National Kids to Parks Day This Saturday (Free) 

9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday May 18, 2013

Who: City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department

What: National Kids to Parks Day

When: Saturday May 18, 2013 (9am to 1pm)

Where: McKelligon Canyon, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Rd

El Paso, Texas - The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department, and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will host the 3rd annual National Kids to Parks Day from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday May 18, 2013 at McKelligon Canyon Park, 1331 McKelligon Canyon Rd.

The event is being promoted by the National Park Trust, Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Nation Park Service, and the City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department to encourage children and families to visit a city, state or national park, improve health and fitness and connect to nature through outdoor activities.

Kids to Parks Day will offer fun outdoor activities and opportunities for youth and families to gain an appreciation for Parks and other natural resources as participants will hike, have bird watching opportunities and much more on their special trek on Kids to Parks Day at McKelligon Canyon.

Information – (915) 544-0753

Teacher's Workshops at the El Paso Zoo

All workshops are designed to meet the needs of K-12 teachers in many areas of science. Topics meet the TEKS and STARR curriculum for K-12 in conservation, animal adaptations, ecology, biodiversity, classification, and more. Earn CPE credits at the zoo!

Chihuahuan Desert workshops are designed to help you appreciate and increase your awareness of our desert and to teach basic knowledge of the animals that live in our backyard. You will understand how these animals are adapted to the desert and become empowered to help with conservation efforts. Join us for one or all of our workshops and you will be guaranteed a remarkable, learning, awe inspiring experience.

Scheduled of Chihuahuan Desert Workshops:

8:30 am to 12:30 pm
May 25, 2013 Birds of the Chihuahuan Desert
Deadline:April 25, 2013

June 25, 2013 Reptiles of the Chihuahuan Desert
Deadline: May 25, 2013

July 13, 2013 Amphibians of the Chihuahuan Desert
Deadline: June 13th, 2013

August 3, 2013 Inverts of the Chihuahuan Desert
Deadline: July 3, 2013

The minimum number group size is 20; the maximum group size is 30. $10 per person.

Online Registration Required. Make sure to fill in appropriate date on registration form.
Registration

For more information about a Chihuahuan Desert Workshop contact Rose Janice, Zoo Adventure Education Specialist, at janicera@elpasotexas.gov or (915) 521-1894.

Important Notes: Tour experiences may vary. Participants must abide by staff instructions at all times and stay with the group leader. The Zoo strives for full and equal participation of all visitors and continually upgrades facilities to make them more accessible.

Click here to learn about Group Programs offered at the zoo.

Save the Date

Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta at Tom Mays Park, Saturday, September 21, 2013

Check out what is happening at Franklin Mountains State Park this month

The Franklin Mountains State Park is happy to join the CDEC blog community; for our first post we'd like to share the remainder of events for the month of March.  Click the link below to see this weekend's events, and stay tuned for the April park schedule coming soon....

Franklin Mountains State Park calendar of events!

Upcoming Conservation Events in El Paso for the entire family:

7th Annual Poppies Fest March 23

Animal Enrichment Days at the El Paso Zoo - March 16-24 And Party for the Planet - April 21

News Release for Leasburg Dam State Park

This Winter/Spring (Feb-April)join New Mexico State Park Ranger Alex Mares every Sat/Sun at 10am, for either a 2mi/2hr hike or a 45min talk. Different focus of hike and different topic of talk every weekend. All hikes/talks are FREE with paid admission fee of $5 per vehicle.

This Saturday Feb. 16th, 2013 at 10am join Park Ranger Alex Mares for a hike to see and feel the geothermal springs and clear pools filled with several variety of fish and maybe even catch a glimpse of a spiny soft shelled turtle! Meet ranger at park visitor center. Guided hike is FREE with paid admission of $5 per vehicle.

This Sunday Feb.17th, 2013 at 10am join Ranger Mares for a talk on the various birds that live or migrate thru Leasburg Dam State Park. Replica examples of various sized and colored bird eggs will be on display at park amphitheatre. Talk is FREE with paid admission fee of $5 per vehicle.

Leasburg Dam State Park is located north of Las Cruces off I25 at exit 19 - Radium Springs exit.

For more information please call (575) 524-4068 or email alex.mares@state.nm.us