Upcoming Special Events
Insect Week - April 5-11
Insect Week celebrates the incredible, often overlooked heroes of our ecosystem. From pollination to soil health, insects are the foundation of a resilient planet and a stable food chain. Join us as we get to know about small creatures that make a massive impact. From Bug Night at EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum or a guided insect hike in the monument, there's something for everyone!
All events are free!
Monday, April 6- Bug Night at the Museum
6pm-8pm- Come kick off Insect Week with a special night at EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum. “Want to find out what all the buzz is about?”
6pm-7pm- Check out all kinds of insects, up close and personal. There will be a dozen special tables to visit with fun activities and even some insects to meet. Tabling organizations include RiversEdge West, Xerces Society, Palisade Insectary, Colorado National Monument, Colorado Parks and Wildlife and more!
7pm-7:45pm- Celebrate Insects!- special talk by Melissa Schreiner, CSU Extension entomologist.
Additional Info on Talk: Join Mel Schreiner, an entomologist from CSU Extension in Grand Junction for a fun evening of learning about the value insects offer our many ecosystems, farms, and people! Mel will introduce entomology and different groups of beneficial insects to the audience! The audience will have a chance to "Ask an Entomologist" and learn from the museum specimens in the Western Colorado Insect Collection.
About Mel: Mel Schreiner is a CSU Extension entomologist in the Tri River Area helping to address insect education in Colorado agriculture, natural resources, and urban spaces. She is an insect photographer, illustrator, and naturalist born and raised in Colorado. Mel helps provide insect identification support to western Colorado and beyond.
Thursday, April 9- Meet the Bees with Amy Dolan, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist for the Xerces Society
7pm-8pm at the Confluence Center
Additional Info: Many of us know about the importance of honey bees and are fascinated by their colonies and communication. But did you know there are thousands of other bees out there with a variety of life cycles and survival strategies? Join Amy Dolan, Conservation Biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, to get introduced to some of our native bees, hear their stories, and learn what you can do to help them!
About Amy: Amy Dolan is an Endangered Species Conservation Biologist for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and the coordinator of the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas. She has a MS in entomology from Montana State University where she studied insects associated with huckleberry plants and the bumble bees of Montana. Most of her career has been spent as a middle and high school science teacher. She joined the Xerces Society and moved to Grand Junction in 2024.
Friday, April 10- Mosquito Science Night with the Grand River Mosquito Control District
5:30pm-6:30pm at the Confluence Center
Additional Info:
Title: Small Bites, Big Science: The Hidden World of Mosquito Biology and Public Health
Description: Mosquitoes may be small, but the science behind them is anything but. This presentation explores the fascinating biology, ecology, and public health science behind one of the world’s most studied insects. Attendees will learn how mosquitoes detect hosts, how different species behave and reproduce, and how environmental conditions shape mosquito populations. The program also provides a behind-the-scenes look at mosquito surveillance in Mesa County—from field trapping and species identification to laboratory testing for mosquito-borne viruses—and how these tools help scientists measure and manage disease risk.
About Hannah: Hannah Livesay is the Senior Biologist at the Grand River Mosquito Control District (GRMCD), where she leads the district's mosquito surveillance and laboratory testing program. With a background in biology and nearly six years of experience in mosquito control, she oversees mosquito trapping, species identification, PCR testing for mosquito-borne diseases, and invasive mosquito monitoring. She also provides community outreach and education on mosquito biology and public health, drawing on prior experience as a science educator.
Saturday, April 11- Field Day & Guided Hikes
1.What’s Buggin’ You?- iNaturalist Training and A Walk on the Riverfront Trail
-iNaturalist powerpoint by Richard Alward at 9:30am and walk afterwards to practice id-ing insects and other species
-9:30am-11am
-Space is limited. Please sign up through this link.
- A Bugs Life with Colorado National Monument Ranger, Raven Patrick
-3pm- 2 mile hike to waterfall
-This program is FULL! More info on the CNMA website.
Thank you to our event sponsor.
The Grand Valley is more than just our backyard; it’s a critical refuge for some of Colorado’s most iconic and threatened bird species. But what does it actually take to protect a species on the brink?
Join us for an evening with Whit Blair, Species Conservation Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. From the high-desert leks of the Gunnison Sage-grouse to the hidden waterfall nests of the elusive Black Swift, Whit will take us behind the scenes of wildlife conservation on the Western Slope. Hear first-hand accounts of the challenges and triumphs of studying birds in the wild, and what these species have taught us about resilience and the future of Colorado's ecosystems.
All proceeds from this event will benefit the EUREKA! Environmental Institute Scholarship Fund. These scholarships remove financial barriers, allowing local students to participate in hands-on "outdoor classroom" programs—from river ecology expeditions to wildlife biology camps. Your attendance helps ensure that every child in the Grand Valley, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to explore, learn, and become a future steward of our wild spaces.
There's a chance to win door prizes for every ticket purchased. Thanks to REI for their support!
Drinks available for purchase.
Date: April 22, 2026
Time: 6pm-8pm
Location: EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum
Tickets: $15
$10 for students and teachers