Welcome to the Boulder County Nature Association
For more than 50 years, the Boulder County Nature Association has been dedicated to understanding, preserving, and celebrating the rich natural heritage of Boulder County. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization committed to fostering a deeper connection between people and the landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems that make this region extraordinary.
Through scientific studies using volunteers, a grants program for relevant research, educational programs, field trips, and conservation advocacy, BCNA brings together nature enthusiasts of all ages who share a passion for learning and stewardship. Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist or simply curious about the world just outside your door, we invite you to explore, discover, and help protect the natural wonders of Boulder County.
BCNA and Boulder Audubon jointly administer an email list serve, Nature-Net, to keep everyone updated about items of interest to both organizations.
To discover more about BCNA’s programs, please follow the links above the photo or in the hamburger drop-down menu.
BCNA Educational Hike Opportunity in the South Boulder Grasslands
Join the BCNA Education Committee member Karl Ford Saturday, April 18, 8am – noon for a casual hike in the South Boulder Grasslands to see the spectacular scenery, spring wildflowers, and nesting birds. Karl will also discuss climate change, the ecological significance of this State Natural Area, and the city plans for potential multimodal access.
This hiker-only loop hike is about 4.5 miles and gains about 400′. We will head up the South Boulder Creek West trail to the Mesa Trail to the Big Bluestem West trail and follow the Lower Big Bluestem trail back to the start. While staying on the trail, we will make plenty of stops to learn. You must be fit enough to complete the hike. It may be a warm day so bring plenty of water and snacks. Dress for the weather. Please no dogs, young children, or bikes.
Meet at the South Boulder Creek West trailhead, 1405 South Foothills Highway, Boulder at 8:00 am. You are welcome to bring lunch and share in discussion afterwards. This parking lot is free to Boulder County residents; $5 if your car isn’t licensed in Boulder County.
Carpooling is suggested, but BCNA cannot arrange carpools.
There is no fee to join this hike. However, registration is required. To register, please contact Karl at earthford@aol.com. Limit 14. Please notify Karl if you need to cancel after registering.
BCNA Social – Connect, Learn, and Unwind! |
Join us for a lively evening at MainStage Brewery in Gunbarrel (6035 Longbow Dr, Unit 109, Boulder) on Thursday, May 7 from 5:00–7:00 PM! Catch up with old friends, make new connections, and enjoy great conversation in a relaxed setting.
We’re excited to feature a special presentation by Paige Singer, conservation biologist with Rocky Mountain Wild, who will share insights on the Colorado Bat Watch Program in a talk, Wings at Dusk: Surveying Boulder County’s Bat Colonies. Learn how this unique community science effort is helping protect one of Colorado’s most important—and often misunderstood—wildlife groups.
The talk will begin around 5:15 PM, with plenty of time afterward to chat with Paige and learn more about Rocky Mountain Wild’s work. Enjoy a selection of beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks while you mingle.
We hope you’ll join us for an evening of community, conversation, and connection!
Photo: Hoary bat, courtesy of Oregon State University
Join BCNA for an Earth Day Celebration
Where: Timberline K-8 school, 233 East Mountain View Avenue, Longmont
When: Saturday, April 18, from 10 AM–2 PM
KGNU Monthly Nature Almanac
Early Easter Daisies
For this April Nature Almanac, naturalist and author Steve Jones heads out to look for early spring butterflies. Many people have been asking whether our unusually warm, dry weather is changing the timing of when butterflies emerge from winter.
To explore this, Steve spends a warm day hiking up Boulder’s Skunk Canyon, watching for everything from common cabbage whites to bright orange painted ladies—and a less common species he rarely sees, the Milbert’s Tortoiseshell.
Will he spot one? Tune in to find out. Along the way, Steve shares insights from the book he co-authored with Janet Chu, Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range, along with simple tips on the best weather for butterfly watching—and how to slow down and let butterflies come to you.
Photo courtesy of Catherine Cook
Calendars of Upcoming Local Environmental Events
Boulder.Earth Climate Action Portal
People and pollinators action network: Upcoming events
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Gifts for the Naturalist in Your Life
Look for the BCNA books Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range by Janet Chu and Stephen Jones and Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range by Ann Cooper books as well as CDs published by BCNA at any of these places:
- Special events hosted by BCNA
- Locally at the Front Range Birding Company: 5360 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, and 10146 W. San Juan Way, Littleton
- Wild Birds Unlimited: 2720 S. Wadsworth, Denver; 7370 W. 88th Ave., Arvada; and 1520 S. Hover St., Suite D, Longmont 80501
- Wild Bear Nature Center Gift Shop in Caribou Village Shopping Center, 20 Lakeview Drive, Nederland
- Covered Treasures Bookstore, 105 Second Street, Monument CO
- Boulder Audubon Chapter’s annual holiday sale
- Amazon: Butterflies of the Colorado Front Range or Dragonflies of the Colorado Front Range
- Brigham Distributing
- Some Barnes & Noble stores in the Front Range
- Butterfly eBooks are available from Amazon, Apple Books (purchase using the Apple Books app), and barnesandnoble.com.
Banner Photo © CCVanWie
Boulder County Nature Association
P.O. Box 493, Boulder, CO 80306