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.

Councilmember Melanie Potyondy will host an informal Listening Session on Saturday, October 10 at 9:30-10:30 and the location is forthcoming. Residents are invited to stop by and discuss their thoughts about living in Fort Collins. There is no charge to attend.

October 6: Gateway Natural Area. Meet at the large gazebo. Gateway is a great place to find caterpillars in the fall. We will search for them and try to identify the insect. (One of Ross’ favorite subjects). Since the beavers are responsible for increasing the insect population we will check on the beavers. Partnership with ARO. Volunteers lead nature walks at various natural areas and engage with participants and staff from ARO. Sign up found on Recreation website:

*Registration for this program is required* Where: Gateway Natural Area. Meet at the pavilion by the bridge/trail entrance. Find the Volunteer Naturalist Assistant for your free day parking pass. Program Description: Experience the Japanese tradition of Shinrin-Yoku on this guided nature walk. Learn to unplug, slow down and engage your senses to nature’s healing power. 0.5 miles. Easy. Accessibility: Program takes place both in and out of doors and along wide dirt roads and trails around the studio. Accessible bathrooms and parking available. The walk will cover 0.5 - 0.75 miles over very gentle terrain. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. Bring sunscreen, a hat, closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. Weather permitting, you may be invited (not required) to remove your shoes for earth connection time, so you may want to bring a small towel to wipe your feet. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 dos (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.

*Registration for this program is required* Where: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Soapstone Prairie - . Meet at the museum. When: 5:00p.m. - 10:00p.m., meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for van transportation. (activity time includes travel to and from Soapstone). Program Description: Explore North America’s rarest mammal. Meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for a presentation about black-footed ferrets at the exhibit in the lobby. Then travel together to Soapstone (about a one- hour drive). Then hike and search for this elusive resident on one of the prairie dog colonies where they have been reintroduced. Accessibility: The beginning of the program takes place in an accessible picnic shelter. There is accessible parking and an accessible bathroom at the north parking lot. During the second half of the program, we will be walking 1-2 miles in the dark under uneven ground through a prairie dog colony. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. It is generally a little cooler and windy at this site. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. There is limited cell phone reception at Soapstone Prairie. You may wish to bring dinner to enjoy while we chat about ferrets and wait for it to get dark and a headlamp for walking around the prairie dog colony. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 dos (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.

Where: 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: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. This activity meets at the North Parking Lot. Program Description: Visit the past and learn about the tremendous work done by the Smithsonian Institution at the overlook and their findings about very early inhabitants of the area – Indigenous people have been here since time immemorial. Accessibility: This program involves an ADA accessible, 0.25 mile uphill hike to a covered shelter. Accessible parking and restrooms are available. There is limited cell phone reception at Soapstone Prairie. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. Bring multiple layers for both active walking and standing still. It is generally a little cooler and windy at this site. Bring sunscreen, a hat / sunglasses, bug repellant, closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. Trails may be muddy so please wear proper footwear. Hiking poles are a great option if you are concerned about balance on uneven/muddy terrain. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 dos (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.

*Registration for this program is required* Where: Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Soapstone Prairie - . Meet at the museum. When: 5:00p.m. - 10:00p.m., meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for van transportation. (activity time includes travel to and from Soapstone). Program Description: Explore North America’s rarest mammal. Meet at the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery for a presentation about black-footed ferrets at the exhibit in the lobby. Then travel together to Soapstone (about a one- hour drive). Then hike and search for this elusive resident on one of the prairie dog colonies where they have been reintroduced. Accessibility: The beginning of the program takes place in an accessible picnic shelter. There is accessible parking and an accessible bathroom at the north parking lot. During the second half of the program, we will be walking 1-2 miles in the dark under uneven ground through a prairie dog colony. What to Bring: Dress appropriately for the weather forecast. It is generally a little cooler and windy at this site. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes, and plenty of water. There is limited cell phone reception at Soapstone Prairie. You may wish to bring dinner to enjoy while we chat about ferrets and wait for it to get dark and a headlamp for walking around the prairie dog colony. ___________________________________________________________________ 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 dos (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.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

October 6: Gateway Natural Area. Meet at the large gazebo. Gateway is a great place to find caterpillars in the fall. We will search for them and try to identify the insect. (One of Ross’ favorite subjects). Since the beavers are responsible for increasing the insect population we will check on the beavers. Partnership with ARO. Volunteers lead nature walks at various natural areas and engage with participants and staff from ARO. Sign up found on Recreation website:

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.

Where: Soapstone Prairie. Meet at the North Parking Lot. Activity Description: Ever wonder why a pronghorn runs so fast? Why do some delicious melons lie rotting on the ground uneaten? Perhaps it never occurred to you to even ask such questions. It’s the kind of mysteries curious biologists ask themselves as they explore the natural world. And they have discovered some answers. Answers related to climate change in the past that may help us navigate our futures through climate changes yet to come. Join biologist/naturalist/artist Gary Raham as he explores the fascinating stories of prey who’ve lost their predators and plants who’ve lost their pollinators since the days when snow and glaciers dominated our landscapes. Accessibility: Program takes place outside and along an ADA accessible trail. Accessible bathrooms and parking available. Hike to Lindenmeier Overlook: easy, 1/4 mile paved trail to pavilion with interpretive signs and seating. 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, a hat if you want one, closed-toe, sturdy shoes for outdoor observations, and plenty of water.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.

Please check the posted agenda to confirm meeting details.