Checkout the events section below to learn more about our programs
Pueblo, Colorado
nature and wildlife discovery center (K-8th)
nature and wildlife discovery center (K-8th)
nature and wildlife discovery center (K-8th)
Location: Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center
5200 Nature Center Rd, Pueblo, CO 81003
https://hikeandlearn.org/education/outdoor-explorations-program
Classes Offered:
Students will meet on the following days from 9am-3pm:
Monday: K-1st Graders
Tuesday: 2nd-3rd Graders
Wednesday: 4th-5th Graders
Thursday: 6th-8th Graders
Pueblo Zoo (k-5th)
nature and wildlife discovery center (K-8th)
nature and wildlife discovery center (K-8th)
Location: Pueblo Zoo
3455 Nuckolls Avenue, Pueblo, CO, 81005
https://www.pueblozoo.org/nature-school
Classes Offered:
Students will meet on the following day from 9am-3pm:
Thursday: K-5th Graders
Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center
about the facility and program
Welcome to the Outdoor Explorations Program at the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center. This dynamic homeschool nature-based enrichment program caters to students from Kindergarten through 8th grade. Nestled within the serene landscapes of Pueblo and Beulah, Colorado, we offer two distinctive campuses that facilitate immersive explorations of diverse ecosystems including riverbanks, prairies, and mountain trails.
At our River Campus, students have the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from our ambassador birds of prey housed at the raptor rehabilitation center. These majestic creatures not only inspire curiosity but also serve as living lessons in environmental stewardship.
Our program emphasizes fostering values such as preparedness, mindfulness, and environmental responsibility through respectful expedition behavior. Students actively engage in stewardship projects benefiting local wildlife, including collaborative efforts with the Raptor Center and contributions to the Pueblo Zoo. These initiatives empower students to make meaningful local impacts while gaining a deeper understanding of conservation principles.
Throughout the year, our curriculum extends beyond the classroom walls to encompass practical outdoor skills essential for life-long learning. From mastering fishing techniques and archery skills to honing animal tracking abilities and cultivating gardens, students actively participate in hands-on activities that enrich their understanding of nature.
Furthermore, our annual science fair showcases student-led experiments rooted in natural sciences, encouraging creativity and critical thinking in a supportive outdoor environment.
Join us at NWDC where curiosity meets discovery, and every adventure nurtures a profound appreciation for the wonders of the great outdoors.
Ranger Elise Lokey
Elise (she/her/hers), aka “Ranger Lokey”, manages the Outdoor Explorations Program (OEP) at the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center, which is a tuition-free program designed to supplement homeschool curriculum with natural science, experiential learning, community-building, and self-discovery. Elise also supports a variety of other outdoor educational programs at NWDC like summer camps and handling raptors at the Raptor Center. Before she joined the team at NWDC, she gained experience in field research, wildlife handling, conservation, ecology, and public speaking as a college student and research intern at CSU Pueblo. After presenting her research to a large group of curious kids at a number of symposiums, she fell in love with the idea of inspiring young minds. Before coming to NWDC, Elise worked for Lake Pueblo State Park as a naturalist. She strives to make a difference in the world by sharing her experiences with others in stewardship, outdoor recreation, and wildlife. In her spare time, Elise likes to spend time with her dogs, and kayak, hike, shoot archery, and travel.
Ranger Maddie Calvert
Maddie (She/Her/Hers) is a Colorado native. She grew up camping with her family, biking to the Nature Center with her dad, and attending field trips to the Mountain Park. Her goal is to instill curiosity and respect for nature in children.
After receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Maddie worked for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Now, she is excited to be a part of the very same programs that nurtured her interest in science and the natural world as a child.
She enjoys drawing and painting, hiking, camping, birdwatching, yoga, listening to music, and going to shows.
Ranger Frank cordova
Frank Cordova, aka “Ranger Frank”, is a lifetime lover of the natural world. While he has professional high-tech skills, he feels most alive when he’s sharing experiences, learning, and teaching people of any age in and about the outdoors. Just as the regions of the Earth go through seasonal changes each year, so does Frank embrace his own evolution through life. Frank previously was a certified master gardener, but foresees himself being a lifelong student, practitioner, and mentor of permaculture and deep nature connection. His grounding belief is that personal and collective wellness is cultivated through gratitude and healthy relationships with ourselves, one another, and the environment.
ranger SArah eitel
Sarah is a member of the Ranger Team at NWDC. She grew up in Pueblo and is passionate about showing Pueblo’s kids that the outdoors isn’t just off on some mountain somewhere; it’s right in their backyard! Sarah leads camps, field trips, public programming, and more. She hopes to make outdoor recreation more accessible for her community through education. Sarah is also working with the Raptor Center to learn how to handle the education birds while giving interpretive talks. The birds of prey have fascinated her since she began working at NWDC. She is excited about any opportunity to work with them!
When Sarah isn’t busy leading programs or helping out at the Raptor Center, she can be found grabbing coffee at a local cafe, hiking at the Mountain Park or Lake Pueblo Red Gate, or curling up with a cozy video game and her cat, Mac.