COYOTE

Discover Aurora’s True Nature

Aurora NaturalistPublic Program Calendar

Winter 2018-2019

AuroraGov.org

callNeed help? Go to AuroraGov.org/Nature to watch our video-How to Haze a Coyote. For wildlife issues call the Wildlife Hotline at 303.326.8435. For a coyote or other wildlife program for your HOA or community group call 303.326.8445 or email nature@auroragov.org.

EVENTS◄◄

Aurora Nature CentersMorrison Nature Center at Star K Ranch 16002 E. Smith Road • 303.326.8445Wed.-Fri. noon—4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Senac Creek Nature Center5800 S. Powhatan Road • 303.326.8429Wed.-Fri. noon—4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.—4:30 p.m.

Plains Conservation Center21901 E. Hampden Ave. • 303.326.8380Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.—2 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 9 a.m.—5 p.m.AuroraGov.org/Nature

Losing a pet to a wild animal is an uncommon and tragic event. In many cases, these attacks are preventable. Precaution, supervision, awareness, and prevention go a long way to protecting precious pets from opportunistic predators.

Precaution: Easily the most effective way to keep pets safe is to keep them on a leash. In habitats where coyotes, foxes, rattlesnakes, or great horned owls have been seen, keep your lead length to a minimum. If you do encounter a coyote or other predator on the trail, bring your pet closer to you. Pick up smaller pets so they do not appear vulnerable. With the exception of designated off leash—also known as dog park areas—Aurora’s leash law is enforced in all parks, natural areas, trails and open space properties. One of the many reasons this law exists, is to protect your pet from negative wildlife interactions.

Supervision: While you may perceive your fence as a property line, a coyote, fox, or great horned owl does not. Pets left unattended in backyards, particularly in the evening, at night, or at dawn, can be perceived as easy prey by an opportunistic predator. Free-roaming cats can fall prey to coyotes, owls, and even foxes. If you live next to open space, a greenbelt, or a golf course, or if coyotes have been seen or heard in your neighborhood, you should never leave a pet unattended.

Awareness: Many residents have no idea they share their urban and suburban neighborhoods with resourceful predators. Awareness is the key

to keeping your pets safe, particularly during breeding season. Avoiding den sites and nesting areas while walking your pet is one way to minimize the chance of a negative encounter.

Prevention: Immunize your pets. Never allow your pets to play with wildlife. It is not safe for your pet, no matter how large the breed. For more information on protecting pets from wild neighbors, please visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Living with Wildlife pages.

Leashes Save Lives • Leashes help protect pets from chance

encounters with wildlife. • Leashes create a connection between you and

your pet that potential predators like coyotes can see and respect.

• Leashes prevent your pet from chasing and injuring wildlife like deer and ground nesting birds.

• A leash allows you to pull your pet closer if and when you do encounter wildlife.

Aurora Municipal Code Sec. 14-5. Running at large. (a) protects dogs by prohibiting dogs from running at large. Voice Control Training for the Dog Park Before you head for the off leash dog park (in any city or location), it is a good idea to make sure your dog is under voice control. If you identify a threat to your pet, you know your dog will come running back to you and to safety when called.

Housecats in the House Cats at large are exposed to a variety of dangers including traffic, domestic dogs and wild predators such as red foxes, great horned owls and coyotes. Aurora Municipal Code Sec. 14-101. Running at large protects cats by requiring they be supervised in yards or kept indoors.

PROTECTING PETS FROM WILD NEIGHBORSDR. MIKE’S BAG OF BUGS Ages 5 & older Come learn about insects & other arthropods from Dr. Mike, a PhD entomologist whose programs have just enough humor & science to make them exciting & fun!

4342 Feb. 2 • Sat., 10-11 a.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

VOLUNTEER STEWARD RECRUITMENT EVENT Ages 18 & older Join us for this recruiting event & you’ll discover how volunteers provide essential support for Aurora’s true nature through trail patrols, steward work projects, resource monitoring, event staffing, educational programs & more. For more information, call 303.326.8445.

4341 Feb. 23 • Sat., 10-11 a.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

COYOTEcall

Photo Credits: Kenny Spradling, Victoria Samuel, Wayne Gallagher

Registration is required for all programs, except for Star K Kids. To register for nature programs, call 303.326.8650 or go online at AuroraGov.org/Recreation. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult for all programs except Junior Rangers and school break camps. Programs may be canceled due to low registration or poor weather. For information call 303.326.8445 or nature@auroragov.org.

FAMILIES◄◄

YEAR OF THE BIRD CELEBRATION Celebrate the end of “the year of the bird” with crafts, bird walks & live birds of prey. The celebration is drop-in, please register for the bird walks below.Dec. 8 • Sat., 8:30-11:30 a.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

BIRD WALKS Ages 8 & up Join us for an early morning walk to look for songbirds, raptors & more. Registration required.Sat., Dec. 8 4316 8:30-10 a.m. (part of our Bird Celebration) 4337 10-11:30 a.m. (part of our Bird Celebration) • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch 4314 Feb. 9 • Sat., 8:30-10:30 a.m. • Coal Creek Arena

SUNSET STROLLAll Ages Enjoy an evening walk to look for wildlife as the sun sets. 4311 Dec. 15 • Sat., 4:15-5:15 p.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

NATURE WALK Ages 8 & older Get to know what plants & wildlife can be found in Aurora’s amazing open space areas. 4318 Jan. 12 • Sat., 9-11 a.m. • Pronghorn Natural Area

FULL MOON HIKE Walk the trails as the full moon rises to see who’s out at night. 4315 Feb. 19 • Tue., 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

YOUTH◄◄

STAR K KIDS Ages 5 & younger Discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, interactive activities & discovery time on the trail. No registration required. • Thu., 9:30-10:30 a.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

LITTLE NATURALISTS Ages 5 & younger Bring your child to Aurora Reservoir to discover Aurora’s true nature through puppets, activities & exploration time on the trail. No registration required. • Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 & Jan. 4 • Fri., 9:30-10:30 a.m. • Senac Creek Nature Center-Aurora Reservoir

JR RANGERS Ages 6-12 Learn about the plants & animals that call Star K Ranch home in this fun & educational class.

Holiday Nature Crafts 4321 Dec. 9

Snowflakes 4322 Jan. 13

Build a Bee Block 4323 Feb. 10 • Sun., 1:30-3 p.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

WINTER BREAK NATURE FUN Ages 6-12 Enjoy a fun filled morning of winter survival, animal tracking, shelter building & more! 4308 Jan. 2 4331 Jan. 4 • 9 a.m.-noon. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

ADULT◄◄

ADULT NATURE SERIES Fun & educational programs for those ages 21 & older.

Night Hike at Star K Ranch 4617 Dec. 13 • Thu., 4:30-6 p.m. • Morrison Nature Center/Star K Ranch

Nature Walk at Ponderosa Preserve 4318 Jan. 26 • Sat., 9-11 a.m. • Ponderosa Preserve Open Space

Waterfowl Walk at Quincy Reservoir 4619 Feb. 10 • Sun., 8-10 a.m. • Quincy Reservoir

Saturday, Dec. 8 8:30-11 a.m.

THE YEAR OF THE BIRD

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