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.)

 

 

 

Field Trips Committee – Brian Kurzel, Chair

 

The Colorado Native Plant Society is pleased to present field trips for 2009. 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 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.

6) Please be sure to notify the trip leader if you need to cancel, otherwise everyone will be waiting for you at the meeting place.

 

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 field trip leaders.

 

Click the Calendar link at upper left for a list of all Society activities, including all chapter field trips.

 

Also click the individual chapter links at upper left
to see their field trips.

 

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)

 

 

All content is copyright by the Colorado Native Plant Society.  No photographs may be reproduced for any purpose without the expressed consent of the photographer. Email the Webmaster of the Colorado Native Plant Society for permission to use material from this web site.

 

Unless otherwise indicated, photographs on this CoNPS web site are by Al Schneider, www.swcoloradowildflowers.com,   and may not be used for any purpose without his expressed permission. Email him.