Dear Friends of BLNC,
As we see the temperatures warm up, we here at Bluff Lake are eager to spend more time outside and experience nature in full bloom. And we've got lots of free events to get you on site and excited about experiencing all the benefits of nature exploration.
We're also thrilled to announce that we won the STEM Launch PBL Partner of the Year award for the 2021-22 school year, as pictured here with our Education Manager & Summer Camp Director, Heidi Pfeiffer, for our problem-based learning (PBL) program.
In other exciting news, our executive director, Rachel Hutchens, is on maternity leave to take care of her wonderful new baby. The rest of the team will be taking care of business as usual, and I am happy to answer any questions or concerns in her absence. Please feel free to reach out to me at leila@blufflake.org.
See you at Bluff Lake!
-Leila Regan-Porter, Acting Executive Director
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Birding Updates at Bluff Lake |
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As birding at Bluff Lake has become increasingly popular, we have been revamping our birding page as well as the registration and RSVP process.
Our birding page now includes our bird walk core values and expectations, as well as links to register for updates and RSVP for the upcoming monthly bird walk.
Photo of Great Horned Owl by BLNC birder Tony Fernandez.
The next bird walk will take place on Saturday, June 4.
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Explore with the Return of the Bluff Lake Quest: 3.0! |
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Our team has been working on revamping our popular scavenger hunt, Bluff Lake Quest, for a new, 3.0 version!
Download the map at the link below or grab one at the kiosk by the parking lot, and solve the clues to get different colored beads to make a vibrant necklace as your prize.
What better way to explore the site while learning about Bluff Lake?
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Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) Returns! |
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Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku) is the practice of taking time in nature, to “bathe” in the rich sensory experience of all that surrounds you. It was developed in Japan during the 1980s to relieve stress and enhance well-being. During this relaxing, two hour, guided walk, you will be invited to open your senses and engage with nature in a deeper way. Best suited for adults and teens.
Class is limited to 10 participants. Please RSVP at the link below to reserve your spot for the next program, taking place on Saturday, June 18.
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Qigong and Mindfulness Walks |
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Qigong and Mindfulness Walks around Bluff Lake are led by Joann Calabrese, mindfulness and qigong instructor. Group meets at the downstairs amphitheater for Qigong, a gentle mind-body practice that promotes health and vitality as well as focused awareness. The mindfulness walk around Bluff Lake begins around 40 minutes later. Come for either or both!
Class is limited to 10 participants. Please RSVP at the link below to reserve your spot for the next program, taking place Sunday, May 29.
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Sand Creek Trails Day, June 4 |
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To celebrate National Trails Day this year, the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership is hosting a trails day event on the Sand Creek Greenway on Saturday, June 4, 1-4PM. During the event participants will be able to walk or bike along a 1-mile-long section of the Greenway between Bluff Lake Nature Center and Sand Creek Park and visit interactive community booths along the way.
As a reminder, bikes are not allowed within the Bluff Lake Nature Center property, but we have racks for you to park your bikes while you enjoy the site.
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Free Wildlife Photography Clinic for Teen Girls at Rocky Mountain Arsenal |
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Join Girls Who Click and photographer Dawn Wilson on June 4 for a day of photographing wildlife at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge!
Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. This location provides excellent opportunities to photograph wild animals close to home, including bison, burrowing owls, prairie dogs, deer, coyotes and a wide variety of birds. The group will meet for an introduction to nature photography in the classroom and then head out to test the classroom skills by photographing birds, butterflies and prairie dogs.
This workshop is for girls and female-identified youth ages 13-18. We do make age exceptions for motivated students. This workshop is free. Register at the button below.
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We Are Hiring! Apply for Summer Camp Counselor |
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We are currently seeking fun, enthusiastic, outdoorsy individuals to lead small groups of campers (ages 5-12) during our outdoor summer day camps. We invite kids to explore, play, and get dirty. We have different nature themes each week, all including games, hands-on activities, hikes, free play, and wading in Sand Creek. This year’s themes include Colorado Wildlife, Outdoor Survival, Land and Life, Nature Science, and Best of Bluff Lake. |
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Meet Our Americorps Environmental Educators! |
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Garrett Brown, Lauren Godfrey, and Wyatt Ellison are our 2021-22 Americorps Environmental Educators, who make Bluff Lake's education programs possible by leading field trips and after school, facilitating family days and other events, as well as many other projects and duties that help us grow and engage with our community. Read more about them at the link below! |
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Community support makes our work possible. |
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