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.
If you would like to assist with developing programs for our meetings, email Billie Dawson or call her: 970-769-0640.
If you would like to assist with publicity email Beverly Danielson or call her: 970-385-1058.
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.
June 21 & 22, 2008
Wildflower Identification Workshop
Durango Public Lands Center
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? Come to a wildflower workshop at the Durango Public Lands Center presented by the Colorado Native Plant Society and co-sponsored by the San Juan Mountains Association.
You will learn to identify plants using a number of methods, short cuts, and plant keys. Characteristics of the major plant families will be discussed and plant keys, magnifiers, and microscopes will be used to identify actual specimens of plants. We will also discuss plant structure, habitat, confusing species, etc. There will be plenty of time for your questions.
Presenters are Colorado Native Plant Society members John Bregar and Al Schneider. John is a highly accomplished botanist, birder, photographer, and climber and we are lucky to have him as a new resident of Durango. Al is Vice-President of the Colorado Native Plant Society, President of the Southwest Chapter of the Society, webmaster for the Society, and author of www.swcoloradowildflowers.com.
Fee for the Saturday workshop (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.) is $30. United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Employees and members of the San Juan Mountains Association receive a 20% discount for a Workshop fee of $24.
The Sunday portion of the workshop (10 a.m. - 1 p.m.) will be a field trip of several hours devoted to practicing in the field the techniques for wildflower identification learned in class on Saturday. We will break into small groups under the guidance of experienced Southwest Chapter members. Sunday's fee of $5 for everyone is payable on Sunday. Place to be announced.
If you are not a Society member, you will receive a free one year membership with your registration for the Saturday workshop.
Registration for the Saturday session is limited and must be done prior to the session.
Make out your check for the Saturday session to:
Colorado Native Plant Society
and mail to
Al Schneider
19049 Road V
Lewis, Colorado 81327
Be sure to include your email, phone, and address.
To make this a green workshop, participants should bring their own coffee cup, cloth napkin, plate, etc. for refreshments that will be provided.
Contact Al Schneider, by email or call him (970) 882-4647 for more information.
Dick Moseley presenting characteristics of plant families.
Are
2008 Field Trips
Please join us for a great time with beautiful flowers
and wonderful 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.
In addition to the trips listed below,
we will have evening city wildflower walks.
If you would like to help guide or assist with these gentle botanical walks
call Eve Gilmore or Al Schneider.
For Durango walks call Eve (970) 769-3319 or
For Cortez walks call Al (970) 882-4647 or
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 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 can 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.
Feel free to contact the trip leaders
for more information.
To see photos of the plants mentioned in the trip descriptions go to: www.swcoloradowildflowers.com .
April 14-16: Day Hikes in Canyon Country Near Moab
This trip is full, but do call to put your name on the wait list.
This trip is slow paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*.
We will hike the rocks, sand, and canyons near Moab on three day hikes of varying lengths while we stop often to enjoy early spring Canyon Country wildflowers. Some hiking will be off trail across rock. Among many other plants in bloom we will see Phacelia crenulata, Amsonia tomentosa, Eremocrinum albomarginatum (Sand Lily), Spaeralcea parvifolia (Orange Globe Mallow), and possibly the Orchid, Epipactis gigantea and the Columbine, Aquilegia micrantha. See www.swcoloradowildflowers.com for photos of these plants.
Camping is available along the Colorado River and in Moab, where there are also plenty of motels.
Trip leader: Al Schneider (970) 882-4647 or email for information and
reservations.
April 19-20: Wildflower Identification Workshop in Delta
See details above for the Durango Workshop. This and the Durango Workshop are filling quickly. Please mail checks by April 12. After that Contact Al Schneider, by email or call him (970) 882-4647 to find out if there is still room in the Workshop.
April 23: Wildflower Sketching at Canyon De Chelly
Spend the afternoon learning simple sketching techniques of flowers or views of Canyon de Chelly. Bring sketch pad, black felt tip fine point markers, #4 soft pencil, and eraser. Colored pencils are optional. The wildflower sketching trip will be from noon until ?, but trip participants might want to come a day or two early or stay after the sketching for hiking at Canyon De Chelly. Margaret will help you with details about where to hike, camp, or stay in a motel.
Trip leader: Margaret Mayer (928) 724-3467 or email for information and reservations.
April 26: De-Na-Zin/Bisti Wilderness Area
This trip is for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*. We will make our way very slowly over flat to rolling terrain in the De-Na-Zin (eastern) side of the Wilderness. We will find abundant petrified wood, colorful eroded hills, weirdly beautiful rock hoodoos, and early emerging flora. Mileage will be minimal; plant talk will be maximal.
Bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, rain gear, hand lens (Al will have extra if you do not have one), plant book (William Weber's Colorado Flora: Western Slope is suggested), pen and paper, etc.
Trip leader: Al Schneider (970) 882-4647 or email for information and reservations.
Castilleja chromosa photo by Loraine Yeatts
May 4: El Mal Pais National Monument
This trip is full. Call if you would like to be put on a waiting list.
