The Southwest Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society explores, preserves, and enjoys the flora of the Four Corners 
area. We welcome new ideas for field trips, activities, and programs, and we especially welcome new members from Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Please share the following agenda of field trips and other activities with friends. If you have questions, feel free to contact the Southwest Chapter President, Al Schneider, by email or call him (970) 882-4647.
All of our programs and field trips are free and open to everyone -- members and non-members.
Officers of the Southwest Chapter:
Al Schneider, President: email
Eve Gilmore, Vice-President: email
John Bregar, Treasurer: email
Publicity: Beverly Danielson: email and David Wright: email
Click for information about the programs and outings of the
San Juan Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico (Farmington area) and the Flagstaff Chapter of the Arizona Native Plant Society.
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2009-2010 Programs
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November 19, 2009, 6:30-8:00+ p.m.
Mushroom Talk and Slide Show
Presenter: Page Lindsey
Location: San Juan Public Lands Center, Durango
66 people attended this program!
Page Lindsey, recently retired Professor of Biology at Fort Lewis College, will discuss mushrooms of the San Juans. She will tell us about the mushrooms commonly found in our area; how, when, and where to collect them; and how to tell if they are edible or poisonous. There will be some coverage of the role mushrooms and other fungi play in the ecosystem,e.g., wood decay fungi and mycorrhizae. Some fungi are beneficial ecologically, although they may be detrimental to human affairs.
There will be a number of field guides on display and Page will comment on the attributes of each.
There will be plenty of time for audience questions.
Social and treats will follow the program.
Following this we will plan our field trips for 2010. If you cannot attend, please call Al (970-882-4647) with your field trip requests and ideas.
CANCELLED BECAUSE OF SNOW
RESCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 28, SAME TIME, SAME PLACE, SAME PRESENTATION
50 people attended the rescheduled program on a snowy evening.
January 21, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Discussion of "Rare: Imperiled Plants of Colorado" (Exhibit now on display at Fort Lewis)
Presenters: Amy Wendland and Barbara Klema, artists
Location: The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College
Join us for an evening with artists Amy Wendland and Barbara Klema discussing "Rare: Imperiled Plants of Colorado", an exhibit traveling through Colorado and showing now through May, 2010, at the Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College.
The art of botanical illustration is a time-honored craft, its origins going back 2000 years to the time of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Artist and educator, Barbara Tobin Klema, and Fort Lewis College Art Professor, Amy K. Wendland, will present an informed and entertaining overview of the work of some of the greatest botanical illustrators of the past, linking their careers and achievements to the beautiful illustrations they created.
Barbara and Amy will start the program by looking at the beginnings of botanical art and by presenting the work of early artists and the herbals they were commissioned to illustrate. They will highlight the great age of botanical illustration from around 1550 to 1900, when artists such as Ehret and Redouté produced drawings that are recognized as artistic masterpieces in their own right.
Barbara and Amy will then focus on the process of creating botanical illustration, including the implements and techniques of creating these formal illustrations using pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, watercolor, gouache, etc. This portion of the formal talk will address questions such as: “Why draw?” “How accurate and realistic are these renderings?”, and “Where is that fine line between art and science?”
There will then be time for comments and questions at the end of the formal presentation.
After refreshments there will be an informal presentation in the gallery area while viewing the illustrations of the "Rare: Imperiled Plants of Colorado" exhibit. We will review the practical approaches used by various participating illustrators and we will discuss why the illustrations are important and what is a rare plant?
About Barbara and Amy:
Barbara Tobin Klema was raised in the high mountains of Colorado where the stunning beauty of her surroundings and her mother's encouragement led Barbara to a lifetime passion for identifying and drawing plants. Barbara, now a professional artist specializing in watercolor, lives in Durango and paints the people and landscape of the southwest. She offers private and group classes and workshops in watercolor, drawing, plein aire painting, creating nature journals, and bookmaking. Click to visit Barbara's website and click again to visit her artist's blog.
