Join Efraín Leal Escalera, a local photographer, scientist, artist and writer who will conduct a hands-on workshop where you will learn how to capture up-close and super personal photos of your favorite little creatures! Efraín is an arachnid specialist and will showcase some of their work during the workshop - in addition to being a part of the Little Creatures Exhibit! Space is limited - Register Now!

You are warmly invited to attend and interact with a cross-disciplinary panel discussion between artists Faith Williams, Efrain Leal Escalera and Lauri Lynnxe Murphy and a scientist, Ezra Kottler (photo courtesy of Dr. Kottler), on the topic of insect and plant biodiversity and climate change. Register Now!

The arts are a powerful vehicle for activists to share their message, in a way that is inviting and thought-provoking. In a world where many of us feel frustrated and powerless about being able to make change, Art is a way to reach the viewer where they are at….to open the door and offer hope. One does not need to be an artist to participate in this trend. Curators, corporate sponsors, teachers, and those from all kinds of arts can participate in this movement. Writers, musicians, dancers, and makers can all participate by giving a voice and expression for those without the power to speak and be heard. Register Now!

A perennial community favorite - not to be missed as they celebrate the 9th Annual Bee+ Boulder Festival on September 9th! Jeff & Paige live at the Bee+ Boulder Festival! Two different shows - 11am & 1pm! Loads of kid-friendly booths and activities!

IT’S OUR 9TH ANNIVERSARY ON SEPTEMBER 9TH!

Join us at the ninth Annual Bee Boulder Festival on September 9th in Central Park! Enjoy an exciting day filled with games, arts, crafts and nature-based activities. Get inspired to create positive action to support pollinators, biodiversity and the environment.

Connect with local organizations and learn about the Cool Boulder campaign, an initiative to mobilize community members around nature-based climate solutions, which focuses on the regeneration of local soils, trees and habitats.

And join in the fun with Jeff & Paige during their performances at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Step into the fascinating world of fireflies, guided by scientists Orit Peleg from the University of Colorado Boulder and Lorna McCallister from Butterfly Pavilion, as they embark on a thrilling exploration that reveals the dazzling light displays of these luminous creatures. In this immersive experience, the research team, leveraging cutting-edge technology, will decipher the intriguing puzzle of flash synchronization, capturing the ephemeral glow of fireflies to offer deep insights into their magnificent and complex synchronized dance. Their findings showcase the interconnected fabric of our world, where these small creatures mirror the majesty of astronomical phenomena through their coordinated luminescence. An important focus of this public lecture will be to debunk the misconception that fireflies are not found in Colorado. They will provide an overview of ongoing initiatives that monitor local firefly populations and breed the descendants of wild Colorado fireflies in their laboratory. This groundbreaking research aims to gain a deeper understanding of these extraordinary beetles and develop best-practice guidelines for future conservation endeavors.

Space is Limited - Register Now!

We’ll use many kinds of nets to collect small things in the air, water, and on land. We’ll look at these amazing little creatures under microscopes. After observing them, we’ll create art inspired by them. All creatures will be released back into their habitats after study. Space is limited - register now!

Anima Arts will offer an interactive creative movement class for children and families. Through kinesthetic learning, music, stories, and artistic exploration, children and their families will explore the cyclical and never-ending relationship of growth and decomposition in vegetation and produce through the work of insects and invertebrates. Themes in pollination, soil health and humus formation will be included.Interactive activities will explore the ways in which insects and invertebrates work through interconnection to continue these cycles. Children will explore the movement and work of these invertebrates to connect the essential and ACTIVE role they play in the growth of our food, plants and wildlife.

Come dressed as your favorite insect - or wear your butterfly wings!

Register Now!

Late summer wildflowers are in full bloom - fireworks in white, purple and yellow! And every flower has an amazing pollination story. Join community naturalist Dave Sutherland for a leisurely hike at Marshall Mesa to look for pollinating insects and the diversity of prairie flowers they frequent. The area burned extensively in December 2021, so you can see how remarkably the prairie recovers from fire. Bring field guides, magnifying glasses, and close-focusing binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Marshall Mesa trailhead. Additional parking is available across the street at the Park-n-Ride. Limit: 15 - Register Now!

In this workshop we will make dioramas inspired by the teachings of insects of Colorado, we will learn about their habitat and their contributions to life. We will explore the interesting and enigmatic world of invertebrate insects through storytelling and by creating tiny dioramas to take with you. The program is bilingual in English and Spanish. We embrace BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, neurodivergence, disability, and diversity in all of its forms. As Lilla Watson says, “Our liberation is bound together”. Limit: 15 spots - each spot may be occupied by small families. Register Now!

Insects are everywhere! A million different kinds have been discovered and more are waiting to be found. Community naturalist Dave Sutherland is an insect fanatic. Through playful activities, he will show you about the many different kinds of insects and what makes them so successful! Plus we’ll catch and release many kinds of bugs for up-close study. You never knew bugs could be so cool! Meet at Sawhill Ponds. Ages 6 and up. Limit: 15 - Register Now!

Moths are crucial pollinators that are often overlooked. Because they are largely nocturnal, most people are less familiar with moths than they are with butterflies. Amazingly, there are over 160,000 known species of moths in the world, compared to less than 18,000 species of butterflies. In an effort to shed light on the local Lepidoptera kingdom, local filmmaker Yan Chun Su and artist Erica Podwoiski invite you to Moth-a-Palooza! This outdoor nighttime celebration welcomes curious folks of all ages to gather, appreciate, and observe moths in a biodiverse setting. At Sunflower Farm in Longmont, a variety of pollinator-friendly crops, fruit trees, and flowers are sure to attract a universe of moths. Acting as citizen scientists, attendees will be encouraged to document their findings and share their images with Scientific databases like iNaturalist and BAMONA. Moth-related activities will highlight the critical roles that they play in our ecosystems and light snacks & beverages will be provided. Headlamps and flashlights are strongly encouraged along with costumes fit for a mothball!

Join us for a reception at the Boulder Public Library Canyon Gallery from 4 -5:00 p.m. followed by a performances and presentation from 5 - 6:30 p.m. by Dr. Sammy Ramsey, your friendly neighborhood Entomologist and joined by Melody Blauw who opens with “A Song About Bugs”.

*Limited space! Must register for a free ticket to the event. Register now!