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

January Enrichment Program:

Introduction to Interpretation Techniques!

Saturday, January 24

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

Sign up for our first enrichment program of 2026!

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 are useful whether you’re helping at an event, leading a field trip, working in the garden, or chatting with community members.

Open to all volunteers, limited capacity.

February Enrichment Program:

Birding & Wingspan

Sunday, February 15

1:00-4:00pm at the Kingery Nature Center

All volunteers are welcome!

This program begins with a group bird outing around the Kingery Nature Center and surrounding trails, giving volunteers a chance to connect, observe local species, and enjoy time in nature together. Afterward, we’ll gather indoors to unwind and play Wingspan, the award-winning bird-themed board game.

This event is all about building community, sharing observations, laughter, and friendly competition in a welcoming, low-pressure environment.

Prior birding or Wingspan experience is not required. Warm drinks and light refreshments will be provided.

Feathered Feature:

Bufflehead

Written by: Leslie Dixon

• The Bufflehead, Bucephala Albeola, is one of the smallest ducks found in Colorado. They can be seen in small groups on local waters during winter.
• Males are mostly white with a black back, neck, and “forehead” that glistens green in certain light. The females are a drab gray brown with an oval white patch on the cheek. At 13-16 inches long, their wingspan is 21-22 inches.
• As diving ducks, Buffleheads forage underwater for insects, plants, and mollusks at depths up to 15 feet.
• Buffleheads breed near lakes in the boreal forests or taiga of Alaska and Canada. They winter in open water in the coastal and southern US, including Colorado.
• The monogamous Buffleheads nest in tree cavities, usually in former Flicker nests. The female will lay 6-11 eggs which require 30 days of incubation. A day after the last duckling hatches, all will leap from the nest, and be led to the water. Fledging takes about 50-55 days.
• Buffleheads are in the same genus (Bucephala) as the Common and Barrow’s Goldeneyes.
• Their name is derived from the puffy buffalo-shaped head of the male.
• Buffleheads are common and widespread across their range, and their populations are considered stable.