. . dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora” Volume 24 Number 2 Field Trip Edition March — ^Aprii2<}00 Colorado Native Plant Society Field Trips Field Trip Committee — Rick Brune, Chairperson Beaver Brook Lichens Leader: Sally White Date: Saturday, June 3, 2000 Join us for our third trek in search of macrolichens — those that are easily seen — along the Beaver Brook Trail in Jefferson County. We will explore the western parts of the trail where it descends a steep north-facing slope in Clear Creek Canyon. This area is rich in lichens, mosses, and the endemic Weatherby spike- moss {Selaginella weatherbiana). On this trip we will observe unusual lichen forms; visit some of their habitats; and learn more about the why, what, and how of lichens. We will also learn how to do basic chemical tests that are important for identifying lichens. Lichen handouts, including an improved version of Sally's color guide, will be available to par- ticipants. Join us for a fun trip that will enhance your appreciation of an often-neglected life form and, perhaps, expand our knowl- edge of the local lichen population. This trip is limited to 20 people. To register and for more infor- mation, please contact Sally White at (303) 697-5439 or sllwhite@aol.com. Native Plant Garden Tour: Borland's Paradise Leaders: Jim and Dorothy Borland Date: Sunday, June 4, 2000 This field trip will be to the spectacular native plant landscape creat- ed by Jim and Dorothy Borland, whose new garden greatly expands on the concept of the wonderful native garden at their previous home, which some of you may recall. Jim and Dorothy have entirely replaced their front lawn with native plants of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain west. This spectacular and diverse collection is due, in part, to Jim's former career as plant propagator for the Denver Botanic Garden and, prior to that, as propagator for a western slope nursery. Jim has travelled and collected plant materials throughout the arid parts of Colorado. Although they don't keep track of the numbers, their gardens support hundreds of different native species. This will be an excellent opportunity to learn about growing native plants from the experts. A few myths may also get debunked in the process. In addition to their native front yard, the Borland backyard is a very interesting collection of native and introduced trees, shrubs, and vegetables. Jim grows all of the known varieties of rhubarb, along with collections of elderberries, cherry plums (Prunus besseyi hybri4s), persimmons, paw-paws, and sometimes a banana or two. Jim once harvested 900 pounds of pumpkins from his roof! His compost pile is like none you have ever seen. Dorothy Borland, an expert on turf grasses, is also developing test plots for experimenting with untested native grasses for turf. In order to reduce our impact on the Borland garden, there will be two tours, each limited to 10 people. The first tour will be from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM., the second from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. To register and for directions, please contact Jim Borland at (303) 922-4716. Chico Basin Ranch Leader: Dr. Alan Carpenter, Land Stewardship Consulting Date: Saturday, June 10, 2000 The Chico Basin Ranch is an 85,000 acre ranch owned entirely by the State Land Board. It is located about 20 miles east of Colorado Springs between Colorado Springs and Pueblo, just south of the Bohart Ranch (see Bohart Ranch Prairies, below). Last fall, the Land Board decided to lease the property to rancher Duke Phillips in order to produce income for the state school trust “Field Trips” continues on page 2 Contents About the Society . . . . .7 Announcements . . . .1-3, 4, 5-6, 8 Calendar of Society and Chapter Events . .8 Chapter News and Announcements .... .5-6 Field Trips .1-3, 5-6 Society News and Announcements ...... .8 Page 2 Aquilegia Vol. 24 No. 2 ^Tieid Trips” continued from page 1 and to improve the quality of the rangeland. Another very impor- tant goal of the lease was to develop an educational program focusing on the connection between ranching and conservation. Most of the ranch is dominated by shortgrass prairie, but there are also large areas of sandhills prairie, including interesting blowouts with their distinctive flora. One of the streams on the ranch has botanically interesting seeps along the adjoining rock outcrops. Join Duke Phillips and trip leader Alan Carpenter for a tour of the ranch. Participants are invited to share supper provided by Duke and enjoy a campout on the ranch under the stars Saturday night. The cost of camping and supper will be $10.00 per person, payable at registration and non-refundable. There is no charge for the field trip itself, only for the evening activities, should you want to attend. This field trip is limited to 15 people. In order to accommodate as many people as possible on trips to the sandhills, you may only sign up for either the Chico