News Release

science open house and junior ranger day 2019

Date: June 13, 2019
Contact: Jeff Wolin, [phone] ext. 202

Science Open House and Junior Ranger Day at Florissant Fossil Beds Saturday, June 29, 2019

Learn about the ongoing research taking place at Florissant Fossil Beds including geology, paleontology, ecology, wildlife biology and more. Meet scientists and learn about their research. Get a behind the scenes tour of a working Paleontology Lab. Kids (and former kids) can earn a Junior Ranger badge by visiting the science stations and completing their Junior Ranger Book. (Regular park fees apply, see below for details).


Science Open House Schedule :  

Botany/Flower Walk, 9:00 AM, Join Master Gardener Carolynne Forster for a 1-hour hiking exploration of the wildflowers and fauna of the area.

Geologic Trail Hike, 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM, Join a geologist (Dr. Wayne Orlowksi or Dr. Herb Meyer) for a 1.5 hour walk on the 1-mile Geologic Trail to get an in-depth understanding of the area’s unique geologic history.

Paleontology Lab Tours, 10:00/11:00/12:00/1:00/2:00, get a behind the scenes tour of a working paleontology lab. Tour space is limited. Sign up for tours in the upper level of the amphitheater behind the visitor center on the day of the event. First come first served.

Science Stations, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Meet geologists, biologists, paleontology/geology interns, and ecologists at the Science Stations located in the upper level of the amphitheater behind the visitor center at Florissant Fossil Beds.


Birding Hikes, 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM.  Join volunteer interpretive rangers Stu and Ellie as they lead you on a guided bird hike. 


Junior Ranger Activities, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Visit the Fossil Learning Lab (Yurt tent in picnic area) and participate in hands-on science activities including rock sorting, demonstration excavation, puzzles, looking through microscopes and other activities.   



Additional Interpretive Program Schedule

Ranger Guided Walk, 11:00 AM, 1 mile guided hike on the Petrified Forest Trail

Hornbek Homestead, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, take a tour of an 1878 homestead



There are no additional fees for any park programs beyond the daily entrance fee of $10.00 per adult (15 and younger are free). Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument offers 15 miles of beautiful, yet lesser known, hiking trails to explore, a free Junior Ranger Program, three short self-guided trails, a park video and museum exhibits, and bookstore. For additional information, please call [phone] or visit our website: www.nps.gov/flfo or on Facebook or Twitter at /FlorissantNPS
About the National Park Service: 
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 419 national park units and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history, protect natural and cultural resources, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov