FREE PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)
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. Email us at education@blufflake.org with any questions.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, May 4th at 9:00am
Saturday, June 15th at 8:30am
Saturday, July 20th at 8:30am
Saturday, August 17th at 8:30am
Saturday, September 14th at 9:00am
Saturday, October 19th at 9:00am
Qigong and Mindfulness Walks
Qigong and Mindfulness Walks around Bluff Lake are led by Joann Calabrese, mindfulness and qigong instructor. Group meets at the downstairs amphitheater at 7:30AM 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 15 participants. Please RSVP at this link to reserve your spot! Email us at education@blufflake.org with any questions.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, April 28th at 7:30am
Sunday, May 26th at 7:30am
Sunday, June 30th at 7:30am
Sunday, July 28th at 7:30am
Sunday, August 25th at 7:30am
Sunday, September 29th at 7:30am
Sunday, October 27th at 7:30am
Nature Wonder Wanders
Sessions are led by Sheri Peterson, a certified nature connection guide and a forest school teacher. We will tap into our senses, notice the beauty and wisdom of the natural world, and reflect on what that might mean for us. You'll learn simple yet powerful practices that you can apply anytime, anywhere, to stay in the wonder.
We will enter the wonder by slowing down, breathing, and reconnecting. Whether your intention is to take a breath of fresh air or a break from the hustle & bustle, our time noticing and connecting with our surroundings will guide us into the wonder of our world.
All ages are welcome. Sessions will last about an hour, but please feel free to stay and practice being in the wonder as long as you'd like. These are donation-based events, with all proceeds going to support the Bluff Lake Nature Center and its conservation efforts.
We can't wait to connect with you and support you on your journey to greater well-being and wonder!
Please RSVP at the link below to reserve your spot! Email us at education@blufflake.org with any questions.
Upcoming events:
Friday, April 5th at 1:00pm
Friday, May 3rd at 7:00am
Friday, June 7th at 7:00am
Friday, July 12th at 7:00am
Friday, August 2nd at 7:00am
Friday, September 6th at 7:00am
Guided Site Tours
Join our Natural Resource Director Tess for a tour of Bluff Lake Nature Center and Wildlife Refuge. These tours will be relaxed and conversation-filled, focusing on the conservation science that goes into management of a wildlife refuge. Each tour will have a different topic, with participants walking to different areas of the property to view and discuss how Bluff Lake fits into the larger landscape. Topics may include water rights, animal populations, land-use history, and native/invasive species.
Participants can expect a 1 hour, 1 mile walk with lots of stops for conversation and insight. The tour will stay on our graded gravel trails and will be entirely outdoors. Please bring a water bottle and layers to stay comfortable. These tours take place once a season, rain or shine, but may be canceled for extreme weather.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, June 29th at 9:00am
These walks happen once a season, keep an eye out for future dates.
Bird Walks
Our monthly bird walks are currently taking place on the first Saturday of each month, weather permitting. Our walks are led by volunteers who love Bluff Lake and are some of the sharpest birders in Denver. All experience levels and ages are welcome to participate! During warmer months you will have the option to register for the 2.5 hour walk or the 2 hour walk.
Please note: RSVP required, but no limit on participants. Registration closes at 3 p.m. the Friday before the event. Please check out our birdwatching page for more information.
Upcoming dates and times for 2024 Bird Walks:
Saturday, April 6th at 8:00am
Saturday, May 4th at 7:30am or 8:00am
Saturday, June 1st at 7:30am or 8:00am
Plant Walks (NEW!)
These first Saturday of the month walks will explore Bluff Lake's trails to find wild plants, from grasses to trees, and bring them out of the background and into focus. The many habitats at Bluff Lake host countless plant species with amazing adaptations, beautiful structures, and fascinating origins. Each walk will cover different topics such as seasons, life cycles, and seed dispersal. Participants can expect to spend the entire session outdoors and moving at a relaxed pace, will frequent stops for investigation. No equipment or prior knowledge necessary, field guides will be provided.
Leading the walks will be Gabi May, a self-taught plant guide who recently started sharing her knowledge in Denver with the goal of making plant knowledge accessible to everyone. Her classes include information about edible and medicinal plants and how to identify them, as well as some chemistry facts and indigenous science about specific species. Though not certified, she received most of her knowledge growing up in rural Michigan through generational knowledge.
Please RSVP at the link below to reserve your spot! Email us at education@blufflake.org with any questions.
Upcoming events:
Sunday, April 21st at 4:00pm (This event is a rescheduling of a past canceled event. Please Register Here)
Saturday, May 4th at 4:00pm
Family Nature Adventure Days
Join us for free themed Saturday events all year long! Bring the whole family and participate in scavenger hunts, campfire s’mores, owl walks, nature crafts, or live animal encounters. Each event is run by the Bluff Lake Education Team with help from our friends at Denver Botanic Gardens, Nature’s Educators, the Urban Farm, the Nature Conservancy, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and many more! After your crafts and activities we encourage you to take a walk and explore, or head to the creek to catch some crawfish! Be sure to borrow a pair of binoculars or a bug catching net from our table. These events are entirely free, do not require prior registration, always take place at the shed/parking area, and are weather permitting. Check out our google calendar for more information or email education@blufflake.org.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, April 20th anytime between 8:30am-12:00pm (Earth Day)
Saturday, May 11th anytime between 8:30am-12:00pm (The Urban Farm)
Saturday, June 8th anytime between 8:30am-12:00pm (Nature’s Educators and live animals)
Saturday July 13th anytime between 8:30am-12:00pm (The Nature Conservancy)
Saturday, July 20th anytime between 5:00pm-8:30pm (Campfire with the Rocky Mountain Aardvarks)
Saturday, August 10th anytime between 8:30am-12:00pm (Denver Botanic Gardens and Denver Public Library)
Saturday, September 14th anytime between 10:00am-1:30pm (Denver Museum of Nature and Science Curiosity Cruiser)
La Naturaleza Habla Español
Durante este programa gratuito podrás disfrutar y explorar la naturaleza de Colorado con tu familia. ¡También tendrás la oportunidad de hablar con educadores ambientales y disfrutar de actividades, manualidades para llevar a casa y la renta gratis de equipos como binoculares! Registro previo NO es necesario.
Envíe un correo electrónico a education@blufflake.org si tiene preguntas.
Domingo 7 de abril de 10:00 a 12:00 horas.
Domingo 5 de mayo de 10:00 a 12:00 horas.
Domingo 2 de junio de 10:00 a 12:00 horas.
Domingo 7 de julio de 10:00 a 12:00 horas.
Domingo 4 de agosto de 10:00 a 12:00 horas.