Amy K. Wendland received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design and then worked commercially as an artist and designer. Amy returned to school to earn an MA in Sculpture and an MFA in Graphics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. In 2000, Amy relocated to Durango where she now serves as an Associate Professor and Chair of the Art Department at Fort Lewis College. Amy’s artwork, in her words, "typically utilizes a combination of humor, offbeat materials, and obsessive craft". Click to visit Amy's website.
Social and treats will be intermixed with the program.
March 10, 2010, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Wildflower Photo Show: Tiny Wildflowers of Telluride
Presenter: Al Schneider, Author of www.swcoloradowildflowers.com
Location: Telluride Library
So often we pass by the small critters and plants of our world. Al will show us plants that we all have walked past but perhaps have never noticed. Some of these plants are common; some are rare, but they are all there for us to appreciate if we just slow down and become more observant.
Come join Al as he roams through his web site projected on the big screen at the Telluride Wilkinson Library.
March 30, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Fort Lewis College Herbarium Tour
Presenter: Ross McCauley, Biology Professor
Location: Fort Lewis College Herbarium, Durango
Ross McCauley, the new Botany Professor at Fort Lewis College, will explain the details of life in the herbarium. Ross will talk to us about the reasons for collecting specimens, the techniques for collecting, the uses of the specimens, etc. Ross will also show us some of the prized specimens in the Fort Lewis collection.
As always, we will also socialize and enjoy homemade treats.
April 29, 2010, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
"Environmental Regulations"
Presenter: Amanda Kuenzi, Biologist,
SWCA Environmental Consultants
Location: SWCA Environmental Consultants, 130 Rock Point Drive, Durango
Focusing on the Four Corners area, Amanda will discuss the permitting process, the Endangered Species Act, and the various levels of regulation (tribal, state, federal). She will also touch on wildlife issues such as the Migratory Bird Act.
SWCA is near the Durango Tech Center and San Juan Public Lands Office. Go west on 160 from its intersection with 550 near the train station. In 1/2 mile turn right (north) on Tech Center Drive and then right again at the first street (Burnett Drive). Take the first right onto Rock Point Drive and go straight into the parking lot (passing a sign for Goff Engineering). Turn left in the parking lot. SWCA is at the the far left.
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Click for information about the Southwest Chapter
"Plant Identification Class".
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2010 Field Trips
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Please join us for a great time with beautiful flowers
and friendly companions.
General field trip information
Contact the trip leader to reserve a place on the trip
and to find out about the exact meeting place and time.
As they become available, details will be added to the trips announced below
and more trips will be added.
1) All trips listed on this page are free and open to members and non-members.
2) There are three different levels of trips; you are welcomed on all trips. Leaders on all trips are open to all levels of plant questions. Come enjoy and learn with us.
a) Trips for *avid botanists*: Weber's Flora of Colorado, West Slope and a hand lens are used to examine very fine details in unusual and often inconspicuous plants. These trips are very slow paced and they focus on determining the exact species using scientific names -- although these avid botanists have been heard to whisper common names.
b) Trips for **budding botanists**: Some plants are examined with a hand lens, and there is plenty of time for questions about basic botany. The leader will name many of the plants observed and will discuss techniques for identifying plants. These trips cover more trail distance and focus on determining genus for most plants, species for some. Common and scientific names are used.
c) Trips for ***wildflower enthusiasts***: These are wildflower appreciation walks. The leader will give basic ideas about wildflower identification and the names of many plants are given. These trips might cover a number of miles. Common names are used -- although a few folks whisper scientific names.
3) Unless otherwise stated, trips are limited to 15 participants.
4) Trips leave promptly from the trailhead.
5) No pets.
6) Children who are enthusiastic about wildflowers and who are accompanied by an adult are welcomed.
7) Most trips are in and out on the same trail so if you can only walk short distances, you may sit down, enjoy the wildflowers, and wait for us to come back.
8) As indicated in the Society Bylaws, there is to be no collecting of plants except for herbarium specimens.
9) Be sure to call the trip leader if you cancel, otherwise everyone will be waiting for you at the trailhead.
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2010 FIELD TRIPS
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April 17, 2010
Botanize the Four Corners Area
Leader: Arnold Clifford
Location: Near the Four Corners Monument
This trip is slow-paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*.
