Nature and Raptor Center

01/09/2025

🏹 From the Field: Equipped to Teach Essential Outdoor Skills - like Archery!

"Outdoor skills are essential for fostering confidence, resilience, and a deeper connection to nature. By learning how to navigate different environments, build shelters, and understand how to stay safe outdoors, individuals develop critical problem-solving abilities and confidence. These skills not only enhance outdoor experiences but also promote physical and mental well-being, encouraging a sense of adventure and appreciation for the natural world.

Most recently, we have really highlighted the outdoor skill of archery with staff and with our Outdoor Explorations Program (OEP). Archery is a valuable skill to learn because it builds focus, patience, and discipline. It requires precision, hand-eye coordination, and mental concentration, making it both a physical and a mental challenge. Archery also gives people a sense of accomplishment as individuals improve their technique and hit their targets. It can be a fun and engaging way to stay active while enjoying the outdoors. Whether for sport, recreation, or self-discipline, archery offers a unique and rewarding skill set."

- Ranger Zant & Ranger Lokey

Read more in our Winter Nature Journal, out now!https://hikeandlearn.org/media/nature-journal/winter-2024-nature-journal/

01/09/2025

Raptor Center tours, Bird Walks, and more! Join us for our January programming.

Learn more: https://hikeandlearn.org/programs-and-events/

01/08/2025

🌿Tips and Tricks From the Field

“Remember, nature connection is not confined to a specific time or place — it can happen anywhere, anytime. It's important to pause, even when you're not at nature school, and take a moment to fully immerse yourself in the world around you. Sit in stillness and engage all of your senses:

🌳See the trees swaying in the breeze
🎵 Listen to the songs of the birds
☁️ Taste the fresh air
🍃 Smell the earth and the leaves
✋ Feel the texture of the soil beneath your fingers

Take time to truly "take in nature". By observing and appreciating what's unfolding around you, you deepen your connection to the ecosystem as a whole. This mindfulness strengthens your relationship with the world and its rhythms, fostering a greater sense of awareness and belonging. As we embark on the journey of a new year filled with fresh adventures, I invite you to share the gift of nature connection
with someone new—whether it’s a neighbor, a family member, or even your pet! Let’s spread the joy of being present in nature and create meaningful moments together. Happy New Year!”

- Ranger Zant

01/08/2025

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny skies with a high of 38° for Colorado Springs and 36° for Pueblo. TONIGHT: Becoming partly cloudy and chilly with lows 12° to 15°.

01/08/2025

📣 NWDC Offices Closed Today, 1/8

Due to frigid temps and icy conditions, both the River Campus and Mountain Campus offices will be closed today, and all education programs have been canceled. Unless otherwise noted, both campuses will remain open for the public to use. Stay safe and warm!

01/08/2025

On December 28, 2024, 13 birdwatchers gathered on a cold, clear morning for the FREE 4th Saturday Arkansas Valley Audubon Society Bird Walk!

They saw:

Gadwall: 2
Mallard: 18
Bufflehead: 12
Common Goldeneye: 6
Common Merganser: 2
White-winged Dove: 3
Ring-billed Gull: 2
Pied-billed Grebe: 2
Great Blue Heron: 2
Cooper's Hawk: 1
Red-tailed Hawk: 1
Great Horned Owl: 1
Belted Kingfisher: 2
Northern Flicker: 5
Blue Jay: 2
Ruby-crowned Kinglet: 1
European Starling: 8
American Robin: 10
White-crowned Sparrow: 3

Join us for the next one, on January 25th!
https://hikeandlearn.org/programs-and-events/15338/avas-4th-saturday-bird-walks/

Photo by Andy Morffew

01/07/2025

I spy with my little eye... little Morpheus, our resident Eastern Screech Owl! He would like to invite you to our upcoming weekend raptor tour on Saturday, January 18th.

We have four time slots available: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm.
Register: https://hikeandlearn.org/programs-and-events/category/weekendraptortours/

Kids 3 & under are FREE, kids 4 - 11 are $3, and guests 12 & up are just $5!

Photo by Zachary Allen, The Pueblo Chieftain

01/07/2025

📣 NWDC Offices Closed Today, 1/7

Due to severe winter weather both the River Campus and Mountain Campus offices will be closed today, and all education programs have been canceled. Unless otherwise noted, both campuses will remain open for the public to use. Stay safe and warm!

01/06/2025

01/06/2025

📣 : Access for All! FREE PARKING Coming to the River Campus in 2025.

Here at the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, one of our core values is equitable access to nature experiences. We believe that everyone, regardless of background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to connect with the natural world. That’s why, starting January 1, 2025, we’re removing the $5 parking fee at our River Campus. This step is part of our commitment to breaking down barriers to outdoor recreation and ensuring that nature remains open to all.

We’re excited about this step forward, but ask for your patience as we work through the transition. Over the coming month, you may still see old signage as we update materials to reflect this change. We’re also hard at work revamping our membership program to offer new ways for you to connect with and support NWDC. If you have an existing membership that includes a parking pass, we’ll be in touch soon with more information about what this means for you and how we plan to keep adding value to your membership.

