Birds help us understand the health of our ecosystems and connecting people to nature builds a culture of stewardship and care. 

Every volunteer, visitor, and school group makes a huge difference in the community, because when we protect birds, we’re also protecting the air, water, land — and ourselves.

Important Dates

We've transitioned to Neon, our new volunteer portal! 

If you’re having trouble using Neon, join one of our upcoming training sessions to get all set up.

Upcoming Neon Training Session:

Drop-in Session:

Tuesday, December 2

9:30-11:00am at the Kingery Nature Center

We'll go through how to login, how to sign up for shifts, how to navigate the new portal, and how to log your hours.

Please bring your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Registration not required.

2026 Enrichment Programs:

Saturday, January 24

9:00-11:00am

at the Kingery Nature Center

Introduction to Interpretation Techniques!

Join Skot Latona, Manager of South Platte Park, for an interactive morning on the basics of resource communication: crafting a clear message, adapting to your audience, making it engaging, and inspiring action.

These skills come in handy no matter how you volunteer, whether you're supporting an event, leading a field trip, tending the garden, or connecting with community members.

All volunteers are welcome, though space is limited to 30 participants.

Feathered Feature:

Wild Turkey

Written by: Leslie Dixon

• The wild turkey (meleagris gallopavo) is found throughout most of North America. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) there are two sub-species in Colorado – Merriam’s and Rio Grande:
• Merriam’s are native and found in higher elevations, generally west of I-25, in forested habitat. The tail feather tips are white.
• Rio Grande turkeys were introduced in the 1980s and prefer riparian brush and scrub oak habitats, typically east of I-25. The tips of their tail feathers are tan.
• Males, know as “toms” are up to 48” tall with wingspans of 64” and can weigh in at up to 20 pounds. Toms are also known for the colorful wattle hanging from the head and a fleshy growth on the forehead called a snood. All toms and some hens have a cluster of feathers called a “beard” hanging from their chests.
• Females, “hens” are significantly smaller at 36” tall, 60” wingspans, and a weight around 9 pounds.
• As omnivores, turkeys forage on the ground (and sometimes in trees) looking for plant material, insects, and the occasional small reptile or amphibian.
• Males vocalize with the familiar “gobble gobble” while females make a sharp clucking sound.
• Males strut and display their tail feathers in the spring as part of the mating ritual. Females will lay clutches of around 10 eggs in ground nests and incubate them for about 28 days. The young turkeys, “poults” can fly at ten days old.
• In a letter to his daughter, Benjamin Franklin favored the wild turkey as the national bird. He thought that the turkey was a “true original of North America” and a “bird of courage” but, contrary to the legend, he did not actually propose it as a national symbol.
• Avoid feeding wild turkeys to prevent them from becoming dependent on humans and to avoid the risk of their aggressiveness.