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Fall, 2021EL PASO COUNTY PARKS NATURE CENTERSNaturalist NotesSuperhero Team AnnouncementEl Paso CountyParks NatureMISSIONCenterswillconnectEl sresourcesconnectculturalpeopleto theirandinspirethemnaturalandto becomecultural resourcesstewards for theand inspire them toparks and ourbecome stewardsenvironment.forthe parks andby Theresa Odello, Recreation & Cultural Services ManagerWe are excited to announce that Visit Colorado Springsawarded El Paso County Nature Centers the SuperheroTeam Award during their annual Tourism Awards Celebrationheld October 14, 2021 at The Antlers. This award recognizes anorganization or business that went above and beyond in 2020 and2021 to address the needs of the community during a time ofgreat distress and uncertainty.“The VCOS Tourism Awards celebratea year of hard work in our local tourismcommunity,” said Kim Griffis, DirectorThe award isof Partnership Development at Visitcurrently onour environment.display at Bear Colorado Springs. “It’s always an honorCreek NatureStaff and volunteersto recognize those who go above andCenterenjoyeda superherobeyond at our annual Tourism Awardsthemed eveningCelebration. During a time when it was difficult to get outand adventure, El Paso County Nature Centers found creative ways to encouragefamilies and visitors alike to continue exploring and learning.” Since 1976, BearCreek Nature Center and Fountain Creek Nature Center have persevered throughfires, floods, budget cuts, and more, but none of those compared to the pandemic.During this challenging time, staff and volunteers at the nature centers worked onWhy Do I Give to2the Nature Centers?building bridges to connect people to nature, often when no other activity wasVolunteer Highlightavailable due to the quarantine. This team3rose to the occasion by providing numerousMeet the New Staff!4-5innovative programs to connect people tonature, both virtually and in person. “We areRecreation Roundup6honored that our amazing team wasFountain Creek6recognized and received the SuperheroHappeningsTeam award,” said Theresa Odello, El PasoHappy Trails Report7County Parks & Recreation DivisionBear Creek Sightings 7Doug Price and Kim Griffis of VisitManager. “The staff and volunteers at ElColoradoSpringspresentNatureRick’s Cartoon8Paso County Nature Centers are proud toCenter staff and Friends BoardPresident Risë Foster-Bruder with the serve and help connect the community toFall Program8Superhero Team Award.Highlightstheir natural and cultural resources.”
Naturalist NotesPage 2EXECUTIVE BOARDFriends of El Paso CountyNature CentersPresidentRisë Foster-BruderVice PresidentDonn WeipertSecretaryDiane FrenchTreasurerLynn WilsonAt Large membersSally MillerRené ChathamSTAFFDivision ManagerTheresa OdelloBCNC SupervisorMary Jo LewisInterp. Program Coord.Heidi SealsInterpreterBrenda McCreightFCNC SupervisorJessica MillerInterp. Program Coord.Brianna FettInterpreterAndy TalleyVolunteer ConsultantPaula MegordenBear CreekNature Center245 Bear Creek RoadColorado Springs, CO 80906719-520-6387Fountain CreekNature Center320 Pepper Grass LaneFountain, CO 80817719-520-6745Why do I Give to the Nature Centers?Featuring Kerry Quick An Interview by Jessica MillerFor the past three years, Kerry Quick has been a regular fixture at FountainCreek Nature Center, volunteering at the desk twice a week and donatinggenerously each year to the Nature Centers. He’s often walking our trails withfriends or his daughter Shannon (when she visits fromEngland), sharing the peace and beauty of the park.Kerry and his late wife Lois discoveredFountain Creek Regional Park in the1990s by accident during a motorcycleride. They quickly fell in love with thepark’s lush cottonwoods and willows,trickling creeks, and wildflowermeadows. Our “oasis on the plains”reminded them of home in Connecticut.Kerry QuickLois especially loved discovering andlearning about the plants and animals they would see duringKerry with Lois andtheir daughter Shannon their walks, and enjoyed sharing her knowledge with Kerry.After Lois passed away in 2018, Kerry honored her by donating to the parks tohave a memorial bench placed along the nature trail. Her bench is in a shady spotthe two of them would often stop and rest in. Thank you Kerry for supporting theFriends of El Paso County Nature Centers with your donations and your time!BAn Enduring Gifte like Kerry. Give a year-end gift to the Friends of El Paso Nature Centers.Here are some ways to give:Donate by mailFriends of El Paso County Nature Centers245 Bear Creek Rd.Colorado Springs, CO 80906Become a Volunteer - If you areinterested in donating your time to theNature Centers, please contact VolunteerConsultant Paula Megrorden atbcfcvolunteers@gmail.comDonate by PayPalScan this QR Code with your phone:Our Mission: El Paso County ParksNature Centers will connect people totheir natural and cultural resources andinspire them to become stewards for theparks and our environment.Editor: Jessica Millerelpasocountynaturecenters.comFor planned giving opportunitiesCall Theresa Odello at 719-520-6981.Thank you!Friends of El Paso County NatureCenters is a non-profit, 501(c)3organization and your contribution istax deductible to the extent of the law.
