at Colorado State University is hosting Earth Fest, a 10-day awareness event to educate the public about environmental conservation and preservation from April 16-26.
The event features excursions for children and adults including a full moon hike, nature trail walk, family gardening program and a program with the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center. The Enos Mills chapter of the National Association for Interpretation will guide participants on nature trails and explain the contributions of pioneers like John Wesley Powell and Aldo Leopold toward conservation and preservation.
Other U.S. environmental enthusiasts will celebrate Earth Day April 22. Typical events include planting trees, carpooling and communitywide environmental education.
Earth Day was founded in the 1960s by Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who desired to place the environmental cause in the political limelight. By 1970, the celebration had become a national event.
Pre-registration is required for many Earth Fest events, located at ELC’s East Drake site, 2400 Ziegler Road. A detailed schedule follows.
- April 16
7-8:30 p.m.: "Spring has Sprung!" Full moon hike at ELC East Drake location, one mile east of Timberline Rd. Donations accepted. - April 17 and 18
9 a.m.-3 p.m.: "Great School Escape: Explore the Wild Side." (K-6 Poudre Schools are out of session these days). Before and after care available. Pre-registration required. $30/child. Space is limited. Registration forms available on the Internet at www.warnercnr.colostate.edu/elc or at the ELC office. - April 18
7:30-8:30 p.m.: "Looking Back and Moving Forward: Connecting Yourself to Nature," sponsored by the Enos Mills chapter of the National Association for Interpretation. RSVP required. Donations accepted. - April 24
10-11:30 a.m.: "Nature Tails: Sowing and Growing" for toddlers and parents. $5/child. RSVP required. - April 26
8-11 a.m.: "Mornings Are For The Birds." A bird-banding with Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory, followed by a program from the Rocky Mountain Raptor Program. $5/person or $15/family.
For more information about Earth Fest, contact the Environmental Learning Center at (970) 491-1661 or visit the Web at www.warnercnr.colostate.edu/elc.