This trip is for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** who want to do some walking.
El Mal Pais (The Bad Lands) is a land of stark contrasts of black lava flows and brightly colored flowers. Centuries ago numerous volcanoes spread their lava across the land near present-day Grants, New Mexico. The trauma of the past has long since turned into a beautiful landscape dominated by dwarf Ponderosa Pines. We will see a number of species of very colorful wildflowers in bloom and we will take some time to identify and photograph them. We will walk 4-6 miles of trail that alternates between easy sandy flats and sometimes quite rough lava hills.
Members of the Native Plant Society of New Mexico will join us on this trip. Come meet your neighbors.
Trip leader: Al Schneider (970) 882-4647 or email for information and reservations.
May 17: Spring Wildflowers of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
This trip is for *avid botanists*.
We will be searching out, identifying, and keying whatever happens to be blooming on CANM in the vicinity of the Hovenweep outliers Holly and Hackberry near the Colorado/Utah border. Be prepared to use or learn scientific names and do some keying. Format will be a casual and informal wander around with everyone participating in the finding and identifying of what’s blooming. Don’t expect a tour.
Bring lunch, rain gear, plenty of water, and, if you have them, a hand lens and the book, Colorado Flora: West Slope by William Weber. If you don't have a hand lens and Weber, others on the trip will share with you.
Trip leader: Leslie Stewart (970) 882-7241 or email for information and reservations.
May 31: The Flowers of Chimney Rock (Near Pagosa)
This trip moves along at a moderate pace for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**. More details to follow.
Trip leader: Dick Moseley (970) 731-5918 or email for information and reservations.
June 7: Botanical Service Trip to Lone Mesa State Park
This trip is slow paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*. We will work on a botanical project chosen for us by the Park Superintendent. More details to follow.
Trip leader: Judith Franklin (970) 564-1042 or email for information and reservations.
June 8: Wildflower Photography
This trip is for all levels of wildflower lovers who want to learn about how to use their camera for wildflower photography.
Learn about taking close-ups, flower group shots, panoramics, and how the purpose of your photographs (web sites, prints, flower identification) determines the settings and techniques you use. Study your camera manual quite a bit before this trip to make the trip more helpful to you. You might also want to browse through www.swcoloradowildflowers.com to see examples of various techniques. Bring along ideas and questions.
We will choose a location that requires the least driving time and gives us an abundance of wildflowers. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Trip leaders: John Bregar and Al Schneider (970) 882-4647 or email for information and reservations.
June 14: Wildflower and Birding Trip on the Hershey Ranch Near Pagosa
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts***, **budding botanists**, and birders.
This is a joint field trip with the Colorado Native Plant Society and Weminuche Audubon Chapter with Al Schneider, John Bregar, and Audubon leaders. Come explore this beautiful, private, and protected ranch looking for early summer wildflowers and birds. Meet at the Hershey Four Mile Ranch barnyard*. Please carpool as parking is limited.
Bring water, lunch, binoculars, spotting scopes, rain gear, and wear shoes that can get wet and/or muddy. Bring a towel and a change of boots and socks in case you do get a bit wet looking for birds and flowers. (Please note that there is no drinking water available. There are outhouses.)
*Directions to the Hershey Ranch: From downtown Pagosa Springs it is about 5 miles to the Ranch. Go east through town on Highway 160 to 2nd Street (Forest Service on Corner); turn north (left) towards the mountains. The road becomes Snowball Road & winds around; continue until you go under the Hershey Ranch 4 Mile Ranch sign. Continue to big barn. Please don’t block the road or buildings—this is a working ranch. Park in clearing on left just before the big hay barn. Please Carpool to Ranch.
Trip leaders: John Bregar, Al Schneider, and Audubon Staff.
Questions? Call Audubon Staff: 970-884-8555.
June 21: A Solstice Saunter Down Turkey Creek Near Pagosa
This trip is moderately paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
A Solstice Saunter will be on the Turkey Springs/Devil Creek Trail traversing a Ponderosa Pine/parkland community and a Spruce/Aspen ravine, each with a flora typical of these habitats in Archuleta County. Pre-lunch walking distance along this U.S. Forest Service Trail over open rolling meadows and down a steep rocky section will be about one and a half miles with an elevation loss of 300 feet. Carry food and water for a lunch stop along Devil Creek. The return hike will retrace the trail regaining the 300 feet.
Featured species include Castilleja lineata (a Pagosa County endemic), Dodecatheon pulchellum (an Archuleta County record), and Bistorta bistortoides (normally a subalpine/alpine species but here at about only 7,900 feet). See www.swcoloradowildflowers.com for photos of these plants.
Meet at the parking lot at the end of the pavement of the Piedra Road (Archuleta county Road 600) about six and a half miles north of U. S. route 160. The Piedra Road is on the west side of town at a stop light.
Trip leader: Charlie King (970) 731-4794 for information and reservations.
June 21-22: Wildflower Identification Workshop in Durango. See description near the top of this page.
This workshop is more than half full. If you would like to be in the workshop, send in your $30 immediately. See details at the top of this page.