Fall, 2021Page 3Volunteer Highlight: Peppergrass - Having FunMaking Music by Paula Megorden, Volunteer ConsultantTen years ago, three talented musicians brought aguitar, a harmonica and a banjo together anddiscovered they created lively, great sounding music.Two of the three musicians were volunteers at thenature centers, Rick Flores and Theron Jeppson, andthe third was staff member, Ian Wilson. NancyBernard, Fountain Creek Nature Center Supervisor atthe time, encouraged the trio to consider using theirtalents to play for events at the Parks. And so,Peppergrass began a musical journey.Peppergrass began performing for El Paso CountyNature Center functions such as holiday programs,volunteer recognition programs, children’s programs,Peppergrass performed at the 2021 El Paso County Fair.Fromleft tot right: Al Kinsel, Rick Flores, Donna Flores, Geoffand others. Evolving throughout the years, DianeDunn, Diane French, and Brenda McCreightFrench replaced Ian on banjo and Donna Flores, DebraRhodes and Brenda McCreight added vocals. GeoffDunn now plays the harmonica and adds light acoustics and vocals. Al Kinsel, the only member that is not avolunteer, currently plays percussion instruments, excelling on the washboard!Performing at a variety of other venues such as The Black RoseAcoustic Society and the El Paso County Fair, Peppergrassplays several music styles – old folk songs, mild folk-rock,country and familiar sing-along tunes. Rick has written 14nature-related songs and Peppergrass is currently preparing torecord these songs on CD to be distributed by and for El PasoCounty Parks. Included in these songs is one entitled,“GrandfatherCottonwood”, about anearly 200 year-oldPeppergrass performs at Bear Creek by Candlelight inCottonwood tree that2016. From left to right: Ian Wilson, Theron Jepson,stands tall nearRick & Donna Flores, and Deb Rhodes.Fountain Creek.Peppergrass began with just a trio of folks getting together “to havefun making music”, and the current band consists of folks stillgetting together “to have fun making music”.Peppergrass at Fountain Creek Nature Center’s2019 Nature Hikes with Santa. From left toright: Theron Jepson, Brenda McCreight,Donna & Rick Flores, and Diane French
Naturalist NotesPage 4Fall Seasonal Interpreter at Bear Creek Nature Centerby Heidi SealsBear Creek Nature Center welcomed Victoria to the team in lateAugust. Family camping trips and adventurous older siblingsplayed a key role in developing Victoria’s passion for the outdoors. Apassion that led her to pursue a degree in Recreation and OutdoorEducation with an emphasis in Environmental Education from WesternColorado University. Some of her favorite positions she has held beforecoming to the nature center include: Lift Operator at Crested ButteMountain Resort, Interpretive Cave Guide at Glenwood CavernsAdventure Park and Adventure Day Camp Instructor with Avid4Adventure. All positions that involve spending time outdoors andsharing knowledge with youth and adults alike – something she is veryexcited to continue with as the Seasonal Interpreter!Victoria DinkelAs a Colorado Native, Victoria enjoys all things outdoors including: rock climbing, mountain biking,snowboarding and especially camping. When she isn’t outside, she is probably reading about true crime,tending to her houseplants or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen!Part-time Interpreter at Bear Creek Nature Centerby Heidi SealsBrenda is very excited about being the Bear Creek NatureCenter’s Part-Time Interpreter! After volunteering for severalyears and working as the seasonal interpreter at Fountain Creek in2020, she feels that the nature centers are her second home.Brenda McCreightField trips to both nature centers with her students during her 34year teaching career created a warm spot in her heart for the handson teaching that is embedded in nature center curriculum. Added tothat, a love of the natural world led her to start volunteering atsummer camps the first month after she retired. Last year, FountainCreek Nature Center was lucky enough to hire her as the SeasonalInterpreter from May through October of 2020. With the team there,she enjoyed innovative programming to deal with COVIDrestrictions while still allowing guests to connect with nature.Brenda enjoys walking, completing seven miles a day on average. She loves spending time with her friendsoutside, reveling in the natural world. Although she once was extremely afraid of birds (blame it on AlfredHitchcock!), she’s joined a birding club and now finds birds fascinating rather than frightening.
