Events

For event information, see Calendar

 

Saturn Day

Sat, May 25, 2013
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Come to PEEC for a celebration of all things Saturn! The evening will include an introduct…

Star Party

Sun, May 26, 2013
8:45 PM - 10:00 PM

Three planets (Mercury, Venus, & Jupiter) will be extremely close together in the twil…

Leonora Curtin Wetlands Preserve Outing

Sun, June 2, 2013
12:00 PM - 4:30 AM

Docent Natali Steinberg will lead a group on this popular afternoon trip to Leonora Cutrin…

Hiking Los Alamos 101: Classroom Session

Mon, June 3, 2013
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Objective: To make Los Alamos residents and visitors comfortable and confident about hikin…

Kids Summer Gardening

Wed, June 5, 2013
9:00 AM - 8/7/2013 10:30 AM

Learn how to plant a garden, and eat what you grow!  This summer, Kids’ Summer…

Quiet, Gentle Walk

Wed, June 5, 2013
9:15 AM - 11:45 AM

A gentle walk for those who want a quiet walk along a relatively flat trail. The walks ran…

Green Hour Hikes

Thu, June 6, 2013
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join Petra McDowell, Carrie Talus and Laural Hardin for Green Hour hikes each Thursday thi…

First Friday Forts

Fri, June 7, 2013
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Come to PEEC and get building!  On the first Friday of every month, join other kids w…

Nature Odyssey: Wet 'n Wild Along the Rio Grande

Mon, June 10, 2013
8:30 AM - 6/14/2013 4:30 PM

This class is now full.  Please register to be put on the waiting list. Not many…

Hiking Los Alamos 101: Geology Hike

Mon, June 10, 2013
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join PEEC, Country Recreation Staff, and Los Alamos Geological Society leader Rick Kelly f…

Summer Family Evenings--Rocks

Tue, June 11, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Join the Los Alamos Geological Society to learn about the fascinating rocks in our area, a…

Elements--Earth

Wed, June 12, 2013
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Join Melissa Mackey for a class that combines science, nature, books and crafts.  Mak…

Green Hour Hikes

Thu, June 13, 2013
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join Petra McDowell, Carrie Talus and Laural Hardin for Green Hour hikes each Thursday thi…

Creating a Wildflower Meadow

Thu, June 13, 2013
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Come learn how to create a wildflower meadow!  Gail Haggard of Plants of the Southwes…

Get Grounded!

Sat, June 15, 2013
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Spend a morning connecting with Nature and the spectacular Los Alamos outdoors. While trav…

Living Earth Adventure Program: From the Rio Grande to the Valles Caldera

Mon, June 17, 2013
8:30 AM - 6/21/2013 4:30 PM

Have you ever wondered: Who lived in northern New Mexico hundreds of years ago? What cause…

Hiking Los Alamos 101: Cultural History Hike

Mon, June 17, 2013
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Join PEEC, County Recreation Staff, and Dorothy Hoard for an easy walk to learn about the…

Summer Family Evenings--Birding

Tue, June 18, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Learn how to look for and identify birds you see on the trail or in your yard every day, a…

Quiet, Gentle Walk

Wed, June 19, 2013
9:15 AM - 11:45 AM

A gentle walk for those who want a quiet walk along a relatively flat trail. The walks ran…

Green Hour Hikes

Thu, June 20, 2013
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join Petra McDowell, Carrie Talus and Laural Hardin for Green Hour hikes each Thursday thi…

Wildflower Walk

Thu, June 20, 2013
5:30 PM

Meet at PEEC at 5:30 to carpool to the trailhead.  The exact hike location will be de…

Nature Odyssey: Super Sleuths in the Valles Caldera

Mon, June 24, 2013
8:30 AM - 6/28/2013 4:30 PM

This class is now full.  Please register to be put on the waiting list. How do bi…

Hiking Los Alamos 101: Plants Hike

Mon, June 24, 2013
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

  Join PEEC, Country Recreation Staff, and Jemez Mountains Herbarium Cu…

Summer Family Evenings--Treasure Hunt

Tue, June 25, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

The Y Earth Service Corps will create a variety of treasure hunts for all abilities—…

Elements--Air

Wed, June 26, 2013
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Join Melissa Mackey for a class that combines science, nature, books and crafts.  Do…

Green Hour Hikes

Thu, June 27, 2013
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Join Petra McDowell, Carrie Talus and Laural Hardin for Green Hour hikes each Thursday thi…

Beneficial Insects for your Greenhouse and Garden

Thu, June 27, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

  Predacious beneficial insects are becoming the preferred method for treating pr…

Botanical Illustration

Fri, June 28, 2013
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

  Artist/Instructor Lisa Coddington earned her Master of Art at Syracuse in Illus…

PBS Science Cafe - Ravens

Sat, June 29, 2013
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

  Long recognized as one of the most intelligent birds, the raven also has a less…

Summer Family Evenings--Goats

Tue, July 2, 2013
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Local goat breeders (Second Bloom Farm and Gypsy Mountain Ranch) bring mama and baby goats…

Adopt a PEEC Animal

At PEEC, visitors have a chance to see a few of the small animals found in New Mexico. You can meet Betty the bullfrog, Link the skink, and Tam and Cam the salamanders. Sometimes our animals even visit classrooms. In this way PEEC helps people learn about nature and not be afraid of it. Each of our educational animals is special, and you can help one of the animals feel extra special by adopting it for $25/year.

