Durango Nature Studies - The Durango Herald

For humans, metamorphosis is part of life, too

One of my favorite games we play at the Nature Center is the metamorphosis relay. The relay allows kids to act out the change that happens when a caterpillar transforms into a b...

DATE: Jun 9, 2017 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Durango Nature Center an oasis for wildlife – and humans

The Durango Nature Center opened to the public on May 6. The day was sunny and beautiful, and our volunteer docent, Sheila Payne, was there to open the gates. Grace Gordon, our ...

DATE: May 11, 2017 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Make Earth Day count for our kids

Earth Day has focused on many things since its inception in 1970. When it began, there was very little concern at a political level about the perils of human impact on the plane...

DATE: Apr 6, 2017 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

When kids connect to nature, benefits abound

During times of uncertainty, it is essential to recognize the constants that provide joy and groundedness to transcend politics. Studies have shown that a connection between ch...

DATE: Mar 8, 2017 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Leaf-cutter ants set the standard for hard work

Milestones are often daunting and deserve recognition. But, at the same time, they are also just days in the year, and life keeps on going. I celebrated my 50th birthday over th...

DATE: Jan 12, 2017 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Animals offer us a model for how to live together

Almost every child, when asked if they could wish for any three things around the holidays, usually includes a perfunctory “I wish for peace on Earth.” Yes, maybe this is thrown in as the fi...

DATE: Dec 7, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Wild turkeys can be surprisingly cunning birds

November is a time of thanksgiving, and for some reason the turkey is the symbol of our thankfulness. I say “for some reason” because historians are not absolutely sure where th...

DATE: Nov 9, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Vampire bats not out to suck your blood

With Halloween just around the corner, I am going to indulge myself and write about the vampire bat. Although not found in Colorado, the myths and lore connected to this little creature are ...

DATE: Oct 12, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Our naturalists find meaning and joy in teaching

Tonight begins Durango Nature Studies’ Fall Naturalist and Educator training. The training is an adult education program that teaches participants about the natural history of t...

DATE: Sep 7, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Horned worm transforms into striking hummingbird moth

When people use the expression about seeing things through the eyes of a child, it is because children can often observe the world without any baggage. I was reminded of this w...

DATE: Aug 10, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

Nature helps kids thrive in so many ways

Almost every parent I talk to struggles with the same issue in the summer – how to keep their kids off electronics. Things have changed since the days of kicking your kids outsid...

DATE: Jul 13, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies

A whiff of the natural world can lift your spirits

I have to admit that the best smell on Earth to me is the smell of lilacs. And, this has been a banner year. The smell isn’t just from putting your nose directly into one, althoug...

DATE: Jun 8, 2016 | CATEGORY: Durango Nature Studies