Welcome to the Society Field Trips Committee Page.
(Many additional field trips
are listed on each Chapter's web page.
Click the links at left.)
The Field Trip Committee promotes an understanding and appreciation of Colorado native flora through field trips conducted by knowledgeable Society members and other botanical experts. Field trips are open and free to everyone. If you are not a Society member, we invite you to become a member and support the goals of the Society. (See the Membership page.)
On the De-Na-Zin Wilderness field trip in New Mexico, John, Betty Ann, and Cliff try to decide: Chenopodium or Atriplex?
Field Trips Committee – Brian Kurzel, Chair
The Colorado Native Plant Society is pleased to present the field trips for 2008. We hope everyone in the society takes an opportunity to join us this spring and summer.
These trips are limited to 20 individuals or fewer, per trip. If requests exceed this ceiling, we will decide if trips can be expanded to accommodate the interest level. Some trip leaders have requested fewer than 20, so read the trip description carefully and be sure to register with the leader or other contacts that are listed.
Please see below for CoNPS policies for society-sponsored field trips. Several key policies have been reaffirmed by the Board:
1) Refrain from plant collecting except for scientific study.
2) We encourage ride and cost sharing for the trips. (See below.)
3) No pets on trips.
4) Trips are typically aimed at adult audiences unless otherwise specified.
5) Participants must sign a waiver and release of liability form. The written policies and waiver form can be found at the bottom of this page.
Always be prepared for changes in weather. Dress in layers and bring appropriate rain gear. Don’t forget snacks and plenty of water. Sunscreen and a good hat are certainly tools of the trade!
Questions about the field trip program can be emailed to Brian Kurzel.
Individual chapters also run field trips; click on the chapter links at left.
Colorado Native Plant Society Field Trips 2008
Click for a calendar of all Society field trips.
This calendar is current as of March 11; it will be updated soon with many more field trips.
Following is a list of special statewide field trips.
May 17, 2008 Denver Botanic Gardens Tour
Last summer a handful of CoNPS members strolled through Denver Botanic Gardens at the tail end of the spring flowering season. The variety of native plants habitats and gardens were so various and appealing that many would like to see the Gardens earlier in the season: here is YOUR chance to see the largest variety of Rocky Mountain and Great Plains plants in cultivation anywhere (we think!) at their height of spring bloom. Panayoti Kelaidis, Director of Denver Botanic Gardens’ Outreach, will lead us through the dozens of outstanding gardens, many of which feature Colorado native plants to exclusion: expect to see a wide spectrum of Penstemons and Columbines, of course, but there is likely to be everything from Broomrape (Orobanche) in a trough garden, to obscure Astragalus in the native dryland gardens. This is a magical time of year at the Gardens: don’t miss this walk!”
Time to be determined.
Information: Email Panayoti Kelaidis or call 720-865-3500.
June 28, 2008 Two Buttes, Prowers County
Leaders: Colorado Natural Areas Program (CNAP) Staff
Two Buttes is a distinct landform on the eastern slope that also has a population of the rare Frasera coloradensis (Colorado Gentian). This area was partially surveyed in 2007 and several plant occurrences were found. However, before designating this private property a state Natural Area, CNAP needs complete rare plant mapping to assure protection of this rare wildflower. Help map this beautiful Colorado endemic and check out the flora in this rarely visited part of the state.
Information: Email Brian Kurzel or call him, 303-866-3203 ext. 301.
July 11, 2008 Mount Goliath Natural Area Service Day & Tour
Join Denver Botanic Gardens staff as they continue on their efforts to revegetate and restore high altitude ecosystems at the Dos Chappel Nature Center on Mt. Goliath. This is an opportunity to spend some time in beautiful subalpine and alpine environments while providing much-needed service to restore the pristine nature of this site. Included in this trip will be a tour of the Nature Center and a guided hike along the interpretive trail.
Time to be determined.
Information: Email Mark Fusco or call him: 720-865-3586.
