Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

Math and science based curricula with 15 hands-on lesson plans that explore energy use. Best for middle and high school students. Teacher workshops are scheduled year-round.

Understand the concepts of endangered species and the terms endangered, threatened and extinct. Then, through activities and live animal encounters, understand why some animals are in danger of extinction. Lastly, use inquiry skills in an investigation to decide which animals are most important to save in a race to protect biodiversity.

Join volunteer naturalist Peter Laux for an 8-mile hike on two loops at the south end of the park. We will go out Elk Valley trail then south to Douglas County Swallowtail Loop, have lunch on the rocks, and return to the Visitor Center on the old red-dirt road DC5. There are some steep sections on the old road and total elevation gain will be about 1,000 ft. (304m). See old homesteads, great views, and interesting rocks along the way. Bring water, lunch/trail snacks, and appropriate clothing. Meet at the visitor center. Reservations required. Call 303 973 3959.

The Playa Lakes Joint Venture Educator Resource Guide is a detailed index of dozens of books, activity guides, videos, magazine articles, field programs, web sites and more about playa lakes and associated habitats and wildlife. The guide includes how to obtain each material and who to contact.

Join Volunteer Naturalists Lila and Peter Laux for a tour of South Rim and Willow Creek trails (3.5 miles) to discuss the four ecosystems present in the Park. Enjoy the spectacular view from the South Rim Overlook. Registration required, call 303 973.3959.

This presentation will provide the incentive for individuals to become more sustainable in their own personal life. Various eco-steps and ideas will be explained along with their level of difficulty and cost. Areas introduced will include; energy savings, water consumption, waste reduction, transportation use, food choices and consumer purchases. Participants will leave this seminar/presentation with their own ‘personal green plan’ on actions they can make immediately toward an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Earth Studies has grown from serving 9 5th grade classes (around 180 students) to serving all 1200 Pueblo City Schools fifth-grade students who participate in this comprehensive outdoor-based program. Each student spends 6 full days spread over the school year exploring Pueblo Mountain Park in Beulah and learning about the ecosystems of the Foothills Life Zone. DARE prevention education targeting substance abuse is integrated into activities. Each session of "Earth Studies" is based on a standards-based curriculum pre-approved by District administration. Integrated into the science modules are additional lessons in math, language arts, geography, social studies, health and physical education. Reading materials come from a variety of sources. Students collect field data, record observations, and do writing assignments in a journal. This innovative program is supported by Pueblo City Schools, as well as grants by the McAuley Fund, Tony Grampsas Youth Services, and the City and County of Pueblo, and support from MPEC members.

Our flagship program, enlists interested educators to guide youth, K-12, through a fact-based process to identify issues in their community and environment and to develop and implement a plan for long-term improvement. It is designed to offer young people an educational experience in working to improve the environment and their communities, develop problem solving skills, and become more involved in civic life.

Study solar energy, examine skulls, inspect plants, and dig in the dirt to discover the roles that the sun, producers, consumers and decomposers play in the ecosystem. During the program, classes will cycle through four 30-minute activity stations staffed by naturalists.