The theme for 2026 World Migratory Bird Day is "Every Bird Counts - Your Observations Matter!" Come observe birds with Natural Areas volunteer naturalists! Where: Riverbend Ponds Natural Area. Park at Prospect Rd parking lot, located between Sharp Point Dr and Summitview Dr, 2856 East Prospect. Activity Description: Riverbend Ponds is a great place to see migratory birds! Volunteer Naturalists will be leading bird walks every 30 minutes starting at 7 a.m. to see what's around the ponds. Bring your binoculars if you have them and celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with us! Accessibility: Accessible parking and restrooms available. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of a program, please contact naturalareas@fcgov.com or call 970-416-2815 for more information. People with disabilities are welcome to participate in all programs and we are happy to make any appropriate accommodations. Requests for disability-related services can be made during registration through the activity contact or by calling 970-416-2815 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the activity. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. Bring sunscreen, closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water.

Where: Coyote Ridge Natural Area. Meet in the parking lot by the kiosk. Activity Description: Come explore the geology, plants, and wildlife of Coyote Ridge Natural Area! This remarkable landscape allows visitors to quite literally walk back through geological time while enjoying abundant opportunities to see wildlife, wildflowers, and sweeping views. During our walk, we’ll delve into the area’s deep geological history, examine fossils that reveal ancient environments, and get to know the unique plants and animals that call this critical habitat home. What to bring: sunscreen, hat, water, shacks, good walking shoes, walking poles if preferred. Accessibility: 2 miles round trip. There is an option to go up to the top of the ridge (4 miles round trip) if people want to. Mostly gravel road with some uphill climbs. There is a toilet at the 1 mile mark.

Where: 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 the Poudre River in southeast Fort Collins. Learn about the human history of this region. Explore the river corridor and ponds that provide habitat for many species of plants and animals. Learn about the recreational opportunities enjoyed in this natural area. What to Bring: Wear a hat, sunscreen, and appropriate walking shoes. Bring water to drink. Accessibility: Program takes place on uneven dirt and paved trails. 1.5 miles, easy. Program is appropriate for mixed ages, including families. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of a program, please contact naturalareas@fcgov.com or call 970-416-2815 for more information. People with disabilities are welcome to participate in all programs and we are happy to make any appropriate accommodations. Requests for disability-related services can be made during registration through the activity contact or by calling 970-416-2815 at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the activity. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. Bring in multiple layers for both active walking and standing still. Bring sunscreen, a hat, closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. Hiking poles are a great option if you are concerned about balance on uneven terrain. Don't forget your binoculars!

Join our inaugural group of garden volunteers helping to maintain and beautify the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s garden and the newly seeded detention basin at Transfort’s Downtown Transit Center. We welcome adult volunteers of all abilities, no horticultural experience necessary. Gloves, tools and water are provided. While no special skills are required, the role will require bending, kneeling, stooping and navigating uneven surfaces. Through a 2025 Nature in the City grant, Transfort and Planning Services refreshed the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s historic grave. New irrigation was installed and the garden was planted with low-water-use pollinator species. The detention basin was re-seeded in the fall of 2025 and will need regular maintenance to allow the native plants and grasses to establish. The garden volunteers will help ensure these newly refreshed spaces function as designed and allow the plants to establish. This will benefit pollinators and the local community, serving as a naturalized space in the urban downtown corridor. Key Responsibilities: Garden maintenance including weeding, planting, and irrigation. General garden upkeep.

Join our inaugural group of garden volunteers helping to maintain and beautify the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s garden and the newly seeded detention basin at Transfort’s Downtown Transit Center. We welcome adult volunteers of all abilities, no horticultural experience necessary. Gloves, tools and water are provided. While no special skills are required, the role will require bending, kneeling, stooping and navigating uneven surfaces. Through a 2025 Nature in the City grant, Transfort and Planning Services refreshed the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s historic grave. New irrigation was installed and the garden was planted with low-water-use pollinator species. The detention basin was re-seeded in the fall of 2025 and will need regular maintenance to allow the native plants and grasses to establish. The garden volunteers will help ensure these newly refreshed spaces function as designed and allow the plants to establish. This will benefit pollinators and the local community, serving as a naturalized space in the urban downtown corridor. Key Responsibilities: Garden maintenance including weeding, planting, and irrigation. General garden upkeep.

