GUIDED HIKES & EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Douglas Land Conservancy offers several guided hike and educational event opportunities throughout the year. All hikes and presentations are typically free and open to the public. DLC does suggest a small donation per person attending each hike or educational presentation (usually $10) to help us continue our mission of the protection of open space in our region of Colorado. All hike and presentation dates, times and locations are subject to change. Please check back often for updates.

Seasonal Journeys Hike #8

Where: Dawson Butte

When: December 21st, 10-12pm

Join your naturalist guide Sharon Sjostrom for the last hike of our 2023 Seasonal Journeys series. Throughout the year, we’ve been noticing the changes at Dawson Butte Open Space, and in ourselves, as the seasons change. On December 21st we’ll celebrate Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. Dogs on leash are welcome. Sign up here!

Hop Hunter Hike – 2023 date TBD

At a private ranch in Louviers

Directions will be to those that RSVP

Did you know that wild hops, a key ingredient in the beer making process, are native to this region?

Join us at a private property in Louviers where we will learn about the beer making process and harvest wild hops.

Douglas Land Conservancy and 105 West Brewery are teaming up this summer to hunt wild-growing hops on conserved lands along Plum Creek. Join us as we learn a little about hops and brewing from a105 West brewmaster, hike on a private conserved property in Louviers, and harvest local hops for a special brew.

Participants should wear long pants, hiking shoes, bring water, and garden gloves. Bags will be provided. No dogs are allowed on this hike.

What happens to the harvested hops you ask? They will be brewed into a delicious, local beer, of course! All viable hops harvested will be turned over to the brewmasters at 105 West Brewery who, in turn, will use the bounty to create a special brew. Douglas LandConservancy will host a special “hoppy hour” when it’s time for tasting. Cheers! If you cannot attend the hop hunting event, please watch your inbox for the special tasting to be announced in the coming weeks.

Our events fill quickly. If the event is full, please contact DLC staff at 303.688.8025 or dlc.amyg@gmail.com to be added to the waitlist.

Guided Wildflower Hikes

To Be Announced in 2023 as Pop-Up Hikes

Join Douglas Land Conservancy and Douglas County Open Space at beautiful Dawson Butte for a family friendly event to discover the wildflowers blooming at this time. Year after year, this is one of our most popular hikes.

The open space is home to many varieties of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees as well as providing great habitat for wildlife. Your guides are DLC & DCOS volunteers and Colorado Native Plant Masters. The trail is rated moderately easy and the pace will be slow due to stopping to learn about the wildflowers (and ooh and aah at their beauty).