We will spend the day driving roads near the Four Corners and stopping often to study a variety of spring wildflowers: Cryptantha, Astragalus (Locoweeds), Penstemon, Phlox, Calochortus (Sego Lily), Allium (Onions), Erigeron (Daisy Fleabanes), Amsonia, and more. Even if you cannot pronounce the names, you will appreciate the beauty.
Join expert Navajo botanist and geologist, Arnold Clifford, as we search for the unexpected -- which we always find.
Email or call Al 970-882-4647 for information and reservations. We will meet at 8:30 a.m. near the Four Corners. There will be a few bumpy roads, so high clearance vehicles are suggested. Carpools will be arranged.
April 22, 2010
Botanize The Shiprock
Leader: Al Schneider
Location: The Base of Shiprock
This trip is slow-paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanist*.
We all have seen Shiprock and been thrilled by its jagged beauty. Now come see it up close as we botanize around the base of The Rock.
Email or call Al 970-882-4647 for information and reservations.
May 1, 2010
Rim of the Canyons Spring Wildflowers
Leaders: Mona, Mike, and Dana Price
Location: Rim of Monument Canyon (near Dove Creek)
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
Join the Price family for spring botanizing on their farm at the edge of Monument Canyon near Dove Creek. We will do some slow walking and botanizing before lunch and then walk the canyon rim for more flowers and long views. The vegetation is Pinyon-Juniper. On the trail to the point we will see Pedicularis (Wood Betony) and Townsendia (Easter Daisy) as well as Ipomopsis aggregata (Scarlet Gilia), and a number of Astragalus (Loco Weed), Lupinus (Lupine), and much more. N-NW of the house along the low rim we will find Opuntia and other Cacti, and when we drop into the bottom there will be Populus deltoides (Cottonwoods).
Email or call the Prices at 970-677-2514 for information and reservations.
Castilleja chromosa photo by Loraine Yeatts
May 22, 2010
Canyon Country Wildflowers
LEADERS: Judith Franklin, John Godby, and Mary Kemp
LOCATION: Disappointment Valley/Big Gypsum Valley/Dry Creek Basin
This trip is moderately paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*.
Join Judith, John, and Mary to share in their expertise in this rarely visited area. This dynamic threesome has worked for the San Juan National Forest in this area for a number of years. This will be an exploratory trip to find early spring wildflowers in this dry canyon country. We should see Chaetopappa ericoides (Sand Aster), Erigeron pumilus (Dwarf Fleabane), various Penstemons, Alliums (Onions), Phlox hoodii (Hood's Phlox), a variety of Cacti, and much more.
Email or call Judith Franklin 970-564 -1042 for information and reservations.
May 29, 2010
Beautiful Mountain
Leader: Arnold Clifford
Location: Navajo Reservation
Arnold is a botanical and geological wonder and a treat to be with. This trip is extra special as he will take us into the Navajo Nation backcountry where we will encounter all sorts of surprises.
Email or call Al 970-882-4647 for information and reservations. We will have bumpy roads, so high clearance vehicles are required. Carpools will be arranged. This trip was cancelled last year due to impassible Mancos Shale roads that were slick from rain. Cancellation is again a possibility.
June 1-2 & 3?, 2010
Botanize the Badlands Along New Mexico Highway 550
Leader: To be announced
Location: Between Bloomfield and Bernalillo, New Mexico
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts***, **budding botanists**, and *avid botanists* who want to do some walking.
Come join the search for unusual plants in intriguing badlands. We will keep plant lists which might assist in obtaining protection for the badlands. Join this trip to learn about and enjoy the geology and flora of these eroded areas of hoodoos, multi-colored hills, and petrified wood.
We will camp or stay in a motel for this 2 or 3 day trip. You may join the trip for all or part of it.
Email or call Al 970-882-4647 for information and reservations.
June 13, 2010
Magnificent Wildflowers of Mesa Verde National Park
Leader: Al Schneider
Location: Prater Ridge Trail
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** who want to do some walking.