Basin Ranch OR Bohart Randh field trips, NOT BOTH. To register and for additional information, please contact Rick Brune at (303) 238-5078. Bohart Ranch Prairies Leaders: Julie Farrell and Steve Kettler, The Nature Conservancy Date: Sunday, June 11 , 2000 The Bohart Ranch, leased by The Nature Conservancy, contains a fine example of sandhills prairie along with interesting plant asso- ciations on rock outcrops and harder soils. Located about 20 miles east of Colorado Springs, the ranch also has spectacular views of the Pikes Peak area to the west and the Spanish Peaks to the south. On this field trip, we will spend most of our time in the sandhills prairie, to which there is little public access in eastern Colorado. In addition to the standard sandhills plants, such as prairie sand- reed (Galamovilfa longifolia) and sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii), the ranch contains a vegetation component from southern Colorado that reaches it's northern limit near Colorado Springs; this includes prairie zinnia {Zinnia grandiflora), blackfoot daisy (Melampodium leucanthemum), and cholla {Opuntia imbricata). Another southern species we might also encounter is the tarantu- la. The ranch also contains several colonies of sand cherry (Prunus besseyi). Sand cherry has been grazed out of most of the sandhills^ so it is exciting to find it here. The Bohart Ranch sup- ports several rare plants including sandhills goosefoot (Chenopodium cy chides) and plains ragweed (Ambrosia lin- earis). Plains ragweed is a rare local endemic found along road- sides, where additional moisture collects. On the ranch, it can be found in it’s natural habitat of swales and the edges of ephemeral ponds. Sandhills goosefoot will be more difficult to confidently identify this early in the season, but we should be treated to many other interesting and beautiful sandhills plants in bloom. This ranch also contains mountain plovers and scaled quail, so bring your binoculars. This field trip is limited to 15 people. In order to accommodate as many people as possible on trips to the sandhills, you may only sign up for either the Bohart Ranch trip or the Chico Basin trip, NOT BOTH. To register, contact Rick Brune at (303) 238-5078. South Platte River Plant Communities and Ecology Leaders: Gwen Kittel, The Nature Conservancy, and Bruce Bosley, CSU Co-operative Extension Dates: June 24 and 25, 2000 On Saturday, we will investigate the plant associations and their associated fauna along the South Platte River at the Tamarack Ranch State Wildlife Area. During a walk-through of the riparian forest, we will discuss the ecology, plant succession, and impacts to the riparian habitat along the river. Stops are planned to view several community types, including cottonwood/snowberry, cot- tonwood/woolly sedge, cottonwood/saltgrass, coyote willow, and young cottonwood-peachleaf willow communities, among others. Other activities will include testing a key to the riparian commu- nities of eastern Colorado developed by Gwen and a vegetative key to the willows. On Sunday morning, we will visit some of the sandhill areas on the Tamarack Ranch. Time permitting, we will also try to visit salt meadows, a private wetland/pasture, and silt bluffs and outcrops in the area. Primitive camping may be available at the entrance to Tamarack Ranch. This field trip is limited to 25 participants. To register and for more information, please contact Bruce Bosley at (970) 842- 2120 (home) or (970) 867-2493 (work). Gray's Peak Leader: Jeff Dawson Date: Saturday, July 15, 2000 Gray’s and Torrey’s peaks are named for two famous botanists. Located south of 1-70, about 60 miles west of Denver, these pea' ^ are two of the closest 14,000 foot peaks to the Denver area.T— ^ number of rare alpine species have been collected here by Bill Weber, Lorraine Yeatts, and others. These include Aquilegia saxi- montana. Ranunculus gelidus ssp. grayi, Draba streptomeria, Draba porsildii, Draba grayana, Draba exunguiculata, and Askellia nana. Most of the records for these species are more than 10 years old — some haven’t been seen for 50 years! On this field trip, which is sponsored by the Denver Chapter of CoNPS, we will attempt to relocate some of these species, collect- ing population and site data for them. The data will be provided to the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to update and support their inventory of Colorado's rare plants. In addition to looking at rare plants, there will be opportunities to observe and identify many other alpine and upper subalpine species. Alpine species in this area may be affected adversely by mountain goats and the huge increase in foot traffic in recent years at this popular recreation area. The rare species for which we will search have been recorded at various places along the trail from 12,400 to over 14,000 feet ele- vation near the summit of Gray’s and Torrey’s Peaks. The trailhead is at an elevation of about 11,500 feet. Depending on how high