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Pop-up Library Storytime- FREE

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Families - join the Lafayette Public Library and Thorne Nature Experience for a special outdoor Storytime at the Lafayette Nature Center!

Canceled Outdoor Movie Night

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Due to a permitting issue, we've had to cancel this event but hope to have movie nights at the LNC next summer. Stay tuned! 

Mexican Independence Day Celebration- FREE

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the Lafayette Nature Center! This event will be primarily in Spanish, but all are welcome.  CLICK HERE to RSVP.

Thorne Fall Fest with Jeff & Paige!

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Join Thorne Nature Experience and Jeff & Paige for our very first Fall Fest at the new Lafayette Nature Center! Enjoy seasonal nature crafts, fall-themed activities, nature play, and the chance to get your groove on with our favorite nature performers Jeff & Paige! Make a day of it and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while exploring the new nature play center. TICKETS: The event is free (or pay what you wish), but registration is required.  Get Tickets SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: 10 am-11 am: Self-guided nature activities including seasonal nature crafts, fall-themed adventures, and explorations around the Lafayette Nature Center’s nature play area. 11 am-noon: Concert by Jeff & Paige DIRECTIONS & PARKING: The Lafayette Nature Center is located at 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO 80026. From Coal Creek Trail: The center is accessible from the Coal Creek Trail, via a direct connection through the back of the property RTD: Take the LD1 or LD3 Bus Line to S Public Road & Old Laramie Trail Stop Personal Vehicle: There is limited parking available in the Lafayette Nature Center lot. Overflow parking is available across the street in the Boulder County DMV parking lot
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Carpooling with friends, riding bikes, or traveling to the event via public transportation is recommended.
This event will be outdoors, rain or shine. We recommend planning for the weather- don't forget your sunscreen and layers. In the event of extreme weather, Fall Fest will be canceled and we do not have a backup date.

Free Public Program: Green Buildings as part of a Land Ethic

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Buildings are responsible for 40% of total energy use in the United States and 35% of our country’s carbon emissions.  Can we re-envision our homes, places of business and other buildings in ways that slash energy use, incorporate local materials and otherwise become ever more sustainable?  Yes! Join a public program at Thorne Nature Experience’s new building in Lafayette to learn about the Colorado Green Building Guild (CGBG), basics of green building technology (including through the Thorne building) and an overview of techniques, materials and local expertise available to home and business owners. Green building will also be considered in the context of land and conservation through the work of 20th century conservationist, Aldo Leopold.  A short video about the Leopold Foundation's main building - one of the top few green buildings in the world - will set the stage for the rest of the program.   This program, co-sponsored by Lafayette Open Space, CGBG, and Thorne Nature Experience, is free and open to the public.   RSVP required.    To RSVP and/or for more information, e-mail Martin Ogle at [email protected]

Thorne Spring Fest 2025

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para español Join Thorne Nature Experience for our first Spring Fest at the Lafayette Nature Center! Enjoy seasonal nature crafts and activities, outdoor play, the opportunity to get up close with live Colorado animals presented by special guests from Nature's Educators, and a performance from Payaso Saltarín. Make a day of it and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy while exploring the nature center. TICKETS  The event is free, and we just ask that you register in advance. Get Tickets SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Presentations:

  • Nature’s Educators
    • 10-10:15 am: CO animal meet & greet
    • 10:15-10:45 am: Animal presentation in Spanish
    • 10:45-11:15 am: Animal presentation in English
    • 11:15 am-12 pm: CO animal meet & greet
  • Payaso Saltarín
    • 11:15 am-12 pm
Throughout the event:
  • Seasonal nature art
  • Face painting
  • Fairy house building
  • Birds with Thorne’s founder, Oak Thorne
  • Popcorn and cotton candy
  • Dos Manos food truck ($)
  • Fun prizes including gift certificates for camp, a birdwatcher’s beginner bundle, and a summer explorer’s toolkit- drawing will be around 11:15 am!
Be sure to stop by the Thorne table during the event to learn about our exciting new initiative to get more kids outside this summer - Project 329. Learn more at the event, or by clicking here! WHAT TO BRING

This event will be outdoors. Please plan for the weather!

We recommend bringing:

  • Sunscreen
  • Layers
  • Water
  • Picnic blankets and low chairs. Most seating for presentations is on the ground.
  • Registration confirmation is not required to enter the event, but thank you for registering. It helps us track attendance.
Reminder- pets are not allowed at the Lafayette Nature Center. Please leave your dogs and other animals at home. DIRECTIONS & PARKING The Lafayette Nature Center is located at 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO 80026. From Coal Creek Trail: The center is accessible from the Coal Creek Trail, via a direct connection through the back of the property RTD: Take the LD1 or LD3 Bus Line to S Public Road & Old Laramie Trail Stop Personal Vehicle: There is limited parking available in the Lafayette Nature Center lot. Overflow parking is available across the street in the Boulder County DMV parking lot
But wait, where are Jeff & Paige? Exciting news- Jeff & Paige are busy filming their PBS TV show this spring! We'll miss them at Spring Fest this year. 
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Carpooling with friends, riding bikes, or traveling to the event via public transportation is recommended. Pets are not allowed at the Lafayette Nature Center.
This event will be outdoors, rain or shine. We recommend planning for the weather- don't forget your sunscreen and layers. In the event of extreme weather, Spring Fest will be canceled and we do not have a backup date.

