Course Description:

Join Women’s Wilderness and Bird Conservancy of the Rockies on World Migratory Bird Day for some bird-watching and brunching fun at Barr Lake State Park! This inclusive bird outing is designed to be an opportunity for women and nonbinary adults to come together, learn, and enjoy the outdoors as a community of nature lovers. No birding experience required – just bring your enthusiasm! While you can bring your own binoculars and field guides, there will be resources you can borrow, as well as mobility adaptive equipment.

Barr Lake State Park is one of the most popular areas in Colorado for migratory and resident birds to find habitat. Barr Lake is a hotspot for songbirds, hawks, eagles, and pelicans. Not only will we observe and learn about various species of birds, we’ll spend time discussing how to protect them with different bird-friendly practices that make our cities and town environments safe and welcoming for birds.

Details:

👥 Who: Adult women and non-binary people
🗓️ When: 7:15am-12pm, Saturday, May 10, 2025
📍 Where: Barr Lake State Park (Brighton, CO)
🎟️ Price: $35/45/55
⛰️ Activity level: Beginner-friendly; Minimum Requirements: Ability to walk up to 4 miles at a leisurely pace and on packed dirt trails with little to no incline.
♿ Accessibility: Adaptive equipment is available (Action Track chairs). Accessible parking and restrooms are available at the meeting location. This course will be facilitated in English.
➕ Included: Professional and experienced birding guides, brunch picnic on trail, transportation from northern Denver Metro Area and state park entrance (optional, may drive self and pay for daily park fee/use personal annual pass)

checked Gear Rental – including clothing, trekking poles, backpacks

What to Wear & Bring:

Registered participants will receive a detailed hiking checklist, including guidance on what to wear. We recommend bringing a daypack with a 22L to 30L capacity to carry water, snacks, lunch, and extra layers. Additionally, we recommend carrying ½ liter of water for each hour we’ll be hiking.

For birding, if you have them, please bring binoculars and guide books. We will have additional birding resources on hand for folks to borrow.

FAQ:

No pets are allowed on courses, with the exception of ADA service animals being welcome.

For any questions email support@womenswilderness.org

Your Instructors:

Becky (Bird Conservancy of the Rockies) grew up in upstate New York before moving to mid-coastal Maine, where she earned her degree in Marine Biology from Unity College. Summers were spent there working as a Camp Counselor & Day Camp Coordinator and fostered a love of experiential education in the camp setting. After graduation, she made the move to the greater Houston area where she worked in several camp roles from Discovery Instructor to Camp Director. It was in these years of outdoor education, working with captive birds of prey that she developed an appreciation for and excitement teaching about birds. Becky’s deep love of camp and sharing the natural world with others is what led here to Bird Conservancy’s camp programs! In her free time, you’ll find Becky hiking and camping with her pup, Hagrid, or enjoying a cozy knitting project with a good cup of coffee.

Sherry (Bird Conservancy of the Rockies) grew up with a love for all things wild, leading her to acquire a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Science from the University of Washington and a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology from Miami University. Working with animals and children has always been a passion and she firmly believes children are our future and our hope. Sherry thrives on sharing her enthusiasm and helping the community make a personal connection with birds and the natural world. When not working, she spends her time with her family playing, gardening, mini-farming, and enjoying the outdoors.

Marley (she/her) has spent over 25 years engaging communities in wildlife conservation education, as well as evaluating environmental education programs and measuring impact. Working for Women’s Wilderness is a meaningful intersection of Marley’s passion for outdoor recreation and her commitment to equity, access, and inclusion for individuals and communities historically excluded from experiences in and with the natural world.