we climb, we could gain up to 3000 feet in elevation in a distance of about four miles, one way. This will be a physically rigorous trip. You should be in excellent physical condition to attempt this field trip. We will climb as high as participants are willing, then con- duct searches in appropriate habitats. For those of you who ta the Draba workshop several years ago, this will be an opportuifti^ ty to practice identification. “Field Trips” continues on page 3 Vol. 24 No. 2 Aquilegia “Field Trips” continued from page 2 Because of the likelihood of rain and lightning in the afternoon, we will start at 6:00 am and end at 3:00-4:00 pm, weather permitting. Bring lunch, water, rain gear, sun screen, and adequate clothing. This trip is limited to 15 people. To register and for more informa- tion, contact Jeff Dawson at (303) 722-6758 or (303) 740-2793. Interdunal Wetlands of the San Luis Valley Leaders: Denise Culver and Renee Rondeau, CNHP Dates: July 22 and 23, 2000 On this field trip, we will visit one of the globally outstanding sites of biodiversity, as identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program. We will visit the Indian Springs wetlands on the Medano-Zapata Ranch, owned by The Nature Conservancy, and other wetlands within the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. This Ranch supports some of Colorado's most outstanding eco- logical diversity and wildlife habitat, including intact wetlands and 20 species of special concern, such as the globally-rare slen- der spiderflower (Cleome multicaulis). We will be camping at the group canipsite at Great Sand Dunes on July 22. There will be a $3.00 fee per person to cover the cost of the campsite, payable upon registration to Denise Culver. This field trip is limited to 15 people. To register and for more infor- mation, please contact Denise Culver at (970) 491-2998. West Elk Mountains and Ruby Range Leaders: Dr. Emily Hartman and Dr. Mary Lou Rottman Date: Saturday, July 29, 2000 This field trip will be to timberline and the northeast-facing cirque basins of Mount Owens and Purple Peak in the Ruby Range and West Elk Mountains. This area is located in the Gunnison National Forest, west of Crested Butte and near Lake Irwin. The elevatiort of the two basins that we will visit ranges from 1 1 ,600 to 12,170 feet. The views are far-ranging and great. The Ruby Range is composed primarily of sedimentary rocks intruded by many dikes and sills composed of porphyritic intru- sives. The sedimentary formations include Mancos shale; Mesa Verde sandstone, shale, and coal; and Wasatch sandstone, silt- stone, and conglomerate. There are numerous fault zones and talus deposits throughout the range. Like the San Juans, the Ruby Range and West Elk Mountains experience more moisture than the ranges of the Eastern Slope. This results in a predominance of the moist-meadow vegetation type in the tundra, and a paucity of dry /(roZjr^5/<3-dominated meadows and dry cushion-plant domi- nated fellfields, except on high ridges. All of this makes for very interesting botanizing. In fact, Drs. Hartman and Rottman pub- lished a paper on the Ruby Range in Great Basin Naturalist in 1987. Some of the interesting species to be seen on the field trip include Draba incerta, Draba oligosperma, Silene uralensis, Senecio taraxacoides. Taraxacum lyratum, Orobanche unifiora, Corydalis caseana ssp. brandegei, and Ivesia gordonii. Old mining roads provide access to the basins and make for rela- ) tively easy walking. However, they are blocked from vehicular travel use. This trip is limited to 30 people. To register and for more information, please contact Rick Brune at (303) 238-5078. Page 3 Hanging Gardens in Southeast Utah Date: July 29-30, 2000 For those of you who have been bugging us since 1991 for anoth- er field trip to southeast Utah, please check out the field trip spon- sored by the Southwest Chapters (see Chapter News). Rich Fens of Northern South Park Leader: John Sanderson Date: Saturday, August 5, 2000 The extremely rich fens of South Park, such as TNC’s High Creek Fen, are well known for their abundance of rare species. On this trip, we will visit another rich fen at the north end of South Park, near the bottom of Kenosha Pass. Slated for destruction just a few years ago, this fen contains a robust population of Porter's fe;ather- grass {Ptilagrostis porteri), a species found in only a handful of fens. Also present are several species of willow, both common and rare, as well as many of the other species from High Creek Fen. There should also be many wildflowers in bloom. Walking through these fens can get quite wet — rubber boots are recommended. This trip is limited to 15 people. To register and for further infor- mation, please contact John Sanderson at (970) 484-3233. Middle St. Vrain Weed Survey and Backpack Leader: Pat Butler, Colorado Mountain Club Dates: August 26 and 27, 2000 In partnership with the USFS and the Colorado Mountain Club, we will backpack into the Middle