July 12, 2008 Fens of South Park, Park County
Leader: Steve Yarbrough
Join us for another full day of exploring fen wetlands of South Park. The trip will begin with a hoped for stop at Fremont Fen, if permission is granted by the landowner. We will spend much of the rest of the day in and around High Creek Fen, an important Colorado Natural Area and Nature Conservancy property. The day will feature many rare plants including Primula egaliksensis, Carex scirpoidea, Carex livida, Trichophorum pumilium, Packera pauciflora, Ptilagrostis porteri, Sisyrinchium pallidum, and Salix candida. There will be discussion of fen hydrogeology, soils, chemistry, and conservation issues. Additional fens may be visited in the area if time allows and if there is significant interest.
Information: Email Steve Yarbrough or call him: 303-250-5542.
July 19, 2008 Rocky Mountain National Park Service Day (Note new date.)
Leaders: Scott Esser, RMNP Restoration Biologist
We will meet at the Rocky Mountain National Park Visitor Center west of Estes Park (Hwy. 36), on the east slope of the Park. This trip will be a restoration work project in the alpine tundra near Trail Ridge Road. We will work to assist the park in a restoration project involving native plants. The trip will also offer a chance to see the Park’s greenhouse, nursery, and discuss the exotic plant program. Due to the uncertainty of the alpine environment, participants must be prepared for any type of weather and be ready to spend the day above 12,000 ft.
The high altitude and strenuous work will make this a tough day.
Information: Email Steve Yarbrough or call him: 303-250-5542.
August 9, 2008 Geneva Basin Iron Fen
Geneva Basin Iron Fen is a Colorado Natural Area, preserved for its rare community type (an iron fen), and unusual geologic process (formation of limonite), and for rare plant species (Sphagnum girgonsohnia). It is located near the continental divide west of Guanella Pass. It will take about 2 hours from Denver. The last 5 miles are 4-wheel drive road. There are six separate fen sites, but all are located within a mile. In the iron fens, there is mostly Sphagnum moss, with other mosses and sedges. There are many small, braided, shallow stream channels. The elevation is 11,000 feet, so it is common to have afternoon shower storms.
What to wear: Waterproof boots that can take walking in 4" to 6" of water. Jacket and raincoat.
Group Size: Limited to 12.
Meeting Place & Time: Meet in the parking lot of REI store at 5375 S. Wadsworth Blvd. It is located about 1/2 block south of Belleview Ave., on the west side of Wadsworth in Lakewood.
Meet at 7:00 AM.
Information: Email Dave Bathke or phone him: 303-232-1865.
COLORADO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
FIELD TRIPS POLICIES
(Click for PDF of the Field Trip Policies)
Please note that in 2006 the gas reimbursement amount was increased.
See # 2 in the Policies below.
The Society wishes to remind field trip participants of the guidelines for participation in Society
trips. By joining a CONPS field trip you indicate acceptance of these policies. At the beginning of each trip, leaders should re-emphasize the importance of treading lightly on the land. The trip leader should have a plan to keep the group from creating damage to sensitive resources.
1. Plant collecting is forbidden on CONPS field trips, with two exceptions:
(I.) Collecting is permissible for scientific study (with the appropriate collecting permit, if one
is required for the area in question). "Scientific study" means, for the purposes of this policy,
study by a trained botanical scientist with an expectation that the study results will lead to
published information; collected specimens will be deposited in a recognized, publicly accessible
herbarium.
(II.) A trip leader or other person whose responsibility is to instruct trip participants may
collect plants for immediate demonstration, explanation, or keying for full identification.
Such collecting should be done inconspicuously (so that persons not with the trip group are
not offended or motivated to do likewise) and with reasoned regard for any possible effect on
the plant population. However, collecting of rare, threatened, endangered, or sensitive
species should never be done for instructional purposes.
2. Rides and Cost-Sharing Policy: Car-pooling and ride-sharing are encouraged on CONPS
trips. All drivers who provide rides to others will graciously accept payment from passengers
according to the following scale:
1 passenger (in addition to driver) $0.07/mile
2 passengers $0.06/mile
3 passengers $0.05/mile
4 passengers $0.04/mile
Passengers should pay the driver at the trip's conclusion, without being asked.
