Citizens United To Protect The Maurice River - Family-Friendly Friday: Rooted In Fun, Tree-Mendous Discovery / 4-24-26

Kick off the first Family Friendly Friday of the year with CU Naturalist Karen Williams as you discover the fascinating world of trees. This interactive, hands-on program invites families to become forest scientists for the day as they learn how to identify common tree species by studying their leaves, bark, buds, and seeds.

Participants will create bark and leaf rubbings, compare branching patterns, search for seeds, and use simple field tools like hand lenses and measuring tapes to observe trees more closely. Through engaging activities, children and adults alike will build scientific observation skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how trees grow, reproduce, and adapt to their environment.
 
Beyond identification, families will explore why trees are essential to the health of our region. Forests within the watershed of the Maurice River stabilize shorelines, reduce erosion, filter runoff, provide habitat for wildlife, and store carbon that helps regulate our climate. As part of the federally protected National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, the Maurice River depends on healthy forests to maintain its outstanding ecological value. 

Dress appropriately for the weather; wearing sturdy, boots, or sneakers is suggested