St. Vrain Creek drainage in the Indian Peaks Wilderness to monitor and control five existing stands of Canada thistle and look for new infestations. The hiking distance will be about six miles, with an elevation gain of about 1500 feet. After setting up camp at 10,100 feet, we should have time to hike up to Gibraltar Lake and the St. Vrain glaciers. On our way back Sunday, we will stop to pull and chop weeds. The worst infestations of Canada thistle occur in close proximity to the park- ing lot. Anyone interested in meeting the group on Sunday after- noon to help pull thistle is welcome. Come join the fun and help remove Canada thistle from the wilderness. This field trip is limited to 12 people. Register early! To register and for more information, please contact Pat Butler at (303) 440-0586. Field Trips - Past and Present I want to again thank everyone who generously contributed time, knowledge, and money to leading CoNPS field trips in 1999. Sincere thanks go also to all landowners who opened up their prop- erties for us to explore. I know I had a great time on field trips and wish I could have attended all of them. The West Slope chapters, in particular, deserve recognition for independently arranging an excellent slate of additional trips, and have done so again this year — see Chapter News. Field trips are open to all CoNPS members, so please support the West Slope folks by signing up for their trips. If you attend an enjoyable trip, how about sharing your impres- sions with CoNPS members who were unable to attend — write a short article for Aquilegia revealing your experiences — good, bad, interesting, humorous... Once again, thanks to everyone for making the 1999 field trip season a great success. Page 4 Aquilegia Vol. 24 No. 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS Society for Ecological Restoration Central Rockies Chapter Meeting The Central Rockies Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration is hosting its first general membership meeting. This meeting is open to anyone interested in restoration issues. Don D'Amico from City of Boulder Open Space will speak on his pro- gram’s restoration projects at Sombrero Marsh and along Coal Creek. The meeting will begin at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, April 26, 2CKXr at the Lafayette Public Library, 775 W Baseline Road. For more information or directions, call Rita Berberian (303) 455-8422. Symposium: Landscaping and Gardening with Rocky Mountain Native Plants June 23 and 24, 2000 The Colorado Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc, in cooperation with the Denver Botanic Gardens is hosting this symposium. Join our experts for an inspired look at Colorado gardening, designed to enhance your knowledge and appreciation of Rocky Mountain natives. Discover the many benefits of native plants, and see how to create your own naturally beautiful garden. The first day of this symposium will be held at Denver Botanic Gardens, while the second half-day will be at the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center’s in Westminster. Topics will include “Colorado Plant Select” by Panayoti Kelaidis, Curator of Plant Collections at DBG; “Native Perennials” with Jim Borland, horticulturist and radio talk show host; “Native Grasses Ornamental and Turf,” by Jim Knopf, landscape architect and author; “Native Trees and Shrubs in the Landscape” by Tim Buchanan, Fort Collins City Forester; “Landscape Design using Native Plants” by Fawn Hayes Bell, award winning landscape architect; and “Give Nature a Chance,” with George Brinkmann, horticulturist and native plant enthusiast. The first day will end with an escorted tour of the native plant col- lection at DBG, with a tour of the Butterfly Pavilion’s native plant garden planned for the second day. Admission is $40.00 for Master Gardeners, NCSGC members, and DBG members; it includes a box lunch on Friday. General admission is $45.00. Advance reg- istration is required. For a brochure or registration information, contact: Audrey Edwards, 2460 S. Krameria St., Denver, CO 80222-6330 or (303) 756-9692. In Search of Alpine Endemics and Their Pollinators Volunteers are needed July 17- August 11, 2000 to assist with a pol- lination ecology study in the Mosquito Range in Summit^ Park, and Lake counties. Research will assess the role of pollinators in the eco- logical needs of four plant species known only from the Mosquito Range of Colorado: Ipomopsis globularis, Eutrema penlandii, Draba weberi, and Sausurea weberi. Preference will be given to those volunteers whb can commit to five or more days in the field. Good physical condition supporting an average of five miles of hik- ing per day will be required. For more information, please write: Susan Spackman (Botanist) at spack@lamar.colostate.edu or Ken ^ Benda (Volunteer Program Manager) at kbenda@colostate.edu or ^ Colorado Natural Heritage Program, 254 General Services Bldg., CSU, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Sustaining