As always, we rely on the generosity of our community to sustain our mission. If you’re inspired by our commitment to accessible outdoor spaces, please consider supporting NWDC with a donation. Your contributions help us maintain trails, care for wildlife, and provide enriching educational programs for thousands of visitors each year. https://forms.hikeandlearn.org/forms/donate

Thank you for being part of the NWDC community. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of connection, exploration, and open access to the natural world.

- The NWDC Team

01/03/2025

Thanks to these special followers for being top engagers and making it on to our weekly engagement list! 🎉 Eliza Albright, Sheryl Smith, Sue Chatterley Landreth, Trace Lorde, Rose DiCenso

01/03/2025

Join us for the first 2025's FIRST SATURDAY OF THE MONTH CLEANUP!! 🥳

·Saturday, January 4, 2025 · 10am-12pm

·How to get there:
▪️Enter off West 11th St. by Pueblo Water - Whitlock Treatment Plant (1900 West. 11th St.). There will be PFAR board member by the gate to guide you closer. Please drive on the gravel not the concrete trail.

PFAR board members will be on site with buckets, grabbers and bags. Please bring your own gloves, water and lots of energy! If you know of any groups, friends, or relatives that would like to help, please invite them!

We will have all the supplies just bring your own gloves, water and energy! Recruit your friends and family to join!

If you have any questions prior to cleanup please contact Corinne at 719-252-5389

01/03/2025

This is Guffey, one of our resident Great Horned Owls! She would like to invite you to our upcoming weekend raptor tours on Saturday, January 4th and 18th.

We have four time slots available: 11 am, 12 pm, 1 pm, and 2 pm.

Register: https://hikeandlearn.org/programs-and-events/category/weekendraptortours/

Kids 3 & under are FREE, kids 4 - 11 are $3, and guests 12 & up are just $5!

01/02/2025

🌿🌞 Thank You for Spending the First Day of the Year Outdoors for FIRST DAY HIKE! 🌞🌿

What a wonderful way to kick off the new year—by embracing the great outdoors! Whether it was a peaceful hike, a refreshing walk in the park, or simply soaking up some sunshine, We are so grateful to everyone who spent the first day of the year surrounded by nature. 🌳✨

There’s something truly special about starting fresh with the sights, sounds, and serenity of the natural world. It’s a reminder to take things slow, breathe deeply, and appreciate the simple moments. 🌱

Thank you for sharing this day with the Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center, Lake Pueblo State Park and the Colorado Lottery, here's to many more adventures, big and small, in the year ahead! Let's keep the spirit of exploration and connection with nature alive all year long. 🌍💚

Share your photos & thoughts on the event in the comments below⬇️⬇️⬇️

#2025

01/02/2025

Calling all tiny tots! Ranger Deb is teaching on the theme "Colors in Nature" during this upcoming Knee-High Nature Hour. With gentle hikes, crafts, and stories, this program is perfect for toddlers. Please dress to be outside for the whole hour.

This program is limited to 15 tiny tots, and registration is encouraged. This program is also FREE, but we appreciate any donations made towards our programs.

Cost: FREE, suggested donation of $5
Location: NWDC River Deck, River Campus, 5200 Nature Center Road
Time: 12 – 1 pm
Register: https://hikeandlearn.org/programs-and-events/18663/january-knee-high-nature-hour-at-the-nwdc-river-campus/

01/01/2025

"Mission Moment": Wildlife Rehabilitation Report

Originally founded in 1981, the NWDC Raptor Center is a wildlife rehabilitation facility that has been saving birds of prey for over 40 years.

From January 1 - September 30, 2024, the Raptor Center cared for 199 birds. And of that 199, 115 of those came into our care between July - September. As of mid-December, we reported:

- Total Wildlife Treated: 230
- Number of Species: 25
- Wildlife Released: 71
- Wildlife Pending: 17

- American Kestrel: 7
- Bald Eagle: 1
- Burrowing Owl: 5
- Cooper's Hawk: 4
- Golden eagle: 3
- Great horned owl: 15
- Mississippi kite: 17
- Northern Pygmy Owl: 2
- Red-tailed Hawk: 8
- Sharp-shinned Hawk: 1
- Swainson's Hawk: 2
- Turkey Vulture: 2
- Western Screech Owl: 1 *

* Data as of December 18, 2024

12/31/2024

Happy Holidays!

Please note our River Campus and Mountain Campus offices will be closed on New Year's Day, 1/1/26, in observance of the holiday. Our campuses will remain open for your enjoyment. Come out and enjoy nature!

* We WILL be co-hosting a First Day Hike TOMORROW at our River Campus with Colorado Parks & Wildlife and the Colorado Lottery! Please visit our Facebook event or website for more information.

* Please note that we are maintaining our new River Campus Gift Shop hours for the winter, from December 1 - February 28:

CLOSED
Monday - Thursday

OPEN
Friday - Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm

12/31/2024