3. No pets are permitted on CONPS field trips. Pets trample plants, disturb wildlife, and annoy
other trip participants. If pets must be brought along (although this is strongly discouraged),
they must remain in or restrained to the owner's vehicle, i.e., walking about on a leash is not
acceptable.
4. Field trips are designed primarily for adults, unless the trip description specifically states
otherwise. Parents should consider the appropriateness of a given trip to a child. If a child is
brought, the parent assumes full responsibility for keeping the child under strict control to
prevent his/her damaging or disturbing the flora or fauna, or becoming a burden to the group.
No child unaccompanied by a parent is permitted.
5. The Colorado Native Plant Society's expressed purpose is to promote appreciation and preservation
of our flora. Use it
lightly. Take care not to damage the very features you have come to see and enjoy.
Take
photographs, sketches, or other means of recording the plants you see, and do not pick plants
or plant parts.
Waiver and Release of Liability Form (Click for PDF of the Release of Liability Form)
COLORADO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY
In consideration for being permitted to participate in or observe the below described Colorado
Native Plant Society activity (“Activity”) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, for myself, my personal representative, heirs, next of
kin, and any person having rights for or on my behalf, I do hereby
1. Expressly acknowledge that I understand that the Activity may be dangerous, involve the risk
of serious injury and/or death, and/or property damage and I assume all risks in observing,
engaging and participating in the Activity, which may include but not be limited to field trips,
classes, and projects, including transportation to and from the Activity;
2. State that in the event I drive my automobile in connection with the Activity to provide
transportation for myself and/or others, I have a valid automobile operator’s license and I
am covered by liability insurance, which is currently in force, and understand that neither the
Colorado Native Plant Society nor anyone other than myself assumes liability and
responsibility for repairs or damage to the automobile I drive or those that may be driven by
others;
3. Understand and agree that the Colorado Native Plant Society, its officers, directors,
employees, members, and agents, and the Activity leaders, guides, instructors, and owners
of property where the Activity occurs do not assume and shall not have responsibility for the
personal conduct of myself or other individuals who observe or participate in the Activity;
4. Represent and warrant that I have been given a general description of and understand the
nature of the Activity and what is involved on my part, I am not suffering from a condition
requiring hospital care, medication, medical or surgical treatment, or any other condition
which would otherwise limit or in any way restrict my observation of and/or participation in
the Activity, my health and physical condition are such that I am and will be able to fully
observe and/or participate in the Activity, and that I will voluntarily immediately refrain from
observing and/or participating in the Activity if I or others become aware that my health or
physical condition limits me in any way;
5. Forever release and forever discharge the Colorado Native Plant Society, its directors,
officers, employees, agents, members, property owners referred to herein, and all persons
directly connected with the Colorado Native Plant Society, both known and unknown at
this time but who can be identified, (collectively “Society”) of and from any and all claims,
demands, damages, actions, causes of action, or suits at law or in equity, or whatsoever
kind or nature, which I or my personal representative, heirs, or next of kin now have or
which I hereafter can, shall or may have for, arising from, or on account of any matter or
thing done, or omitted or suffered to be done by the Society concerning the Activity and my
observation and/or participation in it;
6. Agree to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend the Society, from any and all claims,
lawsuits, and/or judgments, including costs, expenses and attorney's fees, arising from or
attributable to the breach of a representation made by me herein and/or to any willfully
negligent action that I take during my observation and/or participation in the Activity.
7. REPRESENT AND WARRANT THAT: I HAVE READ THIS WAIVER AND
RELEASE OF LIABILITY; UNDERSTAND ITS MEANING AND THAT IT IS
INTENDED TO BE AS BROAD AND INCLUSIVE AS IS PERMITTED BY THE
LAW OF THE STATE IN WHICH THE ACTIVITY IS CONDUCTED AND THAT IF
ANY PORTION IS HELD INVALID BY A COURT OF LAW THE BALANCE
SHALL BE OF FULL LEGAL FORCE AND EFFECT; ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO
ORAL REPRESENTATIONS, STATEMENTS OR INDUCEMENT APART FROM
THE FOREGOING HAVE BEEN MADE TO ME CONCERNING THIS RELEASE;
AND, I AGREE TO BE FULLY BOUND BY ITS TERMS.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY:
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