Aspen In Western Landscapes: A scientific and management symposium Two Rivers Convention Center, Grand Junction June 13-15, 2000 Scientists, managers, and others with strong interests in aspen and western landscapes are encouraged to attend this symposium sum- marizing the state of knowledge about aspen ecology, management, and the condition and trends in aspen ecosystems throughout the West. The symposium will last three days, including two days of invited and submitted papers, concurrent poster session^ and one day field trip. The final session will be devoted to an overall syn- thesis and panel discussion of aspen issues. The proceedings will be published as a peer-previewed USFS General Technical Report. Register now to participate in this exchange of new scientific infor- mation and management techniques for aspen. Pre-registration deadline is May 15. Register by mail or FAX using the form avail- able at www.cnr.colostate.eduyoutreach/aspen.htm. For more infor- mation, visit our web page or call Dan Binkley at (970) 491-6519. White River Forest Plan ^ The USFS released its "Proposed Revised Land and Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement" for the White River National Forest this past fall. Public hearings were subsequently held to gather feedback. When this plan was released, there was a 90 day comment period attached tb it, which was quickly extended and the deadline for comments moved to May 9, 2000. CoNPS will submit comments as an organization and is cur- rently gathering information regarding specific areas of interest to the Native Plant Society. Issues surrounding Threatened and Endangered Species, revegetation practices, noxious weed poli- cies, Research Natural Areas, soil crusts, and wetlands are of pri- mary importance. Gf special note and concern is the lack of any botanists in the list of individuals identified with the preparation of the "Plan". We will recommend that a botanist review the BE/BA section (Biological Evaluation and Assessment). This is the part that has all the information concerning rare plants. This plan has been referred to as a milestone and benchmark. It represents a new era in public land management, with an emphasis on wildlife and natural resource conservation. If adopted according to the Forest Service recommendations, it will probably serve as the model for the nation as other USFS regions develop and introduce their ten year management plans. It very likely represents a blue print for management well into the new century. To submit comments directly to the USFS, please call (970) 945- 2521 . The entire document may be viewed at: www.fs.fed.us/r2/wh; ^ teriver/planning.html. If you would like to make comments to be included in the CONPS response, please contact Bob Clayke at (970) 242-6067 or rclarke@mesastate,edu. Vol. 24 No. 2 Aquilegia Page 5 Boulder Chapter Monthly meetings are held October through May on the second Thursday of each month at the Foothills Nature Center, located in Boulder at 4201 North Broadway opposite its intersection with Sumac Ave. For more information, contact Chapter President Caryl Shields at (303) 665-6312. May 11, 5:30 pm Annual Picnic and Hike Mesa Trail Meet at 5:30 at the picnic/parkirig area at the south end of the Mesa Trail. To get there, travel south front Boulder on Broadway (highway 93); turn west on Highway 170 toward Eldorado Springs. The Mesa Trail parking lot is not quite two miles west of Hwy 93 on the north side of the road. The chapter will provide snacks and beverages; bring your own main course picnic/brown bag. Join us to enjoy the spring flowering plants! June 4, 1:00 piyi "^MveedPuIl Rock Creek, Superior Yellow star thistle was identified last year by Kathy Damas right in her own neigh- borhood in Superior. Centaurea solstitialis is a serious rangeland threat and is toxic tb horses. Join Cindy Owsley (Weed Specialist, Boulder County Parks and Open Space), Kathy Damas, and Caryl Shields to locate and hand pull yellow star thistle in the Rock Creek drainage in Superior. We will meet at Sunday at the intersection of McCaslin Blvd. and Coalton Rd. and walk east down the drainage. To get there, exit Highway 36 at Superior and go south two miles on McCaslin. Park on the/ west side of the road. There is a traffic light at the intersec- tion. Wear long pants, and a long sleeved shirt and gloves. Cindy will bring trash bags; refreshments will be provided by the Superior Metropolitan District. To develop your “search image,” study the photo and text in Weeds of the West, or check out the many yellow star thistle web sites. For ^^^iiore information, contact Kathy at (300) ^43-1492 (H) or (303) 441-4495 x257 (W) or Caryl at (303) 665-6312 (H). Fort Collins Chapter Indoor monthly meetings are scheduled through April in the Main Conference Room of the National Seed Storage Laboratory (NSSL) on the campus of CSU. For more information, please contact Chapter President Don Hazlett at (970) 834-1493. August 12. Glacier