Join our inaugural group of garden volunteers helping to maintain and beautify the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s garden and the newly seeded detention basin at Transfort’s Downtown Transit Center. We welcome adult volunteers of all abilities, no horticultural experience necessary. Gloves, tools and water are provided. While no special skills are required, the role will require bending, kneeling, stooping and navigating uneven surfaces. Through a 2025 Nature in the City grant, Transfort and Planning Services refreshed the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s historic grave. New irrigation was installed and the garden was planted with low-water-use pollinator species. The detention basin was re-seeded in the fall of 2025 and will need regular maintenance to allow the native plants and grasses to establish. The garden volunteers will help ensure these newly refreshed spaces function as designed and allow the plants to establish. This will benefit pollinators and the local community, serving as a naturalized space in the urban downtown corridor. Key Responsibilities: Garden maintenance including weeding, planting, and irrigation. General garden upkeep.

Join our inaugural group of garden volunteers helping to maintain and beautify the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s garden and the newly seeded detention basin at Transfort’s Downtown Transit Center. We welcome adult volunteers of all abilities, no horticultural experience necessary. Gloves, tools and water are provided. While no special skills are required, the role will require bending, kneeling, stooping and navigating uneven surfaces. Through a 2025 Nature in the City grant, Transfort and Planning Services refreshed the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s historic grave. New irrigation was installed and the garden was planted with low-water-use pollinator species. The detention basin was re-seeded in the fall of 2025 and will need regular maintenance to allow the native plants and grasses to establish. The garden volunteers will help ensure these newly refreshed spaces function as designed and allow the plants to establish. This will benefit pollinators and the local community, serving as a naturalized space in the urban downtown corridor. Key Responsibilities: Garden maintenance including weeding, planting, and irrigation. General garden upkeep.

Join our inaugural group of garden volunteers helping to maintain and beautify the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s garden and the newly seeded detention basin at Transfort’s Downtown Transit Center. We welcome adult volunteers of all abilities, no horticultural experience necessary. Gloves, tools and water are provided. While no special skills are required, the role will require bending, kneeling, stooping and navigating uneven surfaces. Through a 2025 Nature in the City grant, Transfort and Planning Services refreshed the garden around Annie the Railroad Dog’s historic grave. New irrigation was installed and the garden was planted with low-water-use pollinator species. The detention basin was re-seeded in the fall of 2025 and will need regular maintenance to allow the native plants and grasses to establish. The garden volunteers will help ensure these newly refreshed spaces function as designed and allow the plants to establish. This will benefit pollinators and the local community, serving as a naturalized space in the urban downtown corridor. Key Responsibilities: Garden maintenance including weeding, planting, and irrigation. General garden upkeep.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Come 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 collective experiences in Fort Collins Natural Areas —whether through fun activities, beautiful views, wildlife encounters, conservation success stories, or moments of community connection and stewardship. Outdoor spaces shape life and community in Fort Collins. Selected artists will have the opportunity to display their work in the Old Town Library during May and June for the community to enjoy! Please come to the welcome reception and check out the art in the library, and grab a copy of the 2026 Natural Areas explorer.

Where: 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 and bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Meet in the parking lot. Pets are not permitted at Fossil Creek Reservoir Natural Area. Please bring binoculars if you have them! It will make star viewing easier. Program Description: Natural Areas Planners will lead a program about the Fossil Zone Update! Volunteers from the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society provide telescopes and share their knowledge about the stars, planets, galaxies, and more. Register for information, updates, and cancellation info. For weather updates, visit the NCAS website at NoCoAstro.org. Accessibility: All activities take place in a paved parking lot. Very little walking required, accessible parking and restrooms available. ___________________________________________________________________ People of all abilities and disabilities are welcome to participate in all programs and we are happy to make any appropriate accommodations. If you'd like to request an accommodation (language interpretation, wheelchair access, etc.) please fill out the form linked under this activity. You can also copy and paste this link to access the same form: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7669173/Accessibility-and-Accommodation-Request-Form If accommodations are needed for an activity, please allow two (2) weeks prior to the event to process your request and arrange the accommodation, if available. If you have any questions or concerns about the accessibility of a program, please contact naturalareas@fcgov.com or call 970-416-2815 for more information. ___________________________________________________________________ Queremos que sepas que todas las personas, independientemente de sus habilidades o discapacidades, son bienvenidas a participar en nuestros programas. Estamos dispuestos a hacer cualquier modificación para asegurarnos de que todos puedan disfrutar plenamente de la experiencia. Si necesitas algún ajuste, ya sea interpretación de idiomas, acceso para sillas de ruedas u otra cosa, por favor completa el formulario que está vinculado en esta actividad. También puedes copiar y pegar este enlace para acceder al formulario: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7669173/Accessibility-and-Accommodation-Request-Form Si requieres modificaciones para participar en alguna actividad, te pedimos que nos avises con 2 semanas de anticipación al evento para procesar tu solicitud y coordinar los ajustes, en caso de estar disponibles. Si tienes alguna pregunta o inquietud sobre la accesibilidad de alguno de nuestros programas, no dudes en contactarnos en naturalareas@fcgov.com o llamando al 970-416-2815 para obtener más información.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.