Folks heading to Grand Teton National Park in the coming days will have a nice selection of ranger-led activities to partake in, ranging from canoeing to full moon hikes.

Each year, Grand Teton National Park ranger naturalists endeavor to provide special programs that offer unique experiences for visitors; these programs are designed to augment the regularly scheduled ranger-led programs listed in the park’s newspaper, Teewinot. Five such programs are scheduled for the end of June. In addition, park visitors can get a temporary loan of a “naturalist family backpack,” and use its contents to learn about the natural world while exploring Grand Teton. Backpacks are available at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center.

The schedule for special programs includes:

Friday, June 25: Bird Walk, 7 a.m. (approximately two hours). Explore a rich riparian habitat to locate birds and observe their behavior. Meet at the Jackson Lake Dam parking lot. All levels of bird identification and knowledge are welcome. Binoculars and/or spotting scopes encouraged. Reservations are recommended, call 307.739.3594.

Saturday, June 26: Full Moon Hike, 10 p.m. (approximately one hour). Join rangers for an easy, moonlit walk along Colter Bay lakeshore and learn about Native American myths and legends about the moon. Meet at the Colter Bay Visitor Center flagpole. Group size limited; reservations are required, call 307.739.3399.

Monday, June 28: Canoe on Jackson Lake, 7:30 a.m. (approximately three hours). Enjoy a relaxing morning by paddling along the shores of Colter Bay and Jackson Lake. Meet at the Colter Bay marina. Canoe rentals are available at the marina or visitors can bring their own canoe or kayak. Group size and rentals are limited; reservations are required, call
307.739.3399.

Wednesday, June 30: Evening Bird Walk, 7 p.m. (approximately two hours or until dusk). Enjoy an evening of bird watching along the Snake River. Meet at Schwabacher's Landing parking area. All levels of bird identification and knowledge are welcome. Binoculars and/or spotting scopes encouraged. Reservations are recommended, call 307.739.3399.

Wednesday, June 30: Global Climate Change Talk, 9 p.m. (approximately 1 hour) in the Colter Bay Amphitheater. National Weather Service Meteorologist Arthur Meunier will talk about large-scale changes in weather and describe how those global changes may affect or influence the plants, animals and other resources throughout Grand Teton and across the State of Wyoming. For information, call 307.739.3594.

Naturalist Family Backpacks: Pack activities focus on the artistic and creative talents of Olaus and Mardy Murie. Each backpack contains all the supplies needed for watercolor painting, pencil sketching, track castings, and outdoor journaling as well as information about the Muries and their lives, which were devoted to the conservation of natural resources. The packs are funded by a grant from the Center of Wonder—an organization
dedicated to supporting educational programs integrating nature with the arts. Backpacks can be checked out from the CTDVC anytime after 8 a.m. and must be returned by 6:30 p.m.

Visitors and local residents are invited to join park ranger naturalists to experience these new and exciting activities. For more information, call 307.739.3399, or stop by the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center near park headquarters at Moose.