Knobs Field Trip This trip will be led by Annette Miller to Glacier Knobs, where we will attempt to relocate five species of Botrychium and one Dryopteris. Call Annette at (970) 482- 3063 to register and for details. August 26 Meadow Spring Ranch This trip will be led by Don Hazlett to Meadow Springs Ranch to count Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis (Colorado butterfly plant). Call Don at (970) 834- 1493 to register and for details. October 3 Impacts of Grazing and Management Options for Riparian Areas Bruce Bosley (Morgan County Extension Agent) will present a seminar discussing the impacts of grazing and management options for riparian areas in eastern Colorado. Chapter Announcements Susan Spackman has compiled a list of 13 infrequent, but not federally listed, plant species (from the vicinity of Fort Collins) that have pot been seen in recent years. For example, Liatm ligulistylis was last seen at Pole hill (between Loveland and Estes Park) in 1900. Please call Annette or Don if you would like a copy of this list, Metro-Denver Chapter Indoor monthly meetings are held September through April in the Morrison Center at the Denver Botanic Garden. For more information, please contact Chapter President Denise Larson at (303) 733-4338. April 25, 7:30 pm Do It Yourself with Natives Location: DBG, Classroom C Jim Borland, is the Open Space coordina- tor for Genessee and lover of native plants. He also does a Saturday talk show on KEZW. Jim will be discussing how to landscape with native plants. Conservation Field Trip: Hansel Park Hansel Park is a small park in Southeast Denver that contains remnants of native sandy prairie, a wetland, and areas of non- native grass that could be restored. The small drainage in Hansel Park connects Cherry Creek to Babi Yar Park, both areas with some remnants of native vegetation. If Hansel Park is restored, it could provide an attractive native prairie park and wildlife habitat for Denver Residents to learn about the native vegetation that used to cover the high plains. Please call Denise Larson (303) 733-4338 if you are interest- ed in helping to restore this park Plateau Chapter April 29-30 Burro Point - McFlmo Canyon Field Trip Weather perinitting, Andrea Robinsong will again lead this field trip exploring the desert environs around Cortez, including MpElmo Canyon. Meet at City Market in downtown Cortez on Saturday at 1 1 :00 AM. Camping will be in a primitive area, with no facilities at all. Contact Andrea at (970) 872-3952 for more information. May 20-21, 9:00 am Saturday, 8:30 am: Statewide Field Trip Sunday, 9:00 am CoNPS Board Meeting Location: Grand Junction The Plateau Chapter will host a state Board meeting in Grand Junction. All members are invited to attend the Saturday field trip and Sunday meeting, Saturday, meet at the Grand Junction BLM office, 2815 H Road at 8:30 AM for an all day field trip to Rabbit Valley and McDonald Wash. The Board Meeting will take place at 9:00 AM Sunday morning at the Forest Service office locat- ed at 2777 Cross Road Blvd., Grapd Junction. For more information, contact Bob Clarke at (970) 242-6067. June 3-4. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Field Trip. We will explore canyon and mesa flora Page 6 Aquilegia Vol. 24 No. 2 CHAPTER NEWS keeping an eye out for Thelypodiopsis juniperorum, a plant species that should be there, but wasn’t known about when the county survey was done. The birding should great, too; don^t forget those binocs! Meet at the North Rim Ranger Station at 10:00 am Saturday. For more information, contact Jeanne Wenger at (970)256-9227. June 7 or June 8 June 10 Plant IdentiHcation Workshops and associated field trip Two separate workshops, each limited to 12 participants, will be conducted in early June. There will be a $17 fee that includes the cost of Wingate’s Rocky Mountain Flower Finder ($12), as well as a $7 dona- tion to the Plateau Chapter. On Wednesday, June 7, an indoor session will be held at Evelyn Horn’s home from 6:30- 9 PM. The second indoor session will be held on Thursday, June 8 from 1-3:00 pm A joint field trip will be held on Saturday, June 10 from 10:00 am-3:00 pm. For more information and to register, contact Evelyn Horn at (970) 835-8391. June 10, 9:00 AM Weed Pull at Ridgway State Park. Come help us pull weeds, particularly annuals, in the area of the visitof center nature trail. Meet at the center at 9:00 AM. And bring your gloves! For mor informa- tion, contact Lori Brummer at (970) 641- 3561 or lbrummer@gunnison.com. July 22, 10:00 AM. San Miguel Nature Conservancy Preserves Field Trip. Mallory Dimmitt (The Nature Conservancy) will introduce us to two of the San Miguel County preserves and the County Park in Placerville. It is on the left, shortly after turning off the highway toward Telluride. For more information, contact Lori Brummer at (970) 641-3561 or lbrummer@gunnison.com. August 12-13, 10:00 am Sphagnum Moss Identification Workshop Location: Ouray 1 Dr. Richard