Mid-June on the Prater Ridge Trail near the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park provides a superb wildflower display. Depending on the weather and the group, we will walk 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 miles.
Email or call Al 970-882-4647 for information and reservations.
June 19, 2010
In Search of the Giant Onions
Leader: Cara MacMillan
Location: West of Dolores
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts***.
We will be searching out Triteleia grandiflora, a huge and lovely onion commonly found in the Northwest but found in Colorado only in one small area of Ponderosas north of Dolores, Colorado -- hundreds of miles from the Northwest locations. We will, of course, enjoy finding other spring wildflowers in the Ponderosas.
Click for photos and details about Triteleia grandiflora.
Email or call Cara 970-882-6854 for information and reservations.
July 10, 2010
Looking for, Trautvetteria carolinensis (Tasselrue)
Leader: Susan Halabrin
Location: Opal Lake located in the Southern San Juans
This trip is slow-paced for **budding botanists**.
Come meet one of southwest Colorado’s lesser known beauties, Trautvetteria carolinensis (Tasselrue) on the trail to Opal Lake. Native populations of this large and showy plant only occur in Archuleta, LaPlata, San Juan, Hindsdale, and Conejos Counties. We will hike 1.2 miles on a nice trail through a mixed conifer forest and an old-growth aspen grove. Lunch will be at Opal Lake, named for the mineral deposits that give the lake its lovely milky color.
Email or call Susan 970-749-6143 for information and reservations.
Photo by Susan Halabrin.
July 17, 2010
Alpine Wildflowers
Leader: John Bregar
Location: Above Silverton
This trip is is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts***, **budding botanists**, and *avid botanists*.
We will travel to an alpine area or two near Silverton. After scouting to see which of several areas would be most suitable, trip leader, John Bregar, will determine the exact locations about a week before the trip. Candidates for the trip destination are Melanie Highline, Maggie Gulch, Minne Gulch, Stony Pass, and similar areas where we can drive to the alpine zone.
This will be an exploratory trip, because we have not botanized them extensively, so come prepared for surprises! We may cover a fair bit of ground, calling off names of common flora without spending a lot of time on them, but if we encounter something unusual, we will unsheathe the hand lenses and take the time to work through botanical keys.
On the 2009 trip we found 112 species of wildflowers. What a fine day!
We will meet at a Durango location (to be announced) at 6:30 AM to carpool. If you have 4WD, please bring it. Our early departure will give us a better chance to enjoy morning sunshine before possible monsoon thundershowers chase us away. Come prepared with sun block for sunshine, warm clothing in case it's cool, and rain gear should we be caught in a shower.
Email or call John 970-385-1814 for information and reservations.
July 24, 2010
Annual Pilgrimage to Worship the Wildflowers
Leader: Travis Ward
Location: Pass Creek Trail
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** who want to do some walking.
About 80 species of wildflowers will be blooming in abundance along the two miles of trail (4 miles round trip) covered on this trip from subalpine forest to alpine meadows. Our focus will be on enjoying the overall mass of flowers, not on identifying every species or looking at them in great detail. We will make many stops so we'll hardly notice the 800 feet of elevation gain. Participants can wait anywhere along the trail if they are tired, and the group will come back past them on the way back to the cars.
Bring lunch, rain gear, and a warm hat and coat. Hiking boots are recommended.
Email or call Travis 970-247-1310 for information and reservations. Trip limit is 15.
July 30, 2010
Wildflowers of Bridal Veil Basin
Leaders: Connie Colter & Al Schneider
Location: Telluride
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
As we wander wide open meadows along Bridal Veil Creek above Bridal Veil Falls, we will find dozens of species in bloom from the tall and robust Delphiniums (Delphinium barbeyi) and Cow Parsnips (Heracleum sphondylium) to minute Buttercups. At times we will move very slowly as we examine some plants in detail and at other times we will walk more continuously. There will be plenty of time for wildflower photography and for questions about the plants we see. The scenery above treeline is magnificent.
Email or call Connie 970-728-4678 for information and reservations.
