EVENTS

Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time
Southern Colorado film premiere
Friday, February 10, 7:00 pm
All Souls Unitarian Church
730 N. Tejon St., Colorado Springs

A benefit for Wild Connections and Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition
Suggested donation $10.00/adult; $3.00/student
 
This highly-acclaimed new film explores Leopold’s life and legacy, provocatively examining his thinking, renewing his idea of a land ethic for a population facing 21st century ecological challenges. Beautifully photographed and edited, the film illustrates Leopold’s continuing influence on current scientific and environmental projects around the country and the world that connects people and the land.

Proceeds support wildlands protection activities in Central Colorado carried out by Wild Connections, Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition and many volunteers.

Leopold's seminal book A Sand County Almanac will be for sale before and after the film.

Identifying Birds of Prey
Selected Sunday afternoons:
Owls, February 26, 1 – 2 pm
Eagles & Others, March 4, 1 – 2 pm
Buteos, March 11, 1 – 2 pm
Falcons & Accipters, March,18, 12:30 – 2:15 pm

Cheyenne Mountain State Park presents photographer and expert birder Debbie Barnes in this four-class series. She will share her photos and birding skills to help improve your ability to identify soaring and perching birds of prey. Learn to use field marks and behaviors to distinguish between the many species of raptors that live in and around the Pikes Peak Region. Recommended for adults and children 12 years and older. This free program will be conducted at the park visitor center and no parks pass is required.

The 2012 CFO Annual Convention will be held in Trinidad, Las Animas County on May 17-20, 2012.
Las Animas County presents the birder with a fascinating mix of East and West, plains and mountains, deserts and forests. Along the Purgatoire River, Eastern Phoebes are downright common and Black Phoebes are distinctly possible. In cottonwood groves in May, a singing grosbeak may prove to be either a Rose–breasted or a Black–headed—or perhaps a hybrid! In the canyon lands of Las Animas County, you might hear Gray Vireos and Cassin's Sparrows singing at the same time; and then you might spy anything from a Long–billed Curlew to a Greater Roadrunner.

Las Animas County also offers the possibility for rare "southerners." Hepatic Tanagers and Grace's Warblers are scarce breeders, and we shouldn't exclude the possibility of something truly exciting from New Mexico: maybe a Bendire's Thrasher or an Acorn Woodpecker. Or maybe Colorado will get its overdue first Cactus Wren or Verdin at the 2012 convention. Okay, probably not, but Las Animas County offers the possibility of a spectacular rarity. Come join us this year, and join in on the excitement and discovery as we visit exciting new sites — like Vermejo Park Ranch and Mesa De Maya — and revisit tried and true locations!  » read more