Andrus, Botanist at Binghamton University (NY), will lead a two-day technical workshop in Ouray on identification of local species of sphagnum moss. On Saturday we will be inside look- ing through microscopes, while on Sunday we will drive to the Chattanooga fen. A donation of $25 will be requested to help cover the cost of Dr. Andrus’ travel. Space is limited. For registration, please contact Gay Austin at 970-641-6264 (H) or gaustin7 @juno.com Southwest Chapter For Chapter news and activities, please contact Chapter President Sandy Friedley at (970) 884-9245. May 13 McElmo Canyon at Cannonball Mesa Trip Leader: Marian Rohman We’ll explore typical canyon lands flora at the base of Cannonball Mesa, that is not so typical for Colorado. Calochortus fiexuo- sus (Mariposa lily), Stenogonum salsugi- nosum (smooth buckwheat) and Forsellesia meionandra (Utah greasebush) are some of the interesting plants we should see. Meet near the sign at the City Market parking lot in Cortez at 10:00 am. Bring a lunch. Contact Marian Rohman (970) 565-9327 for more information. June 17 Narraguinnep Canyon RNA Trip Leader: Leslie Stewart Explore Narraguinnep canyon and con- tribute to the list of plant species present in this Forest Service Research Natural Area. Ranging in elevation from 6800 to 8000 ft, this, narrow canyon has north-facing slopes of Ponderosa pine (some spectacular pock- ets of old growth pine) and south-facing slopes of gambel oak, with a thin riparian est two trip options are available, either an eight mile hike from one end of the canyon to the other, or drop into the canyon from several locations along the rim and catalog the plants from various aspects and eleva- tions. Both options involve hiking and scrambling on steep terrain or a rocky canyon bottom without trails. Bring a lunch, snacks, and water; and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet at the Dolores town hall/library parking lot on State Highway 145, between 4th arid 5th street at 9:00 am. The Natural Area is about a one-hour drive from Dolores. Call Leslie Stewart at (970) 882-7241 for more information. July 29-30 Hanging Gardens in Southeastern Utah Leader: Arnold Clifford, Navajo Botanist and Geologist We will visit three hanging gardens in the vicinity of Bluff and Mexican Hat, Utah. These gardens exist on canyon walls amid spectacular geological scenery near the Goosenecks of the San Juan River, which are world-class entrenched meanders. Each of the gardens that we will visit occurs on a different geological formation and has a different species composition, including; Primula specuicola (Cliff Primrose), Epipactis gigantea (Helleborine), Zygadenus vaginatus (Death Camus), Erigeron kachinensis (Kachina Daisy), Phacelia indecora, and Habenaria zoethcina. Meet at 9:00 am o*" Saturday at the intersection of US Rou^^ 191 and Utah Route 163 just east of Bluff, Utah. Come prepared for moderate desert hiking. We will continue to botanize the area on Sunday forenoon. To register and receive a packet of information, including local camping options and accommoda- tions, contact Charlie King (970) 731-4794 or Sandy Friedley (970) 884-9245. August 26 Terraced Fens nriar Grindstone Lake, La Plata Mountains Trip Leader: Marian Rohman We'll visit a few of a series of high eleva- tion fens near and including Grindstone Lake Above Rico, CO). We'll see typical wetland plants including Spiranthes romanzoffiana (lady's tresseS), Pneumonanthe parryi (bottle gentian), several Carex species and possibly Eriophorum altaicum (Altai cottongrass) and Utricularia minor (bladderwort). Bring a lunch and expect wet feet and thunderstorms. Meet at the Dolores town hall/library parking jot on State Highw 145 between 4th and 5th street. We'll lei.^ at 9:30am. Bring a lunch. Call at Marian Rohman (970) 565-9327 for more infor- mation. mission of The Conservancy. Meet at area along the bottom. Depending on inter- Aquilegia Page 7 Vol. 24 No. 2 w Colorado Native Plant Society The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non- profit organization dedicated to the apprecia- tion and conservation of the Colorado native flora. Membership is open to all with an inter- est in our native plants, and) is composed of plant enthusiasts both professional and non- professional. Please join us in helping to encourage interest in enjoying and protecting Colorado's native plants. Tbe Society sponsors field trips, work- shops, and other activities through local chap- ters and statewide. Contact the Society, a chap- ter representative, or committee chair for more information. Schedule of Membership Fees Life $250 Supporting . . . . .$50 Organization $30 Family or Dual $15 Individual , . . .$12 Student or Senior .$8 Membership Renewal/Information Please direct all membership applications, renewals, and address changes to the Membership Chairperson, Colorado Native Plant Society, P.O. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Please direct all other inquiries regarding the Society to the Secretary at the same address. Aquilegia is published four to six times per year by the Colorado Native Plant Society. This newsletter is available to members of the Society and to others with an interest in native plants. Contact the Society for subscription information. Articles for Aquilegia may be used by other native plant societies or non- profit groups if fully cited to author and attrib- uted to Aquilegia. Please direct all contributions to the newsletter to: Leo P. Bruederle Biology, Campus Box 171 University of Colorado at Denver P.O. Box 173364 Denver, CO 80217-3364 E-Mail : Ibrueder @ carbon.cudenver.edu Short items such as unusual infoitnation about a plant, a little known botanical term, etc., are especially welcome. Previously published arti- cles submitted for reprinting require permis- sion. Camera-ready line art or other illustra- tions are also solicited. Please include author's name and address, although anonymity may be requested. Articles submitted via e-mail or on disks (MAC prefer- ably, or IBM) are apj)reciated. Please indicate word processing software and version. Officers President Jeff Dawson. . . . 303-722-6758 Vice-President . . . Jill Handwerk . . 970-491-5857 Secretary . Alice Guthije. . . 303-651-3127 Treasurer Denise Culver . . 970-225-1930 Board of Directors. Gay Austin (00). Gunnison . . 970-641-6264 Leo Bruederle (00) . . . Denver .... 303-556-3419 Jeff Dawson (00) Denver .... 303-722-6758 Tina Jones (00) Littleton . . . 303-794-2647 Peggy Lyon (00) Ridgway. . . 970-626-3195 Susan Spackman (00) . Loveland . . 970-667-2865 Jill Handwerk (01) ... Fort Collins 970-491-5857 Bill Jennings (01) ... . Louisville . . 303-666-8348 Andy Kratz (01) .... . Lakewood. . 303-914-8291 Eric Lane (01) Lakewood. . 303-239-4182 Jun Wen (01) .... Fort Collins 970-491-3528 Chapter Presidents Boulder ....... Caryl Shields .... 303-665-6312 Fort Collins .... Don Hazlett 970-834-1493 Metro-Denver . . Denise Larson . . . 303-733-4338 Plateau Jeanne Wenger . . . 970-256-9227 Southwest Sandy Friedley. . . 970-884-9245 Committees Communications . . Leo P. Bruederle303-556-3419 and . . Jeff Dawson . . . 303-722-6758 Conservation Bob Clarke. . . . 970-242-6067 Education Rob Reihsvold . 970-351-2716 and . . Tina Jones . . . . 303-794-2647 Field Trips RickBrune. . . . 303-238-5078 Field Studies Loraine Yeatts . 303-279-3427 Horticulture and Restoration Lisa Tasker. . . . 303-447-9431 Legislative Affairs . VACANT Membership. . . . Myma Steinkamp and . . Sue Martin . . . . 970-226-3371 Publications Rick Brune. . . . 303-238-5078 and . . Velma Richards 303-794-5432 Publicity VACANT Rare Plant . Eleanor Monograph Von Bargen . . . 303-756-1400 Workshops . Bill Jennings . . 303-666-8348 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM State Zip Name(s) Address (Address) City Phone Chapter: In addition to my membership, I have included $ as a contribution to the John Man- Fund (endowment in support of small grants-in-aid of research), or $ as a general contri- bution to the Society. CONPS rs A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION — DUES AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE MEMBERSHIP CLASS (Select one) Individual, $12.00 Family/dual, $15.00 Senior/retired, $ 8 .00 Student, $8.00 Corporate, $30.00 Supporting, $50.00 X 1. E-mail Boulder . Fort Collius Metro Denver . Plateau Southwest APRIL - JULY CALENDAR CHAPTER MEETINGS AND EVENTS Boulder Chapter May 11 Annual Picnic and Hike June 4 Weed Pull Metro-Denver Chapter April 25 Do it Yourself with Natives Plateau Chapter April 29-30 Burfo Point-McElmo Canyon Field TYip June 3-4 Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Field Trip June 7 or 8, 10 Plant Identihcation Workshops and Field Trip June 10 Weed Pull at Ridgeway State Park CbNPS Treasurer Needed! CoNPS is leaking for a volunteer for the position of Soci^ Treasurer. Duties include: attending monthly Board meetings, submitting yearly financial reports, and reimbursing expenses. It is necessary that the individual filling this position live and/or work in the Fort Collins area. Familiarity with basic accounting and financial principles preferred Please call Denise Culver at (970) 225-1930 if you are willing and able to support the Society in this capacity. July 22 San Miguel Nature Conservancy Preserves Field Trip Southwest Chapter May 13 McElmo Canyon at Cannonball Mesa June 17 Narraguinnep Canyon RNA July 29-30 Hanging Gardens in SE Utah SOCIETY EVENTS Meetings May 20-21 Field Trip and CoNPS Board Meeting Field Trips June 3 Beaver Brook Lichens June 4 Borland’s Paradise June 10 Chico Basin Ranch June 11 Bohart Ranch Prairies June 24-25 South Platte River Plant Communities July 15 Gray^s Peak July 22-23 Interdunal Wetlands: San Luis Valley July 29 West Elk Mountain and Ruby Range Colorado Native Plant Society P.6. Box 200 Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 http://carbon.cudenver.edu/~shill/conps.html TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL