Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center facts for kids

The Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center (NWDC) is a fantastic place in Pueblo County, Colorado. It's a non-profit organization that helps people learn about and enjoy nature. The NWDC has two main locations. One is a large mountain park in Beulah, with a lodge and museum. The other is in Pueblo, along the Arkansas River, and includes a special center for birds of prey.

The NWDC lets you explore two different parts of Pueblo County. The River Campus is in Rock Canyon, right by the Arkansas River. Here, you can see different types of habitats, from water areas to dry grasslands. The Raptor Center, which helps birds, is also nearby. The Mountain Campus is in Beulah, CO. This area has beautiful ponderosa pine forests and connects to the San Isabel National Forest.

The main goal of the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center is to offer fun outdoor experiences. They focus on education, protecting nature, and recreation for everyone. They want to help people care for the environment and appreciate natural places. The NWDC also encourages visitors to explore its lands on their own. It's a great spot to enjoy the beauty of Southern Colorado.

History of the NWDC

The story of the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center began in 1979. The Arkansas Valley Audubon Society started the Audubon River Trails Nature Center. Their goal was to protect a place where people could enjoy nature. In 1981, the Raptor Center was added to help birds of prey. By 1983, the nature center became a non-profit organization. It was called "The Greenway and Nature Center of Pueblo." In 2008, its name changed again to "Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo."

Meanwhile, the Pueblo Mountain Park had its own history. The City of Pueblo, CO bought this land in 1920. This was thanks to a group called the San Isabel Public Recreation Association. They were inspired by Arthur Carhart, who had great ideas for national forests. During the Great Depression, government programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped build things at the Mountain Park. These programs gave jobs to many people. They built the Horseshoe Lodge, a pavilion, a ballfield, and many roads and bridges.

Over the years, the Mountain Park was sometimes not used much. The City of Pueblo even thought about selling it. But in 1999, a group of Pueblo citizens formed the Mountain Park Environmental Association. They wanted to create programs and improve access to the park. Since 2000, this group has managed the park. It later became the Mountain Park Environmental Center.

In early 2018, the Mountain Park Environmental Center and the Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo joined together. They became one organization, now known as the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center (NWDC). They continue to offer many programs at both campuses. These programs help people connect with nature and enjoy outdoor spaces.

What You Can Do at the NWDC

The Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center offers many activities at its two campuses.

River Campus Activities

The River Campus has different natural areas. You can find aquatic (water), riparian (riverbank), and grassland habitats. It's a great place for picnics and watching wildlife. You can also go fishing or kayaking. Many nature walks are available. The campus connects to the Pueblo River Trail System. You can also reach the Pueblo Whitewater Park and Lake Pueblo State Park from here.

Raptor Center

The Raptor Center is part of the River Campus. It was started in 1981. This center helps injured or orphaned birds of prey. These birds include eagles, hawks, and owls. They come from all over southeastern Colorado. The staff cares for them, hoping to release them back into the wild. Thousands of people visit the Raptor Center each year. Some birds that cannot be released live at the Pueblo Zoo. This helps educate the public and gives the birds a good home.

Mountain Park Campus

The Mountain Park Campus is in beautiful Beulah, CO. It's only about a 30-minute drive from Pueblo. This campus feels like a different world. It has miles of trails for hiking and exploring. These trails are within the park's 611 acres. They also connect to federal land in the San Isabel National Forest. You can see old bridges and buildings built during the WPA era. The renovated Horseshoe Lodge has a small museum and gift shop. You can even stay overnight there. The park has different ecosystems. You'll see forests of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. There are also juniper and oak shrublands.

Exciting Events

The Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center hosts several fun events each year.

Colorado Owl Festival

Every fall, the NWDC holds the Colorado Owl Festival. This event shows off the many owl species in the area. It's a great way to learn about owls. It also helps raise money for the bird rehabilitation programs.

Raptor Resolution Run

In December, there's the Raptor Resolution Run. This event includes a 5-mile run and a 2.5-mile walk. It goes through Rock Canyon. The event starts with the exciting release of a live raptor!

Eagle Days

In February, the Nature and Raptor Center teams up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Pueblo Zoo. They put on Eagle Days at the River Campus. It's a chance to learn about eagles.

Earth Day Events

In April, the Nature and Raptor Center organizes its annual Earth Day Events. These events honor people in the community who are environmental heroes.

Annual Fundraising Breakfast

The NWDC also hosts its annual fundraising breakfast in November. This event helps support all their programs.

Learning at the NWDC

The Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center offers many hands-on learning experiences. They have programs for students from kindergarten to college. They also have programs for interest groups and the general public.

Weekend Raptor Talks

You can attend Weekend Raptor Talks at 11:30 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. These talks happen at the River Campus.

Birdwalks and Summer Camps

There's a monthly 4th Saturday Birdwalk. Members of the Arkansas Valley Audubon Society lead these walks. The NWDC also offers full-day Summer Nature Camps. These camps are for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. You can register for camps from March through May.

Earth Studies Program

During the school year, NWDC staff lead a special program called Earth Studies. This program uses the outdoor spaces at both campuses. Students learn about natural sciences. They visit each campus many times. This way, they experience the seasons, wildlife, plants, and land throughout the year.

Earthkeeper Nature School

The NWDC also has a preschool program called Earthkeeper Nature School. It's for children aged 4–7. This program offers a nature-based curriculum at both campuses. Both Earthkeeper Nature School and Earth Studies have won awards for their excellent programs.

Students from Pueblo Community College and Colorado State University-Pueblo also visit the NWDC. They come to develop skills in outdoor education.

Protecting Nature

The NWDC is very involved in conservation efforts.

Raptor Rehabilitation

Each year, the Raptor Center helps hundreds of birds of prey. These include eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons. They admit birds that are injured, orphaned, or need help. They work to rehabilitate them and release them back into the wild.

Carhart Trail

The NWDC has worked with Southern Colorado Trail Builders. They designed and built the Carhart Trail at the Mountain Campus. This trail can be used by mountain bikers, walkers, and horseback riders. It connects to the Squirrel Creek campground and trail system in the San Isabel National Forest. The Carhart Trail is named after Arthur Carhart. He was an early leader in designing ways for people to access National Forest lands.

River Cleanups

The NWDC also organizes annual river cleanups at the River Campus. Volunteers help clean the banks of the Arkansas River in Rock Canyon.

Horseshoe Lodge in Pueblo Mountain Park