Thorne Spring Fest 2025

Únete a Thorne Nature Experience para nuestro primer Festival de Primavera... Únete a Thorne Nature Experience para nuestro primer Festival de Primavera (Spring Fest) en el Lafayette Nature Center. Disfruta de manualidades y actividades de temporada en la naturaleza, juegos al aire libre y la oportunidad de ver de cerca animales vivos de Colorado, presentados por nuestros invitados especiales de Nature’s Educators. Además, no te pierdas la presentación del Payaso Saltarín. ¡Haz de este un día especial trayendo un almuerzo tipo picnic para disfrutar mientras exploras el centro de naturaleza! ENTRADAS El evento es gratuito, solo te pedimos que te registres con anticipación. Obtener entradas PROGRAMA DEL EVENTO Tendremos actividades autoguiadas, como manualidades de temporada, aventuras prácticas y exploraciones en el área de juego del Lafayette Nature Center durante todo el evento, de 10:00 a. m. a 12:00 p. m. También estamos emocionados de recibir a nuestros invitados especiales de la organización de divulgación sobre vida silvestre  Nature’s Educators y de disfrutar de un espectáculo del querido Payaso Saltarín. Horario de Nature’s Educators: 10:00 a. m. - 10:15 a. m.: Encuentro con animales 10:15 a. m. - 10:45 a. m.: Presentación sobre animales nativos de Colorado en español (recomendado para mayores de 5 años) 10:45 a. m. - 11:15 a. m.: Presentación sobre animales nativos de Colorado en inglés (recomendado para mayores de 5 años) 11:15 a. m. - 12:00 p. m.: Encuentro con animals Payaso Saltarín: 11:15 am-12:00 pm en el Pabellón de Promotores RECOMENDAMOS TRAER
  • Protector solar
  • Camisas
  • Agua
  • Mantas de picnic y sillas bajas. La mayoría de los asientos para las presentaciones están en el suelo.
  • No se requiere confirmación de registro para acceder al evento, pero gracias por registrarse. Nos ayuda a controlar la asistencia.
Recordatorio: No se permiten mascotas en el Lafayette Nature Center. Por favor, dejen a sus perros y demás animales en casa. DIRECCIONES Y ESTACIONAMIENTO Ubicación: Lafayette Nature Center, 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO 80026. Desde Coal Creek Trail: Acceso directo al centro a través de la parte trasera de la propiedad. Transporte público (RTD): Toma la línea de autobús LD1 o LD3 hasta la parada en S Public Road & Old Laramie Trail. Vehículo personal: Estacionamiento limitado en el Lafayette Nature Center. Estacionamiento adicional disponible en el lote del DMV del Condado de Boulder, al otro lado de la calle.   Los niños deben estar acompañados y supervisados por un adulto. Se recomienda compartir auto con amigos, ir en bicicleta o usar transporte público. El evento se llevará a cabo al aire libre, llueva o haga sol. Te sugerimos planificar según el clima: no olvides tu protector solar y vestimenta en capas.  En caso de clima extremo, el evento será cancelado y no habrá una fecha alternativa. Fecha y hora: 12 de abril | 10:00 a. m. - 12:00 p. m. Ubicación: Lafayette Nature Center 

Thorne Fall Fest 2025

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Join Thorne Nature Experience for Fall Fest at the Lafayette Nature Center! Enjoy seasonal nature crafts and activities, nature-inspired presenters, food trucks, e-bike hay rides, and outdoor play.

TICKETS 

CLICK HERE to register. The event is free or pay-what-you-wish with an optional donation. Register Now 

ACTIVITIES & SCHEDULE

Throughout the Event, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm: Seasonal nature crafts, activities, & games Food trucks, including Sweet Cow & Dos Manos ($)  E-bike hay rides Fun prizes & More! Preschool Stage: 10 am-10:45 am: Magdo Music 11:15 am-12:00 pm: Miguel Soldevila Erin Saunders Pavilion: 10 am-12:15 pm: Animals with Ayesha

WHAT TO BRING

This event will be outdoors. Please plan for the weather! We recommend bringing sunscreen, layers, water, picnic blankets, and low chairs.

Reminder- pets are not allowed at the Lafayette Nature Center.

DIRECTIONS & PARKING

Carpooling with friends, riding bikes, or traveling to the event via public transportation is recommended.

  • From Coal Creek Trail: The center is accessible from the Coal Creek Trail via a direct connection through the back of the property
  • RTD: Take the LD1 or LD3 Bus Line to S Public Road & Old Laramie Trail Stop
  • Personal Vehicle: Parking is available across the street in the Boulder County DMV parking lot.
Children must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Carpooling with friends, riding bikes, or traveling to the event via public transportation is recommended. Pets are not allowed at the Lafayette Nature Center.
This event will be outdoors, rain or shine. We recommend planning for the weather- don't forget your sunscreen and layers. In the event of extreme weather, the event will be canceled, and we do not have a backup date.

Hispanic Independence Day Celebration- FREE

Lafayette Nature Center 300 Old Laramie Trail E, Lafayette, CO, United States
Celebrate Hispanic Independence Day at the Lafayette Nature Center! This event will be primarily in Spanish, but all are welcome.  CLICK HERE to RSVP and see more details.

Natural Night Out 2025

Boulder JCC 6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO, United States
Join us on October 17th, 2025 at the Boulder JCC for Thorne’s 19th annual fundraising event, Natural Night Out. More info coming soon. Be the first to hear more about this year’s event and receive other exciting updates from Thorne. CLICK HERE to sign up for our email list.