Bluff Lake Nature Center

Basic Information

Address: Havana Way, Denver, CO 80238

Phone Number: 303-344-0031

Fax Number: 303-344-1303

Website - Click Here!

Email: volunteer@blufflake.org

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Additional Information

Causes Served: Environment, Education, Animals & Kids, Nature

Population Served: Children, Adults, Seniors

Ages for Volunteer: Variable

Hours of Service: Variable

Minimum Hours Required: Variable

Days of Service: Variable

Mission Statement:

To foster lifelong learning and environmental stewardship at a unique urban wildlife refuge.

Philosophy/Belief Statement:

Bluff Lake Nature Center is much more than a place for plants and animals. It is an oasis in the city where people can come to view wildlife, appreciate the peaceful sights and enjoy the sounds of nature. It is also an outdoor classroom for thousands of students each year. It is our goal to encourage children's and adults' interest in natural science and stewardship through curiosity, observation, activity and a sense of wonder.

Program History:

Bluff Lake Nature Center is a 123-acre wildlife refuge locate in east Denver. It is owned and operated by a nonprofit organization, making it the largest privately owned open space in metro Denver. Each year, more than 30,000 people visit Bluff Lake for our three miles of trails, summer camps and family programs, to bird watch, or to escape a bustling urban area.

Events:

Bluff Lake Nature Center offers a variety of programs throughout the year, including school field trips, Junior Naturalist camps, Fireside Chats and monthly Bird Walks.

Additional Information:

We offer three main opportunities: Education Volunteers, Site Stewards and Ambassadors.

Once a week, every week:

Education Volunteers introduce small groups of school children to the natural world through hands-on exploration in topics including wetland ecology, habitat diversity, urban wildlife and food chains during weekly morning field trips out to Bluff Lake. Students range in age from ECE-5th grade. Field trips are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings during the school year. We ask volunteers to serve one morning each week. No teaching experience is required—we provide all training.

If you are interested in becoming an education volunteer, please contact Lisa Chickos at lchickos@blufflake.org, or 303.344.1649.

This is a great opportunity for those interested in education, youth development, environmental science, animals and the outdoors!

Once a week, as often you can come:

Site Stewards work closely with the Site Manager in all aspects of natural resource management. Activities include restoring and preserving habitat, planting native plants, maintaining the short-grass prairie gardens, removing noxious plant species, trail construction and trash pick-up. A group of Site Stewards work each Wednesday morning between March and October and on the first Saturday of each month from 9am-12.Specific times may also be reserved with the Bluff Lake Site Manager. If you are interested in this opportunity, you can contact Chris Story at cstory@blufflake.org or at 303.945.6717.

This is a great opportunity for those interested in biology, environmental science, conservation and sustainability and the outdoors!

Once a month:

Finally, as friendly, on-site representatives of Bluff Lake Nature Center, Ambassadors are often the public face of Bluff Lake. Ambassadors greet and orient visitors, answer questions and lead activities. They share their knowledge and love of nature, and remind visitors of respectful use procedures and policies at Bluff Lake when necessary. Ambassadors help represent Bluff Lake at public forums and special events. They also model good stewardship for the public. No experience is necessary and all training is provided. Ambassadors generally volunteer one Sunday, or one evening, each month. To take advantage of this opportunity, please contact volunteer@blufflake.org or 303.344.1249.

This is a great opportunity for those interested in environmental education, public relations and community outreach!