Where You'll Be:
Arroyos del Sol Natural Area is one of Greeley’s newest open spaces, shaped by open prairie and dry arroyos formed by seasonal stormwater. These subtle landforms create ideal habitat for grassland species like the Western Burrowing Owl, which rely on open ground and minimal disturbance. With little formal trail development so far, the area feels quiet and undeveloped, offering volunteers a rare opportunity to work in a landscape that is still being understood and intentionally stewarded from the start.
What You'll Do:
In partnership with the Butterfly Pavilion, this ongoing community science program supports a migratory species while contributing valuable data to local conservation efforts. Colorado’s open spaces provide important breeding habitat for the Western Burrowing Owl, and community scientists play a vital role in tracking their presence and protecting these areas. The training session covers Western Burrowing Owl behavior, habitat needs, and a simple monitoring protocol. Participants will learn how to identify owls and signs of activity, collect accurate observations, and understand when and how to conduct surveys. After training, volunteers will conduct brief surveys at assigned sites independently throughout the season. Surveys occur once per week until owls are detected, then once per month for the remainder of the monitoring season, ensuring consistent data collection.
Training Date: Sunday, March 1
Monitoring Duration: Independently March – October
Why it Matters:
The Western Burrowing Owl is not only a species deserving of protection in its own right, but also an important indicator of ecosystem health. Data collected by trained community scientists helps local municipalities make informed management decisions, protect sensitive habitat, and support healthy wildlife populations across Colorado’s open spaces.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16 +
Project Difficulty:
This program is considered Moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria, here, for more details.
Physical Considerations: Exposure to sun and outdoor elements, Exposure to insects (bees, wasps), Potential for long hike. While this is not a strenuous project, volunteers should be prepared for walking on uneven terrain, through high grass, past thorny plants, and in possibly muddy conditions.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: No vehicle restrictions – 2WD accessible.