June 28: In Search of the Black Canyon Gilia, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
This trip is slow paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*.
This field trip will focus on rare cliff-dwelling plants found in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area located in southwestern Colorado between Montrose and Gunnison. The Black Canyon Gilia (Aliciella pentstemonoides) and the Hanging Garden Sullivantia (Sullivantia hapemanii var. purpusii) are Colorado rare plants known to grow on the steep canyon walls of the Gunnison River. We’ll explore the canyon walls “from the ground up” with short hikes and possibly boat rides on Morrow Point reservoir. Space will be limited depending on boat availability
Trip leader: Danguole Bockus, Black Canyon of the Gunnison Ecologist. Call Al Schneider (970) 882-4647 or email for information and reservations.
June 28: Wolf Creek Pass
This trip is slow paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
Trip leader: Lin Yao. See the San Luis Valley Chapter page.
July 12: Williams Creek Research Natural Area Near Pagosa
This trip moves along at a moderate pace for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**. More details to follow.
Trip leader: Dick Moseley (970) 731-5918 or email for information and reservations.
July 19: Common Grasses of the San Juan Mountains
This trip is for *avid botanists*.
This is a field trip for those interested in knowing some of the common grasses in the area, learning what structural characteristics to look for in identification, and keying many of the grasses out using the Colorado Flora: West Slope by William Weber. Come interested in learning the scientific names of grasses, keying, and having botanical fun. If you have them, bring a hand lens so you can see the grass anatomy we will need for keying and a copy of Colorado Flora. (Others will gladly share with you.) We will be starting out on the top of Mancos Hill, west of Durango.
Bring lunch, rain gear, and plenty of water.
Trip leader: Leslie Stewart (970) 882-7241 or email for information and reservations.
July 26: Montane Wildflowers along the Pass Creek Trail, Coal Bank Pass
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.
Trip leader: Travis Ward (970) 247-1310 or email for information and reservations. Trip limit is 15.
August 18 and September 13: Botanical Service Trips at Mesa Verde National Park.
These trips are slow paced for **budding botanists** and *avid botanists*. We will assist the Mesa Verde National Park staff with an inventory of plants. This is a chance to help with a valuable project and a chance to see a part of the Park off-limits to Park visitors.
The purpose of this project is to determine composition and cover of Douglas Fir stands within Mesa Verde National Park. This vegetation type is unique within the Park and has unique faunal and floral associations. There are older Douglas Fir stands in the deep canyons and at cliff bases and younger Douglas Fir stands on ridge tops and escarpments. We will examine these two age groups and also examine the burned versus unburned stands. The work will be accomplished by recording the presence and percent of cover using a plant sampling technique called "releves" developed by Braun-Blanquet. (Click to read about this method.)
We will be looking carefully for Maianthemum amplexicaule and Maianthemum stellatum (both often called "False Solomon's Seal), Viola adunca (Blue Violets), Corallorhiza maculata (Spotted Orchid), and Illiamna grandiflora (Wild Hollyhock). You can see photographs of all of these species at www.swcoloradowildflowers.com.
Trip leader: Susan Halabrin (970) 264-5447 or email for information and reservations.
September 5-7: Colorado Native Plant Society Annual Meeting in Montrose. Great speakers, field trips, and socializing. Click the Annual Meeting link at top left.
September 13: Botanical Service Trip at Mesa Verde National Park.
See August 18 above and call trip leader Susan Halabrin (970) 264-5447 or email for information and reservations.
September 20: Forest Tree Life Zones Tour On the Path to Aspen Fall Color
This trip is slow paced for ***wildflower enthusiasts*** and **budding botanists**.
The photo shows Phil telling us about Aspen/Spruce/Fir forests in the chill of the 2007 trip. Phil promises that the weather will be warmer this year.
STOP 1: Rest Area on Highway 160 near San Juan Basin Vo-Tech
Pinyon-Juniper life zone
Pinyon pine and Utah Juniper tree identification
Treatments to reduce fire hazard
Bark beetle (Ips) epidemic in pinyon
STOP 2: San Juan Forest boundary on the West Mancos Road
Ponderosa Pine life zone
Ponderosa Pine and Rocky Mountain Juniper tree identification
Pre-settlement Pine forests, fire ecology, and forest restoration
Core tree for age
STOP 3: Transfer Campground
Quaking Aspen life zone
Aspen and Douglas Fir tree identification
Aspen ecology and management
Recent Aspen die-off
STOP 4: Vicinity of Jersey Jim Lookout
Spruce-Fir life zone
Engelmann Spruce and Subalpine Fir tree identification
Spruce-Fir ecology and management
Spruce beetle
See www.swcoloradowildflowers.com for photos of these trees.
.
As we drive this route, we may also be able to find some Limber Pine. Of course on our tour we will also find many species of shrubs and a few late fall flowers.
Trip leader: Phil Kemp (970) 882-2251 or email for information and reservations.
September 25-28 : The New Mexico Native Plant Society Annual Meeting in Farmington
Great lectures and many field trips. Click for details.