Adoption FAQ

What do I get as an adoptive parent?

As a proud new parent, you'll receive a color photo of your animal mounted in a magnetic frame, an official adoption certificate, and a fact sheet about your animal. Your name will be displayed on the animal's enclosure.

What does the animal get when I adopt it?

As an adoptive parent, you can be sure that your animal will get fresh food, good lighting, clean bedding, and other improvements to its habitat.

Do I have to take care of my animal?

No. Your adopted animal will be cared for by PEEC.

Can I visit my adopted animal?

Yes, please come and visit your animal any time PEEC is open. If you call in advance, you can schedule a time when you'll be allowed to feed your animal.

Can more than one person adopt an animal?

Yes!

How long does my adoption last?

You will be honored as an adoptive parent for one year, and you will have your name proudly displayed on the animal's habitat.

Will I be helping PEEC by adopting an animal?

Yes. Live animals are an important (but costly) part of our educational mission, and you will be helping us to care for them.

What do I have to do to adopt an animal?

Ask any of our volunteers or staff members to help you fill out an enrollment form.

Can I pay for an animal adoption online?

Yes, click here.


Animals for Adoption

Red-eared Slider

Elf the Turtle

Elf the Red-eared Slider is very active in his large aquarium. Elf seems curious about people who look below his water level to watch him. He also likes to bask under his sun lamp. He eats crickets, earthworms, fish, fruit, and veggies.

Plecostomus

Flip the Plecostomus

Flip the plecostomus is a fish who lives with Elf and cleans algae from his habitat. Flip even eats algae from Elf's shell sometimes. Whereas Elf is likely to be watching people, Flip usually rests upside down under one of Elf's rock platforms, showing just a flip of fluttery fins.

spotted whiptail lizard

Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail

The Spotted Whiptail is one of the less-often lizards seen around the area. It is easily identified by having both stripes and tiny spots. Whiptail lizards are named for their long skinny tails.

Hognose Snake

Foxxy the Hognose Snake

Foxxy was named for the donors who sponsored his purchase, Jim and Terry Foxx. He is an ideal snake for exhibit because hognose snake almost never bite. He likes to hide under his cave, looking out at visitors and flicking his tongue.

Woodhouse Toad

Woody the Woodhouse's Toad

Woody the toad is covered with bumpy, warty skin. He likes to hide under his cave. He eats crickets.

Great Western Skink

Link the Skink

Link is a Great Plains Skink. She looks much like a speckled tan snake with four delicate legs and feet. She is often found inside her hideway rock, which lifts open for viewing. Link has a strong bite and eats crickets and mealworms.

NM Milk Snake

Milk Snake

The New Mexico Milk Snake is a copycat. It mimics the colors of the venomous coral snake, but the milk snake is harmless. She is an excellent education animal.

Bullfrog

Betty the Bullfrog

Betty the bullfrog is big and rounded, with a dark colored back and a creamy colored belly. She likes to hide underwater or float at the surface. When things are quiet at the Center, she sometimes comes out of the water to bask under her lamp. Betty eats earthworms, crickets, and pinky mice.

Tiger Salamander

Tam the Tiger Salamander

Tam the tiger salamander has a brown body with drab olive spots, typical coloration for this species in the Jemez Mountains. You may find him hiding under his flower pot, or sitting under his fountain. Often you can see him peaking out of the opening of his burrow waiting for snacks: crickets, earthworms, and mealworms.

millipede

Desert Millipedes

The desert millipede is one of the largest millipede species in the US. Our millipedes came from White Rock, where they are quite common in the summer. They eat all kinds of fruit and vegetable scraps.

crayfish

Crayfish

Our crayfish came from the Jemez River. She is one of the light-colored "blue" crayfish that are occasionally found there. She likes to eat raw fish and fish food flakes.

tarantula

Violet the Tarantula

Violet is a Chilean Rose Tarantula. She spins webs to make herself a comfortable home, not to catch prey. She eats crickets and likes to hide under her log.

native fish

Native Fish

Our native fish live in a 180-gallon aquarium. We have Rio Grande Suckers, Rio Grande Chub, and Longnose Dace. These fish are common in the Jemez River, and some are also found in the Rio Grande. They eat algae wafers and protein pellets.

Bird Feeder

Wild Birds

Wild birds at PEEC's outside bird feeders vary with the seasons, and they know where to come for food anytime. Our feeders are a good place for beginning bird watchers to watch. PEEC has a changing show of birds throughout the year because of the nearby woods.

worms

Worms

Wouldn't this be an interesting adoption to give as a gift? The worms at PEEC eat Elf's leftover veggies and other fruit and vegetable scraps. The worms, in turn, serve as food for some of PEEC's animals. They also serve as education animals, teaching people about composting.


 

PEEC Nature Center
3540 Orange Street (or PO Box 547)
Los Alamos, NM, 87544
(505) 662-0460
Center@PajaritoEEC.org, Webmaster@PajaritoEEC.org

©2005-2012 Pajarito Environmental Education Center
Banner photo by Hari Viswanathan; logo by Tori Hansen; photographs by many community members.
We welcome comments and submissions to this web site.