August 6-9, 2010
The New Mexico Native Plant Society Annual Meeting Location: Silver City, New Mexico
Native plant society annual meetings always have great lectures and many fine field trips. The Native Plant Society of New Mexico always puts on an informative meeting with excellent speakers and field trips. This year's meeting has the added attraction of the history, culture, and beauty of Silver City, New Mexico.
Click for details. If you plan to go to this meeting, please call Al, 970-882-4647, to arrange carpooling.
August 14, 2010
Flowers of the Alpine and Sub-alpine Ecotone
Leaders: Charlie King and Susan Halabrin
Location: Wolf Creek Pass
This trip is slow-paced for **budding botanists**.
Mid-August offers a good opportunity to compare and contrast wildflowers in the alpine/subalpine ecotone. Many of the long-blooming species, such as the large Heracleum sphondylium (Cow Parsnip), share time and space with the harbingers of the autumn, such as several species of Gentian.
Join us as we explore two easily accessible locations near Wolf Creek Pass. Our primary focus will be to locate and identify the most recognizable flora of the area while searching for some of the gems of the eastern San Juans.
Email or call Susan 970-749-6143 for information and reservations.
August 27, 2010
Mushroom Hunting
Leader: Page Lindsey
Location: To be announced
This trip is slow-paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
Join recently retired Fort Lewis College Professor of Biology, Page Lindsey, as we hunt for and then eat wild mushrooms.
Limit of 15 participants.
Email or call Gabi Morey for information and reservations.
September 10-12, 2010
Colorado Native Plant Society Annual Meeting
Location: Denver
No matter what your level of interest in Colorado plants, you will enjoy the meeting's great speakers, field trips, and socializing. For details, click the Annual Meeting link at top left.
Phil Kemp tells us about Aspen/Spruce/Fir forests in the chill of a 2007 field trip.
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The following class is offered most years. If you or your group would like the class, please call Al Schneider, 970-882-4647. John Bregar and Al will present it for you anywhere in Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, or Utah.
HOW TO IDENTIFY WILDFLOWERS
Are you a wildflower lover who gets frustrated year after year at not being able to identify (or remember!) the gorgeous plants you see each summer? Do you remember the plants but want to know more about them? Come learn at a wildflower class presented by the Colorado Native Plant Society.
You will learn to identify plants using a number of methods, short cuts, and plant keys. Detailed characteristics of leaves and flowers will be discussed using photos and live specimens. Characteristics of the major plant families will be noted. Other subjects covered include: the difference between common and scientific names, pronouncing and understanding scientific names, which identification books to buy, the differences in various botanical keys, how to use these keys, and common keying problems and solutions. The Four Corners wildflower site (www.swcoloradowildflowers.com ), plant photo shows, plant keys, microscopes, and live specimens of plants will be used. There will be plenty of time for your questions.
Presenters of the Workshop are Colorado Native Plant Society members Al Schneider and John Bregar. Al is President of the Southwest Chapter of the Colorado Native Plant Society, Vice-President of the state CoNPS, webmaster for the Society (www.conps.org), and author of www.swcoloradowildflowers.com. John is a retired geologist, superb botanist (and birder), and leads many trips with the Colorado Mountain Club, Durango Birding Group, and Colorado Native Plant Society.
Al and John look forward to seeing you.
Cost of the class, if any, is determined by the sponsoring group.
Participants should bring: magnifying glass if you have one, sack lunch, cup, plate, cloth napkin, etc. Refreshments will be served.
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
PAYMENT WITH REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
REGISTER EARLY; CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED.
When you mail your registration and check,
please include your
mailing address,
phone number,
and email address.
Make your check out to: ____ and mail to:____
Call Al (970-882-4647) or email him for more information.
Cancellation Policy: If you cancel more than two weeks before the class, i.e., before ___, all but $5 of your fee will be refunded. There will be no refunds in the last two weeks before the class, i.e., no refunds after ____.
Your notice of cancellation may be given by email ( webmaster@conps.org ) or phone (970-882-4647). If it is given by regular mail
(Al Schneider, 19049 Road V, Lewis, Colorado 81327),
it must be postmarked by the above dates.
