Where to explore the outdoors

Many people are advocating for open, natural areas close to the city where children can explore and be in touch with nature. Here are some places you can go that might offer those opportunities.

«GLENMERE PARK, 14th Avenue and 19th Street, Greeley. Check out the island in the middle of the small lake, and watch for birds, including black-crowned night herons.

«POUDRE TRAIL -- This trail winds for miles down by the Poudre River through Greeley. A good place to park and walk though the more natural areas exists north of Northridge High School on 71st Avenue. From 4th Street, take a right on 71st Avenue and follow the road until you begin to see the trail on your left. You can take the trail west or east.

«WINDSOR LAKE -- Just north of Main Street in Windsor. The lake is a good place to see pelicans and other birds.

«BANNER STATE WILDLIFE AREA -- Owned by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, this place offers hunting and fishing. Call (800) 846-9453 to reserve a spot.

«HORSETOOTH MOUNTAIN PARK -- A 2,700-acre park located on the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir. The place features hikes, such as Horsetooth Falls and Horsetooth Rock and offers 29 miles for hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking. Parking is available at the Horsetooth Mountain Park trailhead parking area, immediately off County Road 38 E.

«DEVIL'S BACKBONE -- A great place to hike and explore. Look for it on the north side of U.S. 34 just west of Loveland.

«RUNNING DEER AND COTTONWOOD HOLLOW natural areas -- Take Interstate 25 north and exit on Prospect Road. Take East Prospect Road until you see the turnoff for the natural area on your left.

«FRANK STATE WILDLIFE AREA -- Another place to fish and hunt or take a hike. From I-25 at the Windsor exit, go 2.3 miles east on Colo. 392 to Weld County Road 13, then a half-mile south to the property.

«POUDRE CANYON -- Lots of places to go. Our suggestions include Greyrock Mountain, a moderate hike close to nature.

«ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK -- Yes, it's busy, but if you go two miles beyond the trailheads, you won't run into too many people. Just a trip to Moraine Park gives children a chance to see elk.

«BOYD LAKE STATE PARK -- If you move beyond the lake, there's some great natural trails in the park.

«PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLAND -- One of the better places to see dozens of bird species and other prairie wildlife.

«BARR LAKE STATE PARK -- A place that emphasizes wildlife watching, with a nature center and guided bird walks. Take I-76 southeast, exit on Bromley Lane, then take Picadilly Road to the park.

«JOSEPHINE JONES -- 2631 52nd Ave. Court, Greeley. One of the few natural areas in Greeley, with gravel walking trails, a pond and plants.

ORGANIZATIONS:

«THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Longs Peak Council, 2215 23rd Ave., encourages outdoors education. It has one of the country's top-ranked campsites in the Red Feather Lakes area.

«CHILDREN AND NATURE NETWORK -- The organization, spawned from Richard Louv's "Last Child in the Woods," works toward reconnecting kids with nature. A Fort Collins chapter features lots of different organizations. If you're interested, call (970) 491-1661. The national organization's Web site is www.cnaturenet.org.

«THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE'S outreach programs offer classes in hunting, fishing, archery and wildlife watching for kids. Go to http://wildlife.state.co.us.

«COLORADO YOUTH OUTDOORS builds relationships between teens and their parents through the outdoors. Call (970) 663-0800, or go to www.coloradoyo.org for more information. The organization offers courses through several high schools in Weld County, including Greeley Central.

«KIDS IN THE WOODS is a new program offered by Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service. Go to http://poudre wildernessvolunteers.com for more information.

«THE POUDRE EDUCATION CENTER offers classes through various school districts on the outdoors and the history of the Poudre River and the prairie of Weld County. Call (970) 352-1267.

«THE FORT COLLINS AUBUBON SOCIETY encourages and organizes field trips to take for the purpose of watching wildlife. Go to www.fortnet.org/Audubon for more information.

Additional resources:

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - www.nfwf.org

The Wild Bird Feeding Industry - www.wbfi.org

American Bird Conservancy - www.abcbirds.org

American Birding Association - www.americanbirding.org

Bird Conservation Alliance - www.birdconservationalliance.org

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology - www.birds.cornell.edu

Massachusetts Audubon Society - www.massaudubon.org

National Audubon Society - www.audubon.org

National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - www.nfwf.org

National Wildlife Federation - www.nwf.org

The Wildlife Society - www.wildlife.org

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - www.fws.gov