Fall, 2021Page 5Introducing New Interpretive Program Coordinators!by Andy Talley and Mary Jo LewisFountain Creek Nature Center is pleased towelcome Brianna Fett as their new InterpretiveProgram Coordinator! Brianna is a Colorado native,born and raised right here in Colorado Springs. Sheattended college at Montana State University inBozeman, MT. There she earned a degree in Fish andWildlife Management and Ecology.Brianna FettHer professional experience has included bandingducks for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Sheworked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife as an Area14 intern, which she describes as a “jack-of-alltrades” type of position. She gained experienceleading programs with children as a Camp Counselorwith the Catamount Institute. Her most recentexperience brought her back to CPW as a fisheriestechnician.Welcome Heidi Seals, Bear Creek NatureCenter’s new Interpretive ProgramCoordinator! Heidi joins the El Paso County teamfrom Fontanelle Forest in Omaha, NE where sheworked for nearly eight years, most recently fillingthe role of Outreach and Public Programs Manager.Prior to discovering her passion for EnvironmentalEducation, Heidi worked as an Air Traffic Controllerin the Air Force.Heidi’s father was in the FAA, which led Heidi downthe Air Force path and also led Heidi’s family toreside in various locations throughout her childhood,including Puerto Rico and Alaska! Heidi recalls hertime in Alaska as an only child, living on 47 acres ofland and playing outdoors with her imagination toguide her.Heidi has two adult sons,Tyler and Aaron, whoshe shares, “are the prideand joy of my life.” Shealso has threegrandchildren under theage of three. In her freetime, Heidi enjoysbaking & cooking,collecting antiqueHeidi Seals plays a conpostcards, and history. Invincing toxic mushroomfact, History was Heidi’scollege major with a focus on frontier history.When asked what she is most looking forward to as aBear Creek team member, Heidi shares that she isAll this experience has prepared her well for any task“excited to learn how to do the job well and to learnshe may face here at Fountain Creek Nature Center.more about Colorado’s flora and fauna.”When she is not at work, she enjoys horseback riding,What Heidi loves most about working as anreading, hiking, hunting, fishing and “anythinginterpreter is “getting kids outdoors, especially thoseoutdoors.” Here at Fountain Creek, she is also knownthat wouldn’t normally have the chance.” We lookas Cinnamon Teal; one of her favorite ducks and aforward to Heidi’s contributions to our team as wespecies which she has banded.work to connect more children to the natural world!
Naturalist NotesPage 6Recreation Round-Up by Theresa Odello, Division ManagerAnyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day,” -ShiraTamir. While I don’t love the windy days, it is amazing to see the leaves dancing across the streets andtrails. I’m trying to enjoy the trails now before the winter weather sets in. Winter will be slow at RainbowFalls Historic Site as it has closed for the season, but it was busy in the fall with Geology & History Talks,Photography Classes, and a volunteer day where we removed ten bags of invasive weeds. This year therewere over 28,000 visitors to this small site. The Paint Mines Interpretative Site was also busy with a steadystream of visitors and a few staff-lead tours. We are stillcelebrating El Paso County Park’s 50th Anniversary and offeredtwo hikes at Pineries Open Space and Kane Ranch Open Space,which is not yet open to the public. For special events, there wasa Cornhole Tournament at Fountain Creek Regional Park, whereparents and children teamed up to compete against others.Children also got an opportunity to learn how to mountain bike atNational Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day in Fox Run RegionalPark, which drew a crowd of over 100 people. In addition, therewas a new element added to the popular Jack-O-Lantern Trail atFountain Creek Nature Center: a Scarecrow Contest! Six teamscompeted and had to create their scarecrow within an hour fromAye aye! The pirate scarecrow took firstscratch! Stay tuned for more fun recreation events!place at the Scarecrow Contest.Fountain Creek Happeningsby Brianna Fett, Interpretive Program CoordinatorWinter is on its way and animals everywhere are preparing forit. Fur is getting thicker, food is being stashed, and burrowsare being dug deep and warm. This is something we all expect fromcreatures such as bears, deer and squirrels, but what do we expectfrom frogs? The answer is both simpler, and more complicated, thanyou may think.Many frogs, such as the American Bullfrog, go into brumation comewinter. Aquatic frogs will simply lay at the bottom of the lake,somewhere with well oxygenated water. They can spend all winter inA bullfrog hides among the duckweedthis state, no matter how cold the weather gets. “What if theyfreeze?”, you may ask, and this is where it gets truly bizarre. You see, frogs can’t freeze! Yes, you read thatright. Extra glucose is present in frogs’ vital tissues and organs, such as their heart. This acts as a sort ofantifreeze. So, while ice crystals may form in some parts their body, all essential organs remain unharmed.The American Bullfrog is an incredible animal who survives winter in a very unique way. While the pondsmay seem a little quieter without them in winter, come spring we are sure to hear and see them once againthroughout the park.
