Walking Mountains Science Center and the Vail Recreation District are pleased to announce their 2016 summer hiking schedule to help locals and visitors alike rescue summer from the dreaded indoors. The backcountry hiking program, based out of the Vail Nature Center, runs from the beginning of June through the end of October. Hikes let guests explore beautiful destinations around the
DetailsDear reader, I have been fooled by a system! The swimsuit pictured on the advertisement on my social media newsfeed was elegant, totally my style, and the price was right. Fast forward almost a month later to when the suit finally arrives, in a plastic bag within a plastic bag within a plastic bag and I read that it was
DetailsNature Nerds Unite! At Walking Mountains Science Center, ‘Nature Nerd’ is a term of endearment. This honor is only given to their most respected staff who are ready to awaken a sense of wonder in locals and visitors alike about this beautiful place we call home. It’s exactly this type of fun-loving attitude mixed with a passion for their mission
DetailsEarlier this month, President Obama signed the National Bison Legacy Act, officially making the American bison the national mammal of the United States. The great bison now joins the ranks of the prodigious Bald Eagle, the mighty oak, and the Star Spangled Banner as one of our nation’s symbols. Interestingly, our nation only has a few symbols, and the Eagle
DetailsEach year Spring brings the promise of positive change and new beginnings. The melting snow reveals a landscape of new growth and renewed possibilities. The earth wakes up from a deep hibernation and with it we notice wildlife returning, tree buds bursting, and the sun on our recently exposed skin. Often associated with spring is the term Spring Cleaning. Whether
DetailsNext week kicks off a collaborative planning effort to engage youth in our community with the outdoors. Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), a state program funded by lottery dollars, recently introduced the Inspire Initiative, a five-year strategy aimed at inspiring Coloradans, especially kids, to appreciate, enjoy and take care of the great outdoors. Walking Mountains Science Center, SOS Outreach, YouthPower365, Eagle
DetailsBirding is a great hobby that everyone can take part in, but most birders (myself included) tend to be drawn to the flashy or colorful species because they can be easier to identify, and they seem the most interesting, but don’t forget the birds that are flying under the radar. Little brown birds, as they are often called, are the
DetailsThat’s not moss, it’s lichen! Next time you are on the trail, you can easily distinguish moss from lichen by getting up close and making some simple observations. At the most basic level, moss is a plant, and has plant systems such as leaves and roots, whereas lichens are not plants and therefore lack the basic plant components. So if
DetailsIt’s a conflict once unthinkable in the deep green South. Three states are locked in battle over the diminishing fresh water that saw Atlanta go from a small town to the largest growing city in the US. In this stunningly-shot, award-winning documentary film, brothers Michael and David Hanson return to the source of their childhood river and paddle it to the Gulf of
DetailsParasites. When most people think of a parasite, it often brings to mind images of worm-like creatures infesting other animals. While that is one correct perception, there is a lot more to these creatures than most commonly imagine. Want these articles delivered right to your inbox every week? Click here to sign up! So what exactly counts as a parasite? A parasite is anything that
DetailsAvid hikers have a unique opportunity to volunteer with the Colorado Corridors Project to help researchers with a wildlife monitoring study using remote camera traps. At an elevation of over 10,000 feet, Vail Pass has been identified as an ecologically significant site both statewide and regionally as an essential habitat corridor for many wildlife species – especially snow-dependent species such as the Canada
DetailsSpring is like a scavenger hunt for the senses. Each spring I find once again my nose being tickled by sweet smells, my ears filled with melodies I haven’t heard in months, and I revel in the warming temperatures by swapping out my ski boots for hiking boots. Nature stimulates our minds with the return of fragrant tree buds, melodious
Details**THIS EVENT TOOK PLACE IN 2016** Friday, April 22nd is Earth Day, and Walking Mountains Science Center wants to help you celebrate and declutter for Spring! From 8:30-12:30 am at Colorado Mountain College in Edwards, Walking Mountains will take recyclable materials out of your hands and make sure they are disposed of properly. Not only will the Walking Mountains Zero Waste Team be
DetailsHave you ever wondered what happens to your recycled items after you leave them at the curb or drop them off at a recycling drop-site? Want to find out? Without knowing what happens next, it is hard to truly understand the impact you are making by decreasing your waste sent to the landfill. Become part of the increasing movement to
DetailsSpring is here! Pack the powder skis, grease the sprockets, and oil the hiking boots because it’s time to hit the trail! As Eagle Valley residents, most of us are chomping at the bit for the next season of fun in the outdoors. But before we officially make the transition from ski boots to trail runners, it is important to
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