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.

Boulder County Water Development Seminar: Past, Present, and Future

Sponsored and Hosted by Boulder County Nature Association

Mark your calendars! Boulder County Nature Association invites everyone to a seminar exploring the challenges and future of our region's water resources — from snow drought and watering restrictions to conservation efforts, water-wise landscaping, and the impacts of climate change.

When: October 31, 2026, 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, 5001 Pennsylvania Ave.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT EVENT AND REGISTRATION

KGNU Radio Monthly Nature Almanac

© Clark's Nutracker. Photo by Stephen Jones

Boulder Naturalists Ruth Carole Cushman and Pete Ruprecht beat the crowds at Rocky Mountain National Park by heading in before 9 AM, to take Trail Ridge Road up and down, to see the beautiful gold and russet hues of the parks Subalpine Meadows, surrounded by stately fir trees and limber pine. Near sparkling blue glacial lakes known as "tarns," birds are plentiful, including a flock of borwn pine siskins that sport gold lightning stripes, and then a sky blue bluebird, plus a grey relative of the crow, known as the Clark's Nutcracker. This elegant looking bird has a loud and raccous call. It lives off the seeds of evergreen trees and can hold 50 seeds in its mouth at once, while for a place to cache them in the ground for its winter food. Sometimes a Clark's Nutcracker forgets where it stored a few of those seeds, and maybe one will become a fir tree someday!

Listen to KGNU’s recorded story to find out!

Calendars of Upcoming Local Environmental Events

Boulder.Earth Climate Action Portal

People and pollinators action network: Upcoming events

CONPS Event Calendar

Boulder County Audubon Events

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

Boulder County Hikes and Events Open Space Calendar

City of Boulder Nature Hikes and Programs

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 at the following vendors.

There are very few paper copies of Butterflies still available, so shop soon!

Boulder Bookstore, 1107 Pearl St., Boulder
Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster
Front Range Birding Company: 2425 Canyon Blvd Suite B, Boulder, and 10146 W. San Juan Way, Littleton
Harlequin's Gardens, 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder
The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins
Some Barnes & Noble stores in the Front Range
Amazon, amazon.com

Butterfly eBooks are available from amazon.com, Apple Books, kobo.com, and barnesandnoble.com.

Boulder County Nature Association

P.O. Box 493, Boulder, CO 80306