Fall, 2021Page 7Happy Trails Report by Mary Jo Lewis, BCNC Supervisor2021 was a noteworthy year for the nature centers’ Annual Happy Trails BBQFundraiser. This year saw a welcome return to an in-person Happy Trails format,as well as a new location at Fox Run Regional Park. In addition, Happy Trails was ahighlight celebration of the 50th Anniversary of El Paso County Parks.While there were some changes, Happy Trails offered thequality food, drink and entertainment that the event, now in its 12th year, isknown for. Buffalo Gals Catering, supporters since the inception of Happy Trails,served up their signature Santa Maria style tri-tip steak and delectableaccompaniments. Other event Sponsors included Heuberger Subaru, SovereigntyWines and Black Forest Brewery.One hundred and seventy-five participants mingled and dined lakeside under thecanopy of Ponderosa Pines at Fox Run Regional Park. Americana band WirewoodStation provided a perfect musical soundtrack to the evening, and Nature CamperAmbassadors did a wonderful job visiting with guests and sharing knowledge theyhave gained at nature camps. Millibo Art Theatre’s Birgitta DePree and HannahRockey made a special appearance as “Girl Sprouts” who amused and entertainedwhile soliciting donations from guests.The evening was successful as both a wonderful celebration of the 50th Anniversaryof El Paso County Parks Department and a fundraiser. Through the generous supportof Sponsors, ticket-buyers, and donors, we reached the impressive goal of raising 20,000 to support the creation of a new nature center in Fox Run Regional Park!Bear Creek Sightings by Victoria Dinkel, Seasonal InterpreterWhile nights have been growing longer and temperatures droppinglower, deciduous trees have been putting on a spectacular show inpreparation for winter. A stroll along The Creekbottom Loop immerses onein the golden yellows, coppery oranges and vibrant red hues of cottonwoodtrees, gambel oak, Rocky Mountain maple and Virginia creeper. On abreezy day, the magic is intensified as the leaves float down in a warm,autumnal ‘snow’.As winter draws near, the decrease in sunlight hours has triggered a chemicalresponse within these plants to cease their production of green chlorophyll.This process unveils the warm colors that have been hiding underneath allalong! With the natural world being one of our greatest teachers, I enjoy thegentle reminders that autumn brings every year; embrace change, let go ofthe things that no longer serve you or may weigh you down, and to remainever present because much like fall, the moments are fleeting.Fall colors along Bear Creek
Partners in the Parksfor EPC Nature CentersWinter Recreation HighlightsRick’s CartoonRainbow Falls Geology and History TalkSaturday, January 15, 10:00 a.m.—11:30 a.m.First Aid/CPR/AED ClassTuesday, January 25, 6:00 p.m.—7:45 p.m.Fountain Creek Nature CenterHobby Wine Awards and Tasting EventSaturday, February 19, 7:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.Bear Creek Nature CenterRainbow Falls Winter Waterfall ViewingSaturday, February 26, 11:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m.Rick Flores is a nature center volunteer who keeps uslaughing with his nature observations.Winter Nature Program HighlightsGingerbread Habitat DecoratingSaturday, December 18,10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.Active Adults: COS History Walk—LAW &ORDERSaturday, January 22, 2:45 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.Souper Bowl Saturday!Saturday, February 12, 12:00 p.m. - 2:00p.m.Kids’ Night OutFriday, February 4, 5:30-9:00 p.m.Forest Bathing Walks With Summer Lajoie atListening Pines1:00-3:30 p.m.January 8, January 22, February 5, & February 19Nature Hikes with SantaSaturdays, December 11 & 18, 10:00a.m. & 1:00p.m.Morning Hike & CampfireTuesday, January 4, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Frozen FaunaSaturday, January 15, 10:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m.Live Birds of Prey!Saturday, January 29, 10:00 a.m.—11:00 p.m.Children’s Mindfulness SeriesSaturdays, February 5, 12, & 1910:00a.m. - 12:00p.m.Long Distance Relationships: ExploringBird MigrationSaturday, February 12, 1:00 p.m.—3:00 p.m.www.elpasocountynaturecenters.com
Recreation Roundup 6 Fountain Creek Happenings 6 Happy Trails Report 7 Bear Creek Sightings 7 Rick's Cartoon 8 Fall Program Highlights 8 MISSION El Paso County . awarded El Paso County Nature Centers the Superhero Team Award during their annual Tourism Awards Celebration held October 14, 2021 at The Antlers. This award recognizes an
